By John Sarianides
Dak and Zeke are back to prove that last season was not an abberation but rather the norm.
Week one of the NFL season is finally here. It feels like it took for ever. Here are my picks for this week. There are some no brainers on the week one docket folks.
Kansas City at New England (-9): The Patriots being favored by nine is perfect. It is a good number if you want to put your money on a prohibitive home favorite. Bet on the Patriots with confidence.
Atlanta (-7) at Chicago: The Falcons redemption tour opens in Chicago against the rebuilding Bears. Chicago is better but they don’t have enough talent to keep up with Matt Ryan and the high scoring Falcons.
Atlanta is favored by seven which is a good number if you are looking to put money on a road favorite. Take the dirty birds on the road.
Baltimore at Cincinnati (-3): Joe Flacco is back but no one knows how he looks and if he is fully healthy. These two teams always play tight games in Cincinnati. This game should be no different. I think this will be a low scoring game. Based on that assessment, I am putting my money on Andy Dalton and the Bengals.
Oakland at Tennessee (-1.5): I think this is a tough opener for the Raiders. The Titans are good and they always play well at home. The Titans are favored by less than two. I like that number for a home favorite. This will be a low scoring so put your money on the Titans. They will upset the Raiders.
New York Jets at Buffalo (-8.5): The Jets are going to be awful. They will struggle to score two touchdowns a game on average. Buffalo is also rebuilding so that won’t be much better. -8.5 is a big number for the punchless Bills to be favored by but I think I am going to put my money on them anyways.
Jacksonville at Houston (-5): These two teams have played some duds in recent years, particularly in Houston. This one should be no different. I am tempted to take the Texans because I think they’ll be jacked to be playing at home after Hurricane Harvey but I’m taking the Jags. I don’t think they’ll win but they’ll cover.
Philadelphia (-1) at Washington: I really like the Eagles as a potentially sleeper in the NFC. Quarterback Carson Wentz could take a big step forward this season. If he is going to do that, he needs to get off to a good start. I think he will. That’s why I’m taking the Eagles as a road favorite. They will win a tight one.
Arizona (-2.5) at Detroit: The Cardinals are the forgotten team in the NFC. They are healthy and motivated. If the defense plays well and Carson Palmer stays on the field, they could be there come January. I like them as a road favorite in this one.
Pittsburgh (-9.5) at Cleveland: The Steelers offense is fully entact which is bad for the Browns. I think Big Ben and Antonio Brown have a big day and the Steelers steam roll young DeShone Kizer and the Browns. Take Pittsburgh as a big time road favorite.
Carolina (-5) at San Francisco: I think the Niners will surprise people this season. They are better than you think. I am going to take them to upset Carolina. I don’t think Cam Newton is fully healthy and the Panthers secondary is suspect. Take the Niners as a home dog.
Indianapolis at L.A Rams (-4.5): I love the Rams in this one. The Colts offense is punchless without Andrew Luck. Put your money on the Rams in this one with confidence.
Seattle at Green Bay (-3): The Packers blew the Seahawks out at Labeau last season but I don’t see a repeat of that game this time around. I am going to take the Packers as a home favorite in this one but I think they’ll win by a touchdown.
New York Giants at Dallas (-3.5): Now that Zeke is playing, taking the Cowboys is a no brainer. The Giants have traditionally played well in Dallas but this Cowboys team is a different animal. Not only that but -3.5 is a good number to put your money on when taking the home team.
New Orleans at Minnesota (-3.5): I think the Vikings are a potential playoff team if they stay healthy and Sam Bradford plays up to his potential. They will get off to a good start with a home win over AP and the Saints. I like the Vikes as a home favorite.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver (-3.5): The Chargers will be more competitive under new coach Anthony Lynn but I don’t see how they can go into Denver and beat a Broncos that is traditionally tough at home. A nice, small number like this makes the Broncos as easy take for me.