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Week 1 NFL Game Summaries

The NFL betting community was rocked by Week 1’s earth shattering headline detailing NFL’s announcement it would not allow Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson to wear Ocho Cinco on his No. 85 jersey for the season-opener against Baltimore, which by far, was the biggest news of the opening week.

Ok, may be it wasn’t, but now Johnson’s name has been legally changed to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco, wouldn’t you love to see the Bengals demand his jersey be changed to No. 84? For the non-Spanish speaking group, Ocho Cinco is a reference in Spanish to his No. 85.

Ok, enough fun at the expense of a player that’s been a thorn in the side of the Bengals all season, who unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade in the offseason, threatened to sit out if not spoon fed with a bib, skipped all voluntary workouts, and showed up for minicamp but only to watch others sweat it out as he cried about his right ankle bothering him.

On a serious note, Week 1 was bitten by the injury bug, unfortunately, which directly affects NFL wagering enthusiasts. Especially the countless gamblers who invested overwhelming amounts of money in future wagers supporting the New England Patriots, who watched in horror as Tom Brady went down for the season. As for future wagers, the Pats were heavily favored across the board to win everything.

Matt Cassel replaced Brady following the first-quarter disaster and helped New England beat Kansas City 17-10, but failed to cover the 9-point spread, adding salt to already open wounds to Pats investors. Cassel will get his first ever NFL start on Sunday against the New York Jets. In fact, it will be his first start since high school, as Cassel was a four-year backup at USC behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

The Seattle Seahawks also took a big blow when an MRI performed Monday on receiver Nate Burleson showed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Seattle’s 34-10 loss in its season opener and is out for the year.

Jacksonville Jags’ left guard Vince Manuwai, who tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee, and right guard Maurice Williams, who ruptured his right bicep in Sunday’s 38-3 loss to Philadelphia. Both are likely out for the entire season, as well.

Other key injuries suffered in Week 1 includes: Titans QB Vince Young (left knee); Cowboys RB Marion Barber (ribs); Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle (right shoulder); Seahawks RB Maurice Morris (right knee); Rams WR Drew Bennett (knee injury); Colts RB Joseph Addai (head).

NFL Week 1 Offensive Studs and Duds

Let’s start with opening week studs under center. Clearly it is was Donovan McNabb who was 21-for-33, finishing with 361 yards and three TDs as the Eagles easily covered the spread by routing the St. Louis Rams, 38-3. Atlanta’s Michael Turner rushed for a team-record 220 yards in a cover 34-21 victory over Detroit as stud carrying the rock in Week 1, and as stud on the receiving end of things, Denver rookie Eddie Royal had nine catches good for 146 yards and one TD in a money-making win over Oakland, 41-14.

Now to the duds which Bengals QB Carson Palmer earned dubious honors as being the biggest in Week 1, not only as signal caller, but argubaly among any position. His whopping 35.3 QB rating produced by 99 yards passing (10-of-25), zero TDs and one INT is appaualing. Unless you
bet on Baltimore who was slight puppies at +2 but won 17-10.

The opening week concluded with a MNF feel good story, as Aaron Rodgers stepped up with a Favre-like game in a 24-19 win over Minnesota, who BetUS NFL odds listed Green Bay slight faves. Rodgers finished 18-of-22 for 178 yards with passing and rushing TDs.

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"