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Our FREE NFL picks versus the spread are purely for entertainment purposes only. But, let's face it, being right (winning) is more fun than being wrong (losing).
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Every week, the three "handicappers" at The Weekly Blitz will pick their three best NFL games against the spread (ATS).
Final results: Through Week 17, we have a combined record of 84-56-13 (60.0 percent) ATS.
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See also: - Weekly Fantasy Football Rankings: QB - RB - WR - TE - NFL Schedule - Tickets - CFB Schedule - Tickets - 2012 Mock Draft Databases: NFL - NBA
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DAILY WEEK 1 LINES FROM SPORTSBOOK.COM
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SUMMARY OF PICKS BY CONTRIBUTORS
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Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
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Picks are for entertainment purposes only.
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Lines used are always as of the time the pick was made.
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Date/Time (ET)
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Favorite
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Spread
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Underdog
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Kevin
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Dan
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Sean
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Thu, Sep 8 at 8:30 p.m.
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Green Bay 42, New Orleans 34
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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RAVENS
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1.5
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Steelers
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Game Thread
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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BUCCANEERS
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1.5
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Lions
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Game Thread
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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Falcons
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2.5
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BEARS
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Game Thread
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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CHIEFS
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5.5
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Bills
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Game Thread
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BUF +5.5
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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TEXANS
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9.0
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Colts
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Game Thread
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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Eagles
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4.0
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RAMS
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Game Thread
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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BROWNS
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6.5
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Bengals
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Game Thread
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CLE -6.5
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Sun., Sep 11 at 1:05 p.m.
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JAGUARS
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2.0
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Titans
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Game Thread
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TEN +2
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TEN +2
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Sun, Sep 11 at 4:20 p.m.
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Giants
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3.0
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REDSKINS
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Game Thread
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Sun, Sep 11 at 4:20 p.m.
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CARDINALS
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7.0
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Panthers
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Game Thread
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ARI -7
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Sun, Sep 11 at 4:20 p.m.
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49ERS
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5.5
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Seahawks
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Game Thread
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Sun, Sep 11 at 4:20 p.m.
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CHARGERS
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8.5
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Vikings
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Game Thread
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MIN +8.5
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Sun, Sep 11 at 8:30 p.m.
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JETS
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5.0
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Cowboys
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Game Thread
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DAL +5
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Mon, Sep 12 at 7:05 p.m.
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Patriots
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7.0
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DOLPHINS
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Game Thread
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NE -7
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NE -7
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Mon, Sep 12 at 10:20 p.m.
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BRONCOS
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3.0
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Raiders
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Game Thread
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CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin 2011 Record: 33-14-4 (70.2%)
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Titans at Jaguars (-2)
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Bills at Chiefs (-5.5)
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Patriots (-7) at Dolphins
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Titans +2
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Bills +5.5
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Patriots -7
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Although the Jaguars technically did not sell out their home opener, the game won't be blacked out in the local Jacksonville television market. Great news for fans looking to see David Garrard. Oh, wait. The Jags cut their starting quarterback five days before the opener. Not only won't Garrard be under center, neither will the guy who actually led Jackonsville in pre-season pass attempts (70), first-round rookie Blaine Gabbert. The abrupt transition to Luke McCown, who has thrown a total of 24 NFL regular-season passes in the past three years combined, worries me. Regardless of what I think, you have to think this move sends the wrong message to the players in the Jaguars' locker room. In six career games against the Jaguars, Titans running back Chris Johnson has 632 rushing yards and 114 receiving yards. In addition, the Jaguars pass defense is not good. Last year, only four teams allowed more passing yards and only five teams allowed more passing touchdowns than the Jaguars.
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With the departure of Charlie Weis, the Chiefs offense could very well take a step back in 2011. Although he injured his ribs in the team's final preseason game, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel was a full participant in practice and will be ready to go this week. In addition, the loss of tight end Tony Moeaki for the season was a big blow to the team's offense. The addition of Marcel Dareus, the team's first-round pick, to the defensive line and linebacker Nick Barnett via free agency plus having a healthy Shawne Merriman should help improve the Bills defense. When these two teams faced each other last year, the Chiefs won 13-10 in overtime. In the nine-game stretch after their bye week last year, the Bills went 4-5 but four of their losses were by three points including their loss to Kansas City. In fact, all four of those three-point losses were to teams that won double-digit games and three of them went into overtime. Although I think the Chiefs win this game, the Bills keep this game close enough to cover the spread. In their last 11 games, the Bills are 7-3-1 against the spread (ATS).
