MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — Every year, the Sports Doctor, AKA Dr. Football, and I get serious about the National Football League.
We love the NHL and the CFL, enjoy the NBA and UFC, even get all teary and patriotic at Olympic time. But we get serious and I mean serious, about The League.
Nothing on this planet compares to the National Football League. It’s the big time in a 100-yard package. We love the stadiums, the cheerleaders, the fans (well, not all the fans), the coaches and all the players who lay their spines on the line every Sunday to give our lives just a little more entertainment (and meaning?).
We also like to place the occasional wager. Not the illegal kind, just plain old fashioned government-supported-and-operated Sport Select. We play Pro-Line and Point Spread and we’re really looking forward to the Pools and Props this fall.
And that’s because we like to pick winners. We like taking the big chance so that maybe, just maybe, this will be the week we win enough dough to head straight to Vegas for a little R and R. And more wagering.
Of course, we also like to argue about our picks and that’s what we’ll be doing every week right here at www.rivercitysportsblog.com all season long. We’re going to give you our picks for the coming week in the NFL and then argue about them.
Couldn’t be anything more fun than that.
So here we go. Blind. Week 1. We all know that the pre-season means nothing. Still, let’s hope we learned enough over the last month to make these selections worth the effort.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (-5)
Billions of people will watch this matchup because in addition to it being the first game of the 2010 season, a certain quarterback wearing a No. 4 jersey will be playing. Brett Favre hasn’t seen much action this preseason, but in his limited snaps he’s looked pretty good despite missing Sidney Rice. We’re both taking the Vikings. Dr. Football just feels like this game means so much more to the Purple than it does to the Saints. Minnesota has been waiting to avenge their NFC Championship loss since January. The Saints, meanwhile, will be focused on receiving their Super Bowl rings and attending all the festivities in addition to actually playing this game. And while the Coach doesn’t it think it holds much water, young Dr. Football is buying the Super Bowl hangover curse with all his dough.
Dr. Football: VIKINGS TO WIN.
The Coach: VIKINGS TO WIN.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (+3)
Buffalo couldn’t stop the run at all last year, so I don’t see how its new inferior defense will put the clamps on Miami’s vaunted rushing attack. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams could easily combine for 250 rushing yards in this contest.
Dr. Football: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (-6.5)
The Titans’ two-headed rushing attack is nearly impossible to stop. Defenses can’t commit to the explosive Chris Johnson because Vince Young can take off and run for a big gain. Johnson struggled to get going in the preseason, but that was also the case last August. Plus, left tackle Michael Roos missed more than half of the exhibition because of a minor knee strain. He’ll be in the lineup on Sunday.
Dr. Football: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots (-4)
The Patriots are at their best when everyone doubts them. It seems like everyone is picking the Jets to win the AFC East and to even advance to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady is completely healthy now and playing for a big contract. Bill Belichick, meanwhile, will come up with some defensive scheme to take advantage of Carson Palmer’s diminished arm strength. We both love the Pats, but watching T.O. and Ocho Cinco play together will be fun.
Dr. Football: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants (-7)
This won’t be as easy as the spread sounds. Sure, the Giants will win. I really like the Panthers to cover because of the Giants’ stadium situation. Favourites opening up their new digs are just 3-8 against the spread since 1997. There are just way too many distractions and too much pressure on the team to win their first game in their new home. Plus, the expensive seats keep the more rowdy fans away from the field, thus eliminating some of the host’s advantage. It’s also hard to demolish Carolina when it has such a great rushing game.
Dr. Football: GIANTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.
The Coach: GIANTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5)
One locker room: “Ben Roethlisberger’s out! This is going to be an easy game for us!” The other locker room: “Our starting quarterback is out, and no one thinks we can win without him. Let’s show everyone how wrong they are!”
Dr. Football: STEELERS TO WIN.
The Coach: STEELERS TO WIN.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
Dr. Football graciously says that he likes this Buccaneers team to improve and win about 5-7 games this year. However, he just doesn’t think they’re in a position to be favoured over anyone yet. Besides, while Tampa Bay has the greater ceiling of these two squads (since they actually have a franchise quarterback), Dr. Football feels like the Browns are further ahead at this moment.
Dr. Football: BROWNS TO WIN.
