Update 9/7: The announcers have been updated for every game.
Update 9/6: Jerod’s picks have been posted for all games that have live spreads.
Unlike college football, which I commented earlier tonight snuck up on me, the kickoff of the NFL season will as always be a loooong time coming.
The difference, of course, is that college football doesn’t have a preseason nor fantasy football to suck up our attention during August. (They both have betting, but neither college football nor NFL betting is better than the other.) The NFL does, however, which makes it seem like we’ve been paying attention to the NFL for a long time without it really meaning anything.
Well next Thursday, when the Vikings and Saints reprise their titillating NFC Title Game from 2009, the games will start to mean something; and if you’re like me, it can’t come soon enough.
Update 9/10: Listen to this week’s Friday Football Preview Podcast and get Jerod’s NFL locks of the week (ATS), his must-watch game, and upset alert:
- You can also listen to the MSF Podcast on iTunes and subscribe to future episodes.
Below is all of the schedule information you need for Week 1. (Note: I’ll be back on Monday to update this post with my picks. And remember, I picked over 55% correct against the spread last year…)
A couple of quick things to keep in mind:
- All times are ET.
- Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
- Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night (8/30), and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want updated point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
- DocSports: NFL Odds
- DocSports: NFL Picks
And with all that said, here is your Week 1 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.
NFL Week 1 Viewer’s Guide
TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes
Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
- Vikings-Saints Date: Thursday, September 9
- Vikings-Saints Kickoff Time: 8:30 pm
- Vikings-Saints TV Network: NBC
- Vikings-Saints Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Vikings-Saints Point Spread: Saints -4
- Vikings-Saints Over-Under Odds: 49
- Vikings-Saints Spread Pick: We’ll have a complete preview of this game up soon, and I can already tell you that Vikings fans won’t like it. Add up Brett Favre’s tender ankle, Sidney Rice’s absence, and the expected furor of the New Orleans crowd, and I think the Vikings will end up dusting themselves after this one and trying to forget the night entirely. I think New Orleans wins going away. Vikings-Saints free pick: Saints -4
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Browns-Buccaneers Date: Sunday, September 12
- Browns-Buccaneers Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Browns-Buccaneers TV Network: CBS
- Browns-Buccaneers Announcers: Spero Dedes and Rich Gannon
- Browns-Buccaneers Point Spread: Buccaneers -3
- Browns-Buccaneers Over-Under Odds: 37
- Browns-Buccaneers Spread Pick: How uninteresting does this game seem? On the surface, pretty uninteresting, although I think both Cleveland and Tampa Bay will field teams that are much more competitive than last year. The big questions are: will we see a different Jake Delhomme and how much has Josh Freeman improved from Year 1 to Year 2? I think Cleveland has a chance to surprise some people this year and it’ll begin with a strong performance in Week 1. Browns-Buccaneers free pick: Browns +3
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
- Dolphins-Bills Date: Sunday, September 12
- Dolphins-Bills Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Dolphins-Bills TV Network: CBS
- Dolphins-Bills Announcers: Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
- Dolphins-Bills Point Spread: Dolphins -3
- Dolphins-Bills Over-Under Odds: 38.5
- Dolphins-Bills Spread Pick: This is a tough one. I think the Dolphins are clearly the better team and will compete for an AFC East title, whereas Buffalo is clearly the 4th best team in the division. However, the Dolphins have not typically played well in Buffalo, and the Bills do have a very strong pass defense that should give Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall fits, while keeping the score close. When these two teams play in Miami, I think the Dolphins will win going away. In Buffalo? I’ve seen too many good Miami teams get flummoxed in Buffalo not pick the Bills to cover the three. Dolphins-Bills free pick: Bills +3
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots
- Bengals-Patriots Date: Sunday, September 12
- Bengals-Patriots Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Bengals-Patriots TV Network: CBS
- Bengals-Patriots Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Bengals-Patriots Point Spread: Patriots -4.5
- Bengals-Patriots Over-Under Odds: 45
- Bengals-Patriots Spread Pick: The Patriots defense was awful during the preseason. Cincinnati, on the other hand, has an underrated defense with two excellent corners who will be able to at least slow down the Brady-to-Moss show. I will be very interested to see how Carson Palmer and the Ocho-T.O. show mesh, but I do think Cincy’s D is good enough to keep the Bengals in the hunt in the 4th quarter. Bengals-Patriots free pick: Bengals +4.5
