I know it's the NFL and they say "on any given Sunday", and all that. But there are 10 new head coaches in the league and consequently there's also a lot of disparity regarding team's state of readiness for the upcoming season. With that in mind, I'm willing to go with a few favorites.
BALTIMORE -12- against KC CHIEFS
A few years back I would've never considered laying close to 2 TDs with any team on the opening weekend of the season. But times have changed and the NFL has a couple of teams that would have a hard time competing in the SEC. The Chiefs are one of them. They have one the worst offensive lines in football, a new QB (with a bad wheel), a new head coach and, to make matters worse, they fired their offensive coordinator last week. They're screwed! Particularly because they're up against a fierce Ravens D, one of the best in the league. The question then is can we count on Baltimore to light up the scoreboard? A few years back they very rarely put up many points. But not last year. Flacco gives them a whole new look to the offense. This one's going to be a woodshed beating. Ravens, 31-7.
HOUSTON -4- against NEW YORK JETS
Gotta believe that the Jets are in good hands with new coach Rex Ryan. He's definitely an improvement over that nitwit Mangini. But Ryan's expertise is on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets are short of offensive weapons and it's going to hurt them today. The Texans will win the battle of field position and put away the Jets with relative ease. Houston, 27-13.
JACKSONVILLE +7 at INDIANAPOLIS
The Colts have been hitting on all cylinders for a lot of years now. But you gotta wonder if maybe they've lost a little off their fastball after all these offseason changes. The biggest thing they're going to miss, of course, is the leadership of Coach Dungy. I like the points with Jones-Drew and a Jaguars team looking to atone for a disappointing '08. Indy, 21-17.
NEW ORLEANS -13 against DETROIT
Surely the Lions won't go 0-16 again this year, but they're not gonna pop the champagne cork today. Not against this juggernaut. The difference between Stafford and Brees alone is worth 2 TDs. The rest of the Saints personnel and home field is worth another one. Saints will be quick outta the gate, 35-14.
NEW ENGLAND -10- against BUFFALO
We've heard all summer about the T.O. show heading to Buffalo. Alongside Evans, this should prove to be an impressive tandem. But the Bills are without RB Lynch today, are breaking in an entirely new offensive line, plan to use a no-huddle offense (good luck!), and just fired their offensive coordinator last week. With Brady back, and under the Monday night lights, the Patriots will administer a total ass-whoopin'. Pats, 38-17.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
BALTIMORE -12- against KC CHIEFS
A few years back I would've never considered laying close to 2 TDs with any team on the opening weekend of the season. But times have changed and the NFL has a couple of teams that would have a hard time competing in the SEC. The Chiefs are one of them. They have one the worst offensive lines in football, a new QB (with a bad wheel), a new head coach and, to make matters worse, they fired their offensive coordinator last week. They're screwed! Particularly because they're up against a fierce Ravens D, one of the best in the league. The question then is can we count on Baltimore to light up the scoreboard? A few years back they very rarely put up many points. But not last year. Flacco gives them a whole new look to the offense. This one's going to be a woodshed beating. Ravens, 31-7.
HOUSTON -4- against NEW YORK JETS
Gotta believe that the Jets are in good hands with new coach Rex Ryan. He's definitely an improvement over that nitwit Mangini. But Ryan's expertise is on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets are short of offensive weapons and it's going to hurt them today. The Texans will win the battle of field position and put away the Jets with relative ease. Houston, 27-13.
JACKSONVILLE +7 at INDIANAPOLIS
The Colts have been hitting on all cylinders for a lot of years now. But you gotta wonder if maybe they've lost a little off their fastball after all these offseason changes. The biggest thing they're going to miss, of course, is the leadership of Coach Dungy. I like the points with Jones-Drew and a Jaguars team looking to atone for a disappointing '08. Indy, 21-17.
NEW ORLEANS -13 against DETROIT
Surely the Lions won't go 0-16 again this year, but they're not gonna pop the champagne cork today. Not against this juggernaut. The difference between Stafford and Brees alone is worth 2 TDs. The rest of the Saints personnel and home field is worth another one. Saints will be quick outta the gate, 35-14.
NEW ENGLAND -10- against BUFFALO
We've heard all summer about the T.O. show heading to Buffalo. Alongside Evans, this should prove to be an impressive tandem. But the Bills are without RB Lynch today, are breaking in an entirely new offensive line, plan to use a no-huddle offense (good luck!), and just fired their offensive coordinator last week. With Brady back, and under the Monday night lights, the Patriots will administer a total ass-whoopin'. Pats, 38-17.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
