2010-11 NFL Predictions: Week 1 Games Against the Spread

Let's all take a deep breath and just calm down.

I know, it's finally football season and we are all more excited than a kid at Christmas, but we have to keep our cool; especially if we want to make the right picks against Vegas.

Speaking of which, here is the spread for each of the games in Week 1.

And after you take a nice deep breath, go ahead and click that little "next" button to see what games are worth going against the powers that be in Vegas.

+5 Minnesota at New Orleans -5

+6.5 Carolina at New York Giants -6.5

- 3 Miami at Buffalo +3

-2.5 Atlanta at Pittsburgh +2.5

+6.5 Detroit at Chicago -6.5

+4.5 Cincinnati at New England -4.5

+3 Cleveland at Tampa Bay -3

+2.5 Denver at Jacksonville -2.5

-2 Indianapolis at Houston +2

+6.5 Oakland at Tennessee -6.5

-3 Green Bay at Philadelphia +3

-3 San Francisco at Seattle +3

-4 Arizona at St. Louis +4

-3.5 Dallas at Washington +3.5

+2 Baltimore at New York Jets -2

-4.5 San Diego at Kansas City +4.5

Denver +2.5 Against Jacksonville

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 13: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs the ball against Yeremiah Bell #37 of the Miami Dolphins during the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Dolphin

Maurice Jones-Drew is the only thing the Jacksonville Jaguars have going for them this year.

I'm not saying Denver has much more to go off of, but they do have more than Jacksonville, with a somewhat decent passing game and a running game to match.

Add those to a defense that can easily keep this Jacksonville offense in check, and you've got a game worth betting against the spread.

Denver to win straight up with ease.

Detroit +6.5 at Chicago

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

If this were two years ago, the only thing I would have picked Detroit to do is lose.

This isn't two years ago.

Don't underestimate this Lions offense; It features plenty of weapons, including rookie running back Jahvid Best, who looked great this preseason.

Add to that a much-improved defense going against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, and this game may be closer than you think.

Take Detroit to cover and, at minimum, keep it within a field goal.

Carolina +6.5 at New York Giants

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 02: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants looks to pass against the New England Patriots on September 2, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Am I the only one that sees a lot going for Carolina?

Now, I don't think we will see them in the Super Bowl or anything, but they are improving more and more every year.

Whereas, Eli Manning and the Giants have been in a downward spiral ever since they won the Super Bowl.

I wouldn't take Carolina to win this game straight up, but I easily see them covering the spread.

Cleveland +3 at Tampa Bay

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 10, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 13-6. (Photo by Gregory Sha

I honestly don't know what Vegas is smoking.

Eh, I could probably take a guess actually.

Either way, picking Tampa to win by three over Cleveland is insane.

Tampa is a struggling team going against the much-improved Cleveland Browns, who feature running back Jerome Harrison and one of the most athletic, all-around players in the NFL in Josh Cribbs.

Throw that on top of every other position comparison, and Cleveland will not only cover, the Browns will win this game.

Baltimore +2 at New York Jets

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 16: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Lucas Oli Stadium on January 16, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Ravens and Jets are a potential AFC playoff game, and for good reason.

But at the moment, I have to say the Ravens are the better team.

The Jets do have a slightly better defense, but with Ray Rice as the new face of the offense and Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh at wide receiver, the Baltimore Ravens will be favored to win almost every other game this season.

I don't understand why Vegas didn't take Baltimore in this game; you should take Baltimore to not only cover, but to win straight up in the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Indianapolis -2 at Houston

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - DECEMBER 20: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans looks to pass against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 20, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Texans beat the Rams 16-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Maybe I am just a little biased here because I have Matt Schaub on my fantasy team, but I really don't think it's that far-fetched to pick Houston to cover or possibly even beat Indianapolis .

True, Indianapolis went to the Super Bowl last year.

But Houston is much better this year and has the potential to beat any team in the NFL.

With one of the best passing games in the NFL, and now with Arian Foster in the backfield, a running game to add to it, the Houston Texans can definitely cover and possibly take Indianapolis straight up.

Minnesota +5 Against New Orleans

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints attempts to tackle Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rona

The last time these two teams met, the Vikings turned the ball over five times, yet only lost by a field goal in overtime.

The loss of Sidney Rice is a big one, but the Vikings still have a very good receiving corps, including an amazing tight end that quarterback Brett Favre loves to throw to in the red zone.

Not to mention, they have this guy by the name of Adrian Peterson, who, if he can keep from fumbling, is arguably the best running back in the NFL.

Without even hesitating, I would take Minnesota to win straight up in this game.

Though if you are not as optimistic, taking them to at least cover is still well within reason.