+++ NFL Picks / Week 1 +++

[Auggie]

Recap of the new rules:
Everybody gets two optional bye weeks up through Week 15. You can miss two weeks for whatever reason, though weeks 16 and 17 are mandatory.

We'll keep two tiers, a top tier for 15+ week players and a secondary tier with fewer than those. This keeps it fairer for the regulars. Play less than 12 weeks and you'll be dropped from standings.

If you miss week 16 or 17 you'll be dropped to the second tier unless your week total is less than 12.

The only Thursday game we'll play will be the season opener, New Orleans at Green Bay.

Pushes (ties) will not count in standings. If you have a problem making the deadline you can PM your picks to me in advance of me posting them (if pressed for time you can just tell me you'll take all the favorites, for example). We're using spreads published by http://www.footballlocks.com/nfl_point_spreads.shtml

Each weeks spreads will be posted Thursday morning except for this week, Week 1.

Picks are due before the first kickoff of the week -- for this week, that's Thursday evening at 8:30 Eastern. Please remember to play all games. Please post in the order they are presented here -- it helps my job a lot.

First prize? Forum bragging rights.

Good luck!

Favorite / Spread / Underdog (Home team in CAPS)

THURSDAY
GREEN BAY / 4 / New Orleans

SUNDAY
BALTIMORE / 2.5 / Pittsburgh
TAMPA BAY / 1.5 / Detroit
Atlanta / 3 / CHICAGO
KANSAS CITY / 5.5 / Buffalo
HOUSTON / 8.5 / Indianapolis
Philadelphia / 5 / ST LOUIS
CLEVELAND / 6.5 / Cincinnati
JACKSONVILLE / 3 / Tennessee
NY Giants / 3 / WASHINGTON
ARIZONA / 7 / Carolina
SAN FRANCISCO / 5 / Seattle
SAN DIEGO / 8.5 / Minnesota
NY JETS / 4.5 / Dallas

MONDAY
New England / 7 / MIAMI
DENVER / 3 / Oakland

[RockaFowler]

1. I'm gonna try it this year

THURSDAY
New Orleans

SUNDAY
Pittsburgh
Detroit
Chicago
Kansas City
Houston
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Tennessee
NY Giants
Arizona
Seattle
San Diego
Dallas

MONDAY
Miami (I'm such a homer)
Denver

[trumad]

2. here ya go

New Orleans
BALTIMORE
TAMPA BAY
Atlanta
Buffalo
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
Cincinnati
JACKSONVILLE
NY Giants
ARIZONA
Seattle
SAN DIEGO
Dallas
New England
Oakland

[Auggie]

3. Thanks!

Best of luck :)

[brendan120678]

4. Here...we...go!!!

GREEN BAY
BALTIMORE
Detroit
Atlanta
KANSAS CITY
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
CLEVELAND
Tennessee
NY Giants
Carolina
SAN FRANCISCO
Minnesota
NY JETS
New England
Oakland

[PRETZEL]

5. Welcome back football fans,

Here's mine,

Green Bay
Pittsburgh
Detroit
Chicago
Kansas City
Houston
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Jacksonville
Washington
Arizona
San Francisco
Minnesota
New York Jets
Miami
Oakland

[joeybee12]

6. Here's mine...

THURSDAY
GREEN BAY / 4 / New Orleans - Nawlins

SUNDAY
BALTIMORE / 2.5 / Pittsburgh - Baltimore
TAMPA BAY / 1.5 / Detroit - Detroit
Atlanta / 3 / CHICAGO - Atlanta
KANSAS CITY / 5.5 / Buffalo - KC
HOUSTON / 8.5 / Indianapolis - Indy
Philadelphia / 5 / ST LOUIS - St. louis
CLEVELAND / 6.5 / Cincinnati - Cleveland
JACKSONVILLE / 3 / Tennessee - JAX
NY Giants / 3 / WASHINGTON - Washington
ARIZONA / 7 / Carolina - AZ
SAN FRANCISCO / 5 / Seattle - Seattle
SAN DIEGO / 8.5 / Minnesota - Minnesota
NY JETS / 4.5 / Dallas - Dallas

MONDAY
New England / 7 / MIAMI - Miami
DENVER / 3 / Oakland - Oakland

[Auggie]

7. You're not taking the Pats to cover?

:o

[joeybee12]

8. Nope...they're gonna stink this year with the poisonous player who shall not be named...

He really is poison and affects the whole team.

[Doctor_J]

20. Stink? Doubtful

They still have pretty-boy and the hoody man, who by themselves are enough to keep them out of the "stink" classification.

