NFL Week 1 Picks, Real Quick

Working under a deadline so it's just going to be quick picks and a sentence, and yes, I made my Thursday game pick before the game, as Adam or Bryan will attest.

Flaming Thumbtacks (+6.5) over STEELERS

They blew out the Steelers last year, and both teams return close to the same personnel. Haynesworth's absence won't make THAT much of a difference.

Broncos (+5) over BENGALS

KUBIAK says the Broncos are fixin' to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, and it's hard to argue, but... this is the Bengals.

TEXANS (-4.5) over Jets

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the Jets are going to be one of the worst teams in the league. I know, I know, home favorites, and the Texans, blah, blah, blah. The Jets suck.

COLTS (-6.5) over Jaguars

Because I'm down on the Jaguars this year, but most people--who only know that Maurice Atherton Youngblood Bracegirdle Oliver "Jones" Drew III Jr. is a good fantasy back--are high on them, and it feels like Vegas wants me to take the points.

Lions (+13.5) over SAINTS

I'll believe the Ain'ts have the defense to beat anybody, even the Lions, by 14 points when I see it.

Cowboys (-5) over BUCCANEERS

One of the easier picks of the week to me. I think the Cowboys are going to be good, at least the first half of the year before the Phillips Effect fully kicks in.

Dolphins (+4) over FALCONS

I don't know, really. This seams like a coin flip to me--I'd definitely back the Dolphins in Miami--so I'll just take the points.

Chiefs (+12.5) over RAVENS

Vegas wants me to do this, don't they? I'm not going to outthink myself here--I don't really like the Ravens' chances of being anyone by 13 that often.

PANTHERS (+2.5) over Eagles

It seems too easy to take the Eagles. The line's too low. And the Eagles are flakes, especially early in the season. Vegas is definitely trying to bait me into taking the Eagles.

49ers (+6.5) over CARDINALS

The 49ers have a real chance to win this thing.

Redskins (+6.5) over GIANTS

I don't trust Cap'n Eli until I actually see a couple easy wins over divisional foes. I'll take the points.

Rams (+7.5) over SEAHAWKS

Sorry, but once again, I'll take 7 points on pretty much anyone against the Seahawks.

PACKERS (-4) over Bears

Remember: Week 1 means nothing. I predict that one team or the other will win this game emphatically... and then go on to finish at least two games behind the loser in the standings.

PATRIOTS (-11) over Bills

Couldn't have said it better than Adam already did: Prediction? Pain.

CHARGERS (-9.5) over Raiders

Because, well... it's the Raiders.