Here Are Our Week 1 NFL Picks Against The Spread

Philip Rivers is ready for some football.

 

Last night wasn’t the greatest NFL game we’ve ever seen, but I’m sure you enjoyed it as much as I did. There was some good action and fantasy output. Some of us picked the game right and earned some extra beer money. The Super Bowl champs showed why people are picking them to repeat. The only people who didn’t enjoy it are those in Wisconsin. Maybe Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t avoid Richard Sherman next time around. 

We’re locked and loaded for 15 more games and thankfully an asteroid won’t ruing that experience. Let’s keep it going. 

Locks of the Week: 

CHICAGO -7 over Buffalo 
Things are getting pretty bad in Buffalo. Coach Doug Marrone got into a heated argument with the Bills’ director of player personnel on the practice field recently. Former first round pick C.J. Spiller is returning kicks while another, quarterback EJ Manuel, doesn’t look to have improved much since last year. Throw in recent first round pick Sammy Watkins nursing a rib injury and the Bills have all kinds of problems. The Bears are locked and ready to go in this one. The best news for the Bills is that Jim Kelly is cancer-free! 

Kyle’s pick: Chicago

San Diego +3 over ARIZONA 
Arizona’s defense is missing some important pieces with Darnell Dockett out with an injury, Tyrann Mathieu not back until Week 5, and two linebackers missing from last year’s team. People seem to think Arizona has the same great defense and I’m not sure why. Look for San Diego to do enough to stay in front with their plethora of offensive options and pull off the upset in the desert. 

Kyle’s pick: Arizona

New Orleans -2.5 over ATLANTA 
Atlanta spent all offseason trying to get tough. You’re either tough or you’re not. You can’t get tougher just by fighting in practice with cameras watching you on Hard Knocks. The Falcons’ still have major holes in the secondary and New Orleans will out-score them in this track meet. 

Kyle’s pick: New Orleans

‎Trap Game of the Week: 

Tennessee +3 over KANSAS CITY 
The Chiefs have one of the better home field advantages in the league and their smoke and mirror approach won them many a game last year. But they’re missing Dwayne Bowe and have a patchwork offensive line. I’ve gone back and forth, but I’m not taking the shot with a wounded bird who wasn’t that talented to begin with. 

Kyle’s pick: Kansas City

‎Rest of the Picks: 

Oakland +5.5 over N.Y. JETS 
This one could either be really ugly or a fun shootout. I’m looking forward to the David Carr experience because it can’t be as bad as what the Raiders have rolled out recently or would’ve rolled out with Matt Schaub behind center.

Kyle’s pick: Oakland

ST. LOUIS -3 over Minnesota 
Life isn’t completely over for the Rams because Shaun Hill won’t be much worse than Sam Bradford if he’s any worse at all. They also still have a strong defense and a capable running game behind a good offensive line. Minnesota may have Adrian Peterson and some new offensive weapons, but their defense is still a major question mark. 

Kyle’s pick: St. Louis

Jacksonville +11 over PHILADELPHIA 
The Eagles are the survivor pick of the week, but I think the Jags could potentially keep this close. Their defense turned up the dial at the end of last year and they’ve had the whole offseason to prepare for Chip Kelly’s offense in Week 1. Maybe Chad Henne will be owned in more fantasy leagues than Tim Tebow by the end of this weekend. 

Kyle’s pick: Jacksonville

HOUSTON -3 over Washington 
Robert Griffin III has looked like a shell of his former self in preseason and guys like Ron Jaworski think he’s regressed. Houston should have a decent offense with Ryan Fitzpatrick orchestrating to a bevy of offensive weapons and we know their defense is ready for the challenge.

Kyle’s pick: Houston 

Cleveland +7 over PITTSBURGH 
The Steelers are getting this spread based on their brand name. Cleveland’s defense and running game will keep this closer than a touchdown. 

Kyle’s pick: Pittsburgh

New England -4 over MIAMI 
Give Bill Bellichick four months to prepare for a team and he should be ready to dominate them. Questions remain as to how effective the Dolphins’ offense will be under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor given his mediocre track record before coaching Eagles quarterbacks last year. 

Kyle’s pick: New England

Cincinnati +1 over BALTIMORE 
The Bengals have more talent on both sides of the ball and the Ravens aren’t good enough defensively anymore to cause Andy Dalton major trouble. Look for the Bengals to play a smart road game with a cautious approach behind two good running backs and a great defense. It’s time to do the Icky Shuffle. 

Kyle’s pick: Baltimore

TAMPA BAY -3 over Carolina 
I like the Buccaneers to win this one even before Cam Newton’s availability was in doubt. If Cam plays, he won’t be 100% and a healthy Bucs defense should cause him and Carolina’s offense some problems. 

Kyle’s pick: Tampa Bay

DALLAS +4.5 over San Francisco 
Expect a shootout in Big D. San Francisco’s defense isn’t as good as it used to be and Dallas’ defense has been garbage for years. It’ll come down to who has the ball last, so I’ll take the points as insurance. 

Kyle’s pick: Dallas

DENVER -7.5 over Indianapolis 
Wes Welker may have been rolling on Molly at Kentucky Derby, but the Broncos will be able to get through the Colts without him. They have plenty of offensive weapons including rookie receiver Cody Lattimer. The Colts still can’t stop offenses and they still can’t run the ball. At least they signed the wide receiver with the #1 WAG. 

Kyle’s pick: Denver

DETROIT -6 over N.Y. Giants 
Giants’ fans should be concerned at how bad their offensive line is going to get run over by Ndamukong Suh. The offense looks in disarray and while the defense has improved, you’ll need to score points to keep up with the Lions. 

Kyle’s pick: Detroit

‎This Week: 1-0 
Season: 1-0

Kyle: 1-0