Week 1 NFL Picks

Its that time of year again! NFL is back and so are my weekly picks. Last years theme was the offensive line, which lead to a better than average year of picks, but improvement is still needed. 


This year I will be leaning on teams that are underrated due to a lack of fantasy stars. Remember fantasy football is WAY different than real football. The players that impact your fantasy wins and losses are not the biggest contributors to the wins and losses of your favorite NFL team.


I like teams this year that are underrated due to a lack of fantasy football stars:
Bears, Rams, Bucs and Panthers fit that mold


I dont like teams this year that are overrated due to multiple fantasy options yet glaring holes elsewhere:
Lions, Texans, Chiefs, Giants, Cowboys


So without further ado, here are my picks for week 1, feel free to post your own in the comments section below. 


Saints at Packers -4.5


The Saints typically take a few weeks to get rolling, and traditionally have trouble playing in the elements, however this game will be played in warm weather (for Green Bay) September.


I like the Saints continutity better than the Packers, who are trying to blend all those injured reserve players back into their super bowl roster. 


I think the Saints will be less affected by the lockout and better prepared for the Packers. Plus, you always gotta put your money on Drew Brees when he is an underdog.


The Pick: Saints +4.5


Lions at Buccaneers -1.5


Steelers at Ravens -1.5


Falcons at Bears +3


The team that played in the NFC championship game last year is a home underdog. Um, what?


The Pick: Bears +3


Bills at Chiefs -3


Colts at Texans -9


True the Colts will have a tough go of it without Peyton Manning, but 9 Points tough? I think Pro Bowlers Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will have something to say about this. There is to much pride on the Colts roster to not cover a 9 point spread against their yearly whipping boys. 


The Pick: Colts +9


Eagles at Rams +4.5


Bengals at Browns -6.5


Titans at Jaguars -2.5


Giants at Redskins +3


Panthers at Cardinals -7


Seahawks at 49ers -5.5


Vikings at Chargers -8.5


Cowboys at Jets -5


Patriots at Dolphins +7


Raiders at Broncos -3


Raiders destroyed Broncos in Denver a year ago. I like them to do it again as 3 point underdogs. Broncos have a tough time matching the Raiders speed. Also the Raiders always play well within their division. 


The Pick: Raiders +3