Free Week 1 NFL Picks 2009

After a long summer with nothing to watch other than CFL highlights, the 2009 NFL season is finally here. Football fans and inveterate gamblers everywhere have waited months for Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season and there are plenty of intriguing matchups to start off the season.

Here's some Week 1 NFL picks. Please keep in mind that the lines given are subject to change (here are updated NFL odds.) Note: Home teams are in ALL CAPS.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS over Tennessee Titans +6

The first game of the season should be a dandy with the Super Bowl champions going up against one of the best teams in the league. Home-field advantage will be a plus for the Steelers. Add to that, the Titans defense will be playing their first meaningful game without Albert Haynesworth. The Steelers are probably still choked about the time last season when they got whupped by the Titans and some Titans players stepped on a Terrible Towel.

NEW ORLEANS over Detroit +13

One thing is we do know is that the Detroit Lions have nowhere to go but up. The Matt Stafford era has begun in Detroit, meaning that the team has a chance of winning a game this season. Who knows, the Lions might win a few, but it won't be against the high-powered Saints.

New York Jets over HOUSTON -4.5

Last year, the Texans were one of the most pleasant surprises in the league. Perhaps the table could turn this season and the Jets become something of a surprise and overwhelm Houston. Mark Sanchez might be decent and the team has a quality running game that should do well against the Texans.

ATLANTA -4 over Miami

Atlanta was one of the feel-good stories of last season as Matt Ryan and Michael Turner evolved into bona fide offensive superstars. Still, the team might be ripe for a hangover after all the good times last season. Miami similarly had newfound success last year. They too have a chance of experiencing a letdown this season as teams start to figure out how to defend against the Wildcat. The Falcons may be the first to do that.

Denver over CINCINNATI -4

This could be a high-scoring game, not because the offenses are any good, but because the defenses are bad. While the Broncos fans are no doubt nervous about Kyle Orton, he still has some weapons to work with and might be able to pull out a win on the road.

Minnesota over CLEVELAND +4

I don't know if you've heard, but Brett Favre is now the quarterback in Minnesota. It kind of slipped under the radar. He may be old, but he should have enough to out-duel Brady Anderson. Of course, the real star of the Vikes is Adrian Peterson and he should be run all over the Browns defense.

INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville +7

This game might be closer than people think. Maurice Jones-Drew is banged up and Peyton Manning will likely be back to his old ways, throwing bombs to Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark. The Jags defense still needs work, and Manning knows it.

Dallas over TAMPA BAY +6

Tampa's quarterbacking situation doesn't look good. Byron Leftwich is a great guy, but doesn't exactly instill a lot of confidence in his teammates. The Cowboys offense seems better on all fronts--better quarterback, running backs, and tight end.

PHILADELPHIA over Carolina +1.5

Carolina's defensive line is hurting and Jake Delhomme's playoff collapse last season may still be haunting and his team. The Eagles are still humming and they may have the best offensive line in the league.

BALTIMORE over Kansas City +14

With Joe Flacco and Ray Rice emerging into decent offensive forces, the Ravens may have enough scoring punch to cover the spread. Of course, the Ravens still have a great defense, certainly good enough to beat the Chiefs.

ARIZONA over San Francisco +6.5

The defending NFL champs aren't likely to lose to a team they owned last season. The Niners would take baby steps this season, but won't have enough to deal with Kurt Warner and his bevy of great receivers.

SEATTLE over St. Louis +8.5

Both teams are looking to bounce back from nightmare seasons. Seattle might have enough to do it. A healthy Matt Hasselbeck will be joined by new additions Edgerrin James and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Don't be surprised if the Seahawks are one of the more improved teams in the NFL this season.

NEW YORK GIANTS over Washington +6.5

Eli Manning is getting used to working with a new corps of receivers who were smart enough not to shoot themselves in the leg. That may take some time, but fortunately he has Brandon Jacobs in the backfield to help him out, not to mention a great offensive line.

GREEN BAY over Chicago +3.5

It's great to start off the season with one of the game's most storied rivalries. The Packers-Bears is even better now that both teams are actually competitive. The Jay Cutler-Aaron Rodgers matchup will no doubt garner attention, but the game could be decided by defense. The Bears still have issues with their pass rush and secondary. As for the Packers, they're still adjusting to a new 3-4 defensive scheme. The difference may be home field. While the tundra of Lambeau Field may not yet be frozen, it's still intimidating and may give the Pack the edge.

NEW ENGLAND over Buffalo +10.5

Tom Brady is back and looking to play more than eight minutes this season. Hard to see how the Bills could get in his way.

San Diego over OAKLAND +9.5

The Raiders have been entertaining off the field, given the whole Tom Cable smackdown on one of his assistants. On the field though, they remain a mess. San Diego looks good this season. They have a healthy Shawne Merriman who, when not allegedly attacking reality stars, could once again anchor the Chargers defense.