Welcome back, NFL football fans. This is now the fourth consecutive year in which I have committed myself to picking every single NFL regular season game. I pick the winners straight-up, without taking the spread into account (although I do offer my best guess as to what the margin of victory will be). My goal, as always, is to beat ESPN's NFL "experts" at their own game.
It's always more fun when my enormously vast and intensely loyal readership gets involved, so don't be shy about offering your own predictions in the comments section below. At the end of each week, I'll total up everyone's Win-Loss record (including the out-of-shape, middle-aged guys from ESPN), and post the results in the comments for comparison.
[If you're looking for NFL picks that factor in the spread, you'll definitely want to check out David Mazzotta's weekly column, which should begin about midway through the season. Unlike me, he's actually a published author, sew u cann eckspekt mutch gooder righting their then u wil c hear.]
With that said, it's time for my picks for the NFL's Week One:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th
Washington Redskins at NY Giants—7:00 p.m.
The defending Super Bowl champs should have little difficulty winning the opening game of the 2008 regular season. I don't see the Redskins returning to the postseason this year.
RJ's Pick: New York Giants by 9
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons—1:00 p.m.
The Detroit Lions went undefeated in the preseason, and gave up fewer points than any other team (I believe this is conclusive proof that the preseason is meaningless). Rookie RB Kevin Smith (a UCF non-grad) should still be fun to watch, though. Atlanta remains horrible. Rookie Matt Ryan will be starting.
RJ's Pick: Detroit by 6
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens—1:00 p.m.
These two teams will be battling with each other all season long - to determine who finishes in third place.
RJ's Pick: Baltimore by 2
Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills—1:00 p.m.
The Seahawks are looking to maintain their vise-like grip on the NFC Worst. I suspect the Bills have improved a bit over last season, but I don't know how much that matters in a division with the Patriots, Brett Favre, and Bill Parcells.
RJ's Pick: Seattle by 3
NY Jets at Miami Dolphins—1:00 p.m.
And speaking of Brett Favre and Bill Parcells ... [insert your own jokes here].
RJ's Pick: Miami by 1
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots—1:00 p.m.
The Patriots probably want to lose a game early in the season this year, just so they don't have to deal with the whole "will you go undefeated?" distraction. The problem is, I don't think they could lose at home to Kansas City if they tried.
RJ's Pick: New England by 30
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints—1:00 p.m.
As I write this, Hurricane Gustav is pounding Louisiana. The levees have held so far, and let's all hope they continue to do so (Somehow I don't think the Saints want to open the season unexpectedly playing on the road ... or at home, in scuba gear). New Orleans underachieved last year, and Tampa Bay overachieved. The NFC South is a fairly weak division, and I expect the Saints to finish the regular season on top.
RJ's Pick: New Orleans by 1
St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles—1:00 p.m.
The Rams could surprise a few people this year, assuming they avoid the quantity of injuries they suffered last season. The Eagles are on a downward slide into the abyss of the NFC East.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RJ Elliott
NEWS FLASH: RB Rudi Johnson is now a Detroit Lion ...
2 - Fritz
You never give the Vikings a chance do you. Jared Allen is going to eat Rogers and Green Bay will have to forfit because the team will run out of clean pants to wear. Vikings WIN
3 - imposter
lol
"The Rams could surprise a few people this year, assuming they avoid the quantity of injuries they suffered last season. The Eagles are on a downward slide into the abyss of the NFC East."
Downward slide? They added a pro bowl CB to the two they have already while St. Louis lost their #2 receiver.
4 - DOM
yay..
NEW YORK
ATLANTA
JETS
PATS
TAMPA BAY
EAGLES
PITS
JAGS
BENGALS
SAN FRANCISCO
DAL
INDY
VIKINGS
DENVER
5 - RJ Elliott
Welcome back, DOM. How has the off-season treated you?
FYI - I think you missed a couple games in your picks.
