NFL Week 1 - Pick 5

Every week I will run down a list of five games from the upcoming NFL action and make my picks on those. I started last week with college football on my Twitter page (be sure to follow the blog on Twitter too) and I was a perfect 5-0. The highlight pick from last week was the BYU over Oklahoma upset that many called me crazy for. My picks are just straight up not against the spread.

There are a lot of interesting games on the schedule this week and it was hard to pick only five, but hopefully I picked the right ones and I'll start the NFL pick 'em season off right.

Dallas Cowboys over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I had to start off with a game that I felt 100% with. The Cowboys travel to Tampa Bay against a very weak team. Dallas is looking to come back strong after a very disappointing season and I expect them to beat up on a young and inexperienced defense. DeMarcus Ware should also have a huge game rushing Byron Leftwich who just might be the most immobile quarterback in the league. I feel bad for the young Buccaneers as they will be clearly outmatched and will suffer a two touchdown defeat.

Houston Texans over New York Jets
I am a huge fan of Mark Sanchez, but his team may be in for a long day. The Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace is currently under suspension and that forced Rex Ryan to place Vernon Gholston into the starting line-up. That is a disaster. Gholston was a workout warrior at the 2008 Combine, but he really has shown minimal football skill at this point in this career. Gholston cannot get off blocks and if by the glory of God he does, he can't tackle anything. The Texans should take full advantage of this and run straight at Gholston with Steve Slaton. If you're a fantasy owner, START STEVE SLATON! He is in for a huge day.

Cincinnati Bengals over Denver Broncos
This will be Josh McDaniels first test in a meaningful game as head coach. If this is anything like he has shown to this point, he will not control his players and the team will crumble. The Bengals finally have a healthy Carson Palmer back and Chad Ochocinco claims that this team will win 12 games this season. While I wouldn't go that far, I still have them finishing second in the AFC North this season and they will be the surprise team of the NFL. The Broncos are horrid on defense and the Bengals have a very solid unit. Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco should connect early and often in what could end up as a blowout.

Chicago Bears over Green Bay Packers
I touched on Josh McDaniels debut in the last game and this time it's all about his ex-quarterback. Jay Cutler and the Bears will be going in to a hostile environment on Sunday night against a division rival. Both of these teams have the potential to win the NFC North and this is a critical early season game. While many believe the Packers are poised for a great season I am not so sure. The transition to the 3-4 defense looked good so far, but that was preseason. I expect Jay Cutler to sit back and carve up the Packers aging secondary. Look for Earl Bennett to start the season off with a big game to start off his break out season.

UPSET PICK: San Francisco 49ers over Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals went 0-4 this preseason. While that is no indication of how the season will play out (the Lions were 4-0 last preseason), only 5 teams that have gone 0-4 in preseason have made the post season in over a decade. Arizona has a lot of new faces on the coaching staff and Larry Fitzgerald needs to worry about that damned Madden Curse. The Cardinals defense is also a crap shoot... which unit will we get? The D was awful during the regular season, but spectacular in the postseason. The last defensive unit to make that drastic of a change was the Indianapolis Colts in their Super Bowl run. The D returned to it's below average form the following season. If the 49ers can get off to a quick start with the running game I think they will be able to control the pace of the game and dominate the Cardinals defensive front. Shaun Hill is a proven leader and tight end Vernon Davis has made a turnaround as he now looks to finally be the productive receiving threat the team has looked for. I expect the Cardinals to start off 0-1 and they will go on to miss the playoffs.