Thursday night's game was a fantastic way to kick off the 2009 NFL season. An overtime thriller that featured two top teams, great defense, a blocked field goal, an uncharacteristic fumble, and the Madden curse holding true. (Larry Fitzgerald fantasy owners beware) It's certainly gets the football juices flowing for a great first Sunday of the season. So without further ado, let the picking begin.
Philadelphia (-2.5) @Carolina-In last year's divisional playoff game between the Panthers and Cardinals, Jake Delhomme played about as well as Shane Falco did in the '96 Sugar Bowl. Delhomme and the Panthers have not looked much better this preseason finishing 0-4. Expect the Eagles, who went all the way to the NFC Championship game in 08, to have their way with the Panthers on Sunday.
Philadelphia 31- Carolina 17
Minnesota (-4) @Cleveland- #4's regular season debut in Purple should be a good on
Minnesota 31- Cleveland 14
New York Jets (+4) @ Houston-Although the season didn't end well for the Jets in 08, they were 8-3 at one point and looked like the team to beat in the AFC. Rex Ryan will dramatically improve a defense that ranked 16h last year. Plus, the Jets have never lost to the Texans. Rex Ryan gets a win in his head coaching debut Sunday.
New York Jets 21- Houston 20
Miami (+4) @ Atlanta- The battle of 2008's two biggest surprise teams go
es to the Falcons. It is a lot easier to avoid a sophomore slump when you have a future hall of fame tight end to throw to. And that is exactly what former BC Eagle Matt Ryan has in Tony Gonzalez. Chad pennington is coming off his second comeback player of the year award in four years. If he wants to make it three in six, he will need a poor season.
es to the Falcons. It is a lot easier to avoid a sophomore slump when you have a future hall of fame tight end to throw to. And that is exactly what former BC Eagle Matt Ryan has in Tony Gonzalez. Chad pennington is coming off his second comeback player of the year award in four years. If he wants to make it three in six, he will need a poor season.Atlanta 24- Miami 17
Jacksonville (+7) @Indianapolis-Two years ago the Jaguars came close to ending the Patriots perfect season in the divisional round of the playoffs. Jacksoville looked like a different team last year though, as they skidded to a 5-11 finish. Peyton Manning will have a field day and the Colts coast to 1-0 and cover the 7 points.
Indianapolis 35- Jacksonville 21
Denver (+4.5) @Cincinatti- Denver is a mess right now. Rookie Coach Josh McDaniels tarnished relations with his playmaking WR, and has already sent away his franchise QB. No matter who starts at quarterback for the Broncos, the Bengals with Ochocinco(above) and Palmer in the line up will be too much for even a Brian Dawkins improved D to handle.
Cincinnati 27- Denver 17
Kansas City (+12.5) @Baltimore- The Ravens D is arguably the most feared in the league. Although KC unleashes new qb Matt Cassel for the first time, they won't score more than 17 points against Ray Lewis and company. Still I do not have faith in the Raven's offense to cover a two touchdown spread.
Baltimore 21- KC 10
Dallas (-6) @Tampa Bay- The Cowboys have had eventful off season which included, the departure of Terrell Owens, Tony's break up with Jessica, and a billion dollar stadium where the scoreboard is in play. Tampa bay on the other hand has flown under the radar. The Bucs will start former Jag Byron Leftwitch at QB. Dallas will win the battle of Joey Galloway's former teams, but expect the Bucs to put up a good fight at home and cover.
Baltimore 21- KC 10
Dallas (-6) @Tampa Bay- The Cowboys have had eventful off season which included, the departure of Terrell Owens, Tony's break up with Jessica, and a billion dollar stadium where the scoreboard is in play. Tampa bay on the other hand has flown under the radar. The Bucs will start former Jag Byron Leftwitch at QB. Dallas will win the battle of Joey Galloway's former teams, but expect the Bucs to put up a good fight at home and cover.
Dallas 24- Tampa Bay 21
Detroit (+13) @New Orleans-The Saints had the number offense last year, but was hindered by there defense and only finished 8-8. This was one reason why almost nobody talked about Drew Brees coming within one pass of breaking Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards. That being said, even the Saint's D will be able to stop woeful Detroit. The Saints win this by a landslide and easily cover the big spread.
New Orleans 42- Detroit 21
San Francisco (+6) @Arizona- Don't sleep on the 49ers this year. Frank Gore is still an elite running back in this league and Patrick Willis is an absolute Monster on defense. Even still, Arizona's offense has too many weapons and they will win the game and cover at home.
San Francisco (+6) @Arizona- Don't sleep on the 49ers this year. Frank Gore is still an elite running back in this league and Patrick Willis is an absolute Monster on defense. Even still, Arizona's offense has too many weapons and they will win the game and cover at home.
Arizona 27- San Francisco 20
St Louis (+7.5) @ Seattle- Just a few years ago this would have been a huge game to help determine the NFC West. Seattle was riding high with Sean Alexander and St Louis had one of the best offenses in the league with Bulger, Jackson, and Holt playing great. Fast forward to 2009 and the two teams are coming off a season where they went an embarrassing 6-26 combined. Don't be surprised to see the Marc Bulger put up big numbers against a Seahawks pass defense that finished dead last in the league last year. St Louis not only covers but wins the game straight up. 
St Louis 27- Seattle 24
Washington (+6.5) @ New York Giants- The afternoon's national game features a classic matchups of NFC East foes. The Redskins offense looked lost the last 8 games of 2008, and has not looked much better in this years preseason. The Redskins will hold Eli and crew in check, but the Giants D, which includes Osi Umenyiora for the first time in over a year, will manhandle the Skins O.
St Louis 27- Seattle 24
Washington (+6.5) @ New York Giants- The afternoon's national game features a classic matchups of NFC East foes. The Redskins offense looked lost the last 8 games of 2008, and has not looked much better in this years preseason. The Redskins will hold Eli and crew in check, but the Giants D, which includes Osi Umenyiora for the first time in over a year, will manhandle the Skins O.
New York Giants 20- Washington 10
Chicago (+4.5) @Green Bay- The oldest rivaly in the NFL kicks off again in the Sunday nightcap. There is no way the Packers should be favored in this game. The Bears won 3 more times than the Pack last year with Kyle Orton at the helm. Jay Cutler should only improve the Bears offense. Both the Packers and the Bears defenses took steps back last year. That combined with the fact that it won't be too cold yet in Lambeau, means there will be plenty of offense to go around.
Chicago (+4.5) @Green Bay- The oldest rivaly in the NFL kicks off again in the Sunday nightcap. There is no way the Packers should be favored in this game. The Bears won 3 more times than the Pack last year with Kyle Orton at the helm. Jay Cutler should only improve the Bears offense. Both the Packers and the Bears defenses took steps back last year. That combined with the fact that it won't be too cold yet in Lambeau, means there will be plenty of offense to go around.
Chicago 31- Green Bay 28
There are your week one picks, hopefully as good as John Anthony's, the million dollar man with the billion dollar plan.(Two for the Money) Monday nights picks to come in a later post.
-JG
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