Gridiron Blitz: NFL Week One Preview

Time to preview week one of the NFL season with the Gridiron Blitz

Music to listen to: Roulette Dares by The Mars Volta

This NFL season, I will pick each NFL game against the spread and see how I do. I used to do this as a kid back in the day in my mother’s office pool. It would be under her name but I would beat many of the adults and her co-workers would wonder how she knew so much about football when it was me doing the choices.

Not to brag but I was dominating seasons as a 13-year old and its time to bring the pain again.

I picked New Orleans -5 last night and the final score was 14-9 so I have my first push of the season.

On to the rest of my week one picks (home team in CAPS)

NY GIANTS (-5) Carolina: The first “official” game at the New Meadowlands. I love how Jets fans are insisting that this stadium be called by its official name and not Giants Stadium like the former home of the Giants and Jets. That humors me. Also, Peter King has the Panthers as his sleeper team. I don’t see it but you do have to take risks with your choices sometimes I guess.

Miami (-3) BUFFALO: I picked the Dolphins to make the playoffs and this will be the first win towards this quest. Normally, Miami’s annual trip to Buffalo would be a loss because the weather is cold and the Bills do play hard at home. However, the weather is warm and the Bills are in for a long season.

Atlanta (-2) PITTSBURGH: I like Dennis Dixon, I do. However, this won’t be the game for him to shine. The Falcons use a ball control offense behind Michael Turner to win a close contest.

Detroit (+6.5) CHICAGO: I’m not as bullish on the Lions as others who even see a six-win team in Detroit, but I see a three to four win season for the Bears. Chicago’s offense is going to struggle, Jay Cutler will throw at least two interceptions and the defense has been overvalued this offseason. The Bears may still win but it will be closer than the spread.

Cincinnati (+4.5) NEW ENGLAND: This spread is too high for a solid and defending division champion in Cincinnati going into a New England team that has questions on defense. I can see an outright Bengals win.

TAMPA (-3) Cleveland: Have no idea how to call this game so early in the season so I’m taking the home team.

JACKSONVILLE (-2.5) Denver: This has the makings of a classic “the home team fans realize that their team is going to be terrible this year so this may be only time we get to see them win at home so they’re going to have the only sell out of the year, giving the home team a true home field advantage for the only time this season and we get to see one of our favorite college players ever who shall be nameless be the backup quarterback for the opposing team, meaning that he may actually get some playing time therefore we get two shots in one”-type of games.

HOUSTON (+2.5) Indianapolis: I picked the Texans to make the playoffs this season and if that’s going to happen, they have to beat Indy at home.

TENNESSEE (-6.5) Oakland: This will be the first Titans game I’m going to miss viewing in three years and that saddens me.

Green Bay (-3) PHILADELPHIA: You have to take your pick to win the Super Bowl in the first week, especially when Kevin Kolb is involved.

San Francisco (-3) SEATTLE: I think the 49ers lay a number in this contest to show that they are the new kings of the NFC West.

ST. LOUIS (+4) Arizona: The Rams aren’t going to win this game but will keep it close in a baby version of the Jacksonville game this week outside of the visiting player angle.

Dallas (-3.5) WASHINGTON: The Cowboys are just the better team.

Baltimore (+2.5) NEW YORK JETS: The Jets are going to lose at least nine games this season, you heard it here first.

San Diego (-4.5) KANSAS CITY: Torn on this contest because it’s a Monday night game at home for the Chiefs, a prime equation for an upset. However, I don’t think that the KC home advantage can compensate for the talent gap between the Chiefs and Chargers.

What are your thoughts?