I'm not betting every game - my actual bets are posted in their own thread and actually I'm betting rather a lot this week - but I try to pick every game every week for fun as well. Main motivation is to have a laugh and to see whether I perform better than the New York Post's abysmal, unfunny, hopeless headline handicapper 'Hondo'. It tends not to be difficult. So, here are week one's picks (lines taken at time of writing from footballlocks.com):
NYG -6.5 over Panthers
Giants seek revenge for 40-9 home defeat last season. Given that that result was heavily turnover-influenced and Giants are due an upturn according to my secret data, I think they get it
Dolphins -3 @ Bills
Tough for new-look Bills to hit the ground running. Solid Dolphins should make Chan look a charlie
Falcons -1.5 @ Steelers
I consider the Falcons over-rated in many quarters, but they're also less of a finesse/dome team than some people think. They have every chance against a Pittsburgh outfit that lost it last season and put out an untested QB here
Bears -6.5 over Lions
Eek, I'm picking too many favourites so far. Bears were really poor last year yet still beat Lions by decent margins both times out. No evidence yet to support the idea that these things will change
Patriots -5 over Bengals
Really hard to figure how well New England will perform this season - well, on defense at least. I like Cincinnatti but don't feel their coaches make the most of their offensive talent. I give this to New England for big coaching edge
Browns +3 @Buccaneers
Josh Freeman's broken thumb makes me give a very cautious thumbs-up to Cleveland here. Actually, can't really pick this game but I get irritated trying to spell 'buccaneers'
Jaguars -3 over Broncos
From the thin air of Denver to the thick, humid heat of Florida for Broncos
Texans +1.5 over Colts
This week's "wish fulfillment' pick. Please please please......
Titans -6 over Raiders
Too soon for new OC, QB and rookie center to get it going. Gnashing-of-teethville for Oakland here
Eagles -3 over Packers
I hope Kevin Kolb's middle name doesn't also begin with 'K'. Suspect home advantage and some chinks in Green Bay protection will be just enough for post-McNabb victory
49ers -3 over Seahawks
Seattle almost as much of a mess as their league-worst uniforms for the time being
Cardinals -3.5 @ Rams
Genuinely haven't looked at this matchup at all, unfortunately. So me pick team win more games last year
Cowboys -3.5 @ Redskins
Don't think dodgy ankle bodes well for Donovan debut
Ravens +2 @ Jets
I'm firmly in the "Don't believe the hype" camp. Jets are average. Put up those defensive numbers last year with eight games against the following QBs: an out-of-form Kerry Collins, Chad Henne in one of his first starts, JaMarcus Russell, Jake Delhomme in the worst season of his life, Josh Freeman, Curtis Painter, and Ryan Fitzpatrick (twice).
Chargers -4.5 @ Chiefs
One-man team beats no-man team. It's simple mathematics
NB: I would have picked Saints over Vikings on Thursday, but I saw the line at 4.5 (win) and 5.5 (loss) so I'll call it a push for the purposes of these picks
NYG -6.5 over Panthers
Giants seek revenge for 40-9 home defeat last season. Given that that result was heavily turnover-influenced and Giants are due an upturn according to my secret data, I think they get it
Dolphins -3 @ Bills
Tough for new-look Bills to hit the ground running. Solid Dolphins should make Chan look a charlie
Falcons -1.5 @ Steelers
I consider the Falcons over-rated in many quarters, but they're also less of a finesse/dome team than some people think. They have every chance against a Pittsburgh outfit that lost it last season and put out an untested QB here
Bears -6.5 over Lions
Eek, I'm picking too many favourites so far. Bears were really poor last year yet still beat Lions by decent margins both times out. No evidence yet to support the idea that these things will change
Patriots -5 over Bengals
Really hard to figure how well New England will perform this season - well, on defense at least. I like Cincinnatti but don't feel their coaches make the most of their offensive talent. I give this to New England for big coaching edge
Browns +3 @Buccaneers
Josh Freeman's broken thumb makes me give a very cautious thumbs-up to Cleveland here. Actually, can't really pick this game but I get irritated trying to spell 'buccaneers'
Jaguars -3 over Broncos
From the thin air of Denver to the thick, humid heat of Florida for Broncos
Texans +1.5 over Colts
This week's "wish fulfillment' pick. Please please please......
Titans -6 over Raiders
Too soon for new OC, QB and rookie center to get it going. Gnashing-of-teethville for Oakland here
Eagles -3 over Packers
I hope Kevin Kolb's middle name doesn't also begin with 'K'. Suspect home advantage and some chinks in Green Bay protection will be just enough for post-McNabb victory
49ers -3 over Seahawks
Seattle almost as much of a mess as their league-worst uniforms for the time being
Cardinals -3.5 @ Rams
Genuinely haven't looked at this matchup at all, unfortunately. So me pick team win more games last year
Cowboys -3.5 @ Redskins
Don't think dodgy ankle bodes well for Donovan debut
Ravens +2 @ Jets
I'm firmly in the "Don't believe the hype" camp. Jets are average. Put up those defensive numbers last year with eight games against the following QBs: an out-of-form Kerry Collins, Chad Henne in one of his first starts, JaMarcus Russell, Jake Delhomme in the worst season of his life, Josh Freeman, Curtis Painter, and Ryan Fitzpatrick (twice).
Chargers -4.5 @ Chiefs
One-man team beats no-man team. It's simple mathematics
NB: I would have picked Saints over Vikings on Thursday, but I saw the line at 4.5 (win) and 5.5 (loss) so I'll call it a push for the purposes of these picks