NFL Picks Against the Spread Week 1: Why Explosive Falcons Will Easily Cover

Jump on the Falcons bandwagon before it’s too late.

Right now our friends over at Bodog have the visiting Atlanta Falcons as a mere three-point favorite over the Chicago Bears.

All you have to do is take a quick glimpse at the Falcons offense to see how explosive they are going to be.

MVP candidate QB Matt Ryan has a full arsenal of weapons headlined by RB Michael Turner and WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones. All three of them are extremely fast and hard to take down in the open field. TE Tony Gonzalez, flanker Harry Douglas and RB Jacquizz Rodgers ensure their incredible depth wears down the opponent.

The Bears have built a reputation off their defense under Lovie Smith, but the unit is only getting older with guys like Charles Tillman, Israel Idonije and Lance Briggs. Speed is no longer an asset for this unit.

Expect the Falcons passing game to dominate.

The Bears offense doesn’t have nearly the same firepower of the Falcons and expect Atlanta to be aggressive in attacking the quarterback.

QB Jay Cutler was sacked early and often last year with a poor offensive line. This year they made a great pick in tackle Gabe Carimi, but this will be his first taste of NFL action. The loss of veteran center Olin Kreutz is going to be painfully clear in Week 1 and expect Cutler to get sacked three or four times.

The added pressure will force Cutler into additional poor throws and the entire offense will be thrown off.  New toy Roy Williams needs time to get down the field for a potential big play and Cutler won’t have it.

The Bears will get a spark out of Devin Hester and their terrific special team coverage—they always do, but with the kick-off moving to the 35-yard line, Hester will only be truly effective on punt returns.

With one of the best offenses in football racking up the points—there won’t be many punts.

Expect the Falcons offense to light up the scoreboard in Week 1 and expect their defensive pressure to give Cutler fits.

Prediction: Falcons 34 Bears 20