NFL Sportsbooks | Week 1 NFL Lines | Free Picks
The third instalment of our NFL Week 1 breakdown crosses over into late-game action.
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Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, September 11, 1:00 p.m. ET
NFL Sportsbooks favorite: Jaguars -3
Say what you want about Maurice Jones-Drew’s knee – but I have to think Jacksonville is in good shape for its season opener. Chances are, David Garrard will still start at quarterback in Week 1. The Jags don’t have to hurry at all as they groom first-round pick Blaine Gabbert for the role.
Tennessee, on the other hand, may well turn to Jake Locker in Week 1. Who else will start for them? Kerry Collins retired and Vince Young’s days with the Titans appear to be done. Chris Johnson will have a tough time racking up rushing yards, too, if Tennessee trails early and is forced to throw.
Pick: Jaguars -3
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins
Sunday, September 11, 1:00 p.m. ET
NFL Sportsbooks favorite: Giants -3
I have a feeling that the Giants will absolutely demolish the Redskins in Week 1. They already have a ferocious pass rush and drafting Marvin Austin will only make them better; drafting cornerback Prince Amukamara should seriously bolster the secondary. This defense looks great for 2011 and it faces a Redskins team that will reportedly turn to John friggin’ Beck as its starting quarterback in Week 1. Gross.
Eli Manning and the Giants’ offense should also have no problem picking apart Washington’s defense, which was the NFL’s second-worst unit last season.
Pick: Giants -3
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, September 11, 4:15 p.m. ET
NFL Sportsbooks favorite: Cardinals -3
I’m not ready to assume Carolina loses its season opener just because it was a laughing stock in 2010. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
I believe Cam Newton can beat out Jimmy Clausen and start Week 1. Will a below-average Arizona Cardinals defense be prepared for what Newton can do with his legs? Jonathan Stewart should also flourish now that he finally gets the starting running back reins to himself.
Meanwhile, the Panthers’ pass defense actually ranked in the NFL’s top half last season and Arizona’s passing game is far from sturdy. Will Max Hall start in Week 1? Even if the Cards acquire Kevin Kolb, he has never performed when depended upon as “the guy” – only in low-pressure fill-in situations.
I like Carolina to pull the upset in Week 1.
Pick: Panthers +3
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, September 11, 4:15 p.m. ET
NFL Sportsbooks favorite: 49ers -6
This is an intriguing line. The San Francisco 49ers should be hungry to lay a beatdown on Seattle after the Seahawks embarrassed them in Week 1 last year. But a six-point spread in a divisional game is a bit scary.
The 49ers’ quarterbacking situation is muddy. Will Alex Smith start? Troy Smith? Is rookie Colin Kaepernick healthy enough that he might get a shot? Even though San Francisco has question marks, the Seahawks’ situation looks worse. They were 28th in offense a year ago and I would argue that they have zero elite players at the offensive skill positions.
Since whoever takes snaps for San Fran should at least be serviceable, I like the 49ers to cover at home.
Pick: 49ers -6
This is installment #3 in the season long series of free NFL Pick articles by our experts here at CappersPicks.com. Check back with us all NFL Betting season long, and keep on winning those NFL Bets folks!
