Dave's Week 1 Picks

Denver / Ravens: DENVER (no-brainer. and check.)

NE @ Buffalo: NEW ENGLAND. But watch for C.J. Spiller to give the Pats problems just like he did last year. As everyone rants about the Pats' offense, they overlook a much improved defense. Chandler Jones is a future star. So is Donte. Watch for rookie WR Aaron Dobson to contribute to the cause, Brady likes him as a target already.


TEN @ PITT: Pittsburgh. Just because the Titans suck. Interesting to see if predictions of 3rd year QB Jake Locker showing substantial improvement (??) are true and how rookie could-be-star Justin Hunter plays.

ATL @ NO: Atlanta. Yes I'm taking the Falcons although Vegas has them as dogs. No doubt Brees and Co. will be much better this year but people continue to underrate or just flat out hate the dirty birds. Toon in (yes, bad pun on Saints' second year WR) for an ugly, high-scoring shootout.

TB @ NYJ: Bucs. Doug Martin is enough to tip the scales against a bad team. But the Bucs are nothing special either. Just Dougie.

KC @ JAGS: KC. They're going to be better than a lot of people give them credit for. Pair that with the Jags prayer for 3 wins this year and it's another ugly game. The role of D.R. will be the most interesting thing about this one.

CIN @ CHI: Cincy. I'm taking another vegas dog here. Chicago is improved with better coaching and a healthy Alshon Jeffery who IMO is poised for a breakout year opposite Brandon Marshall. But Cincy is ready to make a move of their own this year. Dalton enters his 3rd year with a much better handle on the offense. They have a legit 2nd WR in Sanu to aid AJ Green. Add the freshmen phenom rookies Gio Bernard (takes starting job from BGE by week 3) and TE Tyler Eifert, along with some key re-siginings and you have the 2nd most intriguing young team this year.

MIA @ CLE: Talk about a tough one to call. The Browns are slight favs in Vegas, and I have to go with them. Tannehill is a monster QB breakout candidate this year, but Mike Wallace is his only real target. A decent running game will help, but Cleveland has a better one in TRich. Weeden is competent and I think will find a way to squeak out a close one. The line would be different if Josh Gordon was playing. Fantasy players: Look to pick him up if you can, you'll be glad starting in Week 3, I promise.

SEA @ CAR: Gotta go with my Super Bowl pick. The Seahawks will win, but Newton and Co. will definitely make this interesting. Don't bet this one though, the line is for suckers.

MIN @ DET: The good, the bad, and of course...the ugly. Here it is, all in one showing. Christian Ponder. The most undisciplined team in the league. The best RB. The best WR. I have to go with Detroit. Gag reflex.

OAK @ IND: Colts. This is my lock for my Pick'em league. Guaranteed. No way Indy loses this game. It would take an absolute act of God, which He of course could do, but it's not like Indy cut Tebow or anything. Another playoff bound year for Andy Luck and a team of the most underrated young stars in the league- against the Raiders, a team with no QB (if anyone is buying into the preseason hype about T.P., just stop watching football), no elite playmaker, and a key injury in Hillsdale Alum Veldheer. The rest is history.

AZ @ STL: Defense wins games. Both of these teams have defenses. The Rams have a slightly better one IMO. Coming out party for top rookie WR Tavon Austin? The breakout year Bradford's fans have been waiting for since 2010? Maybe not against the Cards' D. Tons of second year questions abound in this one. Michael Floyd is a monster Fantasy sleeper for AZ (pick him up). Can the Rams' second year players Givens and Quick establish themselves? Low scoring, hard fought game for the Rams.

GB @ SF: 49ers are overrated this year. GB will be looking to destroy their QB. GB also has a running game for the first time in a while. Fantasy owners everywhere are keeping a close eye on Eddie Lacy and even sleeper(?) backup rookie RB Franklin. Randall Cobb = monster Fantasy points. 49ers are significantly weaker at WR position this year. But they have a great defense. This is the most exciting game of the week. Rodgers discount double-checks his way to a W.

NYG @ DAL: Can you say "murca?" The Boys will take on Eli in another hard fought game. Two teams with similar record projections battling for a key game. Two of the most intriguing RBs in the league. If Demarco can stay healthy, he can be a Fantasy monster and a game changer. If David Wilson can hang on to the football, he will be this year's Doug Martin. And y'all know what that means. I'll take the Boys at home, but this one could easily go either way.

PHI @ WASH: Skins. Eagles fans are in for another ugly year led by Vick. Don't get me wrong, he'll have a good game in there somewhere, but Foles is still my boy, and still my projected starter by Week 4, whether it results from an injury or from Eagles fans carrying Vick out of the stadium. It won't be a blowout, but RG3 and Co. will definitely come away with the W. Vick with (line)2 picks and a fumble? Over-under anyone?

HOU @ SD: Texans baby. Coming out party for 2nd best rookie WR DeAndre Hopkins. What a WR tandem and absolute nightmare this is going to be for defenses. And we all know that SD is THAT team. How frustrating it must be to be a Chargers fan. They can give ANYONE a run for their money and can make ANY game close, but this ain't horseshoes. Another win in the beautiful state of Texas.