Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs. Was – The RGIII fiasco seems to have settled slightly for the time being. The Dolphins are a much better football team than the Skins and look for Tannehill and Co. to come out of the gates fast this year. They’ll win by a TD and cover the point spread.

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Arizona Cardinals (-2) vs. NO – A lot of question marks surround this Saints team. They’re running a new offense and have some key defensive players out right now. Arizona is a tough place to play and we expect the Cardinals to pull out the W.

NY Giants (+6) vs. Dal – The home team is likely to win but these games are always high scoring and close.

Jacksonville (+3) vs. Car – Gut says go with Carolina who is the better team. But a lot of question marks surround this offense once again (loss of stud WR Benjamin) and Jacksonville has young playmakers and a defense better than most realize. They’re a good money line bet too (+145)

Rounding Things Out

Green Bay Packers (-6) vs. Chi – John Fox will do a lot of good in Chicago. It just won’t happen right away. The Bears offense is ailing and its D has uncertainty all over. Green Bay will win going away.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) vs. Hou – This is really a toss up, but we’ll go with the better all around team. Houston is breaking in a new QB, Arian Foster is sidelined and WR Andre Johnson is no longer there.

Buffalo Bills (+2.5) vs. Ind – They’re going to be fired up for Rex Ryan’s first game. The Bills D is stout and on offense the only question mark is a QB. Sure, that’s a big question mark, but the Bills might just out muscle Indy in its own park on Sunday.

Our top three NFL suicide pool picks for Week 1 are:

1. NY Jets vs. Cle - They’re only three-point favorites at the sportsbook but enter this contest in better shape than the Browns. Cleveland has undergone a tumultuous offseason and experienced high turnover. Look for Todd Bowles to win in his first game and for you to steal week 1 without using a top tier team. (Jets are a suicide sleeper pick this week)

2. Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG – The Giants enter the game without their starting LT, slot receiver (Victor Cruz), best defensive player (JPP) and suffered a spate of injuries in pre-season. They’re also learning a new defensive system under Steve Spagnuolo. That is a lot to ask playing the defending NFC East champs in their home.

3. Miami Dolphins vs. Was – The Dolphins loaded up in the off season and enter this year with strong hopes for the playoffs. They’re better than Washington across the board and will pull out a win by at least a TD in Week 1.

D/ST units that will outperform their ESPN Fantasy rankings in Week 1

Minnesota Vikings vs. SF (ranked 13): There are a bunch of new pieces to the 49ers offense yet Colin Kaepernick remains. That’s a welcome sight for Mike Zimmer’s aggressive squad. They are a nice sleeper in Week 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Ten (ranked 13): Marcus Mariota makes his debut without much help from the skill position. The Bucs D is quick and good enough to post a solid fantasy stat line in Week 1.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Hou (ranked 11): Look for the Chiefs to put up a solid fantasy showing opening day. Houston is without its top back and is starting a new QB.

Cleveland Browns vs. NYJ (ranked 18): Ryan Fitzpatrick is always good for a few turnovers. The Jets will be better than most people think but Cleveland has some playmakers on this side of the ball and could surprise.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atl (ranked 21): The Falcons feature extensive firepower at the skill position but are breaking in a new RB and still have a shaky defense. The Eagles are an aggressive unit that will force a few turnovers and top double digit on the fantasy tote board.

Top 10 D/ST units that will underperform

Buffalo Bills vs. Ind (ranked 6): Facing Andrew Luck is always scary. Now he comes in equipped with better weapons than ever before. The Bills D will be stout, but Week 1 is a tough fantasy matchup.

St. Louis Rams vs. Sea (ranked 9): The Seahawks could be a dangerous offensive unit this year with the addition of TE Jimmy Graham. Regardless, Wilson’s scrambling ability and throws on the run should scare any owner of the Rams D to start off the season.

TEs who will outperform their ESPN Fantasy Rankings Week 1.

Richard Rodgers vs. Chi (ranked 21) - The Bears are soft in the secondary, and will have a long day vs. Aaron Rodgers and Co. A primary beneficiary of Jordy Nelson’s injury could be more looks to Rodgers.

Kyle Rudolph vs. SF (ranked 14) – Last year’s fantasy darling never panned out. But this is a good play here. The 49ers struggled vs opposing TEs.