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
- Colts-Texans Date: Sunday, September 12
- Colts-Texans Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Colts-Texans TV Network: CBS
- Colts-Texans Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Colts-Texans Point Spread: Colts -2.5
- Colts-Texans Over-Under Odds: 46.5
- Colts-Texans Spread Pick: This is a terrific matchup that will go a long way towards dictating how the AFC South goes this year. Personally, I think this is the year when the Texans finally make a real run at ending Indy’s dominance. I don’t know that they’ll succeed, but I do think that at home in Week 1, with the Colts struggling to adapt to the new referee placement rules, that the Texas have their best chance ever to get a leg up on the Colts. I think they win outright. (Oh, and take the over!) Colts-Texans free pick: Texans +2.5
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Broncos-Jaguars Date: Sunday, September 12
- Broncos-Jaguars Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Broncos-Jaguars TV Network: CBS
- Broncos-Jaguars Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcotts
- Broncos-Jaguars Point Spread: Jaguars -2.5
- Broncos-Jaguars Over-Under Odds: 39.5
- Broncos-Jaguars Spread Pick: Imagine how boring this game would be if Maurice Jones-Drew wasn’t in it. But MJD should be playing and will undoubtedly be the difference. Jacksonville played teams tight last year and they have coach-QB continuity, which goes a long way towards making teams competitive. I’m wary of Denver because of Knowshon Moreno’s health, their lack of play-makers outside, and a defense that does not include Elvis Dumervil. Broncos-Jaguars free pick: Jaguars -2.5
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Falcons-Steelers Date: Sunday, September 12
- Falcons-Steelers Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Falcons-Steelers TV Network: FOX
- Falcons-Steelers Announcers: Dick Stockton, Jim Mora, and Charles Davis
- Falcons-Steelers Point Spread: Falcons -2.5
- Falcons-Steelers Over-Under Odds: 38
- Falcons-Steelers Spread Pick: What a great interconference game this is. I think both of these teams will make the playoffs in 2010, with one getting a huge boost by a win in Week 1. The Falcons are favored because the Steelers are playing their 3rd and 4th string QBs – Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon – but they are at home, have Rashard Mendenhall and Hines Ward to lean on, and have Troy Polamalu back to lead the defense. Do you really have the guts to give the Steelers points in their home opener? I don’t.  Falcons-Steelers free pick: Steelers +2.5
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans
- Raiders-Titans Date: Sunday, September 12
- Raiders-Titans Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Raiders-Titans TV Network: CBS
- Raiders-Titans Announcers: Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
- Raiders-Titans Point Spread: Titans -6.5
- Raiders-Titans Over-Under Odds: 40.5
- Raiders-Titans Spread Pick: Tricky game here. We really don’t know much about how good either of these teams will be. What kind of impact will Jason Campbell have on the Raiders? How good and consistent will Vince Young be? Can Chris Johnson run with the same burst after 400 touches last year? I think Tennessee will win, but Oakland is a darkhorse team that could surprise some people this year. They’ll hang tough. Raiders-Titans free pick: Raiders +6.5
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
- Panthers-Giants Date: Sunday, September 12
- Panthers-Giants Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Panthers-Giants TV Network: FOX
- Panthers-Giants Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
- Panthers-Giants Point Spread: Giants -7.5
- Panthers-Giants Over-Under Odds: 41.5
- Panthers-Giants Spread Pick: The Giants defense was pathetic at the end of the last season, but I think it could engineer the biggest turnaround of any single unit in the NFL this year. Their defensive line is simply too good to play that badly again. With the Panthers still destined to deal with growing pains with Matt Moore, and the Giants fired up to play their first regular season game in the new stadium, I think they exorcise some 2009 demons with a strong performance and W. Panthers-Giants free pick: Giants -7.5
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
- Lions-Bears Date: Sunday, September 12
- Lions-Bears Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
- Lions-Bears TV Network: FOX
- Lions-Bears Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
- Lions-Bears Point Spread: Bears -6
- Lions-Bears Over-Under Odds: 43
- Lions-Bears Spread Pick: I’m bullish on the Lions, moreseo for 2011, but I still think they will be better this year. The Bears? Who knows. They have Urlacher back, and Mike Martz will certainly impact their offense (though we have yet to see if it will be positive or negative), but they still have a porous offensive line. The Lions, on the other hand, have young stars like Stafford, CJ, Jahvid Best, Louis Delmas, and Ndamukong Suh to build around. I don’t know that they win in Soldier Field Sunday, but I do think they’ll put up a good fight. Lions-Bears free pick: Lions +6