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When a team expects to play in a hostile environment, they often try to prepare for the crowd noise. That's what the Dolphins are doing to prepare for the Week 1 matchup against division-rival New England. The problem? The Dolphins are the home team. Last year, the Patriots blew out the Dolphins by 27 and 31 points in their two matchups for a combined score in those two games of 79-21. Over the last five seasons, the Dolphins are 0-5 in home openers. In fact, the Dolphins were pathetic at home winning a league-worst one game at home in 2010. On the other hand, the Patriots have won seven straight games in Week 1. The Patriots led the NFL in scoring offense last year and Tom Brady was near perfect down the stretch as he set the NFL record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception. For the Dolphins, Chad Henne tied Brett Favre for the fourth-most interceptions (19) in 2010.
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Dan 2011 Record: 24-21-6 (53.3%)
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Bengals at Browns (-6.5)
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Titans at Jaguars (-2)
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Panthers at Cardinals (-7)
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Bengals -6.5
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Titans +2
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Cardinals -7
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Greetings all, and it's great to be back for another season of football, and hopefully a fair share of winning picks. Typically I like to look for matchups and trends, but of course with the new year and lots of roster shuffles I am starting at square one. I always enjoy looking for value in week 1, and there a few matchups that just jump right off the page to me. I am going to take the Browns here to start the battle of Ohio this year. The Bengals have been anything but stable, after all they will start a rookie QB in Andy Dalton, Cedric Benson has just served a jail term, and the turned over their receiving corps. I really like the Browns to batter the Bengals into submission with Peyton Hillis, and a plodding offense under Colt McCoy. I cannot justify taking the rookie QB here, as the Browns will go on the road and give the city of Cleveland hope to start the year.
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Besides the Peyton Manning injury news taking over the front page, the Jaguars made the biggest move of the offseason in releasing David Garrard. Quite an odd move in cutting your veteran QB, and going with a McCown brother who has only thrown 13 passes in the preseason. The Titans have locked up perhaps the best running back in the league in Chris Johnson, and will go with veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck to take over for Kerry Collins. I like the Titans offensive capabilities much better than the Jags, and also the Titans boast the better defense of the two as well. Whenever you cut your starting QB just because he had a bad practice, and won't admit that the reason was money, you have to take the opponent. I love the Titans on the road, and they have also gone 4-2 against the spread in their last 6 games against Jacksonville. Easily take the points here for a Titans road win.
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This game will not be the most interesting of kick off weekend, but it certainly is one of the best value plays out there. Both teams will start new Quarterbacks, as the Cardinals will bring in Philly refugee Kevin Kolb, and the Panthers will start number one pick Cam Newton fresh off a BCS championship. The Cardinals have also had a huge signing this year, as they locked up possibly the best receiver in the league in Larry Fitzgerald, and finally a QB who can throw him the ball. The Panthers will look to make a fresh start with Newton, and they still do have the dynamic duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams in the backfield. I just can't take the rookie QB making his first start on the road halfway across the country here. The Cardinals know that every game is valuable here, as a losing record won their division last year. Lay the points against the Panthers here.
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Sean 2011 Record: 27-21-3 (56.3%)
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Vikings at Chargers (-8.5)
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Patriots (-7) at Dolphins
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Cowboys at Jets (-5)
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Vikings +8.5
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Patriots -7
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Cowboys +5
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I think the Chargers are by far a superior team, but the Chargers are notoriously slow starters under Norv Turner. San Diego had the #1 defense in the NFL last year in yards against, but still gave up over 20 points a game. I know a lot of people think Donovan McNabb is done because of his season last year in Washington. I am not one of those guys. I think D-Mac has a couple of solid years left in the tank. McNabb has better weapons in Minnesota then he did in Washington by a mile. San Diego has been the sexy pick for years in the AFC and this year is no different. I think this line is a little off. Antonio Gates despite what reports say is not 100% healthy. The Chargers also need to find out what they have at RB in Ryan Mathews. The Vikings don't have this issue with arguably the best back in the NFL. Chargers win but this game will be closer then expected. San Diego 27 Minnesota 20
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There is a big misconception that Miami has New England's number. Miami has only beaten New England 3 times in their past 10 tries, and I don't count one of those games as Tom Brady was out for one of them. The fact is that the Patriots own the Dolphins. Miami is a dreadful 3-11-2 ATS in their last 16 September games. I expect the Patriots offense to be clicking on all cylinders and Miami will be wishing by half time that they pulled the trigger and traded for Kyle Orton. The Patriots win big on the road 34-17.
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The Jets are playing a Sunday nighter on national television on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Dallas is as banged up as they come in their secondary and on their offensive line which doesn't exactly help against Rex's attacking defense. That being said, I really like the Cowboys for some reason. I am not a big Mark Sanchez fan, and also am not a big Jets fan. I think the Jets will actually miss the playoffs this year mainly due to QB play. Dallas has too many weapons offensively even despite a banged up offensive line to not keep this one close. I think the Jets take it on a last second FG. Jets 17-16
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