Tyler Eifert vs. Oak (ranked 13) - The job is his after Jermaine Gresham’s departure. The Raiders have a number of holes in the secondary and will have matchup issues all day vs. this talented offense.

Zack Ertz vs Atl (ranked 20) - A major disappointment a year ago. Hopes are high now. He is healthy and you can expect him get into the action from the get go on Monday night.

Ladarius Green vs. Det  (ranked 16) – Green benefits from Gates suspension. Look for the lanky but quick TE to catch 4 balls for over 70 yards.

TEs who will underperform in Week 1

Jimmy Graham vs. Stl (ranked 2) – Graham is ESPN’s #2 rated TE. He’s in a new offense and facing a very aggressive and physical defense. Look for a slow start out of the gate.

Delanie Walker vs. TB (ranked 7)- Walker’s rated 8th. TB covers TEs well and the Titans are breaking in a new QB in Marcus Mariota. He may look Walker’s way more frequently but we expect him to struggle.

Top pick

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. Ind – The Colts are playing on house money in the 2nd round. They can’t run the ball nor defense the run very well, and beat an undermanned Bengals team to get here. Their season will end this weekend. Denver is well rested, gets some key members back on D (LB Brandon Marshall), and will destroy Indy’s defense with its run / pass attack. Look for the Broncos to easily cover the point spread.

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2. Seattle Seahawks (-10.5) vs. Car – These teams have met each of the last two seasons and each contest has been close. Each contest has also been in Carolina. This one moves to Seattle. Look for the Seahawks D to bear down on Newton all evening and force mistakes while limiting points. Seattle will win by more than two TDs.

3. Baltimore Ravens (+7) vs. NE – The Patriots will win this game. The success Baltimore had against New England in the playoffs came before the Patriots went out and got a legit D. They have one now and CB Revis lets Belichick do a lot of things. But Baltimore matches up well against the Patriots strengths and this should come down to the wire again.

4. Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Dal – The only way this should remain close is if Aaron Rodgers injury is worse than the team is letting on. Otherwise, this is a mismatch. The Packers offense will dominate the Cowboys D and control the clock. On the other side of the ball while the Cowboys will have success on the ground, Green Bay’s D is opportunistic – especially at home, and will force one or two key turnovers.

Top pick

1. Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Car – The Panthers should win and enter the game in pretty good shape health-wise. The Cardinals are forced to play QB Ryan Lindley which is a depressing thought. However, Arizona’s D will be ready to play and will force Cam Newton into mistakes. Expect a close game which Arizona may pull out in the end. Either way, Carolina won’t be covering the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (+7) vs. Dal – The Cowboys come in strong, finishing 8-0 on the road. They haven’t fared as well at home. The Lions D will challenge Romo and this running game all afternoon. Matt Stafford is good for a few mistakes but this will be close throughout and could go either way. If Stafford shows some maturity then the Lions may steal one on the road.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Bal – The loss of RB Le’veon Bell is big, but Pittsburgh still has enough firepower to beat the Ravens at home. Baltimore does not enter this game playing their best ball and will go out in round 1.

4. Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Cin – The Bengals will likely be without WR AJ Green who has a concussion. That is a huge loss. They’ll pound the rock with RB Jeremy Hill but will face another aggressive defensive plan like they faced earlier when shutout 27-0 to the Colts. Expect QB Andrew Luck and Co. to get the job done again.

Detroit Lions (-8.5) vs. Chi – The complete implosion in Chicago makes this the top pick of the day. QB Jimmy Claussen will start in Jay Cutler’s place and the Lions D will be ALL over him. Detroit will blowout the Bears and easily cover the point spread.

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Carolina Panthers (-3) vs. Cle – Sorry Johnny, it’s a steep learning curve in the NFL. The rookie QB will struggle again mightily against a subpar D.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. Was – RGIII is a welcome sight for an Eagles team reeling after two losses. The Eagles will win by double digits.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) vs. Dal – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Arz – Bruce Arians can only pull so many rabbits out of his hat. Ryan Lindley vs. a HOT Seattle defense is a scary proposition.

Denver Broncos (-3.5) vs. Cin – The Bengals have been embarrassed in primetime the entire year.

