NFL Picks Against the Spread Week 1: 3 Teams That Will Beat Odds in Openers

The NFL and gambling—they just go together. The oddsmakers have been kind to us risk-takers in Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season, blessing us with easy upset picks and spreads just begging to be beat.

Like these three, with lines courtesy of bodog.com.

Dallas Cowboys (+5) over New York Jets

The Ryan Bowl, with Rex coaching the Jets and Rob taking over Dallas' defensive duties, will be less about the blathering brothers and more about the Cowboys offense.

Over the first eight games of the 2010 season, with Wade Phillips as the head coach, the Cowboys averaged just over 20 points per game. Once Dallas finally sacked Phillips and promoted Jason Garrett, the offense took off with a per-game average of exactly nine points more.

And while Garrett may not have had the benefit of a full offseason to put everything in place in Dallas, his players should be more than familiar enough with his system by now to allow the new coach to open up the playbook a bit.

Dallas may not have the benefit of two All-Pro cover corners like Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie (far from it), but they should be fine (just fine) with DeMarcus Ware and company putting pressure on Mark Sanchez to keep the Jets' so-so offense under wraps.

Them Cowboys, on the other hand, have all the makings of an explosive offense—a healthy Tony Romo, a hungry Dez Bryant and a happy Felix Jones—to put up points against a Jets defense that is surprisingly weak outside of its dynamite defensive backs.

Washington Redskins (+3) over New York Giants

The first intradivisional matchup in the NFC East will be an ugly affair, to be sure, but one in which the Redskins should have the edge, even with Rex Grossman under center.

Washington shouldn't have too much difficulty against New York's defensive unit, which has been ravaged by injuries this summer. No Osi Umenyiora, Terrell Thomas or (potentially) Justin Tuck means no resistance against a Washington team that will score some points despite being anything but an offense juggernaut.

The G-Men will have a tough time taking down new 'Skin Tim Hightower amidst Mike Shanahan's famed zone blocking scheme, which, along with the game being played at FedEx Field, should be enough for DC to send Big Blue on their way to a dismal season in 2011. 

St. Louis Rams (+5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Dreams do come true, just not for the Eagles in Week 1.

Don't get me wrong, Philadelphia will be good, but it will take Andy Reid's team some time to get all their new faces acclimated. The Eagles biggest additions of the offseason, at cornerback and along their offensive line, just so happened to come at two positions that require the kind synergy for on-field success that can't be easily drummed up the span of seven weeks.

Philly's O-line struggled to keep their quarterbacks clean in the preseason and figure to have a similarly tough time against the Rams' athletic pass rush of Chris Long, James Hall and rookie Robert Quinn.

And while second-year quarterback Sam Bradford may not have the receivers or the experience to really pick apart the Eagles' defensive backfield, he does have backfield buddy Steven Jackson, who will terrorize a run defense for Philly that will suffer from the departures of linebackers Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither and safety Quintin Mikell.

Throw in St. Louis' built-in advantage as a dome team playing at home and a Week 1 win for the Rams is all but signed, sealed and delivered.

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