Early Picks: Minnesota plus 5?; Indianapolis Pick'em
Giving up points in the NFL is always a scary proposition, but it's particularly been a bad idea early. The last two seasons have seen underdogs go 11-5 against the number in the opening week.
There is no shortage of live dogs for this year's opening weekend.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Baltimore has covered four straight at Pittsburgh and the Steelers are notoriously slow starters, going 2-5 in recent openers. Add to those factors that the Steelers were 2-7 as home favorites in 2002.
Indianapolis at Cleveland: Indianapolis is the Las Vegas "wise guy" play and could be favored over Cleveland by the time you read this. The Browns have all new linebackers and lost their starting left tackle for the year. Look for a bunch of scores in this one.
Minnesota at Green Bay: Minnesota, getting a touchdown from Green Bay, was 5-1 in its division with the number last year, including both games with the Pack. The Vikings finished strong (3 staright wins) and have improved on defense since.
New Orleans at Seattle: Speaking of high scoring games, New Orleans went over the total 12 times in '02, and opens in Seattle, which averaged 29 ppg. A matchup of two of the league's fourth-lowest rated defenses, and the historically quick starting Saints (6-1 last year) are getting a field goal from the historically slow starting Seahawks (1-5 last year).
Chicago at San Francisco: San Francisco is a generous choice over Chicago, yet the Niners are coming off an 0-8 year as favorites and finished with 10 straight non-covers.
New England at Buffalo: There's a lot of hype over Lawyer Milloy, and how he will help the Bills against New England. Keep in mind that the Pats have five straight covers against the Bills, including two wins by an average of 20 points in their most recent meetings. Belechick's boys picked Drew Bledsoe off four times last December.
Giving up points in the NFL is always a scary proposition, but it's particularly been a bad idea early. The last two seasons have seen underdogs go 11-5 against the number in the opening week.
There is no shortage of live dogs for this year's opening weekend.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Baltimore has covered four straight at Pittsburgh and the Steelers are notoriously slow starters, going 2-5 in recent openers. Add to those factors that the Steelers were 2-7 as home favorites in 2002.
Indianapolis at Cleveland: Indianapolis is the Las Vegas "wise guy" play and could be favored over Cleveland by the time you read this. The Browns have all new linebackers and lost their starting left tackle for the year. Look for a bunch of scores in this one.
Minnesota at Green Bay: Minnesota, getting a touchdown from Green Bay, was 5-1 in its division with the number last year, including both games with the Pack. The Vikings finished strong (3 staright wins) and have improved on defense since.
New Orleans at Seattle: Speaking of high scoring games, New Orleans went over the total 12 times in '02, and opens in Seattle, which averaged 29 ppg. A matchup of two of the league's fourth-lowest rated defenses, and the historically quick starting Saints (6-1 last year) are getting a field goal from the historically slow starting Seahawks (1-5 last year).
Chicago at San Francisco: San Francisco is a generous choice over Chicago, yet the Niners are coming off an 0-8 year as favorites and finished with 10 straight non-covers.
New England at Buffalo: There's a lot of hype over Lawyer Milloy, and how he will help the Bills against New England. Keep in mind that the Pats have five straight covers against the Bills, including two wins by an average of 20 points in their most recent meetings. Belechick's boys picked Drew Bledsoe off four times last December.
