Inaugural Football Spread Bets

Week 1 of the NFL regular season, the most wide open betting weekend of the year.  I have been waiting weeks for this. This is the start of a running feature on the Z Files.  Starting today, I am going to teach the world how to get rich quick. All you have to do is follow a few simple suggestions listed here. Without further ado, here are my picks: (Home team in CAPS) (Lines taken from sportsbook dot com at time of publishing)

STEELERS (-5.5) over Titans : Da Burg has almost the whole team from last year returning and needs to stand tall in game one.  Bonus: Kerry Collins is Tennessee's quarterback

Broncos (+3.5) over BENGALS : This is the classic tale of the Hard Knocks curse.  When everybody in America thinks they know everything about the team, they really know nothing.  Bonus: Josh McDaniels has some things to prove immediately

BROWNS (+3.5) over Vikings : Brady Quinn has been waiting two years for this while Brett Farve has been with the team two weeks. Peterson is a bust in game one. Bonus: Brad Childress looks like Tony Kornheiser

COLTS (-6.5) over Jaguars : One of the hardest picks on the ledger this week. Hard to bet against Colts at home.  Maurice Jones-Drew is more hurt than anybody is saying.

Cowboys (-3.5) over BUCS : Could not take the Bucs because I don't know who their quarterback is.

Dolphins (+4.5) over FALCONS : Too much pressure on Matt Ryan and none on Chad Pennington.

SAINTS (-11.5) over Lions : Lions went winless last season and now have a new QB?

RAVENS (-8.5) over Chiefs : People keep forgetting that the Ravens took Da Burg to the final whistle in the AFC Championship.  Also, Matt Cassell is injured and the Chiefs traded Tony Gonzo, whats left there.

TEXANS (-4.5) over Jets : I know this is the trendy pick of the week but who could bet on an away rookie QB .

Eagles (+0.5) over CAROLINA : I know Carolina has a great running game, but look at who you have handing off the ball, Delohme has turned into Joey Harrington.  I thought Philly would get more press about how good they are after signing the Dog Mauler, but that hasnt happened yet.

GIANTS (-6.5) over Redskins : The G Men are coming to prove that David Tyree wasn't a fluke.

Rams (+8.5) over SEAHAWKS : Have nothing against Seattle, just think the spread is too big and St. Louis has improved a lot from last year.

CARDINALS (-6.5) over 49ers : Kurt Warner is healthy for the first game, the rest of the season is a toss-up.

PACKERS (-3.5) over Bears : Tough call here, went with home team with very solid defense.

PATRIOTS (-10.5) over Bills : Is this spread too low? Do the Bills have any offense? The welcome back Tom Brady party is now.

Chargers (-6.5) over RAIDERS : Is the spread too low?  If their was a AAA football league the Raiders could join.

BEST BETS : New England, Philly, Baltimore, and San Diego