As every Canadian (and, of course, our friends along the U.S. border) who regularly plays Pro Line or Point Spread knows, picking winners in the National Football League is never easy. If it was easy, we’d all be gambling for a living and we’d probably all be millionaires.
That’s why, for those of us who put our picks out there every week, picking NFL winners can be a contact sport. And we’re the ones getting blindsided by some pretty solid shots.
But that’s great. It’s part of the game and we’re ready to play. Bring it!
Week 1 is always the toughest. Pre-season is completely meaningless, coaches are experimenting with quarterbacks (Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, J.T. O’Sullivan, Kurt Warner?), injuries are already a factor (the Giants won their opener without the retired Strahan and injured Umenyiora) and the Detroit Lions look like they’re capable of winning 10 or 11 games. It takes a few weeks to get this thing sorted out.
But we will soldier on.
On Thursday, Joe Aiello and I picked our Week 1 winners on 92-CITI-FM. I picked the Giants in the opener, he took Washington. For the sake of season-long accounting, I will accept a victory in Thursday night’s game and continue, 1-0, toward Sunday. Thank you. Thank you very much.
In past years, I would add the following disclaimer. “Remember, these selections are for recreational use only. No gambling.” However, now that I’m working closely with the nice folks at Manitoba Lotteries, I would like to provide this bit of advice to all Sport Select players: Please, purchase your tickets before the Sunday morning rush.
Those of us who will be rushing over to the nearest Mac’s Convenience Store on Sunday morning with 10 minutes left until kickoff, appreciate your consideration.
THURSDAY
Washington Redskins at N.Y. Giants
Eli Maninng vs. Jason Campbell. You decide.
Take the Giants.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Detroit Lions at Atlanta
This is the first time in 23 games that the Lions have been road favourites and only the fourth time this decade that Vegas oddsmakers have made the Lions a favourite on the road. Stick with the karma.
Take Detroit
Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills
If these two teams were headed to the Super Bowl, I might take Seattle. But IN Buffalo in Week 1, you have to like the Bills.
Take Buffalo
N.Y. Jets at Miami Dolphins
The Jets won four games last season and Brett Favre won’t make them that much better. The Dolphins won once so that bthrows any argument I have out the window. I just think Ricky Williams latest comeback is the charm.
Take Miami
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
If they actually had to amputate Tom Brady’s sore foot, he’d still lead the Pats past K.C.
Take New England
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
The Saints are improving while the Bucs are spinning their tires. When these two teams meet in Tampa on Nov. 30, I’ll probably take the Bucs, but right now…
Take New Orleans
St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have been to four conference championship games and a Super Bowl in Andy Reid’s nine seasons as head coach, but they’re pretty lousy 3-6 on Kickoff Weekend. That changes to 4-6 this year.
Take Philadelphia
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Seriously, dude…
Take Pittsburgh
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
This game has the potential to be much better than advertised. Of course, if the two-headed monster of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew run wild, it might be a blowout. And another thing, how will Vince Young’s hamstring hold up?
Take Jacksonville.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Carson Palmer vs. Joe Flacco. Flacco might be good some day, but not yet.
Take Cincinnati
Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers
This will be a great football game. The Panthers hit hard and the Chargers run hard. I’m a Philip Rivers believer and L.T. has some spark left in those legs.
Take San Diego
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Whatever? It’s a toss. Try the home team.
Take San Francisco
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
Experts say Dallas is unbeatable. They say the Cowboys will unseat the Giants in the NFC East. That might be true, but I really like Cleveland at home and I believe the Browns defence is better than them experts think.
Take Cleveland
SUNDAY NIGHT
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning with a sore bursa sac in his knee is more fearsome than Kyle Orton “managing” a football game.
Take Indianapolis.
MONDAY NIGHT
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Oh, sorry, Aaron Rodgers ISN’T an experiment?
Take Minnesota.
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
Everyone says Jay Cutler is “for real.” I’ll believe everyone this week.
Take Denver
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