Sunday, September 11, 2011

Week 1 Picks

So, I probably should've done this on Thursday, but oh well. This is the picks for week 1. I'm going to have both head-to-head and spread predictions. Josh just did picks, and his will be blow mine.

New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
For the record, I picked the Packers to win and with the spread. Doubt me? It's on ESPN.

Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears (+2.5)
The question is, will the Falcons win by at least a field goal. It's the Falcons high-octane offense vs. the Bears top-ranked defense. Cutler is 5-1 in September with the Bears while Ryan is 6-4 in September with the Falcons. The Bears also have a great defense which is going to be hell for Matt Ryan, who has not done well against great defenses.
Pick: Bears, Spread: Bears
Josh: Falcons

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)
The Buffalo Bills had their moments last year but really crapped out at the end. The Pick is easy, but the question is, will the spread be covered? The past two seasons in KC, the Bills have kept it under the spread, and with only Dwayne Bowe and Stevie Johnson as each team's respective receiving threats, this is going to heavily rely on the ground game. 
Pick: Chiefs, Spread: Bills
Josh: Bills

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns (-4.5)
This is Colt McCoy vs Andy Dalton. Generally these games are close, but the only holdover from the Bengals' primary weapons on offense is Cedric Benson, everyone else is gone. In the case of the Browns, it's going to be Colt McCoy and his no-name receivers with Madden cover-boy Peyton Hillis taking on the Bengals defense, which is still solid. Spread is questionable, so I'm just guessing on it.
Pick: Browns, Spread: Browns
Josh: Browns

Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
Last season, Tampa Bay won 23-20 in Detroit with Drew Stanton leading the team. Now, they have Matthew Stafford back, and he looks absolutely awesome. Considering how close it was with the Lion's third stringer last time, I'm going with the Lions and #1 pick Matthew Stafford
Pick: Lions, Spread: Lions
Josh: Lions

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5)
This game is going to be CJ2K vs MJD. Tennessee obviously has the better defense and will be starting Hasselbeck while the Jaguars are praying that McCown can win for them. Going to have to go with the better team on this one.
Pick: Titans, Spread: Titans
Josh: Titans

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (-2.5)
This is going to be a great game. The Colts minus Peyton Manning vs the Texans suped up defense. Not saying Kerry Collins is a bad QB, but these Texans want to eat the Colts alive. Last season in the home opener against the Colts, they ran the ball down their throat. Expect more of the same, a lot more of the same, even if Arian Foster isn't starting.
Pick: Texans, Spread: Texans
Josh: Texans

Philadelphia Eagles @ St. Louis Rams (+5.5)
I think the Eagles will underestimate the Rams in the home opener. They're a tough team to play and their coach knows how to beat the NFC East teams. The Rams are a much improved team and will make it competitive for the Eagles. That being said...
Pick: Eagles, Spread: Rams
Josh: Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
This is the biggest rivalry game of the opening weekend. These guys flat out, hate each other. The Ravens are at home and the favorites, however, Joe Flacco has had a lot of problems beating Ben Roethlisberger. That ends today. All the off-season controversy and Super Bowl hangover will affect this team. I assure you the Ravens want nothing more than to kick the Steelers' teeth in. I also expect to follow through on that with the amount of talent they have on offense now.
Pick: Ravens, Spread: Ravens
Josh: Ravens

Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers (-8.5)
The #1 offense and #1 defense returns from last season, albeit, minus a few pieces and plus a few pieces. The Vikings are going to get beaten in this game, and it's not gonna look good for McNabb.
Pick: Chargers, Spread: Chargers
Josh: Chargers

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins (+3.5)
I really want to pick the Redskins to win it, and I think the Giants have enough injuries on their squad that the Redskins could actually pull it out. Tuck might not play, Osi is out, the secondary is severely banged up and the Redskins run game looks legit
Pick: Redskins, Spread: Redskins
Josh: Giants

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals (-5.5)
This will be Cam Newton's first game, but this will be Kevin Kolb's coming out party. We've seen the connection between him and Fitzgerald, something that was sorely missed last season. Now Cards fans know they've got something. The only problem may be the run game with Beanie Wells. But I think the Cardinals win by a touchdown as the Panthers are still adjusting with Cam Newton.
Pick: Cardinals, Spread: Cardinals
Josh: Panthers

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)
Should we call this the futility bowl? The 49ers were awful last season and the Seahawks are starting Tavaris Jackson. They have receiving options, but do I really trust Tavaris as my QB? Alex Smith may emerge with Jim Harbaugh as his new coach and with Braylon Edwards out wide with Michael Crabtree. I think the 49ers pull this out, but not by much.
Pick: 49ers, Spread: Seahawks
Josh: 49ers

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets (-4.5)
This is the Ryan Bowl. Rex vs Rob. What better place than on Sunday night? Last year, the Cowboys blew it in Primetime against the Redskins, will they do it again this year? I think they might lose, but not by much. Rex and Rob will blitz the hell outta each other, and while the Cowboys have a better QB situation, the Jets have better running backs and wide receivers. Expect this to be a tight and closely fought game.
Pick: Jets, Spread: Cowboys
Josh: Jets

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins (+5.5)
This is the Patriots, they don't like the Dolphins, Bill Belichek and Tom Brady want to beat the hell outta the Dolphins every time they see them. They still haven't forgotten Ronnie Brown going crazy against them a few years back. Now the Dolphins have Reggie Bush. This could be an interesting game, but i see the Pats pulling away after halftime.
Pick: Patriots, Spread: Patriots
Josh: Patriots

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-0.5)
The Raiders beat the Broncos twice last season, but the Broncos have Willis McGahee who torched the Raiders last time he saw them. Truth be told, the Raiders rocked the Broncos last season, both against Orton and Tebow. I'm going to have to give the edge back to the Raiders and obviously the spread.
Pick: Raiders, Spread: Raiders
Josh: Broncos

No comments:

Post a Comment