Week 1 NFL Predictions
Vikings at Saints (-6)
Spread: Vikings
Straight: Saints
I like the Saints to win because the Vikings are missing Sidney Rice. I also don’t like Brett Favre too much this year. I think he will underachieve. But I don’t think the Saints will win by too much since the Vikes have an excellent defense.
Dolphins (-3) at Bills
Spread: Dolphins
Straight: Dolphins
The Fins have a good defense and they certainly upgraded their offense by trading for Brandon Marshall. Also, their running game is great – Ronnie Brown is healthy again and Ricky Williams is still solid. The Bills are an underachieving team and I don’t like them very much this year.
Lions at Bears (-6.5)
Spread: Lions
Straight: Bears
I think the Lions have upgraded their team this offseason. With Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford both healthy and a nice running game with Jahvid Best and Kevin Jones, their offense should be decent. I’m not too sure about the Bears this year, with question marks at receiver. I’m also not a big fan of Jay Cutler and their defense is aging. Still, I think the Bears are good enough to pull out with a victory, especially since they’re playing at home.
Raiders at Titans (-6.5)
Spread: Raiders
Straight: Titans
The Titans struggled early last season before Vince Young took over at quarterback. The Raiders have been a horrible team as of late, but have upgraded by getting rid of JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders defense is still formidable, but they will have their hands full trying to contain Chris Johnson. I don’t think their offense has upgraded enough to beat the Titans though, but it won’t be a blow out since the Raiders now have a somewhat acceptable offense.
Bengals at Patriots (-4.5)
Spread: Bengals
Straight: Patriots
This should be a close game. The Patriots have one of the worst defenses this year while the Bengals boast one of the top defenses. Still, it’s difficult to bet against Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker. As long as all three are healthy, I think the Patriots will be very tough to stop.
Panthers at Giants (-7)
Spread: Panthers
Straight: Giants
I like the Giants this year, but I worry that their offense may be overrated. They have question marks in their secondary as always, but hopefully their defensive line is good enough to mask their weakness. The Panthers have Matt Moore starting at quarterback, and we’re not really sure what to expect from him. The Panthers also have a very good defense. Without Jake Delhomme giving the other team the ball a few times every game, they should be good enough to challenge the Giants.
Falcons at Steelers (-2.5)
Spread: Falcons
Straight: Falcons
The Steelers are without Ben Roethlisberger and starting Dennis Dixon. I’m not quite sure if Dixon is good enough to beat this weak defense, but the Steelers defense is still very good. This game will depend mainly on Matt Ryan’s ability to bounce back from a poor season. He’s got excellent weapons in Michael Turner, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, so the Steelers will have their hands full. If he takes care of the ball and lets Turner do his thing, Ryan will not need need to be spectacular to win this one. This one will be close, but I think Ryan will be able to pull through.
Browns at Buccaneers (-3)
Spread: Buccaneers
Straight: Buccaneers
Honestly, I don’t like either team. Both have subpar offenses and defenses. I’m only picking the Bucs in this one because they’re at home. I don’t have any confidence in either team this year.
Broncos at Jaguars (-3)
Spread: Jaguars
Straight: Jaguars
I think the Broncos took a step back offensively and defensively this year. The loss of Brandon Marshall will certainly hurt the offense and the injury of Elvis Dumervil will hurt too. The Jaguars are a perennially average team. This is a make or break year for Jack Del Rio and David Garrard. They should be able to win this one at home.
Colts at Texans (-2.5)
Spread: Colts
Straight: Colts
Rule #1, never bet against Peyton Manning.
Cardinals (-4) at Rams
Spread: Cardinals
Straight: Cardinals
This is more of a bet against the Rams than for the Cardinals. I don’t like the Rams at all this year, especially with the injury of Donnie Avery. The Rams weak defense will lose this one for them, which is saying a lot since the QB is Derek Anderson, who wasn’t even good enough for the Browns.
Packers at Eagles (-3)
Spread: Packers
Straight: Packers
The Packers look like a Superbowl team this year. Their defense is above average, though not elite, and their offense will fly high. I’m not too sure about the Eagles and Kevin Kolb. They’ve changed a lot and until they prove something to me, I will not be high on them.
49ers at Seahawks (-3)
Spread: 49ers
Straight: 49ers
I’m a 49ers fan, so maybe I’m prejudiced. But the Seahawks are favored here? Who’s setting the lines here? What do the Seahawks have this year? The 49ers have one of the top defenses in the league and an offense that needs to be reckoned with.
Cowboys (-3.5) at Redskins
Spread: Redskins
Straight: Cowboys
I am actually not sure about the Redskins this year. But seeing at how they’re at home and the Cowboys defense is not that great this year, I don’t think think the Cowboys will beat the spread. Still, their offense is one of the best in the league, and they should win this game.
Ravens at Jets (-2.5)
Spread: Ravens
Straight: Ravens
Sorry, Jets fans. Your season will not start off well. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the Jets this year. The problem is, Darrelle Revis sat out the whole training camp and pre-season. He’s not in football shape. So he probably won’t be able to keep up with Anquan Boldin. They’re also missing their last season sack leader in Calvin Pace and top receiver Santonio Holmes. The Ravens offense looks high-powered this year.
Chargers (-5) at Chiefs
Spread: Chargers
Straight: Chargers
Even with the emergence of Jamaal Charles, I don’t think their team has upgraded enough to compete with the likes of the Chargers, even without Vincent Jackson. I think the Chargers will strike early and run the clock down and the Chiefs will be playing from behind most of the game.
Survivor Pool Pick: Buccaneers - They’re at home and playing against the Browns. One of the few weeks that you can pick a subpar team.
