Lock: DALLAS (-6) over Giants: Let’s start off with some schadenfreude: the Giants are in for a rough season, maybe even a last place finish. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are favored to win the division. Let the Big Blue losing begin.
Baltimore (+3) over CINCINNATI: Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister, unlike Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, is not an outspoken player. Hall had some big words ‘ or perhaps big stylings ‘ when he called out Chad ‘Ocho Cinco’ Johnson this preseason with the words ‘I OWN U 85’ in his hair. Johnson had five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. No perm for McAlister, but with him and Ed Reed, it’ll be less yards for Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer.
Tennessee (+6 1/2) over JACKSONVILLE: What’s great about week 1 is that that no team is favored by more than 6 1/2 points, at least not on Bodog (or is it New Bodog? Poor Calvin Ayre can’t keep track of his domain names). David Garrard over Vince Young? Come on. Maurice Jones-Drew can’t run it back every time.
Arizona (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO: I like me some underdogs on the road. Two up-and-comers in the NFC West with two offenses that might even be underrated. True, the 49ers did add Nate Clements on defense and they return the Alex Smith-Vernon Davis connection, but between Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Edge and Mr. America himself, Matt Leinart, the Cardinals should be the better team. At least in Madden.