Vegas Hags Pigskin Picks

Are you ready for some football?! I am, but I think some Eagles fans are still angry about the last game at the Vet. If the Birds can knock off the Bucs on Monday, all will be forgiven for now as Eagles fever will take over the region and talk of a Super Bowl will run rampant. If they lose, watch out! There are some great games this weekend leading up to the big MNF match up. Check inside for all the picks…

Denver (-6) at Cincinnati
The Bengals should be a little better this year (it’s hard to get any worse), and Jake the Snake is now the QB in Denver. I’m not buying into the Bungles…John Kitna?
Broncos 30 – Bengals 20

Jacksonville (+4) at Carolina
This will be a serious snooze fest. Both of these teams will be horrible on offense, the Panthers are better on D.
Panthers 16 – Jags 10

New England (even) at Buffalo
A great rivalry now that Drew Bledsoe is in Buffalo. The Bills have improved on D, but so have the Pats. This should be a great game, decided on a late FG. I’ll take the Bills at home.
Bills 24 – Patriots 21

Indianapolis (+1) at Cleveland
This is an intriguing match-up. The Colts self-destructed again late last year but are always good at the start of the season; the Browns got hosed in the playoffs and should be angry and hungry. I have to go with the Colts here, but it will close as the line suggests.
Colts 27 – Browns 24

Arizona (+4) at Detroit
Yick! Who put this on the schedule? I’ll take the home team with coach Mooch to win, but not cover –as long as I don’t have to actually watch the game.
Lions 28 – Cards 27

Minnesota (+5½) at Green Bay
This will be a better game than you might think. The Vikings have some talent and should be a playoff contender this year. That said, Pack still wins!
Packers 30 – Vikes 27

Houston (+14) at Miami
Dolphins are usually unbeatable in September and October. November and December are a different story. Lay the points.
Dolphins 31 – Texans 13

St. Louis (even) at New York Giants
Another great first week game as the Giants are tough and the Rams may be back. Good O vs. good D…Giants are home…I’ll take the Rams by a hair.
Rams 27 – Giants 24

Baltimore (+5½) at Pittsburgh
The Ravens have one of the top defenses in football, but you still have to score a few points to win games. Not with a rookie QB, they won’t.
Steelers 17 – Ravens 10

Atlanta (+2) at Dallas
The Big Tuna is back, but the Cowboys aren’t. Even without Mike Vick, the Falcons can handle the Pokes.
Falcons 20 – Cowboys 16

Chicago (+6½) at San Francisco
The Niners will slip this year, but they can still take the Bears and Kordell Stewart. Look for the bears to cover on a late score.
Niners 26 – Bears 20

New Orleans (+3) at Seattle
Seattle will be pretty good this year, I’m not so sure about the Saints. I think Brooks and Hasslebeck light it up in this one.
Seahawks 31 – Saints 27

Oakland (+3) at Tennessee
The best Sunday night game of the year is right here. I think these two are the class of the AFC with New England and will have a real dog fight Sunday. Look for the Titans to pull out a close one.
Titans 26 – Raiders 24

Tampa Bay (+3) at Philadelphia
Yeah, baby! The rematch we all want at the brand, new Linc. The Eagles will make a statement to their fans, but we really need to see this rematch in January – same teams, same venue. I’ll take this one, though to start the season on the right note. Look for McNabb to look great and the defense to blitz all night in an attempt to overcome the loss of Hugh Douglas (and get to statue-esque QB Brad Johnson). Hopefully, someone shuts up fat- *** Warren Sapp, too. By the way, I think this is the year the Eagles get to the big dance as long as Donovan McNabb can stay healthy. He’s in for a big, big year and the D will be fast enough to get the job done, too.
Eagles 20 – Bucs 13

Check back next week to see how it all pans out. Enjoy the games…

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Author: Vegas Hags