RSS Feeds  |  Follow us on Twitter  |  Facebook Page  -  Networked Blog  
EatDrinkandSleepFootball.com
Where Football's a Way of Life!
 
 
     
THE WEEKLY BLITZ
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).
     
Every week, five of our "handicappers" at The Weekly Blitz will pick their three best NFL games against the spread (ATS).

Final 2011 results: Combined record of 84-56-13 (60.0 percent) ATS.
Final 2012 results: Combined record of 130-121-4 (51.8 percent) ATS.

2013 Cumulative Results: 16-25-4 (39.0 percent) ATS. (Ouch)
 
See also:
2013 NFL WEEK 1 LINES FROM SPORTSBOOK.COM
 
SUMMARY OF PICKS BY CONTRIBUTORS
    Picks are for entertainment purposes only.
Lines used for each handicapper are the lines at the time of their pick.
  Links to their picks are under the name (as well as below in the grid).
Spreads are as of Sunday, September 8th at 11:18 a.m. ET
  Kevin
Dan
Sean
Steve
John
    Date/Time (ET)
Favorite
Spread
Underdog
    Kevin's picks
Dan's picks
Sean's picks
Steve's picks
John's picks
    Thu., Sept. 5 at 8:30 PM
Denver Broncos 49, Baltimore Ravens 27
      BAL +7.5
   
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
Patriots
10.5
BILLS
          NE -10.5
 
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
STEELERS
6.5
Titans
            TEN +7
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
SAINTS
3.0
Falcons
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
Buccaneers
4.5
JETS
    TB -4.5
TB -4.5
TB -4
   
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
Chiefs
4.5
JAGUARS
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
BEARS
3.0
Bengals
    CIN +3
    CIN +3
CIN +3
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
BROWNS
2.0
Dolphins
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
Seahawks
3.5
PANTHERS
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
LIONS
4.0
Vikings
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 1:05 PM
COLTS
11.5
Raiders
        OAK +10
   
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 4:25 PM
RAMS
3.5
Cardinals
    STL -3.5
STL -4.5
  STL -4.5
 
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 4:25 PM
49ERS
5.0
Packers
             
    Sun., Sept. 8 at 8:30 PM
COWBOYS
3.5
Giants
      NYG +3.5
     
    Mon., Sept. 9 at 7:15 PM
REDSKINS
4.0
Eagles
             
    Mon., Sept. 9 at 10:15 PM
Texans
6.0
CHARGERS
            HOU -4.5
                 
Sports betting at Sportsbook.com
 
CONTRIBUTOR
  GAME 1
  GAME 2
  GAME 3
Kevin
2011 Record: 33-14-4 (70.2%)
2012 Record: 22-28-1 (44.0%)
2013 Record: 4-4-1 (50.0%)
  Bucs (-4.5) at Jets
  Bengals at Bears (-3)
  Cardinals at Rams (-3.5)
  Bucs -4.5
  Bengals +3
  Rams -3.5
 
The Buccaneers may have their own controversy surrounding their quarterback(s) as the team did not elect Josh Freeman as one its captains, but the Jets will start rookie Geno Smith against a much-improved Buccaneers secondary.

Not only did the team sign free-agent safety Dashon Goldson, but they traded for Darrelle Revis, who is ready to return from his torn ACL and face his former team.

Freeman has many more weapons at his disposal with Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams and Doug Martin than Smith has and it will be tough for the Jets to establish the run against the league's top-ranked run defense from last season.

Revis and the Bucs will give plenty of stuff for Smith to "study" after this week's game in what could turn out to be an ugly blowout.
 
The Bengals are a popular pick, perhaps partly attributable to their appearance on HBO's Hard Knocks, to go far in the playoffs, but it's for good reason. There are few teams as complete as the Bengals.

Although the Bears have made some improvements along their offensive line, the Bengals defensive line is as good as it gets in the NFL. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins is one of the league's best defensive tackles and the team finished third in the league in sacks (51) last year.

On offense, the team added Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard with their first two picks in the draft to give Andy Dalton more weapons opposite A.J. Green, Jermaine Gresham and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

I expect this game to be close and I wouldn't be surprised if the Bengals win this game outright.
 
If home-field advantage is considered to be worth three points, this line is saying that the Rams are only a half-point better than the Cards on a neutral field. I don't buy that.

Either through the draft or free agency, the Rams made a number of moves to help out quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. They drafted wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, teammates at West Virginia, and signed tight end Jared Cook and left tackle Jake Long in free agency.

The Rams defense is an underrated unit with talent on all three levels and I expect them to put a lot of pressure on new Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer and force a couple of turnovers.
     
