Week 1 NFL Pick'em

Amen for Football Season!

Hallelujah the NFL season has arrived! Here are the picks for the first week of the NFL season. As with the SEC picks, i will be keeping track, so post your picks in the comment section!

As you have already learned from reading The Rant, I have declared this, "The year of the lineman," and you will notice this theme throughout my selections.  

Note that primetime games, such as tonights Vikings-Saints game, and all Sunday Night and Monday Night games count for two. So dont pull a Tony Romo here, make sure to get your two point conversions!



Thursday Game: (Bonus Point)

Vikings @Saints -4.5

Redemption. Vikings have had all summer to think about how their season ended last time they played in the Super Dome. If you remember, the Vikings out played the Saints in that previous game, but fell short after it imploded with an AP fumble and Brett Farve interception.

The Pick: Vikes

Sundays Games:

Broncos @Jaguars -2

Denver's offensive line, led by Ryan Clady will outmatch the Jaguars young defensive front and control the game. Denver wins, and Tim Tebow dosent see the field.

The Pick: Broncos

Colts @Texans +1

Im taking the Texans, and here is why. With all the talk about Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub and company, the offensive line gets lost in the conversation. It is a talented group, protects the quarterback and implements Mike Shanahans zone blocking scheme. Now that the Texans appear to have the one-cut runner that their system craves, Arian Foster, their offense can take advantage of the Colts weak run defense. Dwight Freeny will have difficulty getting to Matt Schaub, who was the sixth least sacked QB last year. Its gonna be a shootout, but the texans superior offensive line will give them the edge.

The Pick: Texans

Dolphins @Bills +3

The top run blocking unit goes up against the Bills horrendous defensive front. The Bills secondary is strong, but the Dolphins running game will control the game. Definetly starting Ricky Williams this week in fantasy. 

The Pick: Dolphins

Lions @Bears -7

For no real, logical reason, the Lions are my sleeper team this year against the spread. I will be taking them every week. Im not predicting many wins from the Lions this year, but i definetly think they will cover a majority of their spreads. Every player aside from Calvin Johnson has moved on from that 0-16 team, yet public opinion has not. This team will suprise some people. Against the spread, that is.
The Pick: Lions

Raiders @Titans -6

This game will be a grinder. The Raiders offensive line is terrible, but the titans defensive line is even worse. Both teams will look to run the ball, but the Raiders will have a better chance at stopping it. Expect a lot of Run DMC and the Raiders to cover, and possibly win.

The Pick: Raiders

Bengals @Patriots -4.5

Similiar to the Lions, the Bengals are underrated. They have possibly the best secondary in the NFL and a solid defensive front seven. With all the talk about T.Ocho, people tend to forget about the teams bread and butter, which involves Cedric Benson and their power running game. When the team looks to throw they will have mismatches all over the field as the Patriots secondardy is thin and the Bengals recivers are deep.

The Pick: Bengals

Browns @Bucs -3

Time for some Delhomme magic! But seriously, how irrelevant is this game? Im gonna roll with the Browns simply because they have a better offensive line. My fantasy team is hoping they can find a consistent runner back there because the line has some strong run blocking potential, led by left tackle Joe Thomas.

The Pick: Da Browns

Packers @Eagles +3

I am picking not sold on the Packers quite yet, but i am sold on Kevin Kolb. I think he has a year similiar to what Phillip Rivers had after replacing Drew Brees. I dont like that the Packers have a below average offensive and defensive line, but i will admit that with all those studs in the passing game and defensive secondary, it may not matter. Nonethless, i am going Eagles with this one.

The Pick: Eagles

Cardinals @ Rams +4

Cardinals in a blow out. Beanie Wells three touchdowns for my fantasy team. And Larry Fitz another two.... crap, i invested in the cardinals way to heavily this year. Time for some trading!

The pick: Cardinals

Sunday Night Game: (Bonus Point)

Cowboys @ Redskins +3.5

The Redskins always play the Cowboys tight, but i think Dallas will be to much of a juggernaut thiis this year. The Cowboys defensive front seven will eat up the young, inexpierienced Redskins offesnive line.

The Pick: Cowboys

Monday Night Games: (Bonus Point)

Ravens @JETS -2

Love the Ravens, and I especially love them against the Jets. Hard Knocks is developing negative karma for the J-E-T-S and i believe it wont be until late into the season unitil they right the ship and start winning some games.

The Pick: Ravens

Chargers @Chiefs +4.5

I dont like the Chiefs, but i dont like the Chargers either. Both teams have underwhelming lineman, and in this scenario i bilieve the Chargers skill players will be to much for the Chiefs to handle.

The Pick: Chargers

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Expert Picks:

April: Saints, Jaguars, Colts, Dolphins, Lions, Titans, Pats, Browns, Chiefs, Jets, Eagles, Rams, Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers

The "Wright" Choice: Vikings, Jags, Colts, Bills, Bears, Titans, Pats, Bucs, Packs, Rams, Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers

Vick's Picks: Vikes, Broncos, Colts, Dolphins, Lions, Titans, Pats, Browns, Eagles, Rams, Redskins, Ravens

Kings Commands: Vikes, Broncos, Colts. Dolphins, Lions. Titans. Pats, Browns, Packers, Rams, Dallas, Chargers, Jets

Sledge's Selections: Vikings, Jaguars, Colts, Dolphins, Bears, Titans, Patriots, Browns, Eagles, Dallas, Ravens, Chiefs, Rams

Dre's Decisions: Saints, Jaguars, Colts, Dolphins, Bears, Titans, Pats, Browns, Packers, Arizona, Dallas, Rams, Chargers