RJ's Pick: Dallas by 10
Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers — 4:15 p.m.
San Diego will probably win their division again, but I don't see them achieving much beyond that. Carolina should have another mediocre season and fail to qualify for the playoffs.
RJ's Pick: San Diego by 5
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers — 4:15 p.m.
Arizona is hoping to improve on their .500 record from last season. The 49ers would probably view an 8-8 season as a blessing.
RJ's Pick: Arizona by 6
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts — 8:15 p.m.
The Bears are gonna suck. The Colts have a credible shot at getting to the Super Bowl.
RJ's Pick: Indianapolis by 15
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — 7:00 p.m.
I thought there was a law in Wisconsin that made it illegal for the Packers to play football unless Brett Favre is under center? Hmmm ... looks like QB Aaron Rodgers is going to the hoosegow (That's still better than playing for the Jets). A good many people are predicting the Vikings to win the NFC North this season. It's possible, I suppose, although I'd think it more likely if they had, like, a quarterback who wasn't, you know, appallingly awful. Maybe rookie QB John David Booty will get some playing time and impress. Or maybe I just wanted to include the word "booty" somewhere in this article as part of my Search Engine Optimization scheme. You don't know right now, do you? And that's why they play the games ...
RJ's Pick: Green Bay by 1
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders — 10:15 p.m.
Mike Shanahan has now officially been the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos for more years than the US military was in Vietnam (Seriously. Look it up). "Hey, hey, Shanahan! Whatcha gonna do for a Broncos fan?" In this season's opener, he'll lead his troops into battle against the ... wait ... Oakland still has a team? I'll be sure to stay up until 2 a.m. on a weeknight to watch this matchup of certain playoff contenders. I'll be equally likely to gouge out my own eyeballs with a spork.
RJ's Pick: Denver by 6
(If you're interested, you can check out the full list of Danny Sheridan's Odds and ESPN's NFL "Expert" Picks.)
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.