NFL Week 1

We started out Week 1 with the Giants over Washington. Based on how things went last season when we went 114-130-12 in the regular season, that may be the last time I'm over .500 for the year.

Alas, when it comes down to crunch time, we were 10-1 against the spread during the playoffs, including picking the Giants outright in the Super Bowl.

Here's how I see the teams stacking up for the 2008 season.

NFC East: New York 11-5, Dallas 10-6, Philadelphia 8-8, Washington 7-9

NFC North: Minnesota 10-6, Chicago 9-7, Detroit 8-8, Green Bay 7-9

NFC South: New Orleans 11-5, Tampa Bay 9-7, Carolina 9-7, Atlanta 5-11

NFC West: Seattle 9-7, Arizona 7-9, St. Louis 5-11, San Francisco 2-14

Wildcard games: Dallas over Seattle, Minnesota over Tampa Bay
Divisional: Giants over Dallas, Minnesota over New Orleans
Championship: Giants over Dallas

AFC East: New England 13-3, Buffalo 10-6, New York Jets 10-6, Miami 6-10

AFC North: Pittsburgh 9-7, Cleveland 8-8, Cincinnati 7-9, Baltimore 4-12

AFC South: Indianapolis 11-5, Jacksonville 11-5, Tennessee 7-9, Houston 7-9

AFC West: San Diego 11-5, Denver 9-7, Kansas City 5-11, Oakland 5-11

Wildcard games: Jacksonville over Pittsburgh, Indianapolis over Buffalo
Divisional: New England over Jacksonville, San Diego over Indianapolis
Championship: San Diego over New England

Super Bowl: Giants over San Diego

And now, for the remainder of Week 1.

SUNDAY
Jets -3 DOLPHINS: Brett Favre versus the man he replaced, Chad Pennington. Neither team should score much and conditions may well be sloppy. But if ever an opening game was a must win, this one is for New York, with New England visiting next week before a trip to San Diego. Jets 20-16

Lions -3 FALCONS: Matt Ryan's debut in Atlanta will be rocky. Expect the Lions to again have a strong first half of the season before fading. Lions 21-3

Bengals -1.5 RAVENS: Chad Johnson officially changed his last name to Ocho Cinco. Apparently, moron was unavailable. I hope he's traded to a team and someone else wearing 85 refuses to give it up. Bengals 24-10

BILLS -1 Seahawks: It was 1999 when the Bills last made the playoffs, and that eneded with the Music City Miracle fiasco. Bills will surprise this year. Buffalo 17-14

PATRIOTS -16.5 Chiefs: If it were a decent contender visiting the Patriots, I'd be tempted to go against them. Although Tom Brady hasn't played in the preseason, the Chiefs are too inferior to put up much of a fight. Patriots 31-7

SAINTS -3 Buccaneers: Dreadful start last years killed the Saints. Expect them to have the offense in gear from the outset. Saints 34-14

EAGLES -7.5 Rams: Eagles are a trendy pick this year, but I just don't see it. When was the last time Donovan McNabb remained intact the whole season? Back in 2004, when they went to the Super Bowl. They're in a brutal division and I just don't see them being better than a .500 teams. Still, that's a lot better than the Rams. Eagles 27-7

Texans +6.5 STEELERS: Steelers have some nice new toys on the offense, but it'll take awhile to get rolling. They survive, but not by much. Steelers 23-20

Jaguars -3 TITANS: A pair of playoff teams from last season for the opener. One of these years Jacksonville may unseat the Colts atop the AFC South. They'll make them sweat in 2008. Jaguars 20-16

Cowboys -5.5 BROWNS: What little I saw of the Browns in the preseason told me they're not ready to take the next step just yet. Dallas again is a fashionable Super Bowl pick, but hey might want to win a playoff game one of these years. Cowboys 34-24

Panthers +9 CHARGERS: San Diego struggled on offense early last year and this spread seems a bit high. Carolina doesn't have the offensive firepower to win, but they'll keep it interesting. Chargers 20-13

Cardinals -2.2 49ERS: San Francisco is starting someone by the name of J.T. O'Sullivan at QB. Raise your hands all of you who've heard of him. Enough said. Cardinals 27-6

SUNDAY NIGHT
COLTS -9.5 Bears: Indy christens new stadium in style. Will be interesting to see how Peyton Manning does playing all his home games outdoors now.(Update: My error. Lucas Oil Field is a retractable roof facility) Clueless Bears are starting Kyle Orton as QB. One of these decades they have to straighten out that position. Being this is an NBC game, as always The Olbermann Rule is in effect. Colts 30-13

MONDAY NIGHT
Vikings +2.5 PACKERS: Plan on Green Bay taking a huge step back this year while Minnesota moves to the top of the division. I don't see Minnesota going to the Super Bowl with Tarvares Jackson at QB, but they'll be a strong contender with Adrian Peterson and a rough defense. Vikings 24-20

Broncos -3 RAIDERS: Remember when this matchup was a must see? Now most of America will be sleeping when these two close out Week 1. Broncos 24-10