NFL Picks

DALLAS COWBOYS @ CHICAGO BEARS (-1.5)

What a great Monday Night game. We have two quality teams jocking for playoff position. The 6-6 Bears are hosting the 7-5 Cowboys. This game has huge playoff implications. With the Eagles on a hot streak, the Cowboys need to win this one to stay on top of the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Bears need to take advantage of the Detroit Lions loss against the Philadelphia Eagles and catch up a game in the division. Check to view more updated NFL Betting news and opinions here.

I’m going to go with the Bears in this one. Both teams have slid a little in recent weeks, particularly in their defense. Dallas has been struggling to stop offenses in recent weeks and they give up a ton of yardage. The Cowboys secondary has a very tough matchup against a trio of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, and Martellus Bennett. As long as Josh McKown get some protection from his offensive line and takes care of the football, the Bears offense should do well against the Cowboys. Alshon Jeffrey has been a fantasy monster in recent weeks. We may see Alshon Jeffrey being drafted in the top 15-20 top wide receivers next year if he keeps putting up numbers like these. Expect Alshon Jeffrey to make his name known to a national television audience tonight. Are Brandon Marhshall and Alshon Jeffrey the top NFL receiving duo? This year, I would have to say yes.

You know Dallas is going to hang in there which is why you see the spread at just -1.5. The Cowboys offense always seems to keep them in games, even if they fall behind 2+ touchdowns. Dez Bryant can be a one-man …

Solid week last week hitting my top play in the Seahawks minus anything over the Jags. I gave up a little by taking a hit on the Vikings, who I thought would stomp the Browns, but the Browns pulled out every stop in the book (fake punts, fake field goals, etc.) in order to get the win. I then hit back-to-back winners on Sunday and Monday night to cap it off thanks to the Bears and Broncos. I am headed to New Orleans this weekend for a bachelor party so the picks get cut short this week.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (+3.5) over San Francisco 49ers — Rams play the 49ers tough, beating them in St. Louis last year and tying them in San Fran. Have to go with the home dog on the short week.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) over Minnesota Vikings — This one will be in England so I would just stay away.  I have no confidence in either team, but would lean Steelers who are more deserving of a win.

Baltimore Ravens (-3) over BUFFALO BILLS — The Ravens have had two nice games following their loss to the Broncos. Although the Bills are a team on the rise, the Ravens have shown that their defense still has plenty of gas left in its tank.

Indianapolis Colts (-9.5) over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — I love pounding the Jaguars and I think this is another opportunity to take it to the NFL’s worst team.

Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5) over CLEVELAND BROWNS — We have our fourth straight home dog, which indicates another wild week in the NFL, but I’m not convinced in the Browns just yet. They pulled out all the stops last week and they’ll run out of their bag …

This week was a success in the NFL for me. I hit on my top game in the Broncos (-4.5) over the Giants, and I split my other pair in winning Cowboys (+3), but losing on Saints (-4). The write-up held true: I knew the Bucs would keep it close being at home in a division game, but I had to take a shot on Saints in this spot based on their respective week 1 play. As long as I hit the big one, I’m happy, and that’s what happened.

The Bengals (-6.5) then capped off a solid week on Monday Night. I think I’m going to continue pounding the Steelers and may ride the Seahakws minus whatever at home from here on out. A lot of tough games this week with road dogs looking to deliver a slew of upsets. Miami +1 vs. Falcons, Panthers +1 vs. Giants, Ravens +1 vs. Texans, Bengals +2.5 vs. Packers. A few of those home favorites will cover. Watch out.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-3) over Kansas City Chiefs

The flawed Eagles D that I was talking about in week 1 reared its ugly head. The Eagles could not stop the Chargers on third down to save their life. The Chargers punted maybe once in that game if my memory serves me correct. I liked how their D looked in Week 1, but they just didn’t show up this week. Being at home back-to-back on a short week should help the Eagles. Their offense has also looked outstanding in both weeks. They could have one of the league’s top offenses if they keep this up. If they got just one or two more stops on 3rd down, they would have had that game. Chiefs are …

It’s so good to have the NFL back. What a week in Week 1. Nearly every single game was close and came down to the wire. It was a great week for the dogs. I tried to pick a spot with calling an upset with the Panthers over the Seahawks. They almost did it if it wasn’t for DeAngelo Williams fumbling the game away.

The close week in all games really shows the parity between teams in the NFL. Early in the season, the dogs usually have the edge when every team is 0-0 and each team thinks they’re going to make the playoffs. Huge improvements among the Bills, Dolphins, Browns, Titans, Rams, Chiefs, Chargers, Cardinals, Lions, Eagles, and many other teams that were written off last year and in past years. There is one certainty among teams in that last half of the power rankings last year, the Jaguars are still the worst team in the NFL! How quickly coaching changes and drafting well can turn around teams immediately.

