Finally! The NFL is here, and that means an end to a whole summer of speculation, Michael Vick, and the stagnant baseball pennant race.
At press time, the Thursday Night Opening Kickoff game between the Colts and the Saints only served as a reminder that the defending champs, are a force to be reckon with. Though everyone is ready to anoint the reloaded New England Patriots as the next champs, I contend that the Colts remain the favorite until further notice.
On the flip side, I truly believe the NFC Champs, the Chicago Bears will take a step back this year, with the loss of their top RB, and the fact that they are still left with the wildly erratic Rex Grossman.
Of course I will be rooting on my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys to go deep into the playoffs this year, but objectively I see a healthy Seattle Seahawks team playing in that weak NFC to contend strongly. The Cowboys lost the architect of their current team, Bill Parcells to retirement in favor of 3-4 defensive guru, Wade Phillips who has the enviable job of returning America’s Team (arguable) to the glory of a Super Bowl Championship. They return a stout defensive team with slight question marks to the secondary, and depth at nose tackle. Offensively, they are loaded at all the skills position and have added size and strength to the offensive line. Of course, the Cowboys will go as far as their pivot, QB Tony Romo. I look for Romo to lead this team to prosperity in his 2nd year as a starter and put behind him the memory of that infamous field goal bobble that cost the Boys’ playoff game last year against the Seahawks.
In the AFC, I don’t see anyone nearly to the standard as the Colts and the Patriots are in terms of quality of the QB leading the team, a solid running game, strong D, and two exceptional coaches. Attributes that the other teams could not boast. So with those two slugging it out, I believe the Colts will do enough to get by T. Brady and the Patriots. Super Bowl Pick: Indianapolis Colts vs. Dallas Cowboys (a TV network’s ratings fantasy come true)
Week 1 picks considered with a spread system. (ahem) That is if gambling were legal outside of Nevada:
*Picks in bold with spread.
New Orleans +6 @ Indianapolis (note: made this pick before seeing how the Colts seemed to be better off without both starting CBs from last year’s team who were let go. Their replacements played solid, and the run D looked very strong against the combo of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister.)
Denver @ Buffalo +3
Miami @ Washington -3
Cleveland +4.5 @ Pittsburgh
Tennessee @ Jacksonville -6.5
Kansas City @ Houston -3
Philadelphia @ Green Bay +3
Carolina @ St. Louis -1
Atlanta +3 @ Minnesota
New England -6 @ New York Jets
Tampa Bay @ Seattle -6
Detroit +1.5 @ Oakland
Chicago @ San Diego -6
New York Giants @ Dallas -5.5
Baltimore @ Cincinnati -2.5
Arizona @ San Francisco -3
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