Week 1

Interesting that the major annuals (including Lindy's that I didnm't list yet) all have the Panthers going to the Super Bowl. Which I did as well - having done my picks before reviewing the others (you'll have to take my word on that).

I don't know if that's good karma or bad. They certainly have everything it takes to go all the way. Last year it was the injuries at RB that held them back, and this year they're returning with pretty much the same group: DeShaun Foster, Nick Goings, and Rod "He Hate Me" Smart. That's a pretty thin group for a team with championship aspirations.

Week 1:


Thursday, Sept. 7
PITTSBURGH
1
Miami
34½

- Steelers win the opener with Charlie Batch at QB, hoping it's the only one they'll have to play without Big Dumb Ben.

Sunday, Sept. 10
Denver
4
ST. LOUIS
46

Broncos, in a close one.

TENNESSEE
2½
NY Jets
36

Titans show they're slowly getting back into form. Jets show that Eric Mangini is just not ready for the job.

NEW ENGLAND
9
Buffalo
41

Pats in a laugher. We might see Matt Cassel in the fourth quarter.

TAMPA BAY
3
Baltimore
34

Bucs at home. As long as fragile Chris Simms stays healthy, the Bucs will be dangerous.

KANSAS CITY
2½
Cincinnati
46

Cincy wins a close one, with parole officers doing a head count on the team bus - coming and going.

Seattle
6
DETROIT
45½

Seattle continues to prove that Matt Millen should have been fired long ago.

CAROLINA
6
Atlanta
40

Panthers D makes Vick look silly - again.

Philadelphia
4
HOUSTON
37

Philly shows that they're returning to form as well. McNabb starts to re-establish himself. But will Philly's complete lack of a running game start hurting them from the get-go?

CLEVELAND
3
New Orleans
36

Browns show why they picked up Big Play Willie and a LB in both the first and second rounds of the draft. Bush runs for 300 yards (wishful thinking based on my fantasy team).

JACKSONVILLE
2½
Dallas
36½

Jax is too tough at home. Will TO and the Tuna come to blows on the sideline?

Chicago
3½
GREEN BAY
35

Favre squeeks out a victoy and one week of Green Bay Super Bowl stories consume the airwaves.

ARIZONA
7½
San Francisco
42½

New-look Cards start their playoff run.

Indianapolis
3½
NY GIANTS
48½

Colts lose on a Vinateiri FG miss with one second on the clock. Karma is a nasty thing.

Monday, Sept. 11
WASHINGTON
5
Minnesota
35

Washington starts strong.

San Diego
3
OAKLAND
43

Chargers retaliate for the three-point betting line by winning 30-0.