Sunday 1:00
Falcons @ Minnesota(-3)
You know, I have this feeling Atlanta isn’t actually as bad as people think. And I may not pick the Vikings at all while Jackson is the starting QB.
Panthers @ St. Louis(-1)
Meh. I can’t tell if either of these teams will be anything other than mediocre. I’m guessing Al will take the Rams, so I’ll take the point.
Broncos @ Buffalo(+3)
The Bills are a franchise in limbo, while I think the Broncos will be a playoff team. Broncos by a TD at least.
Chefs @ Houston(-3)
Yeah, KC is a train wreck, but they were a playoff team last year, and in case the bookies have missed it, the Texans won a paltry four games and still haven’t done anything about their O line. I won’t start picking the Texans until they actually win something.
Dolphins @ Washington(-3)
How bad will the Dolphins offense be this year, I wonder? It really might not be better. Of course, the Redskins didn’t exactly light it up last year, but their QB isn’t quite as green, so maybe they’ll actually improve. The Redskins get three for being the home team, I guess. Uhh, sure, yeah, I’ll give three points, but it’s basically a coin flip driving this pick.
Patriots @ New Jersey Meadowlands(+7)
Because I know Al will take the Jets, I’m going with the boys from New England. Brady with guys to throw to and an improved defense? They might be scary good.
Eagles @ Green Bay(+2.5)
Brett “Overthrow” Favre and a rookie RB vs. McNabb and Westbrook, and I don’t even have to give a figgie? Iggles.
Stillers @ Cleveland(+4.5)
I’m expecting Pittsburgh to rebound this year, and I don’t think the Browns will be any better, so I’ll take Pittsburgh to cover this.
Titans @ Jacksonville(-7)
I like the Jags to win this game, but I have trouble seeing either of these offenses lighting it up. I figure it’ll be closer than 7.
Sunday 4:15
Bears @ San Diego(-6)
OK, now, the question has to be asked: why do people keep thinking Norv Turner is an appropriate answer to the question “who makes a good NFL head coach?” How do you fire a guy who went 14-2 and replace him with a guy who has a career .415 winning percentage? I don’t get it. On the other hand, the Bears are still staring Rex, and the Bolts are friggin’ loaded with talent (except at wideout). Look at the Bolts to run up another gaudy regular season record and then boot it in the postseason. Oh, and I’ll take San Diego to cover.
Lions @ Oakland(-2)
How are the Raiders favored over anybody, even the hapless Lions at home? Isn’t McCown starting at QB for the Raiders? McCown? Really? I’ll take the points, thanks.
Bucs @ Seattle(-6)
I’m inclined to think Tampa will be better this year–Garcia is an upgrade at QB and maybe Cadillac can stay healthy. But Seattle might be better, too, if Alexander can stay healthy. OK, in Seattle, I’ll give the points.
Sunday Night
Jints @ Dallas(-6)
Hmm. I actually think the loss of Terry Glenn will hurt the Cowboys, because it means teams can double T.O. without fear. And the Giants appear to already be in disarray before the season even starts. I like the Cowboys running game and defense better, though, so I think I’ll give the points.
MNF
Ravens @ Cincinnati(-2.5)
I like the Ravens to pull an upset here, as I’m still not sure Cinci is over their whole incarceration thing.
Cardinals @ San Francisco(-3)
The Niners are the sexy “team on the rise” pick this year, but they still haven’t won anything yet. I figure losing Dennis Green is likely to make the Cards another two wins better. I’ll take the points.
Falcons @ Minnesota(-3)
Jackson may not be any good, but really, they won’t need him. All they have to do is run. The Falcons have no Rod Coleman and the Vikings will have watched the Carolina film from last year. Give the points.
Panthers @ St. Louis(-1)
No, I like the Panthers. They blanked the Rams last year.
Broncos @ Buffalo(+3)
The Broncos are starting 2nd year QB, and Lossman showed improvement last year. But seriously, the Broncos have a lot more pieces. Buffalo won’t win more than 6 games.
Chefs @ Houston(-3)
I watched some of Hard Knocks with the Chiefs this year. I’m glad Edwards isn’t coaching the Jets anymore. Something about him rubs me the wrong way. Too…dramatic or something. Anyway, they have some good offensive pieces and Houston really doesn’t. I’ll take the points.
Dolphins @ Washington(-3)
I like the moves the Dolphins made this year. I’ll take the points.
Patriots @ New Jersey Meadowlands(+7)
Are you nuts? Why would I take the Jets? This is going to be a laugher. The Jets made the playoffs with smoke and mirrors last year. If they keep it within 7, coach really is “Mangenius.”
Eagles @ Green Bay(+2.5)
GB got too much credit last year and it appears to be continuing. Their defense is really unimpressive. Eagles in a joke.
Stillers @ Cleveland(+4.5)
I don’t know if Cleveland has done much to improve. Perhaps Romeo’s system needed a year to rev up, we’ll see. In the meantime, I’ll give the 4.5 and expect the Steelers to handle the Browns, even if it is in the dog pound.
Titans @ Jacksonville(-7)
I wonder if the Titans have handled all their off-the-field distractions. I’m excited to see what Young and Henry do this year offensively, though. I’ll take the 7 points.
Sunday 4:15
Bears @ San Diego(-6)
At home, with LT. Chargers.
Lions @ Oakland(-2)
The Lions are a nice sleeper pick. If they could actually stop anybody, they might win some games this year. Picking Oakland here would be just irresponsible.
Bucs @ Seattle(-6)
Seattle is going to be fine until the playoffs. Plus they handled the Bucs at the end of the year last year. I’ll give the points.
Sunday Night
Jints @ Dallas(-6)
The Giants seem like a real mess and Dallas (despite the loss of Glenn) seem to be on the right track to make the playoffs. We’ll see how much that, and the loss of Parcells, hurts them. If they lose this game it will be a long season. I’ll give the points.
MNF
Ravens @ Cincinnati(-2.5)
Wow, I have the Ravens here too. The big question is if their running game will be successful with McGahee. The other big questions is if the Ravens D will be as dominant. I expect they’ll be able to control the ball and limit Palmer’s touches.
Cardinals @ San Francisco(-3)
The Niners showed flashes at the end of last year. I expect they’ll be geeked up in their first home game and they should win it against a worse-than-average Cardinals team.
Good luck.