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.

Seattle Seahawks (+1) vs. NE

Deflategate is somewhat behind us and the Super Bowl is here. The sports books have this game very evenly matched, although late money this week was going on the Patriots.

When New England has the ball. Look for the Patriots to work in their TEs into the match-up. Rob Gronkowski needs to be a major target and the wild card is backup TE, Tim Wright. The Patriots know they’ll have limited success attacking the Seahawks outside.

They also won’t be able to run the ball. Therefore, the attack must run through their TEs which is a position that has given the Seahawks trouble this year. However, that will be a difficult strategy to keep up over four quarters and against a relentless Seahawks D. The lack of a run threat means Brady will have pressure in his face much of the evening and will be forced to get rid of the ball earlier than he would like.

When Seattle has the ball. They will pound the rock. Justin Forsett had a lot of success against the Patriots run D and Marshawn Lynch is significantly better than Forsett. Seattle will pound the ball but New England will know this and load up the box. CB Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner can lock up the Seahawks outside threats pretty well so Belichick will not have to double anyone.

TE Luke Willson could be a nice sleeper because he has a knack for getting open and making big plays. The Pats Safeties are good, but not great. Expect things to start slow for the passing game but pick up when Wilson incorporates his version of the read option. His ability to make plays out of the pocket and extend them is uncanny and will give the Patriots D all sorts of problems in the 2nd half.

It’s a fairly even matched game but when the clock hits 0:00, look for Seattle to repeat as champions with a 24-14 or 27-17 win. Brady will have trouble with the Seahawks pass rush and Seattle is the more physical team.

Top Pick

1. New England Patriots (-6.5) vs. Ind – I get it, Andrew Luck is a beast, the Colts are starting to figure things out and are coming off a great road win in Denver. It still won’t matter. New England should win this by double digits. The Colts don’t stop the run very well so you can expect a heavy dosage of RB LeGarrette Blount and even Jonas Gray, who ran for 199 and 4 TDs against Indy the last time they played.

Defensively, New England doesn’t have to worry about a running game so you can expect a scheme heavily intent on defensing the pass. The Colts continue to take steps to reach the top of the mountain but will fall short once again.

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2. Green Bay Packers (+7) vs. Sea – The Seahawks are a good bet to win. But not by a TD. Green Bay will be the most complete team they’ve faced on their winning streak and the 1st legit QB outside of Cam Newton, who is not near Rodgers’ class. Russell Wilson’s offense struggled down the stretch (minus the Cards game) and the Packers bring in a pretty good D.

Expect the Packers to keep the Seahawks under 21. On the other side of the ball the Packers will have some success and hit on a big play here and there. We think the Packers could pull off the upset (money line bet is +225) but will certainly cover the point spread.

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.

Top Pick

1. Cincinnati Bengals (+2) vs. Hou – See money line bet.

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2. San Francisco 49ers (-9) vs. Was – RGIII is horrible and will find the going that much tougher facing a stingy 49ers D in San Francisco. The 49ers have offensive troubles of their own but this will not be much of a contest.

3. Arizona Cardinals (+7) vs. Sea – The Seahawks should win, but their strength – running the ball – plays directly into the hands of Arizona. The Cardinals stop the run with the best of them. Look for a low scoring affair that is close throughout.

4. St. Louis Rams (+4.5) vs. SD – The Rams defense, which entered the season with so much promise, is now starting to realize it. They played lights out against the Broncos a week ago. They face a beat up Chargers team and a hurting QB. Look for the Rams to pull off the upset in SD.

Rounding things out

New England Patriots (-7) vs. Det – The Lions D always keeps things close but there are real issues along their offensive line. Look for New England to exploit this.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6) vs. Chi – Lovie Smith and Josh McCown will come back to Chicago and give their former team a run for their money.

Minnesota Vikings (+10) vs. GB – The Pack crushed Minnesota last time in Lambeau. It’ll be closer this time.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+110) vs Hou – Cincinnati’s problems stemmed from some key injuries on D. They’re starting to get healthier on that side of the ball and will cover the point spread and beat the Texans this week. Ryan Mallett will struggle on this day.

Must Start

Seattle, Kansas City and San Francisco

Tier 1

Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ – The Jets are not much better with Vick behind center.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jax – Indy will blitz the Jags into a few turnovers.

San Diego Chargers vs. Stl – Shaun Hill will find the going tough at San Diego.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Ten – Look for Philly to blitz the Titans into 2-3 turnovers.

New England Patriots vs. Det – The Patriots are still a low No. 1 facing a tough O at home.

