2010 NFL Week 1 Predictions; Early Picks, Betting Lines

All lines are from Sportsbook.com on 7/29/2010. Lines may have been adjusted since.

Minnesota Vikings (+4) @ New Orleans (-4)
An early line is hard to take when a key player has yet to decide if he is going to comeback for another year of football. Favre still on the fence makes this bet very interesting. As for now, I like the Saints -4.5 at home to open up the season. If Favre does not comeback, this is a great bet, and even if he does the Saints look good at -4.5. Take the Saints.
Prediction: Saints 35-27 (Saints -4.5)

Carolina Panthers (+7) @ New York Giants (-7)
This line jumped out at me when I first viewed the early lines as a no-brainer. The Giants showed nothing last year, while the Panthers were a playoff team if it wasn't for Delhomme. Panthers are a great sleeper team for the 2010 NFL season, and they are not getting any respect coming into the season. The Giants looked sluggish at the end of last season and failed to improve their team in the offseason. Giants may pull out a win at home, but I do not see them winning by more than a touchdown
Prediction: Giants 21-20 (Panthers +7)

Miami Dolphins (-3 (-120)) @ Buffalo Bills (+3 (Even))
This is not a joke, this is the actual early line on the game at Sportsbook.com. Why Miami is only a 3 point favorite against one of the worst teams in all of football is a mystery, but take advantage. The Dolphins have a huge advantage in this game and should dominate the incapable Bills.
Prediction: Dolphins 27-3

Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5)
This is a tough pick, as there isn't a long history between the teams, and the Steelers are wondering who will be behind center in week one. For now, the Falcons look like the safe bet with Ryan at quarterback and a very solid supporting cast. I would wait on this one, but if you have to pick go with Atlanta.
Prediction: Falcons 17-10

Detroit Lions (+7) @ Chicago Bears (-7)
This is a hard game to pick, but not if history continues. The Lions have improved on offense while the Bears have improved on defense. As much as I would like to pick my Lions to win at Soldier Field, the chances are not in the Lions favor. Take the Bears to win by more than 7.
Prediction: Chicago Bears 35-17

Cincinnati Bengals (+6) @ New England Patriots (-6)
The Bengals are in position to have a great year, and although the Patriots are as well, the Bengals may actually have a better offense. The Bengals have signed talented receiver Antonio Bryant and drafted pivotal tight end Jermaine Gresham, which will give Carson Palmer every opportunity to return the Bengals to the playoffs. I am taking the Bengals to not only cover the spread, but defeat the Patriots in week 1.
Prediction: Bengals 24-20

Cleveland Browns (+2.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Just a month ago this spread was in the Browns favor by a point (-1), now the hometown Bucs are the favorite. I am still leaning towards the Browns in this contest based on last season performance and play makers. Both teams are in store for a rough season, but the Browns will get a victory week one.
Prediction: Browns 20-14

Denver Broncos (+1.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5)
Jacksonville has the upper hand at home with a solid quarterback. The Broncos have too many question marks and are less Brandon Marshall. Take Jacksonville.
Prediction: Jaguars 24-13

Indianapolis Colts (-3) @ Houston Texans (+3)
The Texans are a solid team, but the AFC Champion Colts are not going to take week one easy after losing the Super Bowl to the Saints. The Colts should take this one by a touchdown or more.
Prediction: Colts 27-14

Oakland Raiders (+7) @ Tennessee Titans (-7)
Even the acquisition of Campbell won't stop the Titans from taking it to the Raiders opening week. It looks like Chris Johnson is happy for the time being and he is worth a couple touchdowns himself. The Raiders will not cover the spread.
Prediction: Titans 24-7

Green Bay Packers (-1.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (+1.5)
This game screams the Packers, sorry Eagles fans. Aaron Rodgers is the real deal and looking to redeem himself for that fumble last year in the playoffs. The Eagles will start Kolb at quarterback against the Packers defense. The Packers have everything in place to win the NFC Central, and should take this game due to the inexperience of Kolb.
Prediction: Packers 28-21

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (+2.5)
This is the hardest game for me to pick as both teams have significantly improved their teams. Seahawks have beefed up their offensive line with Okung and improved their defensive secondary with Earl Thomas out of Texas. The 49ers have improved both sides of the ball as well with rookies Lupati and Taylor Mays. I am simply going with the hometown Seahawks in this battle, but this could easily go either way.
Prediction: Seahawks 21-20

Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) @ St. Louis Rams (+3.5)
Even with Leinart behind center and the departure of Anquan Boldin, I really like the Cardinals in this contest. The Rams have upgraded with Bradford at quarterback, but so did the Lions last year when they only won 2 games under Stafford. The Cardinals should take it to the Rams in this one.
Prediction: Cardinals 28-13

Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) @ Washington Redskins (+3.5)
Trading for McNabb was a great move for the Redskins, but they will still come up short in the 2010 NFL season and against the Cowboys. The Cowboys have a very dangerous offense and have a new toy for Tony Romo in Dez Bryant. The Cowboys rushing attack and receivers will be too much for the Redskins defense.
Prediction: Cowboys 35-24

Baltimore Ravens (+3 -115) @ New York Jets (-3 -105)
The Jets and Ravens have two of the top defenses in the league, so who has the better offense? Both teams have young quarterbacks and running backs leading the offense. Both teams have also acquired dangerous wide receivers in Boldin for the Ravens and Santonio Holmes for the Jets. In this situation I like the hometown Jets to win the game and barely cover the spread.
Prediction: Jets 21-17

San Diego Chargers (-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (+6)
Even with the Chargers contract issues currently with Vincent Jackson and others, the Chiefs are still a mess despite slightly improving over the last year and a half with some decent acquisitions during the offseason. The Chargers will dominate in Kansas City.
Prediction: Chargers 28-7