[flvegan]

9. Yay! The season has begun.

THURSDAY
GREEN BAY

SUNDAY
Pittsburgh
Detroit
CHICAGO
KANSAS CITY
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
CLEVELAND
Tennessee
NY Giants
ARIZONA
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO
NY JETS

MONDAY
New England
DENVER

[Auggie]

10. My picks:

Green Bay
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Tennessee
NY Giants
Arizona
Seattle
San Diego
Dallas
New England
Denver

Wish I could see the Raven/Steeler game.

[InternalDialogue]

11. My picks

THURSDAY
New Orleans

SUNDAY
Pittsburgh
Detroit
Atlanta
KANSAS CITY
HOUSTON
ST LOUIS
CLEVELAND
JACKSONVILLE
NY Giants
Carolina
SAN FRANCISCO
Minnesota
Dallas

MONDAY
New England
DENVER

[Liberal_Dog]

12. Opening Week Picks

THURSDAY
GREEN BAY / 4 / New Orleans-----Green Bay

SUNDAY
BALTIMORE / 2.5 / Pittsburgh-----Pittsburgh
TAMPA BAY / 1.5 / Detroit-----Detroit
Atlanta / 3 / CHICAGO-----Chicago
KANSAS CITY / 5.5 / Buffalo-----Kansas City
HOUSTON / 8.5 / Indianapolis-----Houston
Philadelphia / 5 / ST LOUIS-----Philadelphia
CLEVELAND / 6.5 / Cincinnati-----Cleveland
JACKSONVILLE / 3 / Tennessee-----Jacksonville
NY Giants / 3 / WASHINGTON-----Washington
ARIZONA / 7 / Carolina-----Arizona
SAN FRANCISCO / 5 / Seattle-----Seattle
SAN DIEGO / 8.5 / Minnesota-----San Diego
NY JETS / 4.5 / Dallas-----DALLAS

MONDAY
New England / 7 / MIAMI-----New England
DENVER / 3 / Oakland-----Oakland

[JonLP24]

13. OK

Green Bay
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Tennessee
Washington
Arizona
Seattle
Minnesota
NY Jets
Miami
Denver

[anakie]

14. all the way from Oz

GREEN BAY
Pittsburgh
Detroit
CHICAGO
KANSAS CITY
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
Cincinnati
Tennessee
NY Giants
ARIZONA
Seattle
SAN DIEGO
NY JETS
New England
DENVER


Peace

[Auggie]

15. Welcome, anakie...

:hi:

Thanks for playing. And good luck.

[Doctor_J]

16. Week 1!

Green Bay
Pittsburgh
Detroit
Chicago
Kansas City
Houston
St. Louis
Cleveland
Jacksonville
NY Giants
Arizona
San Francisco
San Diego
NY Jets
Miami
Oakland

Man, there are lot of teams with barely-NFL-level QBs

Best of luck all

[joeybee12]

17. You're right...quality QBs seem to be in short supply...

Been like that for a few years, no wonder the QB always goes #1 in the draft...teams erally need a good QB and have to take the chance.

[Doctor_J]

18. Charlie Batch, Kerry Collins, John Kitna still have jobs

talent pool behind center is very thin.

Edit: Meanwhile, Cleveland, Detroit, SF are hoping to escape the "dregs" category on the backs of their young-uns. Here's hoping!

[Auggie]

19. Welcome Doctor_J...

and thanks for playing. Good luck.

In the future, would you please spell out your picks? It helps me a lot in tallying results.

:hi:

[Doctor_J]

21. All fixed.

[Auggie]

22. Many thanks

[Goblinmonger]

23. Let's see if I can avoid the slow start this year

THURSDAY
New Orleans

SUNDAY
BALTIMORE
Detroit
Atlanta
KANSAS CITY
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
CLEVELANDi
JACKSONVILLE
NY Giants
ARIZONA
SAN FRANCISCO
Minnesota
NY JETS

MONDAY
New England
DENVER

[Scurrilous]

24. My picks:

THURSDAY
GREEN BAY / 4 / New Orleans - Green Bay

SUNDAY
BALTIMORE / 2.5 / Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
TAMPA BAY / 1.5 / Detroit - Tampa Bay
Atlanta / 3 / CHICAGO - Atlanta
KANSAS CITY / 5.5 / Buffalo - KC
HOUSTON / 8.5 / Indianapolis - Indy
Philadelphia / 5 / ST LOUIS - Philly
CLEVELAND / 6.5 / Cincinnati - Cleveland
JACKSONVILLE / 3 / Tennessee - Jax
NY Giants / 3 / WASHINGTON - NYGiants
ARIZONA / 7 / Carolina - Arizona
SAN FRANCISCO / 5 / Seattle - SF
SAN DIEGO / 8.5 / Minnesota - San Diego
NY JETS / 4.5 / Dallas - NYJest

