MIke T's Week One NFL Selections: Cincy, Indy, & San Fran Looking Good!

by Mike T.

I'm back for my second season here at Roberts Football Notes looking to continue on the success I had last year(click older posts to see my selections). I used a strategy of picking the three best games I could find in a week(mostly underdogs). I'm going to stick with that same basic strategy throughout the year, although I do like a couple small favorite this week. I will also try to add a few more Monday night games as well this year. So let's get ready for week one and good luck to all.

Bengals +5 @ Patriots

The Bengals are 5 point dogs to a Patriots team that I don't think will be very good this year. We all know the Pats will be fine offensively but it's their defense that I believe will struggle throughout the year. The Pats only have two starters returning from their Superbowl team and have replaced them with young and inexperienced talent. They lost DE Ty Warren and CB Leigh Bodden for the season. They are starting a rookie and a second year player at the corners. Their just isn't much talent or leadership anywhere on this Pats defense.

The Bengals have all of their starters returning including the five massive offensive linemen that paved the way for Cedric Benson and protected Carson Palmer. They have two of the very best corners in the game in Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph and have added Pacman Jones to play nickel. This could be a problem for Brady, Moss, Welker and questionable Edelman.

I think Benson has a big game on the ground while T.O. and Ocho feast on that secondary.The Bengals come away with a win on the road.
Bengals 31 Patriots 17

Colts -2.5 @ Texans
Many people seem to think that this is the year that the Texans turn the page and become a contender. I don't see it that way. Like the Patriots, the Texans haven't done much to improve defensively. They let veteran CB Donta Robinson go due to salary issues and replaced him with (R) CB Kareem Jackson. They will also be without LB Brian Cushing for the first four weeks. And that's about it.

The Colts continue to be a well oiled machine. The defense is intact and a healthy Freeny, Mathis, and Sanders is something the Colts missed for most of the '09 season while still going to the Superbowl. On offense, all of Manning's weapons are back plus a healthy Anthony Gonzalez and change of pace back in Donald Brown.

We will see some scoring from both of these great offenses but their seems to be a lot of value in laying less than a FG with the Colts.
Colts 28 Texans 21

49ers -3 @ Seahawks

The 49ers are the team to beat in the NFC west in my opinion. I really think they have a chance to be a 12-4 team and might get a bye week come playoff time. With an improved offensive line and a legitimate threat in the return game the 49ers addressed their biggest off season needs. They could have one of the best defenses in football and some very nice weapons on offense. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis may have career years.

It just doesn't seem to me that the Seahawks are ready for week one. They will be without tackle Russel Okung and their offensive line coach retired just a few days ago. They let TJ Houshmandzadeh walk and have finally decided that Justin Forsett will be the starting RB. Pete Carroll has his work cut out for him.
49ers 34 Seahawks 10