Football is back folks! Here we go with week 1 of the 2009 NFL season. Based on the feedback from you degenerate gamblers out there, we’re doing every game against the spread as well as straight up this year. Also, we’re joined by a Mexican peso aka the random coin flip to see if we can beat Burton flipping for results. You can download the podcast directly (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed. If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.
NFL Week 1 2009 Picks
Straight Up
| MATCHUP | Vegas Vinny | BostonMac | RJ | Peso | Actual |
| Titans @ Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers |
| Jaguars @ Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts |
| Lions @ Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Eagles @ Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Eagles | tie | Panthers |
| Cowboys @ Bucs | Cowboys | Cowboys | Bucs | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Jets @ Texans | Texans | Texans | Texans | Jets | Jets |
| Chiefs @ Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Chiefs | Ravens |
| Broncos @ Bengals | Broncos | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals | Broncos |
| Vikings @ Browns | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Browns | Vikings |
| Dolphins @ Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons |
| Redskins @ Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Redskins | Giants |
| 49ers @ Cards | Cards | Cards | 49ers | Cards | 49ers |
| Rams @ Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Bears @ Packers | Bears | Packers | Bears | Packers | Packers |
| Bills @ Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Bills | Patriots |
| Chargers @ Raiders | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Raiders | Chargers |
| Actual | 12-4 (.750) | 12-4 (.750) | 12-4 (.750) | 8-8 (.500) | |
| Overall | 12-4 (.750) | 12-4 (.750) | 12-4 (.750) | 8-8 (.500) |
Against the Spread
| MATCHUP | Vegas Vinny | BostonMac | RJ | Peso | Actual |
| Titans @ Steelers (-5) | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Titans |
| Jaguars @ Colts (-7) | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Jaguars |
| Lions @ Saints (-13) | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Eagles @ Panthers (+1) | Panthers | Panthers | Eagles | Panthers | Eagles |
| Cowboys @ Bucs (+3) | Cowboys | Cowboys | Bucs | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Jets @ Texans (-4.5) | Texans | Texans | Texans | Jets | Jets |
| Chiefs @ Ravens (-13) | Ravens | Ravens | Chiefs | Chiefs | Ravens |
| Broncos @ Bengals (-4) | Broncos | Broncos | Bengals | Broncos | Broncos |
| Vikings @ Browns (+3) | Vikings | Vikings | Vikings | Browns | Vikings |
| Dolphins @ Falcons (-4) | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Dolphins | Falcons |
| Redskins @ Giants (-6.5) | Giants | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins | Redskins |
| 49ers @ Cards (-7) | 49ers | 49ers | 49ers | 49ers | 49ers |
| Rams @ Seahawks (-8.5) | Seahawks | Seahawks | Rams | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Bears @ Packers (-3.5) | Bears | Packers | Bears | Bears | Packers |
| Bills @ Patriots (-11) | Bills | Patriots | Patriots | Bills | Bills |
| Chargers @ Raiders (+9) | Chargers | Chargers | Raiders | Raiders | Raiders |
| Actual | 9-7 (.563) | 10-6 (.625) | 7-9 (.438) | 9-7 (.563) | |
| Overall | 9-7 (.563) | 10-6 (.625) | 7-9 (.438) | 9-7 (.563) |
Locks of the Week
Vegas Vinny: Hope springs eternal in Cleveland. And then the season starts and they fall flat on their face. Expect more of the same this year. Even though I’m no Favre fan, I fully understand the positive effect that he has on his teammates. They see him in the huddle and they believe they can win the game. Hey, the Vikings probably would’ve felt that way with Tavaris Jackson at the helm so having Favre there certainly boosts their confidence.
The Browns had the 28th ranked run defense in the league last year. Despite Mangina bringing in some help from the Jets, the Browns have not improved enough on run D to stop Adrian Peterson.
If that isn’t enough to sway you, note that the Browns are 1-8-1 ATS in their past 10 opening games. I’ll put $55 to win $50 on the Vikings (-3).
BostonMac: It’s a rough week schedule-wise for rookie QB’s and head coaches in the NFL. And the Detroit Lions are no exception. New Orleans is a team that a lot of people are picking to win the NFC South, and Detroit is a team which can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. They will be improved this year, certainly, but it won’t come in Week 1. I don’t think Matthew Stafford has the same Week 1 chops as Matt Ryan in ’08. I’m putting $55 to win $50 on the Saints to beat up on the hapless Lions. NEW ORLEANS (-13.5) over Detroit.
RJ:I hate to begin these with questions, but who would ever think that the Bengals would be the more stable franchise in any matchup? When comapred to the Broncos, Cincinnatti is the Rock of Gibraltar. Or Something. Anyway, football wise, the Bengals are healthy with Carson Palmer and Chad Eightfive (per Google translator) raring to go against a bottom-tier defense from Denver. And if the Broncos 29th-ranked unit was looking for company, they found it in Kyle Orton, who brings his 71.1 career passer rating and a bad right hand to Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals (-4) should have enough offense to handle Denver.