MONDAY
New England / 7 / MIAMI - NE
DENVER / 3 / Oakland - Oakland

[Redbear]

25. Picks

GREEN BAY
BALTIMORE
Detroit
Atlanta
Buffalo
HOUSTON
Philadelphia
CLEVELAND
Tennessee
NY Giants
Carolina
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO
NY JETS
New England
DENVER

[many a good man]

26. Welcome back

GREEN BAY -4
BALTIMORE -2.5
TAMPA BAY -1.5
CHICAGO +3
KANSAS CITY -5.5
HOUSTON -8.5
Philadelphia -5
CLEVELAND -6.5 unleash the beast
Tennessee +3
WASHINGTON +3
ARIZONA -7
SAN FRANCISCO -5
Minnesota +8.5
NY JETS -4.5
New England -7
DENVER -3

[Auggie]

27. Year of the Dog Pound

I'm liking Colt McCoy. I like the way he moves in the backfield and handles the ball.

[Condem]

28. Picks

Green Bay
Baltimore
Detroit
Atlanta
KC
Houston
Igs
Cleveland
Tennessee
Gints
Arizona
Frisco
San Diego
Jets
New England
Denver

[Auggie]

29. And we're off...

Kickoff at 8:41 EST

[Condem]

30. Where in the hell is Forkboy?

[Auggie]

31. My guess is...

Forkboy, RagAss and a few others decided to skip Week One. I thought about it myself.

[RagAss]

32. Good guess...yes...I've always looked at weeks 1 and 2 as the 5th and 6th preseason games.

[Auggie]

33. Says the player who won last year

I'll also guess you're participating this year too?

[RagAss]

34. Yes...if you'll have me...I really enjoy playing.

Had a bit of luck last year too. You do a great job running this, Auggie !

[Auggie]

35. I had a spot waiting for you in my spreadsheet

Forkboy too, if he decided to play.

Thanks for the nice words. Much appreciated.

[Sportsguy]

36. Can I Try It Even Though The Packer/Saints Game Is Over?

Or can't I do it this week?

[Auggie]

37. Here's the thing Sportsguy...

some of the spreads might have changed since I posted them Tuesday, and that could provide an advantage in comparing the new spreads with the older ones. There are updates regarding key injuries, too -- this morning it was announced 49ers starting safety Dashon Goldson was sitting out the Seattle game, for example.

You can skip Week 1 as RagAss did and still be in it -- maybe it'll turn out in your advantage. On the other hand, I don't want to be an a-hole about this either. It's just for fun, right?

I'd like input from the others since it affects them. Anyone have an opinion?

[Condem]

38. Count last nights game as a loss and let the man give it a whirl.

It's all in good fun.

[madinmaryland]

39. Well, Auggie, you did spell it out very clearly what the rules are for this week.

Of course I didn't participate, and I have been one of those who loves to throw hand grenades!!

:P

[Auggie]

40. Here's my executive decision, Sportsguy...

Your choices:

1): Skip Week One and Start with Week Two or Three (ground rules from the outset -- this applies to everybody).

2): Start with four losses and eliminate five games where spreads changed by 1 point or more.

The five games that will not count are Baltimore/Pittsburgh, Philadelphia/St Louis, Atlanta/Chicago, Jacksonville/Tennessee, and New York Jets/Dallas.

The first loss will count as the Packers/Saints game. The second, third and fourth losses are New England/Miami, Arizona/Carolina, and San Diego/Minnesota games. These losses account for news releases on injuries and roster updates from teams since Thursday, plus additional commentary from professional handicappers, pundits, bloggers, etc. that other players could not use to their advantage. These games were picked at random.

So you would start at 0-4 and be able to pick these games only.

TAMPA BAY / 1.5 / Detroit
KANSAS CITY / 5.5 / Buffalo
HOUSTON / 8.5 / Indianapolis
CLEVELAND / 6.5 / Cincinnati
SAN FRANCISCO / 5 / Seattle
NY Giants / 3 / WASHINGTON
DENVER / 3 / Oakland

Your choices would be due by 1:00 pm, EST, Sunday.

I'm trying to be fair to everybody. Want my advice? Skip this week, see how it plays out, and start fresh next week or in Week 3. Either way, good luck and welcome.

;-)

[madinmaryland]

47. I took two years of advanced calculus in college, and have no clue

as to what you're formulas are for that!!

