NFL Week 1 Picks

NFL Week 1 Picks
M.D. Wright
9.10.09

Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Lines: PIT (-6.5) Over/Under 34.5
TEN: +240
PIT: -290

Rematch of last year's regular season showdown. I had the Steelers winning in a rout, however, I was too late to get home to do my picks in time for the game. They won by a smidge. The Titans played very vanilla and you cannot do that against Roethlisberger. They paid for it with the loss.

(Original Pick)
Tennessee 13
Pittsburgh 27

(Actual Score)
Tennessee 10
Pittsburgh 13
FINAL
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Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Lines: ATL (-4.5) Over/Under 43.5
MIA: +170
ATL: -210

I say the Dolphins fall back. They won't sneak up on anyone and teams are prepared for Wildcat Offence. Falcons are solid and Michael Turner will get his 145 yards. Ball control and consistency from Matthew Ice = Fulcons win.

Pick:
Miami 17
Atlanta 30
FINAL
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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland
Lines: BAL (-12.5) Over/Under 36
KC: +600
BAL: -800

CARNAGE.

Pick:
Kansas City 6
Baltimore 24
FINAL
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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, North Carolina
Lines: CAR (+2.5) Over/Under 43.5
PHI: -140
CAR: +120

Interesting set-up here. The Iggles have one of the best offences in the NFC now with McNabb healthy, Westbrook, McCoy, Maclin and Jackson. However, this is their weakest defence this decade. It will matter. All year.

The Panthers look to rebound from Delhomme's debacle in the playoffs last year. Jake does not want to relive those nightmares. The Panthers can run the ball better than almost anyone and they WILL against the Iggles.

Pick:
Philadelphia 27
Carolina 31
FINAL
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Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio
Lines: CIN (-2.5) Over/Under 42.5
DEN: +180
CIN: -220

The Broncos are a mess. Who even knows what to expect from them? They have Marshall and Royal, but *gulp* Kyle Orton? DEAR GOD.
The Bengals hope to have Cursin' (Carson) Palmer healthy to go with Chad Ocho Cinco and Laveranues Coles on the outside. They can't run the ball, though. Unless Cedric Benson all of a sudden learns how to. Still pick the Bengals to win against that E! True Hollywood Story of a team in Denver.

Pick:
Denver 20
Cincinnati 31
FINAL
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Cleveland, Ohio
Lines: MIN (-4.5) Over/Under 40
MIN: -220
CLE: +180

I don't know what to make of this game. I think the Vikes will win, but overall, how can you call it? The Browns are pretty tough against the run, for all the circus going on out there. Peterson will get his, though. Will Favre do damage? I have no idea. The Browns have to prove they can both run the ball (Lewis) and get the ball to the outside (Edwards) since Winslow is not there to be Quinn's safety blanket. This could be a long season for the Browns.

Pick:
Minnesota 24
Cleveland 20
FINAL
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New York Jets vs. Houston Texans
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas
Lines: HOU (-4.5) Over/Under 44
NYJ: +180
HOU: -220

The Texans can light up the scoreboard like a pinball machine. The Jets MAY be able to, but Sanchez is 100% rookie. He looked good in the preseason, but who knows how much of that will translate to the regular season? Schaub MUST stay healthy in order for the Texans to have any continuity on offense. Healthy, they are as good as they come with Schaub/A. Johnson/Daniels/Walter/Slaton.

However, the Jets are much better than the Texans defensively. The key will be to watch how the Jets attack Andre Johnson -- using Revis one on one or with help over the top? If they help over on Johnson, that will leave the aforemetioned receivers/tight end open. Will be a chess match.

Pick:
New York Jets 41
Houston 38
FINAL - OT
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Lines: IND (-7.5) Over/Under 45
JAX: +260
IND: -320

The Jags have the Colts number -- somewhat. They don't own them, but they make the Colts work for it. This game will be no different. But the Jaguwires quit so badly on Del Rio last year -- they looked like trash on both sides of the ball in the preseason. Manning won't allow the Colts to do so offensively and I think they're just as good defensively as they ever have been. Should be a blowout.

