Jimmy the Greek's Week 1 NFL picks

With the Thursday night game behind us, I'm looking to turn things around and go undefeated the rest of the way. If you're on the fence and thinking about betting on today's games, just follow along below and send me a percentage of your winnings and a thank you card later. Here we go...

Falcons (-3.5) over Dolphins
The Falcons add Tony Gonzalez to what was already a solid offensive lineup, and Matty Heisman returns at the helm. This team should put up a lot of points against a Dolphins squad that overachieved last year but won’t do the same in ’09. Falcons win comfortably at home.

Colts (-6.5) over Jaguars
I don’t like the Jaguars offense other than Maurice Jones-Drew. He’ll get his numbers and have a solid fantasy day, but look for Peyton Manning and the Colts O to silence all the critics in Week 1. A lot of people have them finishing out of the playoffs at 8-8, but I think they’re delusional.

Vikings (-2.5) over Browns
I hate this pick probably because I hate Brett Favre. What a loser. But let’s face it, AP is filthy good and Brady Quinn just found out he’s starting the other day. Mangini is a dink and the Browns will lose because of it (and the fact that the Vikings are better).

Cowboys (-3.5) over Buccaneers
Who the hell is the quarterback for the Buccaneers? I honestly have no idea. And who is their running back? In fact, who the hell is on the freakin’ team?

Jets (+4.5) over Texans
I like the Texans to win, but they’ll do it on a Kris Brown field goal. Mark Sanchez will have some bumps and bruises in his debut, but overall he’ll be solid and keep them in it. Look for Steve Slaton to have a day and Andre Johnson to quietly go about his business with double digit catches, 100 yards receiving and a TD.

Ravens (-9.5) over Chiefs
Matt Cassel isn’t starting and the Chiefs had the 30th ranked run defense last year. Hello, Ray Rice. It’ll be a feast for the Ravens on offense as Joe Flacco simply hands the ball off and starts off 1-0 in 2009.

Bengals (-3.5) over Broncos
We don’t know if Brandon Marshall is playing and Kyle Orton sucks. Plus, Chad OchoCinco is in for a MONSTER year. Remember where you heard it first!

Saints (-11.5) over Lions
This could be over after the first quarter.

Eagles (+1.5) over Panthers
Another pick I hate. This is going to be a rough, physical game. You know the Panthers are going to try and run the ball with D’Angelo Williams and a banged up Jonathan Stewart, but the key will be Delhomme’s ability to find Steve Smith. I think the Eagles stop them when they need to, and a well balanced offensive attack will help them sneak by with a win.

Giants (-6.5) over Redskins
Albert Haynesworth against arguably the best offensive line in football makes for a lot of fun. This will be a competitive game, but the Giants simply have too good a defense to let the Redskins score enough to stay in it come the 4th quarter. Manning and Jacobs will help them eventually pull away as the big, physical RB wears down the ‘Skins D.

Rams (+7.5) over Seahawks
Hawks win but don’t cover. Rams should be OK on offense, and I think Steve Spagnola will have them disciplined and ready to play. Seattle is an interesting team to follow with a lot of guys coming back from injury. But they have no running game which will eventually hurt them down the road.

Cardinals (-6.5) over 49ers
Cardinals have too many weapons on offense, even with Anquan Boldin out, for the 49ers to make this a competitive game on the road. Josh Morgan isn’t ready to carry the load for the receiving corp and the 49ers need Michael Crabtree to sign and report. In a year or so, however, that will be a potent offense if they can find a quarterback for the future (apologies to Alex Smith).

Bears (+3.5) over Packers
I like Green Bay as a Super Bowl team, but the Bears will be tough for anyone all year long. Cutler adds some intrigue to an offense already built around Matt Forte. Packers by a field goal.

Patriots (-10.5) over Bills
As long as Brady doesn’t get hurt in the first 8 minutes, this won’t even be close. The Patriots will pick up where they left off in 2007 as a record setting offense. Call me crazy, but I think they have a good enough offense to have us wondering about 16-0 again in a few weeks.

Chargers (-8.5) over Raiders
Oakland still sucks.

Enjoy the games.

-Bess