Oakland Raiders (+7) vs. Buf – Crazy things happen in the black hole. Expect the Raiders to play better than many expect.

Money Line Bet

Indianapolis Colts (+164) vs. Dal – The Cowboys are coming home after an emotional win against the Eagles. Home has not been their friend. On top of things, DeMarco Murray now has a broken hand and his ability to play is to be determined. Look for Andrew Luck and Co. to come into Dallas and win a high scoring game. The Cowboys D will have their hands full with the Colts passing game.

Must Start

Seattle, New England, Detroit, and Buffalo

Tier 1

Baltimore Ravens vs. Hou – Houston is down to its 3rd QB.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Sea – This will be a low scoring game.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Was – It’s RGIII they are facing.

Green Bay Packers vs. TB – Look for a bounce back against the lowly Bucs.

Tier 2

Denver Broncos vs. Cin – The Bengals have been abysmal in Primetime.

San Francisco 49ers vs. SD – There is little to play for but expect the 49ers players to put up 8-11 points.

Bust

Miami Dolphins vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is improving and the Dolphins are struggling.

Fantasy Sleeper

Carolina Panthers vs. Cle – Manziel will have plenty of bumps in the road early on.

Must Start

Calvin Johnson, Jordy Nelson, Antonio Brown, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas

Tier 1

Jeremy Maclin vs. Was – Very favorable matchup. Depends on Sanchez.

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Stl – The kid is on a record pace. He’ll thrive vs. the Rams secondary too.

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Cin – The major question mark is whether the Broncos will go into run mode again.

TY Hilton vs. Dal – Hilton will have a field day against a vulnerable secondary.

Roddy White vs. NO – The Falcons pass game have the decided edge on Sunday. Expect No. 1 FFL numbers from White.

Randall Cobb vs. TB – The Bucs are playing for the top pick in the draft and Cobb is playing for a contract.

Julian Edelman vs. NYJ – Brady and Co. will have their way in PPR leagues. Solid PPR play.

DeSean Jackson vs. Phi – The Eagles secondary was torched Sunday night.

Tier 2

Mike Evans vs. GB – He’ll probably pull down a TD. It’s the yards which are tough to predict because of the mess at QB.

Brandon Lafell vs. NYJ – Again, the Jets secondary is atrocious.

Jordan Matthews vs. Was – Look for a strong bounce back here.

Jarvis Landry vs. Min – Excellent in PPR leagues.

Mike Wallace vs. Min – Has refound the deep ball. Could get deep again.

Charles Johnson vs. Mia – He has emerged as a solid No. 2 FFL WR threat.

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Bal – Questions abound at QB.

Steve Smith Sr. vs. Hou – The Texans are vulnerable through the air.

Alshon Jeffery vs. Det – It’s tough to trust Jeffery against the Lions aggressive D. But he’s got to be in your lineup.

Anquan Boldin vs. SD – Boldin is the only reliable 49ers offensive threat in fantasy.

Kenny Stills vs. Atl – Look for Stills to be the man on the outside in this one.

Bust

Sammy Watkins vs. Oak – The Raiders are tough vs. the pass.

Fantasy Sleeper

Harry Douglas vs. NO – Solid in PPR leagues. Julio Jones is no sure thing to play.

Top Pick

1. Seattle Seahawks (-10) vs. SF – It’s over in San Francisco for Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll’s squad will put the final nail in the coffin. It’s fitting with their rivalry over the years. QB Colin Kaepernick is struggling horribly as is the entire offense. Expect the Seahawks to roll and easily top the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (-7) vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is improving, but still a rookie. The Lions D is legit. Matt Stafford may make a few mistakes but the Lions will win by double digits at home.

3. New York Giants (-6.5) vs. Was – If RGIII gets the call this could be a blowout. The Giants will still cover with Colt McCoy behind center.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. Cle – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Denver Broncos (-4) vs. SD – Denver is getting a few key pieces back.

Tennessee Titans (+2.5) vs. NYJ – It’s Geno Smith and the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) vs. Dal – The Eagles are slightly ahead of the Cowboys and Dallas’s D is wearing down.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+105) vs. Cle – Johnny Manziel brings a lot of hype but little experience. The Bengals D will have a few tricks that will force turnovers. Expect a close affair which the Bengals pull out in the end.