Pick:
Jacksonville 13
Indianapolis 31
FINAL
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Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints
The Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louuisiana
Lines: NO (-13.5) Over/Under 48.5
DET: +650
NO: -900

......................................................................

Pick at your own risk. If you want to make some big money and know something that the rest of us don't, lay money with the Lions at +650 ha. Drew Brees is gonna do to them what he did last year DEAR GOD.

Pick:
Detroit 17
New Orleans 45
FINAL
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Lines: DAL (-6.5) Over/Under 39
DAL: -275
TB: +235

Do the Bucs even have a plan?

Pick:
Dallas 34
Tampa Bay 9
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Lines: ARI (-6.5) Over/Under 46
SF: +220
ARI: -260

This one should be fun. The 49ers are better. And as I said in my Powre Rankings, Crabtree will HAVE to grasp the offence quickly, because they are gonna need him if they expect to be as good as they claim. The Curds will light up the scoreboard, but the Niners can score, too. The Curds are just a SMIDGE better on defence, however.

Pick:
San Francisco 33
Arizona 36
FINAL - OT
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Washington Redskins vs. New York Football Giants
Giants Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Lines: NYG (-6.5) Over/Under 37
WAS: +240
NYG: -290

Plain and simple, the Giants OWN Washington this decade. And especially at home. Campbell is finally entrenched in an offence for consecutive years for once, at least. Not that it will matter. They don't have enough weapons offensively and cannot block the best front seven nor pass against one of the best secondaries in the NFC.

The Giants' WR corps has been much ballyhooed this offseason. Partially with good reason. But it is all overblown. Hakeem Nicks WILL be making big plays and Steady Steve Smith, along with Mario Manningham will be the consistent possession/deep threats with Sinorice Moss and occasionally Hixon. The Giants' defence will sack Campbell a half dozen times and force him into a pick or two. This game could get ugly quickly.

Pick:
Washington 17
New York Giants 34
FINAL
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St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Seattle, Washington
Lines: SEA (-8.5) Over/Under 40.5
STL: +320
SEA: -400

.................................................

Pick:

St. Louis 17
Seattle 20
FINAL - OT
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Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: GB (-3.5) Over/Under 46.5
CHI: +165
GB: -200

(John Facenda Voice): "As they renewwwwwwwwwwww the old rivalrayyy... the newest incarnation of the Greeeeeeeeeeeeeen Baaaaaaaaay PACKUZ.... versus the Chicaaaaaago BUZZZZZZZZZZ".

The Oldest Rivalry in the NFL.

And the Packers will destroy the Bears. The end.

Pick:
Chicago 16
Green Bay 35
FINAL
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Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: NE (-10.5) Over/Under 47.5
BUF: +500
NE: -700

If there is a game to pick against the Patriots, it MAY be this one. They are lacking defensively and the Bills will be ready for the Patriots' offence. Terrell Owens will play and will be open all day like White Castle. It will be close, and high-scoring.

Pick:
Buffalo 34
New England 33
FINAL
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San Diego Super Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Alameda County Coliseum/McAfee Coliseum
Oakland, California
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: SD (-9.5) Over/Under 43
SD: -475
OAK: +375

What on earth. The Raiders' COACHES are fighting each other.

However, they do have a good running game from last year as well as a solid defence (even if Richard Seymour has yet to report after the trade with New England for Oakland's 1st Round Pick in 2011).

It won't be enough to stop LaDainian Tomlinson (who owns them) and the rest of the Chargers (who own them).

Blowout city.
*CUE UP "San Diego Super Chargers Theme Song" From 1979"*

SAN DI-E-GOOOO... SUPER CHARGERS... SAN DI-E-GO... CHAAAAAHGAS!!! CHARGE!!! HA.


Pick:
San Diego 41
Oakland 24
FINAL
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Recaps coming on Tuesday.
Enjoy your football. We've waited eight months for this!!!