Game 1:
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants (-6) - I like the Panthers in this matchup. Not necessarily to win, but to at least cover the spread. The Panthers manhandled the Giants in the last game at meadowlands stadium last year. I know that was last year, but the teams haven't really changed too much. Matt Moore hasn't put up huge stats, but he's been winning games. The Panther's have one of the best RB tandems in the NFL and that helps them control the clock and keep most games in reach. This all leads up to them possibly winning, but most likely at least covering the 6 point spread.
Prediction- Giants 24, Panthers 20
Game 2:
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (+4) - I like the Dolphins in this one. They added a big play receiver in Brandon Marshall and made some big additions to their defense. Although I actually don't like Brandon Marshall in this game (the Bills' pass D was number 2 in the NFL last year), but I think his presence will open up the run game a little more, which will lead to a big game for the impressive duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. C.J Spiller could be a good RB, but he's behind a terrible offensive line and Lee Evans could be a great WR, but his QB is awful. Look for the Dolphins to cover easily.
Prediction- Dolphins 27, Bills 13
Game 3:
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) - I'm taking the Steelers in this one. The Steelers finished third in the NFL in rushing yards against last year and they weren't fully healthy. Now that Polamalu is back and the rest of the D is healthy, they should once again be a force against the run. Matt Ryan is becoming a very good QB but the Falcons are a team that needs to establish the rush and pass off the play action. If the Steelers can defend the run well, they will also be able to drop back in passing downs and keep the Falcons from getting a lot of first downs. The Steelers will control the clock with Mendanhall and turn this into a low scoring, defensive game. With the game in Pittsburgh, look for the Steelers to not only cover the spread, but to win the game.
Prediction- Pittsburgh 13, Falcons 10
Game 4:
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-6.5) - This is a game where I'm going with the upset pick. They probably won't win, but look for the Lions to cover the spread. Jahvid Best can have some explosiveness out of the backfield and will be a nice option for Matt Stafford to dump off to when he's under pressure. Best can make plays out of nothing when he gets the ball in open space. Calvin Johnson will again be one of the best receivers in the NFL and the Lions added weapons at TE. With these new toys, Stafford should have an improved year. Won't be a whole lot of defense in this game.
Prediction- Bears 31, Lions 27
Game 5:
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots (-4.5) - I like the Bengals to cover in this one. The Patriots secondary isn't very good and the Bengals added two new weapons in T.O and Jermaine Gresham. T.O should open up some room for Ochocinco or Vice Versa. I'm not on the Benson bandwagon again this year but he should be able to do enough against the Patriots to be effective. I give the Bengals defense a slight edge over the Patriots', but I give the Patriots offense a slight edge over the Bengals' (would be a definite edge but the Pats have no running game). Look for this to be a high scoring, close game)
Prediction- Patriots 34, Bengals 31
Game 6:
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) - Too be honest, I know the game is in Tampa, but I'm not sure how the Bucs are giving points in this game. The Browns closed out the year last year with 4 straight wins and it looks like Jerome Harrison can be a very effective back. Jake Delhomme isn't very good, but he's an upgrade over everyone that threw a ball for them last year. Joshua Cribbs can have an impact on any game. Also, the Bucs are terrible, plain and simple. The lone bright spot in the Bucs year will be when Kareem Huggins shines after he takes over when Cadillac Williams gets hurt.
Prediction- Browns 20, Bucs 10
Game 7:
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) - This is probably the hardest game of the week to pick. I'm gonna take the Broncos. I like Maurice Jones-Drew against the Broncos run D but i don't think the Jags will have enough total offense. The deciding factor for me is the Broncos underrated pass game against the Jags horrid pass D. Kyle Orton is a slight above average QB who manages the game well and they have decent WR's. I think this game is gonna be very close and i like the Broncos to not only cover but win.
Prediction- Broncos 20, Jags 16
Game 8:
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (+3) - I like the Colts in this one. A lot of people like the Texans as their breakthrough team this year, and i do also, but I still don't think they beat the Colts. The Colts have been hearing a lot about their winless preseason and I think that Manning comes out and puts all that talk to rest quickly. The Texans have played well against the Colts lately but have blown leads late. It could just be a feeling but I think that the Colts surprise a lot of people and pull away early and then cruise to a victory.
Prediction- Colts 31, Texans 17
Game 9:
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (-6.5) - The Raiders made a number of improvements this offseason, but none of them help them against Chris Johnson. Vince Young will throw just enough to keep the defense honest and open up lanes for Chris Johnson. Jason Campbell was a decent QB in Washington but now he goes to a worse situation with even less talent at WR. This one is pretty simple to me.
Prediction- Titans 24, Raiders 13
Game 10:
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (+4) - I'm a diehard packers fan and a very superstitious man so there will be no predictions on packers games.
Game 11:
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (+3.5) - It amazes me how the Seahawks are only getting 3.5 points. Most likely, it's because oddsmakers believe that home field advantage is worth a field goal. The Seahawks have only a couple offensive weapons in John Carlson and Justin Forsett (and in order for Carlson to really be a weapon, Matt Hasselbeck needs to not be awful). The 49ers have one of the leagues best defenses and a few offensive threats. Frank Gore should have a good year and Michael Crabtree should have a good sophomore season. Vernon Davis is a very athletic TE and a favorite target of Alex Smith. Look for the 49ers to cover the spread after the 1st quarter and never come close to giving it back.
Prediction- 49ers 27, Seahawks 7
Game 12:
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (+3.5) - Both teams look like they're poised for bad years. If Bradford turns in a good rookie years, the Rams have a slight chance to get more than 2 wins this year. The thing that bodes the best for the Rams is the awful division they play in. The Cardinals lost Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and a few defensive players. I think the defenses are what decide this game and the Rams is the worse of the two. This will be a closer game than a lot of people think but I think the Cardinals will win and barely cover. Be careful putting your money on this game.
Prediction- Cardinals 24, Rams 20
Game 13:
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (+3.5) - I like the Cowboys in this game. There is a lot of talk about the Redskins this year, and I think McNabb will have a good year, but I don't think they will have enough to keep up with the Cowboys. The Cowboys have a bunch of offensive weapons and their defense looks like it's going to be an elite one this year. Even on the road, the Cowboys should win this one pretty easily.
Prediction Cowboys 27, Redskins 14
Game 14:
Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets (-1.5) - The Ravens are my AFC super bowl pick this year so I might be a little swayed but I like Baltimore in this game. They added a lot of fire power in the offseason with Boldin and T.J Housh. I think Flacco will have a breakout year, statistically. Ray Rice is always a threat to catch passes out of the backfield as well as run the ball and Todd Heap looked refreshed in the preseason. Revis is a great cornerback and will probably shut down one of the Ravens WR's, but he can't shut down them all. The Jets don't have enough on offense to get a lot of points on the Ravens defense. Mark Sanchez could have a good year, but he still doesn't seem like the type of QB that will be able to produce against elite defenses. Look for the Ravens to not only cover but win.
Prediction- Ravens 21, Jets 13
Game 15:
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (+5.5) - Once again, I'm very superstitious and I have the Chargers in a surviver pool so there will be no predictions on this game.
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