   

Dan
2011 Record: 24-21-6 (53.3%)
2012 Record: 28-23 (54.9%)
2013 Record: 2-7 (22.2%)
  Cardinals at Rams (-4.5)
  Buccaneers (-4.5) at Jets
  Giants at Cowboys (-3.5)
  Rams -4.5
  Buccaneers -4.5
  Giants +3.5
 
Welcome back to yet another season of football, and Week 1 is always the best as all teams start over at zero. The Rams as of late have been a difficult matchup for the Cardinals, as they have gone 3-0 against the spread head-to-head.

The Rams defense owned the Arizona offensive line last year, as in their two games they had 11 of their league-high 52 sacks against the Cards. Arizona has already lost their No. 1 draft pick Jonathan Cooper to a broken leg, and you will see Carson Palmer scrambling for his health on Sunday.

I like Daryl Richardson going against the 28th-ranked rushing defense that allows 137 yards per game. I will lay the 4.5 for the up-and-coming Rams.
 
The Jets have certainly been the best circus going this offseason, as they have played quarterback roulette. The Jets have decided to start rookie Geno Smith this game, although he was limited in the preseason with an ankle injury and managed to toss three picks and run out of the end zone for a safety.

The Jets love to run the football, but they will find it a tough go, as the Buccaneers were the best against the run last year only allowing 82 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. The Bucs will look to exploit the Jets rushing defense that was ranked 26th overall last year, as they yielded 133 yards per game last year.

I love the matchup of Doug Martin vs. the Jets rush defense, and also the retooled Bucs defense featuring Darelle Revis going against an unimpressive rookie QB. Vegas always gives a gift in Week 1, and this is the one.
 
The best part of Week 1 is that we get some great divisional rivaly games when both teams are fresh. The Giants have gotten the better of the 'Boys as of late, as they have gone 6-2 against the spread in their last eight, and also the Giants have covered on their last four trips to big D.

The Cowboys have also had rough luck against the NFC East as of late, as they have gone 2-10 against the spread in the division.

I love Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, and Victor Cruz going against last year's 19th-ranked passing defense that gave up 230 yards per game and 22 TDs. I also like the Giants pass rush going up against that porous Cowboys offensive line, as they will struggle to give Tony Romo time. I love the Giants getting the 3.5 on the road, so I will gladly take the points here.
             
Sean
2011 Record: 27-21-3 (56.3%)
2012 Record: 31-20 (60.8%)
2013 Record: 4-5 (44.4%)
  Ravens at Broncos (-7.5)
  Buccaneers (-4) at Jets
  Raiders at Colts (-10)
  Ravens +7.5
  Buccaneers -4
  Raiders +10
 
I can't remember the last time the Super Bowl champs were this big of an underdog in Week 1 the following year. There are a lot of people who don't like the Ravens headed into this year, but I am not one of them. I actually like the Ravens to win their division this season.

Baltimore's defense has improved even with the departure of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. I expect them to apply a ton of pressure on Peyton Manning in this one with Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs leading the way.

The Broncos are playing this game without Von Miller, and this will also be Dumervil's homecoming as he gets to play against his former team right off the bat. I don't think Denver's defense is going to be as good as people think this year, and I actually like the Ravens here for the outright upset.

My play is going to be around five units on the Ravens ATS, and two units on the ML. As far as moneylines are concerned, this one is juicy already around +310.

Ravens 27, Broncos 23
 
No shock here that I love the Bucs. They were my preseason pick to win their division and go from worst to first this year. They get matched up with the Jets. Unfortunately, Vegas may need to take down that who will Mark Sanchez's first touchdown pass be to prop bet as it looks like Geno Smith gets the nod for Week 1.

The Bucs Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks is questionable for the game while he is recovering from a staph infection, but I don't think there is any reason to rush him back for this one as I don't think this one will be close. Thank God for the Redzone channel, because living in Upstate NY, you are forced to sit through these dreadful games.

The Jets get smoked Week 1, and the NY papers are calling for Rex's head out of the gate.

Bucs 33, Jets 9
 
I'm not a fan of the Raiders at all this season, but 10 points in Week 1 against an average Colts team is laughable. Don't be fooled by the Colts this year.

After their loss in Week 6 last year against the above-dreadful Jets, they were 2-3. They finished the season winning nine out of 11. I'm not going to count Week 17 against the Texans because they were resting players for the playoffs. In those other eight wins, those teams combined for a record of 38-90.

The Colts were 29th in the NFL against the rush last year, and they will have their hands full with Darren McFadden and the Raiders this week. This is a play against the Colts because frankly I don't think they are that good. Silver and Black in an upset.

