Grab Your Wallet! Lead Pipe Locks for Week 1
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Picking against the spread is something that's tough to do...each week, I'll give you up to five games that will break the bank.
New England Patriots (-5.5) @ New York Jets
Bet that the Jets cover the spread in this one. Rodney Harrison, the second coming of Shawn Merriman (i.e. another pro football player using performance enhancing drugs who is still beloved by the fans...but, hey! It's all good! Right?), and Richard Seymour are out. The Jets gave New England some trouble last year in the regular season, and the addition of Thomas Jones will help them keep the game close, especially if they run Jones between the tackles. It's a home game for the Jets, who will be licking their chops to get a shot at the renewed sweethearts of the NFL. Pats - 28 Jets - 24
Chicago Bears @ San Diego Chargers (-5.5)
Again, look for the Bears to cover the spread using their vaunted defense to limit LT and put pressure on Phillip Rivers. The Chargers are lacking at the WR position, so the Bears will be able to keep everything in front of them. I love the match-up of Urlacher/Brown on Antonio Gates and I think that tandem will be able to contain him. It's Norv Turner's first game as Chargers new head coach, so don't look for them to get cute on offense. Even in San Diego, Bears cover the spread in a defensive struggle. Bears - 13 Chargers - 17
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
The Bengals may be without starting Pro Bowl LT Willie Anderson, leaving Carson Palmer's blindside open to the most confusing and complex blitz scheme in the NFL. If the Bengals don't score first, look for Baltimore to not only cover the spread, but win the game. If Cincy falls behind, it will force Carson Palmer to throw the ball...a lot. This leaves him vulnerable to interceptions in a vaunted defensive backfield featuring perennial All-Pro Ed Reed and future Pro Bowler Dawan Landry. The Bengals absolutely stink at stopping the run, so look for a big game out of Willis McGahee. Success in the running game will lead to success in the play-action passing game, which is McNair's bread and butter. Ravens - 24 Bengals -17
Happy gambling! See you next week...