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams
- Cardinals-Rams Date: Sunday, September 12
- Cardinals-Rams Kickoff Time: 4:15 pm
- Cardinals-Rams TV Network: FOX
- Cardinals-Rams Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
- Cardinals-Rams Point Spread: Cardinals -4
- Cardinals-Rams Over-Under Odds: 39.5
- Cardinals-Rams Spread Pick: Ugh. Arizona will be starting Derek Anderson, which means we have no idea what their offense will look like. Unfortunately for the Rams, they have QB uncertainty of their own with rookie Sam Bradford taking the reins. But Bradford, despite his inexperience, has one thing Anderson doesn’t have: accuracy. I think the Bradford Era gets off to a nice start with not only a cover but a win. There is a lot of turmoil in Arizona right now, and Derek Anderson isn’t ever a source of stability. Cardinals-Rams free pick: Rams +4
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Packers-Eagles Date: Sunday, September 12
- Packers-Eagles Kickoff Time: 4:15 pm
- Packers-Eagles TV Network: FOX
- Packers-Eagles Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Packers-Eagles Point Spread: Packers -2.5
- Packers-Eagles Over-Under Odds: 47
- Packers-Eagles Spread Pick: This game should be entertaining. First off, I’m taking the over. I’m not sure any defense can contain the Packers right now, and I think Green Bay’s defensive backfield is banged up enough that Kevin Kolb will be able to have some success. This game being in Philly gives me some pause, but I think the Eagles will need some time to build continuity with Donovan McNabb no longer there. And while Kolb did play well last year in limited action, he did throw some picks, which is something that Aaron Rodgers does less, based on percentage, than any QB in NFL history. Packers cover based on winning the TO battle. Packers-Eagles free pick: Packers -2.5
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- 49ers-Seahawks Date: Sunday, September 12
- 49ers-Seahawks Kickoff Time: 4:15 pm
- 49ers-Seahawks TV Network: FOX
- 49ers-Seahawks Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- 49ers-Seahawks Point Spread: 49ers -3
- 49ers-Seahawks Over-Under Odds: 37.5
- 49ers-Seahawks Spread Pick: The 49ers are everyone’s preseason darling to go from out of the playoffs to in this season. And I agree. But I also think they’re going to have some issues with Seattle. First off, the 49ers clearly have some turmoil between the players and Michael Crabtree, and I wonder at all if everyone telling them how good they are will make them lose their edge. And Seattle has the excitement of a new era under Pete Carroll. The 49ers may well win a close one, but I think Seattle gives them all that they can handle. (And I’d take the under here.) 49ers-Seahawks free pick: Seahawks +3
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
- Cowboys-Redskins Date: Sunday, September 12
- Cowboys-Redskins Kickoff Time: 8:20 pm
- Cowboys-Redskins TV Network: NBC
- Cowboys-Redskins Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Cowboys-Redskins Point Spread: Cowboys -3.5
- Cowboys-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 40.5
- Cowboys-Redskins Spread Pick: I think this has all the makings of an ugly, offensively-inept game; and to support my prediction I’ll point to last year’s ugly, offensively-inept 7-6 game. With both offenses struggling in the preseason, and the Redskins trying to get used to new QB Donovan McNabb, plus the fact that it’s a fierce division rivalry, I don’t think many style points will be scored…or real points. Take the under, and take the home to keep this one closer than the spread. Cowboys-Redskins free spread pick: Redskins +3.5
Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets
- Ravens-Jets Date: Monday, September 13
- Ravens-Jets Kickoff Time: 7:00 pm
- Ravens-Jets TV Network: ESPN
- Ravens-Jets Announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworksi
- Ravens-Jets Point Spread: Jets -3
- Ravens-Jets Over-Under Odds: 36
- Ravens-Jets Spread Pick: Well this game just got a lot more fun now that Darrelle Revis is playing. Without Revis, and the bad momentum the Jets were on this offseason, I would have gone with the Ravens. Now, with Revis here and the Jets playing their first game in the new stadium, I think the emotion and positive momentum carries them to a W. The Ravens will be a better team this year, but I think the Jets own them in Week 1. Ravens-Jets free pick: Jets -3
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
- Chargers-Chiefs Date: Monday, September 13
- Chargers-Chiefs Kickoff Time: 10:15 pm
- Chargers-Chiefs TV Network: ESPN
- Chargers-Chiefs Announcers: Brad Nessler and Trent Dilfer
- Chargers-Chiefs Point Spread: Chargers -5
- Chargers-Chiefs Over-Under Odds: 44.5
- Chargers-Chiefs Spread Pick: The Chiefs are going to have a better offense than people think this year. San Diego, on the other hand, is without a top offensive lineman, its top WR from last year, and breaking in a new RB. I still think San Diego wins the division, and probably this game, because they have Philip Rivers…but the Chiefs will put some points up and make this a good game. Chargers-Chiefs free pick: Chiefs +5
About Jerod Morris