Raiders 24, Colts 21
             
   

Steve
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 29-22 (56.9%)
2013 Record: 1-6-2 (14.3%)
  Patriots (-10.5) at Bills
  Bengals at Bears (-3)
  Cardinals at Rams (-4.5)
  Patriots -10.5
  Bengals +3
  Rams -4.5
 
Arguably the best team in the NFL against one of the worst on opening day.

And if the Bills just want to make it easy on us, they are starting rookie E.J. Manuel. This line will be getting blown out right up to game time and I’d easily consider the Patriots a two-touchdown favorite.

Last year, the Patriots won their two showdowns against the Bills by an average of 15 points per contest – that seems like a more appropriate spread for this contest. The Bills may be heading in the right direction and Manuel may be a future star, but a Bill Belichick-coached team will have a rookie baffled on opening day.

I expect a 31-10 Patriots route with only a couple of minor accusations of running up the score.
 
If it wasn’t completely obvious in the division-by-division picks, I’m all-in on the Bengals this year and it starts in week 1. The Bengals have as much talent across the board as any team in the NFL, and it gels this year. However, playing in Chicago is tough for any team, and the Bears will be fired up to play for their new coach.

Given what’s at stake after knocking on the door, though, I just think the Bengals will view this game as the start of their make-or-break season. The Bengals may have been over-hyped throughout the preseason, but they will focused to start with a win.

I see expect the Bengals to win (and cover), 17-7.
 
10 and 3 – those are my numbers for this game.

That would be 10 sacks of Carson Palmer and three turnovers by the Cardinals offense as the Rams wake up the rest of the world to what’s been brewing under the gateway arch.

The ridiculously good Ram defensive line might even make Carson Palmer wish he was back in Oakland as the Cards might have the worst O-line in football. Arizona’s defense, not quite as good as last year but still better than average, might be able to keep this competitive.

Ultimately though Sam Bradford won’t need to be great for the Rams, he just needs competent. The score may seem closer than the feel of the game, but Rams win in a dominating way: 20-6.
             
John
2011 Record: N/A
2012 Record: 20-28-3 (41.7%)
2013 Record: 5-3-1 (62.5%)
  Titans at Steelers (-7)
  Bengals at Bears (-3)
  Texans (-4.5) at Chargers
  Titans +7
  Bengals +3
  Texans -4.5
 
Prior to the preseason, I thought that the Steelers were going to bounce back from a mediocre season and likely be bound for the playoffs. I don't anymore. The Steelers first string offense has not been very good, en route to an 0-4 preseason. I don't take a lot from the preseason, but you can learn some things, and I wouldn't be encouraged by their performance thus far if I were a Steelers fan. They will be going into the year without starting running back Le'Veon Bell and without tight end Heath Miller.

I think Chris Johnson may be returning to form as one of the league's top backs, which will be a huge help to their young quarterback, Jake Locker. Locker took over for Matt Hasselbeck last season, and will be looking to get off to a good start in his first full year at the helm.

With neither offense being particularly impressive, I like taking the seven points a lot. I actually think that the moneyline is a reasonable bet as well. If I'm scaling my bets on a 1-5 unit system, this would be a 5-unit wager for me.
 
This is another bet where I like the underdog outright. The Bengals are becoming one of the most complete teams in the league.

Andy Dalton has added another weapon this year in Tyler Eifert, and we should see plenty of double tight end sets with Jermaine Gresham. A.J. Green is one of the premier wideouts in the league, and the dual running back combo of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Giovani Bernard should prove to be formidable. All this without mentioning the defense, which may be the Bengals better side of the ball.

The Bears closed last season poorly, and missed out on the playoffs after a 7-1 start to the year. They lost Brian Urlacher to retirement, and Brandon Marshall is already unhappy. While Matt Forte has looked terrific in the preseason, I don't think it will be enough.

I think the Bengals are the favorite to win the game outright. This would be a 4-unit wager for me.
 
Typically, I wouldn't like a road favorite as much as I do here. However, the Chargers appear to me to be a team that is very much on the decline.

Philip Rivers has been getting worse and worse over the past few years, and it's possible that another poor season in San Diego could mean going in another direction. I don't know anyone that thinks that Ryan Matthews is in store for a big year. The defense should be relatively solid, but if they can't put up points, they aren't going to win many games.

The Texans have been careful with Arian Foster, but even if he only plays sparingly in San Diego, Houston is fortunate enough to have a backup running back in Ben Tate who is more than capable of handling the workload. The addition of Ed Reed should help a defense that was already seventh in the league last year.

I don't think this one will be close, and this was one of my favorite games of the week. I would make this a full 5-unit wager.