The Doc's Week One PicksPicks appear
in bold.
Minnesota at New
Orleans (-4.5)
There are a couple (and only a couple according to my wife) of
things I've learned over the past few years. First, don't ever bet
against the Super Bowl winner in the first game of the season. Second,
absolutely do not go against the Saints in a home game that's nationally
televised or after an emotional event. The emotion in the Superdome in
those situations is like nothing I've ever seen, and the Vikings won't
know what hit them.
Carolina (+7)
at New York Giants
Don't get me wrong, New York will win this game, but I think it may be
ugly with Eli Manning in his first real action since the head laceration
that made people sick (because of both the visual effect and the media
coverage afterward). He'll be rusty, and the Panthers have a running
game that will keep most games close this year.
Miami (-3)
at Buffalo
If you looked at my
Season Predictions piece, you know
what's coming here. I have no idea how this line could be this low! The
Bills will be absolutely horrid this season, and it starts with an
inter-divisional blood-letting.
Atlanta at
Pittsburgh (+2.5)
I'm probably higher on Dennis Dixon than most, which is why I made
this pick. In my opinion, what he lacks in experience, he makes up for
with "the unknown." He's going to play as a wild card, and I think a lot
of teams will be thrown off by his athletic ability and an arm that's
stronger than people think. Couple that with an improving running game
with one of my favorite young backs, Rashard Mendenhall, and you've got
an offense that will be difficult to handle.
Detroit (+6.5)
at Chicago
Like Carolina-New York, I think the home team will win, but at this
point (and I realize many of you may be sizing me up for one of those
funny white coats with no sleeves after I say this), I think the Lions
are the better team. Simply put, this offseason Detroit got better and
Chicago didn't.
Cincinnati at
New England (-4)
This will be the first week in the implosion that will be the Chad-T.O.
show. I have no idea how the Bengals think they're going to keep both of
them happy, and winning just isn't in the cards for them. On the other
hand, I wouldn't want to go up against a motivated tandem of Tom Brady
and Randy Moss.
Cleveland (+3)
at Tampa Bay
I think these teams will go in opposite directions as the year goes on.
The Browns will decline as the season progresses and the Bucs will get
better. Of course, a lot of that has to do with Cleveland's schedule
getting pretty hard after the first two games.
Denver (+3)
at Jacksonville
This game starts the "Jack Del Rio Watch." Seriously, I think he may be
fired before the end of the season.
Indianapolis at
Houston (+2.5)
Sure, I think the Texans will be better this year, but I picked them
for one reason, and one reason only, in this game: the Colts offensive
line is in trouble. It appears that three of their "big uglies" (Jeff
Saturday, Charlie Johnson, and Tony Ugoh) will either not be available
or playing hurt. So, that means that rookie, Jeff Linkenbach, will be
responsible for the most valuable player in the league. Something tells
me Mario Williams may have a good day.
Oakland (+6.5)
at Tennessee
I think the Raiders will be among the most improved teams in the league
this year. They're fast, physical, and more stable offensively with
Jason Campbell at the helm. That being said, I think the Titans will
win, but it won't be by much.
Green Bay (-3)
at Philadelphia
And thus begins the odyssey of the 2010 Green Bay Packers. OK, OK,
enough of the dramatics and love for the Packers. But, I love this
matchup for them. The Eagles are aggressive up front, which puts a lot
of pressure on the secondary. Against the skill guys of Green Bay, I
like Aaron Rodgers to have a really big day.
San Francisco
(-3) at Seattle
One of my other "most improved teams" awards goes to the other team by
the Bay. Not only will the 49ers win this division, but I think they'll
go undefeated in divisional play and have it wrapped up by around week
12 or 13. It also helps that Mike Singletary is one of the really,
really good guys in the league.
Arizona (-4)
at St. Louis
If it weren't for Buffalo, two of the most disappointed fan bases in the
league will reside in these two cities. With a rookie quarterback, Rams'
fans probably don't expect much. However, if the Cardinals think they
got rid of their problems when they jettisoned Matt Leinhart, they're
sorely mistaken. They'll be chanting for Kurt Warner by the third game
of the season.
Dallas (-3.5)
at Washington
I just don't get the high expectations for either of these teams. Just
because the Redskins got Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan doesn't mean
they're any less of the joke they've been since Dan Snyder took over. I
think they'll be extremely lucky to win half of their games. As for
Dallas, why does anyone think they'll be better? They still have a
quarterback that struggles, at best, in high pressure situations and an
offensive coordinator that won't come to grips with the fact that they
could have the best running game in the league if they actually used it.
They'll win the division, but they won't go too far.
Baltimore (+2.5)
at New York Jets
People make a big deal about the "Madden Curse", but has anyone noticed
that the only one that's more consistent is the "Hard Knocks Curse"?
Think about it, with the exception of the Bengals last year, none of the
teams lived up to expectations, including the defending Super Bowl
champion Ravens. The Cowboys of 2002 promptly went out and lost their
first game to the expansion Texans. Seriously though, I don't think the
result of this game has to do with a curse, but simply that the Ravens
are the better team.
San Diego (-4.5)
at Kansas City
Really? Only 4.5 points? Really??? Damn, at least I know I'll win one
game this week.
|
