Pickin' & Grinnin'
Thursday September 8, 2005
This is the big day we've all been waiting more than seven months for; opening day of the 2005 NFL season. And with opening day comes the first round of predictions both straight up and against the spread. This year, I've combined both sets into one page to make things easier on you and me. Listed is each contest, the spread, and my thoughts on who will win and who will cover the spread. So, without further ado, here are my week 1 predictions.
WEEK 1
Thursday, Sep. 8
Oakland at New England (-7.5), 9:00pm
Oakland appears to be explosive on offense, but Tom Brady will pick their defense apart. New England will win the game and cover the spread.
Sunday, Sep. 11
Chicago at Washington (-5.5), 1:00pm
Strong defense and questionable offense on both sides. The Redskins will win the game, but the Bears will keep it close enough to cover the spread.
Cincinnati at Cleveland (+3.5), 1:00pm
Carson Palmer is set for a breakout season, and the Browns are in complete rebuilding mode. The Bengals will win and cover the spread.
Denver at Miami (+4.5), 1:00pm
The Dolphins aren't going to be as bad as advertised and the Broncos aren't going to be as good. The Broncos will come out on top, but the Dolphins will cover the spread.
Houston at Buffalo (-5.5), 1:00pm
The Bills' defense should hold down the Texans and Willis McGahee will provide enough offense for the Bills to win and cover the spread.
New Orleans at Carolina (-7), 1:00pm
This is going to be an emotional game for the Saints, but the Panthers will eventually pull it out. However, the Panthers won't cover the spread.
N.Y. Jets at Kansas City (-3), 1:00pm
The Jets' run defense will be tested here, but I think New York is going to take this one outright.
Seattle at Jacksonville (-3), 1:00pm
With a strong defense and home-field advantage, the Jaguars will win and cover the spread.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota (-6), 1:00pm
This one has the look of a blowout. Take the Vikings to win and give up the points.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh (-7), 1:00pm
The Titans are a shell of their former team. Pittsburgh will win and cover.
Arizona at N.Y. Giants (-3), 4:15pm
The young aggressive defense of the Cardinals is going to be a surprise this year. I think they'll go into New York and come out with the upset victory.
Dallas at San Diego (-4.5), 4:15pm
There's a lot of new faces in Dallas this year, so they could struggle early. The Chargers have enough to win this game, but the Cowboys will cover the spread.
Green Bay at Detroit (-3), 4:15pm
For the life of me, I can't figure out why the Lions are favored here. The Packers win this game by a touchdown or better.
St. Louis at San Francisco (-6), 4:15pm
The Rams' offense is just too explosive for the 49ers to handle. Take St. Louis to win and cover.
Indianapolis at Baltimore (+3), 8:30pm
Baltimore's defense will keep it close enough to cover, but the Colts slip by on a last-minute field goal.
Monday, Sep. 12
Philadelphia at Atlanta (+1.5), 9:00pm
The Eagles will have their hands full with the Falcons, but they will win and cover the spread.
*All Times Eastern
WEEK 1
Thursday, Sep. 8
Oakland at New England (-7.5), 9:00pm
Oakland appears to be explosive on offense, but Tom Brady will pick their defense apart. New England will win the game and cover the spread.
Sunday, Sep. 11
Chicago at Washington (-5.5), 1:00pm
Strong defense and questionable offense on both sides. The Redskins will win the game, but the Bears will keep it close enough to cover the spread.
Cincinnati at Cleveland (+3.5), 1:00pm
Carson Palmer is set for a breakout season, and the Browns are in complete rebuilding mode. The Bengals will win and cover the spread.
Denver at Miami (+4.5), 1:00pm
The Dolphins aren't going to be as bad as advertised and the Broncos aren't going to be as good. The Broncos will come out on top, but the Dolphins will cover the spread.
Houston at Buffalo (-5.5), 1:00pm
The Bills' defense should hold down the Texans and Willis McGahee will provide enough offense for the Bills to win and cover the spread.
New Orleans at Carolina (-7), 1:00pm
This is going to be an emotional game for the Saints, but the Panthers will eventually pull it out. However, the Panthers won't cover the spread.
N.Y. Jets at Kansas City (-3), 1:00pm
The Jets' run defense will be tested here, but I think New York is going to take this one outright.
Seattle at Jacksonville (-3), 1:00pm
With a strong defense and home-field advantage, the Jaguars will win and cover the spread.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota (-6), 1:00pm
This one has the look of a blowout. Take the Vikings to win and give up the points.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh (-7), 1:00pm
The Titans are a shell of their former team. Pittsburgh will win and cover.
Arizona at N.Y. Giants (-3), 4:15pm
The young aggressive defense of the Cardinals is going to be a surprise this year. I think they'll go into New York and come out with the upset victory.
Dallas at San Diego (-4.5), 4:15pm
There's a lot of new faces in Dallas this year, so they could struggle early. The Chargers have enough to win this game, but the Cowboys will cover the spread.
Green Bay at Detroit (-3), 4:15pm
For the life of me, I can't figure out why the Lions are favored here. The Packers win this game by a touchdown or better.
St. Louis at San Francisco (-6), 4:15pm
The Rams' offense is just too explosive for the 49ers to handle. Take St. Louis to win and cover.
Indianapolis at Baltimore (+3), 8:30pm
Baltimore's defense will keep it close enough to cover, but the Colts slip by on a last-minute field goal.
Monday, Sep. 12
Philadelphia at Atlanta (+1.5), 9:00pm
The Eagles will have their hands full with the Falcons, but they will win and cover the spread.
*All Times Eastern
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