NFL Week 1 Predictions

  Dallas at New York (-3.5, O/U 48)
     In the first matchup of the NFL season, expect a suspect Dallas offensive line to be exposed by the Giants pass rush. The Giants will be in Tony Romo's face all night and though the game will be close, the Giants will prevail late in the fourth quarter to get the better of the Cowboys once again.
New York 23-17
Spread: New York (300)
O/U: Under (200)

  Indianapolis at Chicago (-10.5, O/U 43.5)
     Andrew Luck makes his debut under center for Indianapolis as they travel to face the revamped Chicago Bears. If the Bears can give Jay Cutler enough time, Cutler will connect with Brandon Marshall a lot today, putting up enough points to win. However, Andrew Luck will impress in his first game, keeping the Colts very much in the game and giving the Bears something to worry about.
Chicago 31-24
Spread: Indianapolis (600)
O/U: Over (300)

  Philadelphia at Cleveland (+8.5, O/U 43)
     Whether Michael Vick is 100 percent or not, the Browns do not have enough offensively to put together enough points on the Eagles and win the game. Not the best of debuts from Brandon Weeden as the Eagles defeat the Browns with relative ease.
Philadelphia 21-10
Spread: Philadelphia (800)
O/U: Under (400)

  St. Louis at Detroit (-8.5, O/U 46)
     The Lions begin the season with high hopes despite a difficult schedule against a weaker St. Louis Rams team on paper. New head coach Jeff Fisher should help improve the Rams defense as the season progresses, but today, I don't see the Rams stopping the Detroit offense as the Lions begin the season with a win.
Detroit 30-17
Spread: Detroit (600)
O/U: Over (200)

  New England at Tennessee (+6.5, O/U 47.5)
     The Patriots kick off their quest for the Lombardi trophy in Nashville where Jake Locker gets his first career start as the quarterback of the Titans. Who knows how Bill Belichick will confuse Jake Locker, giving the Patriots enough room to win this one going away.
New England 36-21
Spread: New England (600)
O/U: Over (300)

  Atlanta at Kansas City (+0.5, O/U 42.5) 
     The Chiefs are healthy and ready to go on in 2012 and today, it starts with the offense putting up just enough points to defeat Matt Ryan, Roddy White and the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead. The Falcons defense still leaves something to be desired, which is why I see an explosive day from the Chiefs offense along with no turnovers to start the season 1-0.
Kansas City 27-23 (Upset)
Spread: Kansas City (200)
O/U: Over (300)

  Jacksonville at Minnesota (-4.5, O/U 38)
     It's a battle between two mediocre franchises and two second year quarterbacks with something to prove. This game will come down to which premier running back plays better and since I expect to Maurice Jones-Drew to be a little rusty, I'll take the Vikings to win in a close game.
Minnesota 20-17
Spread: Jacksonville (100)
O/U: Under (100)

  Washington at New Orleans (-9.5, O/U 50.5)
     Robert Griffin III debuts against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints will have something to prove, but that does not mean they will tackle better and defend the pass any better. However, the game is in New Orleans and it's hard to bet against the Saints, particularly given the fact that it is Robert Griffin III's first career start.
New Orleans 31-23
Spread: Washington (200)
O/U: Over (100)

  Buffalo at New York (-3.5, O/U 38)
     The Jets begin their season against the Bills in a pivotal early season AFC East matchup. The Bills defense is improved on paper and I like Mario Williams to harass Mark Sanchez for most of the afternoon. However, this game will come down to Ryan Fitzpatrick not turning the football over which I can't see him doing with the Jets top notch secondary. A couple of turnovers will propel the Jets to a week one victory despite their offensive woes.
New York 17-14
Spread: Buffalo (400)
O/U: Under (200)

  Miami at Houston (-7.5, O/U 42.5)
     The Dolphins inability to make big plays will cause them to suffer offensively against the elite Houston defense. As for the Texans offense, their balanced attack will guide them to an easy win.
Houston 28-7
Spread: Houston (900)
O/U: Under (200)

  San Francisco at Green Bay (-6.5, O/U 46.5)
     In the weekend's best matchup, the 49ers march into Lambeau Field with a new group of receivers and the same stellar defense that lead them to the NFC Championship game. The Packers will need to be better defensively this year if they want to win the Super Bowl and the offense will need to find a way to protect Aaron Rodgers a little bit better than last year in the NFC Divisional round against the Giants pass rush. The 49ers defense will show today why they are the best in the NFL, sneaking out with an overtime win.
San Francisco 23-20 OT (Upset)
Spread: San Francisco (600)
O/U: Under (400)

  Seattle at Arizona (-1.5, O/U 41.5)
     Arizona is headed for a dismal season and it begins today with a loss to Seattle. Russell Wilson will light up University of Phoenix Stadium and the Seahawks defense will confuse and pound John Skelton into the ground all game long.
Seattle 24-6 (Upset)
Spread: Seattle (1000)
O/U: Under (400)

  Carolina at Tampa Bay (+2.5, O/U 47)
     The Panthers are a sexy pick to surprise this year but in Tampa today, it will be the Buccaneers defense who shines. An improved pass rush and secondary will be enough for Josh Freeman and Doug Martin to score enough to defeat Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Tampa Bay 27-21 (Upset)
Spread: Tampa Bay (400)
O/U: Over (100)

  Pittsburgh at Denver (-1.5, O/U 46)
     If Tim Tebow could throw for 300+ yards against a Ryan Clark-less Steelers defense, then I'm going to predict that Peyton Manning will have a similar performance. A injury riddled Ben Roethlisberger will have to grind through four quarters against a Broncos front seven that should be in his face most of the night. Denver wins in a close one.
Denver 20-16
Spread: Denver (700)
O/U: Under (500)

  Cincinnati at Baltimore (-6.5, O/U 41)
     This is Andy Dalton's first primetime test and it comes in a very hostile environment in Baltimore. Joe Flacco ended last season on a high note and it will continue against a slightly overrated Bengals squad. Ravens win big.
Baltimore 34-13
Spread: Baltimore (900)
O/U: Over (200)

  San Diego at Oakland (-1.5, O/U 46.5)
     This is an interesting matchup because both of these teams are very mercurial week to week in terms of performance. But on Monday night, I'll predict that Carson Palmer limits the mistakes and Darren McFadden has a big night as the Raiders start the season 1-0.
Oakland 31-27
Spread: Oakland (300)
O/U: Over (300)

Total: 14, 200