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. 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.

1. Green Bay Packers (-13) vs. Atl – Until the Patriots, the Packers were putting up an insane amount of points at home and blowing teams out. That will happen on Monday Night. Look for Green Bay to put up 40+.

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2. New England Patriots (-3.5) vs. SD – The Pats have been on fire before meeting Aaron Rodgers and Co. a week ago. They still had a chance to pull that out in the end too. Look for New England to head into San Diego and win by a TD. Their D is playing very well and offensively, Brady and Co. will prove too much for the Chargers.

3. Denver Broncos (-10) vs. Buf – Mile High is a very difficult place to play and it won’t be any easier for a Kyle Orton led team.

4. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs. Mia – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Cincinnati Bengals (-3) vs. Pit – The Steelers struggle on the road and are catching Cincinnati as they get healthy on D.

New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Car – Brees and Co. will run it up on their division foe.

Detroit Lions (-10) vs. TB – The Lions have been very tough at home.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (+125) vs. Mia – The Fins come off a short week in which they pulled out an underwhelming win over the Jets. They catch a break with DT Haloti Ngata out but the Ravens match up well against Miami and will eek out the close win.

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.

1. New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Min – An 0-2 team doesn’t usually warrant being a 10 point favorite. This is not your typical 0-2 team, and they’re back at home where they bury teams. The Vikings will get blown out in this one.

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2. San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) vs. Arz – The 49ers will get back to doing what they do best and that’s running the ball and not letting Colin Kaerpernick fling it around the field. Rather, they will run a methodical offense and the defense should be fine facing QB Drew Stanton, the likely starter.

3. Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs KC – This would normally be viewed as a trap game, but we don’t see it here. The Chiefs are desperate to avoid an 0-3 start but the good fortune that propelled them to a 9-0 start a year ago is not there. Miami is tough at home and will prove so again on Sunday.

4. Washington Redskins (+7) vs. Phi – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Indianapolis Colts (-7) vs. Jax – They’re still the Jags.

Buffalo Bills (-2.5) vs. SD – Buffalo plays tough in their home park.

Denver Broncos (+5) vs. Sea – The Seahawks will win, but this will be much closer than the Super Bowl.

Money Line Bet

Washington Redskins (+240) vs. Phi – The Eagles are a lot more vulnerable than people realize. They were unimpressive against the Jags and then fortunate to beat the Colts on some shaky calls. The Redskins are rejuvenated playing under Kirk Cousins and will steal a close game late in the Linc.

1. Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) vs. SF – If the 49ers win, it will come as no surprise. They enter hot, having won eight in row (including two in the post season) and the defense is playing spectacular. But, it’s hard to overlook the last two games in Seattle between these teams. The Seahawks have won by a total of 55 points.

Now, Russell Wilson comes into this game playing his poorest ball of the year, but look for the run game, defense, Wilson’s timely passes and the 12th man to be the difference on Sunday. Seattle will cover the point spread and advance to the Super Bowl.

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2. Denver Broncos (-5) vs. NE – Everyone will remember the miraculous comeback by the Patriots on November 24th. Denver blew a 24-0 halftime lead to lose 34-31 in OT. That’s not going to happen again. The Patriots enter this game riding the legs of Legarrette Blount and the running game, but that will not be enough to keep pace with the Broncos offense.

The weather will be mild and look for Manning and Co. to win by a TD and advance to New Jersey. Tom Brady just doesn’t have the firepower left in the passing game with Rob Gronkowski out.

1. Atlanta Falcons (-10) vs. NYJ – The Falcons are banged up defensively and still hurting a bit on offense although RB Steven Jackson might return for this one. However, QB Geno Smith has been horrible on the road and the Jets will be without their top two wideouts in this one. Look for Atlanta to cover the point spread and win 30-13.

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2. Carolina Panthers (-2.5) vs. Arz – The Cardinals offensive line will be overwhelmed by the Panthers front 7 on Sunday. Look for Carolina’s attacking D to force QB Carson Palmer into multiple mistakes.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. NE – The Bengals are an enigma this year. Picked by some to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, they’re off to a 2-2 start and very inconsistent. That being said, the Patriots come in still shorthanded on offense and now missing their most important piece on defense, DT Vince Wilfork.

4. Oakland Raiders (+5) vs. SD – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Houston Texans (+6) vs. SF – The 49ers offense works when it can run the ball. Houston is very stingy vs. the run. The 49ers will win, but expect a close one on Sunday Night.

Seattle Seahawks (-3) vs. Ind – Seattle is banged up offensively but showing grit on the road which they did not possess a year ago. Look for the Seahawks to force Andrew Luck and Co. into mistakes which tips the scales in Seattle’s favor.

Denver Broncos (-9) vs. Dal -Peyton Manning’s torrid start will continue in big D. The Cowboys lack the offensive firepower to keep this game within double digits.

Money Line Bet

Oakland Raiders (+195) vs. SD – The Raiders play a lot better at home and with Terrelle Pryor under center, who will be back after suffering a concussion two weeks ago. Look for the Raiders D to perform well against the Chargers and for Oakland to pull out the close win on Sunday Night. Remember, both head coaches are former coordinators from Denver and familiar with each other’s styles.

1. San Francisco 49ers (-5) vs. GB – The Packers are talking a big game, but when push comes to shove, the 49ers massive lines – both offensive and defensive – will out muscle them to the 10 point victory.

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2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5) vs. NYJ – It is difficult to trust Josh Freeman, except when the Bucs are facing a team with a QB worse than he is. The revamped Bucs secondary will complement an already strong run defense and force QB Geno Smith into mistakes, en route to a win by at least a TD.

3. Houston Texans (-5.5) vs. SD – The Chargers are facing a rebuilding year, and have a lot of holes defensively. The Texans have retooled and are a Super Bowl candidate. Look for their defense to smother Rivers and Co. and for Houston to win by double digits.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+3) vs. Chi – See money line bet analysis.

Rounding things out

Minnesota Vikings (+6) vs. Det – The Lions always seem to come up short when heavily favored over their division rival. The Vikings will keep this close and may pull off the upset.

New England Patriots (-10.5) vs. Buf – Bill Belichick is always tough on rookie QBs. That won’t change this weekend.

Washington Redskins (-4.5) vs. Phi – The betting line is likely due to respect for Chip Kelly’s offensive scheme. It won’t change the outcome on Monday. Kelly’s not blessed with the superior talent he had at Oregon and this isn’t the Pac 10. The Redskins are a better team across the board.

Money Line Analysis

Cincinnati Bengals (+125) vs. Chi – The Bengals are a Super Bowl contender loaded with young talent. The Bears have a new coach with a new system, and are dealing with some turnover defensively from a year ago. They’re still very formidable at home, but the unknowns coupled with a talented Bengals team will result in a W for Cincinnati in Week 1.

In this one, we’re going with the Packers to win by a TD, which makes them with the point spread a good bet. . Both teams play solid defense, but the one are of weakness for the Steelers is the strength of the Packers. Aaron Rodgers and Co. can pick apart any secondary and they’ll be feasting on Pittsburgh all evening.

Expect a quicker passing game to neutralize the Steelers ferocious front seven and blitz scheme, but ultimately the Packers will put points on the board.

The Steelers offensively will also have success, but the Packers are tough against the run and the pass. LB Clay Mathews should have a big game against a depleted Steelers O-Line and we think QB Ben Roethlisberger will take a few unnecessary chances which lead to turnovers.

When the Super Bowl comes to an end, look for a 24-17 Packers win.