Last week, nearly all the advice I dished out was sound. I did extremely well picking games straight up, but those (-4.5) spreads cost you when your team pulls off a win by 3-4 points. Not a big deal as it’s only Week 1 and I like to take the first 4 weeks to evaluate things. I continue to believe that the books have the edge weeks 1-8 and that turns around in weeks 9-17 which has always been my bread and butter. The playoff teams step it up a notch while teams whose playoff hopes are defeated give up on the season, which is where I always try to capitalize.

I really like the primetime games this week with …

It’s hard to believe that the NFL season is back. We are ready to dominate the 2013 season just like we did the 2012 season. Remember to sign up for the pick ‘em league. It’s a great way to track your picks against the spread throughout the season and you’ll have a chance to win an NFL Shop t-shirt. Click here to register.  The league number is 35254 and the password is thepassrush.

My favorite spreads this week are Texans (-4.5) over Chargers, Bucs (-4) over the Jets, Redskins (-4) over the Eagles, and Colts (-10) over the Raiders. My upset of the week and favorite game to take the points in is Panthers (+4.5) over the Seahawks. I also have two teasers for you.  A 1:00 teaser of Colts (-3.5) and Patriots (-3.5) and a special prime-time teaser for you featuring Redskins (+3) and Texans (+2.5). It’s week 1, and I take it easy through the first four weeks and dial it up around week 5. There’s still a lot of unknowns.

DENVER BRONCOS (-8) over Baltimore Ravens

We posted this full pick earlier this week. I’m passing on this game as the spread is too high against the defending Super Bowl Champions. With Elvis Dumervil now on the Ravens and Von Miller suspended, the Broncos also have question marks on defense, but I expect the Broncos offense to be clicking which should allow them to cruise to an easy victory.

PICK: Broncos (-7) – Confidence 6/10

PREDICTION: Broncos 27 – Ravens 17

New England Patriots (-9.5) over BUFFALO BILLS

I’m passing on this one. There’s a lot of merit into thinking the Patriots will crush the Bills here. The Bills have a rookie QB learning a …

The Pass Rush is back for another season of football picks. Last year was another success and we’re ready to kick ass for another season. We have renewed our pick ’em league so be sure to sign up. Not only is it a great way to track your picks against the spread throughout the entire season, but you’ll have a chance to win an NFL Shop t-shirt if you win the league. I ended up in 2nd place last year and Beantown Brawlers took down the title. Click here to register.  The league number is 35254 and the password is thepassrush. If you haven’t drafted in your fantasy football league yet, be sure to check out our 2013 Fantasy Football Rankings.

Baltimore Ravens @ DENVER BRONCOS (-8)

We start of the season with a rematch from the AFC Championship. I’m going to pass on this game and look to the spreads on Sunday. I think the Ravens take a step back this season as they have a ton of starters to replace on that defense, which is a huge question mark for them going into the 2013 season.

The loss of Anquan Boldin and the injury to Dennis Pitta also takes some options away in the passing game for the re-signed Joe Flacco, who got a ridiculous contract in the offseason. I say the Ravens end up 9-7 or even 8-8 this year, while the Broncos should finish the season no worse than 10-6 and likely around the 12-4 mark being in an easy division. The Broncos are also without some key players as Elvis Dummervil is now on the Ravens and Von Miller was recently suspended for the first six games of the season, so the …

BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-3.5)

The Super Bowl is finally here. I’m just thrilled to not have to watch the Patriots, Giants, or Steelers (all the teams that I cannot stand) again who seemed to have played in 8 of the last 10 Super Bowls collectively. This year I have two teams that I would want to see win the Super Bowl. That hasn’t happened since the Saints faced the Colts.

I’m torn here as I want the Ravens win since I would love to see Ray Lewis end his illustrious career with another Super Bowl victory. However, I think the 49ers will bring home the bacon. I think the 49ers are stronger on both sides of the ball. The 49ers played two high-scoring offenses in the playoffs in the Packers and Falcons and outscoring those teams was an easy task for the 49ers.  The 49ers won 45-31 and 28-24.

The Falcons game was a true test for the 49ers. Going on the road, giving up a 17-0 lead in the 1st quarter, and having to battle back. The 49ers have an offense that can strike quickly thanks to Colin Kaepernick, which is something that they’ve lacked the last few years. The 49ers defense got their act together and allowed just 1 touchdown in the next 45 minutes of the game.

The Ravens have been equally impressive, beating Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the road. Holding the Patriots to 13 points is hard to believe. If someone would have said prior to that game that the Patriots would be held  to less than 14 points, it would have been met with complete laughter. Ray Lewis has that defense inspired and I can see them potentially winning the …