NFL Week 1 Picks: Favorites That Will Easily Cover Narrow Spreads

If Wednesday's NFL opener between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants is any indication, the favorites aren't safe this year.

The Giants, defending Super Bowl champions in the comfy confines of their own home, were clear favorites against Dallas. That went well. 

Nonetheless, if you didn't blow the bank on the first game of the season, I plead with you to keep your faith in the favorites in Week 1. What follows is a look at some who will roll with ease despite a narrow spread. 

Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)

Yeah, I said—er, typed—it.

The Minnesota Vikings, the same team that won just three games a year ago, the same team that has an unproven quarterback under center, the same team that has its star running back returning quite possibly way too early from ACL surgery, will win easily in Week 1.

Why?

Because they're hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars, of course. Moving on.

OK, there is more to it than the fact the Jags are a year removed from just five wins, have an even unsteadier quarterback and an even worse star running back situation. 

I expect Christian Ponder to take a big step forward this season. And even if Peterson isn't quite back at full strength, Ponder and do-everything wide receiver Percy Harvin started to look unstoppable near the end of last season. 

If someone in that Jacksonville secondary is going to slow that connection down, I don't know who it is.

Throw in the home-field-advantage factor—only one of Minnesota's three wins last year came at home, but six of the Vikings' seven home losses came by a combined total of just 26 points. That's 4.3 points per game. Despite the record, they were actually a very solid team at the Metrodome—and this one won't be close. 

Seattle Seahawks (-3)

I'm from Seattle, so this isn't me hopping on the bandwagon. Instead, it's just an incredibly biased pick.

So there.

Anyways, even the biggest cynics of the Seahawks have to admit that Seattle should take Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals by at least double digits. 

The Cards will be at home, and their very solid defense should easily slow down Seattle's rookie-laden offense, no matter how much potential Russell Wilson and company might have. But when it comes down to it, the 'Hawks probably only need to score about 13 points for a double-digit victory.

Arizona's offensive line has looked downright atrocious, and John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams aren't quite the type of players who can make plays out of nothing. Seattle's much improved front seven and scary, hard-hitting secondary are going to have a field day. 

Atlanta Falcons (-3)

I've seen a lot of upset talk backing the Kansas City Chiefs at home, but I can't really figure out why. 

The return of Jamaal Charles is a nice boost for KC's run game, and it's always hard to play at Arrowhead, but come on.

Matt Ryan has two deadly weapons in Roddy White and Julio Jones, and while Brandon Flowers can lock one of them down, that means Stanford Routt has to cover the other.

Uh-oh. 

I really do like Kansas City's defense, but I just don't see it slowing down the Falcons' high-powered attack. And if you think Matt Cassel is going to be able to keep on the other end, you should probably stop thinking. 

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