Against The Spread: Previewing Week One in the NFL

The beginning of the NFL season brings plenty of excitement.

Some have spent hours drafting multiple fantasy teams, while others are just excited to see football back.

Then there are guys like you and me.

The ones who can't wait to spend the next 21 weeks trying to hit parlays and three-team teasers. Sports betting is a multi-gazillion dollar industry in which the customer never wins. But that won't keep me from picking each and every NFL game against the spread this season.

If you are wary of placing a wager and are looking for some reassurance, you have come to the right place.

Let's take a look at the Week 1 matchups in the NFL.

New Orleans +4.5 over GREEN BAY

We start with the past two Super Bowl Champions tonight live from Lambeau Field.

The defending champs have never lost in the Thursday night season opener since its inception in 2003.

I think the streak has never been in more jeopardy. The Saints are a very good team and will be in the playoff mix all season.

I like this game to finish as a three point win one way or the other.

The Pick:

New Orleans +4.5

BALTIMORE -1.5 over Pittsburgh

The Ravens and Steelers know each other better than anyone. It seems like these two always split the season series.

Expect this game to be no different than any other Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh battle, low scoring and hard hitting.

I like Baltimore to defend their home field in the opener with a win somewhere along the lines of 17-14.

The Pick:

BALTIMORE -1.5

Detroit +1 over TAMPA BAY

I may be a little partial here as a New England Patriots fan, but in the third preseason game, which is supposed to be as real as a preseason game can be, the Detroit Lions ran over the Patriots.

The defense, led by Ndamukong Suh is looking to be one of the best in the league and if Matt Stafford's paper mache body can hold together for an entire season I believe the Lions will be pushing for a .500 record or better.

The Pick:

Detroit +1

Atlanta -3 over CHICAGO

Matt Ryan, now in his fourth year as the Falcons' starter, has been getting better and better with each passing season.

After a disappointing exit in last year's playoffs, I believe Ryan and the Falcons are going to prove that earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs was no fluke.

The Pick:

Atlanta -3

Indianapolis +8.5 over HOUSTON

Today's big news is that Peyton Manning has undergone a second procedure on his neck and will miss two to three months. Kerry Collins will be the Colts' starting QB for the foreseeable future.

Be that as it may, the Colts still have serious talent on their roster. Houston has some questions of their own including the health of running back Arian Foster.

I'd be shocked if the Colts lost by more than a touchdown, even without Manning.

The Pick:

Indianapolis +8.5

Philadelphia -4.5 over ST. LOUIS

Ladies and gentlemen your future Super Bowl XLVI Champion, Philadelphia Eagles!

Oh wait, they actually have to play the games first?

While I might not be on the Eagles for champions bandwagon, I certainly think they are good and should be able to take care of the upstart Rams.

The Pick:

Philadelphia -4.5

Cincinnati +6.5 over CLEVELAND

Cincinnati might be rebuilding the franchise around rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, but I’m not ready to lay almost a touchdown with the Cleveland Browns.

If I’m going down to Colt McCoy and Madden cover boy Peyton Hillis so be it, but they’ll have to prove it to me first.

The Pick:

Cincinnati +6.5

Buffalo +6 over KANSAS CITY

Kansas City is coming off of their best season in years. They won the AFC West and look to be on the way up with Matt Cassell and Jamaal Charles leading the charge.

Buffalo is still trying to figure out how Scott Norwood pushed the potential game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl 20 years ago wide right.

Anyway, the Bills are feisty and were 5-3 against the spread on the road last season and tend to backdoor cover with meaningless points at the end of the game.

The Pick:

Buffalo +6

Tennessee +2 over JACKSONVILLE

Needless to say, Jacksonville is in shambles after cutting their starting quarterback, David Garrard just five days before the season began.

I don’t particularly love the Titans but I can’t bring myself to put my money on one of the McCown brothers.

The Pick:

Tennessee +2

NY Giants -3 over WASHINGTON

Washington is one of those teams that is just always horrendous. When your QB controversy involves John Beck and Rex Grossman, that can’t be a recipe for success.

The Giants should roll here and if you’re looking for a lock of the week, this is it.

The Pick:

NY Giants -3

ARIZONA -7 over Carolina

The Cam Newton era begins in Carolina and like most rookie QBs, I'm expecting early struggles.

Larry Fitzgerald seems rejuvenated by having a quarterback in Kevin Kolb that may be able to actually throw him the ball.

The Panthers might be on their way to back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks and I won't be one to back them in any way.

The Pick:

ARIZONA -7

Seattle +5.5 over SAN FRANCISCO

The defending NFC West Champions (yeah I said it), begin their Qwest to repeat (like that play on words?) with a trip to San Francisco.

The 49ers aren't exactly lighting up the preseason, unless you count Braylon Edwards getting arrested.

Until I can get a feel on the NFC West, I'll be taking the points.

The Pick:

Seattle +5.5

SAN DIEGO -9 over Minnesota

A lot of experts this preseason love the San Diego Chargers and for good reason. Phillip Rivers is back as an MVP candidate and I think we can chalk last season up as a fluke for the Chargers.

The Vikings on the other hand, are going in the wrong direction. Donovan McNabb won't be the answer and it could be a long year in Minnesota.

The Pick:

SAN DIEGO -9

NY JETS -4.5 over Dallas

The Jets just continue to win under Rex Ryan. With two unexpected runs in the playoffs the past two seasons, it seems the Jets are on the verge of something special.

They'll have to eventually go through the Patriots to take down the division but luckily for them, the Cowboys aren't the Pats.

Dallas continues to be a fraud of a good team and I expect nothing less this season.

The Pick:

NY JETS -4.5

New England -7 over MIAMI

The Patriots are back and have given Tom Brady some new weapons to play with, including Chad Ochocinco (above).

The perennial Super Bowl favorites were 10-5-1 against the spread last season and even though Miami is always a tough place for Brady to play, I don't want to be looking at a 24-7 halftime score, wondering why I put my faith in Chad Henne.

The Pick:

New England -7 

DENVER -3 over Oakland

The final game of Week 1 is on at like midnight on Monday and pits the Broncos and the Raiders.

Kyle Orton won the starting QB job convincingly in Denver over the Messiah Tim Tebow and I like the Broncos to take care of business at home. The Raiders are another one of those teams I have a hard time backing.

The Pick:

DENVER -3

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