NFL Week 1 picks:

Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (Detroit -3) Detroit has a so-so quarterback, a so-so defence and a decent head coach. Atlanta is breaking in a new QB, a new left tackle and a new head coach. Advantage: Falcons.

Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills (pick 'em) Seahawks will roll into Buffalo and beat the Bills on their home field. It's still too early for snow and cold, so the built-in home-field advantage just won't be there. Take Seahawks.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (Cowboys +3) Home underdogs are always a smart pick, and I can't disagree here. Cleveland's O-line is better than the Cowboys' lauded unit, so that's the way I'm going on this one. Take Browns.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (Jags +3) Some insiders are touting Jax as a trendy Super Bowl pick, but that's grasping at straws. Still, Vince Young hasn't yet figured out how to be a pro quarterback yet, so take Jaguars.

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (Bears +9.5) If Manning plays, and it looks like he will, take Colts. If he doesn't, take Bears. Take the Colts, though. Much as it pains me to admit it, they'll take it.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (Dolphins +2.5) Fearless prediction of the year. Chad Pennington will throw for more yards than Brett Favre in this game, and over the season. Take 'Phins.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (Pats -12) Last year's highest-scoring team with loads of vets coming back at every position against the league's youngest, most rookie-laden team. Tough call. Take Pats.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (Bucs -3) New Orleans has a ton of distractions at home and Jon Gruden doesn't care. Take Bucs.

St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (Rams +7) Rams' best player, Steven Jackson sat out all of camp in an effort to get a new contract. He got it. Now he's satisfied and out of shape. Take Eagles and lay the points.

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers -7) Houston should stay in this game and make it tight enough that the Steelers won't cover. Take Texans.

Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers (Chargers -9.5) This is a tough call. Carolina's best player, Steve Smith, is out. The Chargers' best defender, Shawne Merriman, is playing with torn knee ligaments. Tough call here for sure, but take Panthers.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (Cards -2.5)

Niners have $8 million worth of quarterback sitting on the bench in the form of Alex Smith in this one. Seems like a waste of money, no? Take Cards.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (Ravens -1) Ravens start a rookie at quarterback. Take Ravens.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (Vikings +2.5) Vikes' best blocker, Bryant McKinnie, is suspended, and Aaron Kampman is going to go off on Tarvaris Jackson. We may see Gus Frerotte for Minny in this one by the end. Take Packers.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (Broncos-1) Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is the game's top young pivot, but Oakland will run the b all and grind the clock. If they can avoid mistakes, the Raiders will win. However, they'll make lots of mistakes. Take Broncos.

Rick Moffat's picks against the spread for this week:

Giants, Bengals, Jets, Chiefs, Steelers, Titans, Lions, Seahawks, Saints, Eagles, Browns, Chargers, 49ers, Colts, Vikings, Raiders. -Rick Moffat is the CJAD 800 Sports Director, Voice of the Montreal Canadiens & Alouettes and Astral Radio GP

By Ed Philion: NFL picks: Giants Cincy Miami New England Pittsburgh Tennessee Detroit Buffalo Tampa St. louis Dallas Carolina Arizona Indy &n bsp; Minnesota Denver