NFL Picks Against the Spread Week 1: 3 Underdogs Who Will Rise to Occasion

The only way the NFL's Week 1 can top college football's Week 1 will be with a few big upsets.

Fortunately, there are a few lines that give the opportunity for just that.

With Peyton Manning now headed for "doubtful" status on the injury report, the Indianapolis Colts are nine-point underdogs to the Texans in Houston.

The Carolina Panthers are starting rookie quarterback Cam Newton in his debut game and they are seven-point underdogs against the Arizona Cardinals in the desert.

And finally, the Minnesota Vikings are nine-point underdogs against the Chargers in San Diego.

These three underdogs have their cut out for them though, and here are five others that will rise to the occasion.

Buffalo Bills +4 at Kansas City Chiefs

An injury to Matt Cassel has put his starting status in jeopardy for Week 1. Without him on the field the Bills, who were utterly terrible against the run a season ago, will drop as many as eight to nine men in the box at times.

Kansas City is without starting tight end Tony Moeaki for the season and replacement Leonard Pope is hardly a pass-catching threat.

The Chiefs would be forced to start either Ricky Stanzi or Tyler Palko in his place. Neither has legitimate NFL experience (Stanzi is a rookie) and the run game will be the only thing the Chiefs have.

If you're looking for an upset to get high on, assuming the line doesn't move between now and Sunday, the Bills will rise to the occasion against the Chiefs.

Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5 at Baltimore Ravens

This line will likely move closer to +2 or +1.5 as the game draws near, but the Steelers know exactly how to beat their division rivals.

Both these teams know each extremely well and the trends from a year ago favor the Steelers. When underdogs they were 3-1 against the spread while the Ravens were 3-5 as home favorites against the spread a year ago.

Baltimore wants to prove they are capable of playing with the Steelers once and for all, but they will have trouble protecting Joe Flacco against the Steelers pass rush in Week 1. Almost any time the Steelers are getting points it is worth a play.

Oakland Raiders +3 at Denver Broncos

It is baffling to me that the Broncos are favored at all in this game, even with home-field advantage.

The Raiders were 4-3 against the spread as road dogs last season while the Broncos were 1-3 against the spread as home favorites.

Denver's rush defense is slightly improved, but the Raiders had one of the best rushing attacks in the league last season.

If Jason Campbell can back off John Fox's 4-3 defense just a bit they should be able to find running room against their division rivals.

Not only should the Raiders cover the three-point spread, they should win outright.