Show of hands! How many people have been counting down the days and eagerly awaiting the return of the NFL?
Yeah. I thought so.
Show of hands! How many people have been counting down the days and eagerly awaiting the return of my weekly NFL picks column?
[crickets]
Oh well. It's back. Deal.
I did awful last year, finishing with an abysmal 119-130-6 record. But I did pretty well in the postseason, going 7-4 against Bill's 4-7 record. In fact, I've been pretty much money the past two postseasons with a combined record of 15-6-1. Anytime you can pick over 70% of the games correctly, you're doing pretty damn good.
Anyway, I vow to do better this year. And without further ado, here are my picks for week one (home teams in CAPS, Bill's picks in red):
Titans (+6) over STEELERS
I think Pittsburgh will win by a field goal.
Broncos (+4) over BENGALS
Wow. The Broncos must really suck to get 4 against the Benagals. Take the points.
TEXANS (-4.5) over Jets
Sorry, folks. I'm driving the Houston bandwagon this year. First stop, spoiling Sanchez's debutante ball.
Vikings (-4) over BROWNS
Brady Quinn finally got the nod at QB. He'll start off with an L.
Lions (+13) over SAINTS
I really think the Lions will be better this year. Stafford will have better numbers at the end of the season than Sanchez. They won't win this one, but they'll make it respectable.
Jaguars (+7) over COLTS
The Colts should win, but definitely won't cover the spread.
RAVENS (-13) over Chiefs
Matt Cassell will yearn for the day when he carried the clipboard on the Patriots' sideline.
Cowboys (-6) over BUCS
I don't see Tampa Bay winning more than four games this year. And that's being kind.
PATS (-10.5) over Bills
New England will pick up where they left off before Brady's season-ending injury at the beginning of last season.
Eagles (-2) over PANTHERS
I've always been one of his supporters, but I think it's time for the Panthers to look for a new QB.
Giants (-6.5) over Redskins
For some reason, the Redskins seem to be a sexy pick this year. Not for me.
CARDINALS (-6.5) over Niners
Arizona will break the Super Bowl Loser Curse this season.
SEAHAWKS (-8.5) over Rams
The Rams are another team I see having trouble getting a handful of wins this year.
PACKERS (-3.5) over Bears
I picked the Bears to finish third in the NFC North. You'll find out why after watching this game.
FALCONS (-4) over Dolphins
Now that everyone knows about the Wildcat formation, Miami will find it much harder to get wins.
Chargers (-9) over RAIDERS
This was the toughest line of the week for me.
Beating Bill Simmons 2009: Week One
