Are you reaaaaady for some....foooooootbaaaaall!

The moment we have been waiting for since February* is finally here. NFL is back and us religious people finally have a congregation to attend every Sunday. The excitement is through the roof as always, and apart from a concern that I might run out of beer tomorrow everything is quite peachy. Last season showed a sub-par performance by yours truly, so if you expect anything better this year you're crazy. I guess by NFL analysis is suffering from all my school work. Anyhoo, let's get down to business. (*Rams and Colts fans have been waiting since October.)

Indianapolis
@ Chicago
Pick: Chicago -9.5
Andy Luck is going to need a few games before he can start winning games, especially against a D as solid as Da Bears.

Philadelphia
@ Cleveland
Pick: Philadelphia -7.5
Those of you who have talked to me before the season know my concerns about Philadelphia. Those of you who have even a remote interest in the NFL know the Browns. Let's just say that lack of talent/skill trumps my concerns this week.

St. Louis
@ Detroit
Pick: Detroit -8.0
Stafford to Johnson, all day err day.

Miami
@ Houston
Pick: Houston -10.5
Line seems high, but I am not sure who I can trust on this Dolphins team. Tannehill to Bess for a TD, sure, and perhaps Reginald Bush can put one. But Houston seems hell-bent on improving from last years playoff-campaign. I like Tannehill('s wife) but as with Luck, I think he needs time to get into the speed of the NFL. 

Atlanta
@ Kansas City
Pick: Atlanta -2.0
Only two points. Lay.

Jacksonville
@ Minnesota
Pick: Jacksonville +4.0

Washington
@ New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans -9.0

Buffalo
@ New York
Pick: Buffalo +3.0
Jets couldn't score even if Rex Ryan's wife's feet depended on it.

Seattle
@ Arizona
Pick: Seattle -2.5

San Francisco
@ Green Bay
Pick: Green Bay -5.5
I seem to be the only one who thinks that the Niners' season last year was more against the norm than in line with it. Yes, they added Mario Manningham, Randy Moss and LaMichael James (all three of which are players yours truly enjoy, especially James when he played for Oregon). Yes, their defense is back. But they still have Alex Smith throwing the ball. For all practical purposes this is the same team that lost the NFC Championship to a Giants team who, judging by their play in that game, did not want to play in the Super Bowl. I mean, Eli Manning TRIED losing that game. So no, I'm not on the SF bandwagon until I see them hang with Rodgers and the Discount Double-checkers.

Carolina
@ Tampa Bay
Pick: Carolina -1.0
In Cam we trust.

Pittsburgh
@ Denver
Pick: Denver -1.0
Peyton Manning is back! I mean, both on TV and on the field!

Cincinnati
@ Baltimore
Pick: Cincinnati +7.0

San Diego
@ Oakland
Pick: San Diego +1.0