6 - jayarra
your a retard dont write anymore articles VIKINGS BYE 400
7 - DOM
lol..
BILLS ....
CHARGERS
its been a good off season.. lots of school and warm weather in the summer.. not sure if i have anything to look forward to this season.. being a niners fan and all.. i guess i get to look forward to wasting countless hours handicapping football games.. :/
8 - Molly
Hey,
Great page! You should do a survivor pool pick every week! Who do you think is a definite win week 1? Thanks, Molly
9 - Bennett
Great Job!
You've set a high standard with this article, and I look forward to following the season via your commentary.
I haven't a clue this year as I've a 30 month old boy and a new house half built. Still, I'll catch the occasional quarter this season, and see if you called the game as I saw it.
Thanks for the clear formatting, amusing phrasing, and good jokes!
Salut!
10 - RJ Elliott
Thanks for the kind words, Bennett. Good seeing you again.
11 - sshhhhhh
ATS - (spreads given were what I locked in at)
-3.5 NY Giants
-3 Detroit
-1 Cincinnati
-1 Seattle
-3 NY Jets
-16.5 New England
-3.5 New Orleans
-7 Philadelphia
-6.5 Pittsburgh
-3 Jacksonville
-4 Dallas
+9.5 Carolina
-3 Arizona
-9 Indianapolis
+3 Minnesota
-3 Denver
Little heavy on the favorites this week eh... but it is week 1.
12 - sshhhhhh
and good to see ya back r.j.
don't post much but enjoy your column
13 - Andy Marsh
I actually took a vacation day tomorrow so I could go out and watch the Superbowl Champion New York Giants start their defense of the title tonight!
Yee Haw! I'm ready for some football!!!
Don't pick my team, they like being the underdogs!
14 - RJ Elliott
Final Score:
Giants 16, Washington 7 - RJ 1-0 (and I nailed the spread!)
What a great way to start the season. ;-]
15 - Adam
Hey, cool blog. I'll have to mark this as a favorite this season. Here are my picks as of Saturday.
I thought the Redskins would pull off an upset, so count me as 0-1 for the opener.
Week 1:
Falcons - When in doubt go with the home team
Seattle - Thats my team, which according to my picks will probably go 16-0 this year.
Jags - Better QB, better team.
Jets - Miami still sucks IMO
Pats
Saints - Brees is one of my fantasy QB's. He better do good...
Eagle - Westbrook > Jackson and Mcnabb isn't hurt yet.
Steelers
Ravens- When in doubt, home team it is.
Chargers
Cardinals - Although I think they are over hyped.
Cowboys - The Browns beat 1 team last year with a winning record, which of course had to be my Seahawks.
Colts
Pack - I'll go with a solid team at home over a hyped up team on the road.
Broncos - I think they are better than people give them credit for. Also there is more to football than giving huge contracts to off and on players (Oakland).
16 - alessandro
For the record I had the Giants. Just was too lazy to post.
Det, Buf, NYJ, Phi, NE, NO, Pitt, Jags, Dal, SD, Ari, Indy, Cin, GB, Den.
17 - RJ Elliott
Good to see you again, Alessandro! How have you been?
18 - RJ Elliott
Thanks for contributing, Adam. Hope to see you throughout the season.
19 - RJ Elliott
Thanks Molly.
If I had to pick just one team to win this week, it would be Colts over Bears. (Save New England for later in the season.)
20 - RJ Elliott
sshhhhhh,
Thanks for posting the spreads. I'll tally up my W/L ATS at the end of the week right here in the comments.
21 - RJ Elliott
Andy,
So how was the game Thursday night? I didn't get to watch it.
22 - RJ Elliott
Fritz,
You should post your own picks here in the comments each week. ;-)
23 - alessandro
It's all good!
I think.
24 - walmartsux
I love your column! I followed you all last season and you did great! (and helped me out with a couple of bets) keep up the good work and GO COWBOYS!!!!
25 - RJ Elliott
Thanks walmartsux. Good luck betting this season.