Tier 2

Arizona Cardinals vs. Sea – They’ll force Russell Wilson into a few turnovers.

Green Bay Packers vs. Min – The Packers are rolling at home. This one they take on the road.

Bust

Detroit Lions vs. NE – This Lions team is a tough unit each week, but New England is on a roll and playing at home.

Fantasy Sleeper

St. Louis Rams vs. SD – The Rams recent resurgence is not a fluke. They’re finally buying into the system and will get after Rivers.

Top Pick

1. Detroit Lions (-3.5) vs. Atl – The only thing keeping the point spread so low is the game being in London. Odds makers must assume the neutral location could have an adverse affect on the Lions. We don’t see it. The Falcons are a mess – especially along the OL, and will be beaten thoroughly in the trenches. Look for an easy win and dominating defensive effort.

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2. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. Bal – Not a lot has gone right for the Bengals recently and they’re coming off a 27-0 whipping at the hands of the Colts. AJ Green should return this week which means the passing game will return. That will also open up things in the run game. The Ravens are playing well but look for Cincinnati to bounce back at home.

3. Seattle Seahawks (-4.5) vs. Car – There has been a lot of turmoil since the Percy Harvin trade. Seattle is coming off two losses but will get back to their winning ways against defensively challenged Panthers team.

4. Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. NO – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

New York Jets (-2.5) vs. Buf – The addition of Percy Harvin will open things up for the offense. NY typically plays well against the Bills in their home park too.

New England Patriots (-7) vs. Chi – The Bears have been exposed the past few weeks defensively and that will happen again in Foxboro.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is struggling. The Bucs are coming off a bye and getting healthier. Look for an win by a TD.

Money Line Bet

Green Bay Packers (+105) vs. NO – Something is off for this Saints team. They’re not playing very well defensively and they’re not putting up monster numbers offensively as in previous years. Green Bay enters on a hot streak and Aaron Rodgers is playing as well as anyone in the league. Look for the Packers to come into New Orleans and steal the victory on Sunday Night.

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1. Dallas Cowboys vs. Was – The Cowboys will roll to an easy win on Monday Night. Typically rivalry games are tricky, but not when the Redskins will be without their top defensive player (Brian Orakpo) and starting 3rd stringer QB Colt McCoy. Look for Dallas to easily cover the point spread and win by double digits.

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2. Cleveland Browns vs. Oak – Last week was embarrassing. The previously winless Jags upset the Browns in their home park. That won’t happen this week. The Raiders are dreadful and will struggle on the road.

3. Miami Dolphins vs. Jax – The Jags lone win will not become a “winning streak” unfortunately. Miami’s D is stout and will stifle the young Jags O. Look for Ryan Tannehill and the offense to put up 27 in the easy win…

Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos

Tier 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Stl – The Rams look really bad in the passing game.

Houston Texans vs. Oak – Once the emotion subsides the Texans will get after QB Carr.

Arizona Cardinals vs. NYG – The new offense is still giving problems to Eli and Co.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atl – The outside receivers are deadly but they need time for plays to develop. The Bengals will be aggressive at home.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Chi – Cutler proved he’s once again turnover prone.

Tier 2

New York Giants vs. Arz – Look for New York to keep Arizona to under 17.

Buffalo Bills vs. Mia – The front four will get after QB Tannehill and force a few mistakes.

St. Louis Rams vs. TB – They need help from their O. Will get it here but this is still risky without the offense’s ability to move the ball..

New England Patriots vs. Min – Belichick will have some new wrinkles this week.

Fantasy Sleeper

Green Bay Packers vs. NYJ – The front 7 will force Geno Smith into multiple turnovers.

Bust

San Diego Chargers vs. Sea – The Seahawks are on a roll, and will pound the Chargers D.

1. Seattle Seahawks – Until proven otherwise.

2. Denver Broncos – The Broncos invested heavily in this side of the ball.

3. Carolina Panthers – Look for step back to the pack in 2014. The offense may take a step back which puts the D on the field for longer than it’d like.

4. San Francisco 49ers – The secondary is uncertain and injuries abound, with LB Navarro Bowman the biggest. Still solid, but beware of upside.

5. Arizona Cardinals – The issue is the division they play in, but very solid group.

6. St. Louis Rams – This group has the highest upside of any, but plays in a beastly division.

7. New England Patriots – They have the potential to be a top 5 fantasy D/ST after shoring up their secondary.

8. Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals will be a big play D once again. Geno Atkins is healthy.

9. Buffalo Bills – Lot’s of young talent on this side of the ball.

10. KC Chiefs – Expect a slight step back in 2014. Won’t be playing a last place schedule.