Top Pick

1. Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Chi – The turn back to Jay Cutler means nothing. Chicago is in a state of turmoil and can’t wait to get the season over with. Minnesota has grown under 1st year HC Mike Zimmer and will finish out the season with a bang at home. Look for the Vikings to win by 10 and cover the point spread.

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2. Green Bay Packers (-7.5) vs. Det – Some may call last week a trap game for the Lions, but not us. That’s typical Matt Stafford being unable to capitalize on things given to him. The Packers will be ready in a game with a ton of meaning and look for a double digit win.

3. New York Giants (-3) vs. Phi – The Eagles three-game losing streak knocked them out of playoff contention and means this game has little meaning. Well, it has more for the Giants who are playing a number of young players on their three-game winning streak. Look for that to move to four as the Odell Beckham Jr. show continues against a horrendous secondary.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) vs. Pit – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Carolina Panthers (+4) vs. Atl – This will be close but Cam Newton will be the difference.

San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. KC – Win and they’re in. Look for the Chargers to beat their rival.

Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) vs. Was – Dallas needs to win first and then get a lot of help for a No. 1 or 2 seed. There will not be a letdown here.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+170) vs. Pit – The Steelers are very talented on offense but erratic. This is a game which could catch them by surprise. The Bengals move to RB Jeremy Hill as the starter has been a boon to the offense and they will continue to ride their young horse Sunday. Everything else feeds off of this. The Bengals D is also much improved since their last contest after getting a few guys back.

Must Start

Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte, Le’Veon Bell, Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy

Tier 1

Marshawn Lynch vs. SF – Lynch is the one back who consistently tops 100 yards against the 49ers.

DeMarco Murray vs. Phi – The Eagles stopped him last time. Tough matchup right back.

Justin Forsett vs. Jax – Forsett will top 125 yards with a TD against the lowly Jags.

Mark Ingram vs. Chi – There are gaping holes in the middle of the Bears D.

Chris Ivory vs. Ten – The Titans D is a sieve.

CJ Anderson vs. SD – All of the attention paid towards Manning has opened things up for Anderson. Look for 100 yards with a TD.

Joique Bell vs. Min – Look for 90 yards with a TD. Bell is the goal line back.

Fred Jackson vs. GB – Value in PPR league.

Eddie Lacy vs. Buf – Lacy will hit 13-17 FFL points but the Bills D is formidable.

Tier 2

Legarrette Blount vs. Mia – The Dolphins run D is very poor. Blount should receive 20 carries and find the end zone.

Daniel Herron vs. Hou – The Texans are middle of the pack stopping the run. Herron will notch 5 receptions as well.

Jeremy Hill vs. Cle – Look for a big bounce back after their last outing.

Giovani Bernard vs. Cle – Expect 8-11 points. The timeshare impacts both players.

Alfred Morris vs. NYG – The Giants are the 2nd worst team against the run.

Rashad Jennings vs. Was – Injury makes his status a question mark.

Bust

Frank Gore vs. Sea – Seattle will end the 49ers season and keep Gore in check.

Fantasy Sleeper

Chris Johnson vs. Ten – The Titans are the worst team against the run in the NFL. A little payback against his former team.

Top Pick

1. Chicago Bears vs. Det – The last time the Lions went into Chicago they were trounced thoroughly 37-13. This week will be much of the same. The Lions are one dimensional on offense and defensively have trouble defending the pass.

Cutler’s got more toys to work with in 2012 which will challenge the Lions D all night. But this game will be won defensively as the Bears suffocate Matt Stafford and Co. once againg.

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2. New England Patriots vs. NYJ – This is actually the best suicide pool pick on the board, but we’ve already chosen the Pats as the top team so must go with another. Don’t be fooled by the Jets performance over the underwhelming Colts.

The Patriots, regardless of whatever defensive woes they’ve had in recent weeks, are not the Colts, and will cover the large point spread and win by 14-20 on Sunday.

3. Oakland Raiders vs. Jax – If you’ve used up all or most of the good teams and want to try and steal a win this week to get to Week 8, the Raiders are a solid option. They played the Falcons down to the wire in Atlanta and the Jags are a poor road team.

It’s suicide pool time. Week 1 is the trickiest of them all; do you take a lock which means you can’t use them moving forward, or try and use a team which is not that good, but has a favorable match-up? Experience has taught us to go with the lock in Week 1 before altering strategy in Week 2.

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cle – Andy Reid’s teams always come out of the gate hot and this could be a 40-7 type romp when all is said and done. The Browns are a mess and missing key pieces on defense. Vick and Co. will torch them for a big afternoon. Easiest suicide pool pick on the board on opening day.

2. Chicago Bears vs. Ind- Andrew Luck and Co. will be good down the road, but not Week 1, and not in Chicago. The Bears D will confuse the rookie into turnovers which Chicago’s opportunistic will likely turn into points. Offensively, the Bears will overwhelm and an underwhelming Colts D.

3. Houston Texans vs. Mia – This won’t be payback for 2003 when the 14 point underdog Texans beat the Dolphins in Miami on opening day. Look for Houston to bury the Ryan Tannehill’ Dolphins by 2-3 TDs.