NFL Opening Day Preview
The 2009 NFL regular season kicks off on Thursday, September 10th when the defending Super Bowl Champion, Pittsburgh Steelers begin their title defense at home against Tennessee.
The following is a brief review of the current Week 1 point spreads and over/under line (Totals-NFL Lines) for all the games in week one.
Thursday Night Football – Sept. 10th
Week 1 – Titans vs. Steelers
TENNESSEE@ PITTSBURGH (-4.5) Over/Under: 35
When these two teams play it is usually a high scoring affair, with the winning team scoring over thirty points themselves. I would go with the over in this one.
Sunday Sept 13
Week 1 – Dolphins vs. Falcons
MIAMI @ ATLANTA (-4) Over/Under: 43
Atlanta was 7-1 at home last year and Miami was 6-2 on the road. This game should be a close, hard fought battle between two teams that can score some points. I like Miami to keep it close in a high scoring game.
Week 1 – Chiefs vs. Ravens
KANSAS CITY @ BALTIMORE (-8.5) Over/Under: 37.5
Baltimore is 5-1 in their last six home openers and Kansas City’s new look offense will probably take a few weeks to get on track, so I would go with the Ravens to easily win by more than 8.5.
Week 1 – Eagles vs. Panthers
PHILADELPHIA @ CAROLINA (-1) Over/Under: 44.5
I look for an offensive explosion in this one as both teams can put points on the board. This game will most likely be decided by a key turnover late in the game. I’ll go with the ball hawking Eagles in a close one.
Week 1 – Broncos vs. Bengals
DENVER @ CINCINNATI (-2) Over/Under: 44.5
It is hard to say what Denver team shows up on opening day. I think Kyle Orton and the Bronco’s offense will struggle the first few weeks so I look for the Bengals to hang onto to win in a low scoring, sloppy game.
Week 1 – Vikings vs. Browns
MINNESOTA (-2.5) @ CLEVELAND Over/Under: 39.5
Regardless of who is behind center for the Vikings, Minnesota should still win this game going away. The only thing that Brett Favre could affect is the over, so we will have to wait and see on that one.
Week 1 – Jets vs. Texans
N.Y. JETS @ HOUSTON (-4) Over/Under: 43
This should be a good, solid, low scoring battle, as the Jets will struggle on offense and Rex Ryan’s defense will keep Houston in check. I see the Texans getting the win, but New York will cover.
Week 1 – Buccaneers vs. Colts
JACKSONVILLE @ INDIANAPOLIS (-6.5) Over/Under: 45
Jacksonville’s pass defense was awful last season which should add up to a big day for Peyton Manning. I look for the Colts to light it up on opening day, winning big.
Week 1 – Lions vs. Saints
DETROIT @ NEW ORLEANS (-12) Over/Under: 48.5
This is a defense that was ranked dead last trying to stop a number one ranked offense which all points toward New Orleans in a lopsided romp.
Week 1 – Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
DALLAS (-3) @ TAMPA BAY Over/Under: 42
Dallas head coach, Wade Phillips and QB Tony Romo desperately need to get off to a good start to silence the critics and Tampa is the perfect team to do it against.
Week 1 – 49ers vs. Cardinals
SAN FRANCISCO @ ARIZONA (-6.5) Over/Under: 47
This will be an Arizona aerial attack against a San Francisco ground assault. Mike Singletary will have his team ready to steal one on the road.
Week 1 – Redskins vs. Giants
WASHINGTON @ N.Y. GIANTS (-6) Over/Under: 39.5
The Giants should be able to grind it out against the ‘Skins porous defensive line. They will not score a lot of points, but New York will win by more than 6.
Week 1 – Rams vs. Seahawks
ST. LOUIS @ SEATTLE (-7) Over/Under: 43
The Rams have lost eight straight games to the Seahawks and this is shaping up as number nine. Seattle should win by more than 7, but I would stay with the under in this one.
Week 1 – Bears vs. Packers
CHICAGO @ GREEN BAY (-3) Over/Under: 44
The Jay Cutler era in Chicago begins with a bang as the Bears will air it out in Green Bay. I look for a high scoring shootout ending with a Bear’s victory on the road.
Week 1 – Bills vs. Patriots
BUFFALO @ NEW ENGLAND (-10) Over/Under: 46.5
Tom Brady is back and he will be ready to play. T.O. may get a chance to unveil a new touchdown dance, but New England will get the win in a high scoring romp.
Monday Night Football – September 14th
Week 1 – Chargers vs. Raiders
SAN DIEGO (-6.5) @ OAKLAND Over/Under: 44
San Diego has too much fire power for the Raiders to keep this one close. L.T. has a big day on the ground as the Chargers win big.
Opening day presents a lot of opportunity as the point spreads and over/unders at this point are not an exact science.
By doing your homework and exploiting the miss matches, this is a great chance to get your season off to a winning start.
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David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.