The Coach: TAMPA TO WIN AND COVER
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
Dr. Football really dislikes Jack Del Rio: “Jack Del Rio, the laziest coach in America probably won’t be game planning too hard for this contest. Del Rio, 0-10 against the spread as a favorite and 4-16 against the spread versus non-divisional foes, simply doesn’t care about contests like these. I fully expect Denver to prevail over the Jaguars and their half-baked game plan. I feel like the Broncos are the superior team anyway.” Ouch, harsh! Coach likes the Jags, “as bad as they are,” simply because Denver’s starters couldn’t beat Minnesota’s practice roster in the pre-season.
Dr. Football BRONCOS TO WIN.
The Coach: JAGUARS TO WIN AND COVER
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (+2)
Under normal circumstances, Dr. Football would have a big play on the Texans. This is perhaps their most important game in franchise history. They’re finally good enough to slay the Colts, and the crowd will be insane. However, these aren’t normal circumstances because of Peyton Manning. We’ve learned over the years that betting against Manning to win a game straight up in the regular season is absolutely foolish; Manning is 10-2 versus the spread on the road when the line is +3 to -3 since 2007. He’s simply the best, and we both refuse to lay any amount of money against him.
Dr. Football: COLTS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: COLTS TO WIN AND COVER
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-6.5)
There are two reasons why Dr. Football loves the Lions: “First of all, the wrong team is favored. Chicago stinks, and Detroit has a shot to win nine games this year. The six-point spread is a joke, and completely based on last year’s results. Secondly, I can’t see the Bears being focused for this matchup. They swept the Lions last year, and have to be more concerned with upcoming battles against the Cowboys and Packers. I feel like this is way more of a statement game for Detroit. This is their opportunity to led the world know that they are for real.” The Coach is a Lions fan who just can’t imagine his team winning at Soldier Field.
Dr. Football: LIONS TO WIN.
The Coach: BEARS TO WIN AND COVER
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (+3)
Most football games are won in the trenches. This is an extremely weak area for the Seahawks. Dr. Football honestly hopes Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t suffer a serious injury in this contest. The 49ers should be able to walk away with an easy victory. This looks like a Week 1 gift from Vegas so bettors can build up their bankroll.
Dr. Football: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Aaron Rodgers has been unstoppable this preseason. He was 41-of-53 for 470 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. The problem with Green Bay’s offense last season was its pass protection. Rodgers took way too many sacks in the first half of the season. However, that issue was resolved when tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher rejoined the lineup. Rodgers barely saw any pressure the preseason and didn’t take a single sack. They are clearly the better team.
Dr. Football: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (+4)
The Cardinals are the two-time defending NFC West champions, yet everyone is penciling the 49ers in for the division title. Dr. Football: “I can’t imagine a proud, veteran, battle-tested team like Arizona simply rolling over and dying. They have something to prove.” They also have Larry Fitzgerald and they no longer have Matt Leinert. Check out my column at www.fantrax.com for that story.
Dr. Football: CARDINALS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: CARDINALS TO WIN AND COVER
SUNDAY NIGHT
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (+4)
This figures to be an old-school NFC East defensive brawl. Dallas’ offense isn’t clicking right now, while Washington won’t be able to do much against the Cowboys’ attacking/blitzing defense.
Dr. Football: COWBOYS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.
The Coach: COWBOYS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER
MONDAY NIGHT
Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets (-2.5)
Joe Flacco won’t be the only struggling quarterback in the first of two Monday night games this week. Mark Sanchez has been absolutely terrible this preseason. “Overall,” says Dr. Football, “I feel like the Ravens are the better team, and like the Giants; the Jets could feel too much pressure having to win the first game in their new stadium.” As if expectations weren’t high enough in New York.
Dr. Football RAVENS TO WIN.
The Coach: JETS TO WIN AND COVER
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (+4.5)
Unless the Chargers commit tons of sloppy mental errors, then this game can’t be close. The only thing we’re concerned about is San Diego’s notorious slow starts under Norv Turner, but this version of the Chiefs is by far the worst team the Chargers have played in any season opener since destroying Art Shell’s completely inept Raiders in 2006.
Dr. Football: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.
Records: Both of us are tied for first (0-0).