:P

[Auggie]

41. AND THE WINNERS OF WEEK ONE ARE...

many a good man and brendan120678 with records of 10-5

:applause: :applause:

Runners-up at 9-6: Redbear, Liberal—Dog, & PRETZEL. Congratulations. There was one push, Arizona/Carolina (a push counts as a non-game). Winning percentages will be posted Thursday morning with spreads for Week 2. See you then.


Week One (winner in boldface)

GREEN BAY, 42 / 4 / New Orleans, 34
BALTIMORE, 35 / 2.5 / Pittsburgh, 7
TAMPA BAY, 20 / 1.5 / Detroit, 27
Atlanta, 12 / 3 / CHICAGO, 30
KANSAS CITY, 7 / 5.5 / Buffalo, 41
HOUSTON, 34 / 8.5 / Indianapolis, 7
Philadelphia, 31 / 5 / ST LOUIS, 13
CLEVELAND, 17 / 6.5 / Cincinnati, 27
JACKSONVILLE, 16 / 3 / Tennessee, 14
NY Giants, 14 / 3 / WASHINGTON, 28
ARIZONA, 28 / 7 / Carolina, 21
SAN FRANCISCO, 33 / 5 / Seattle, 17
SAN DIEGO, 24 / 8.5 / Minnesota, 17
NY JETS, 27 / 4.5 / Dallas, 24
New England, 38 / 7 / MIAMI, 24
DENVER, 20 / 3 / Oakland, 23

-------------------------------------
many a good man: W10, L5

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
L—Tampa Bay
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
W—Washington
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
W—Minnesota
L—NY Jets
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
brendan120678: W10, L5

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Carolina
W—San Francisco
W—Minnesota
L—NY Jets
W—New England
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
Redbear: W9, L6

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
W—Buffalo
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Carolina
W—San Francisco
L—San Diego
L—NY Jets
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
Liberal_Dog: W9, L6

W—Green Bay
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
W—Washington
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
L—San Diego
W—Dallas
W—New England
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
PRETZEL: W9, L6

W—Green Bay
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
W—Washington
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
W—Minnesota
L—New York Jets
L—Miami
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
anakie: W8, L7

W—Green Bay
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
W—Cincinnati
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
L—San Diego
L—NY Jets
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
Condem: W8, L7

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
L—San Diego
L—NY Jets
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
Auggie: W6, L9

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
L—Tampa Bay
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
L—Indianapolis
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
L—San Diego
W—Dallas
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
Doctor_J: W6, L9

W—Green Bay
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
L—St. Louis
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
L—San Diego
L—NY Jets
L—Miami
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
Goblinmonger: W7, L8

L—New Orleans
W—Baltimore
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
W—Minnesota
L—NY Jets
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
trumad: W8, L7

L—New Orleans
W—Baltimore
L—Tampa Bay
L—Atlanta
W—Buffalo
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
W—Cincinnati
L—Jacksonville
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
L—San Diego
W—Dallas
W—New England
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
InternalDialogue: W6, L9

L—New Orleans
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
L—St. Louis
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
L—NY Giants
P—Carolina
W—San Francisco
W—Minnesota
W—Dallas
W—New England
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
joeybee12: W7, L8

W—New Orleans
W—Baltimore
W—Detroit
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
L—Indianapolis
L—St. Louis
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
W—Washington
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
W—Minnesota
W—Dallas
L—Miami
W—Oakland
-------------------------------------
JonLP24: W6, L9

W—Green Bay
W—Baltimore
L—Tampa Bay
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
L—Indianapolis
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
W—Washington
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
W—Minnesota
L—NY Jets
L—Miami
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
RockaFowler: W6, L9

L—New Orleans
L—Pittsburgh
W—Detroit
W—Chicago
L—Kansas City
W—Houston
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
W—Tennessee
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
L—Seattle
L—San Diego
W—Dallas
L—Miami
L—Denver
-------------------------------------
Scurrilous: W4, L10

W—Green Bay
L—Pittsburgh
L—Tampa Bay
L—Atlanta
L—Kansas City
L—Indianapolis
W—Philadelphia
L—Cleveland
L—Jacksonville
L—NY Giants
P—Arizona
W—San Francisco
L—San Diego
L—NY Jets
W—New England
W—Oakland

[Auggie]

42. Note to Scurrilous:

Your result should be W5, L10. It's been noted. Sorry for the error.

[brendan120678]

44. Cool...although I don't expect to do as well...

the rest of the season.

10 - 5 will be my high mark. I predict no better than 8 - 8 each week from here on out.

[joeybee12]

45. I'm not on the bottom!

USA! USA!

[PRETZEL]

43. Thanks Auggie,

congrats to the winners,

[many a good man]

46. Last year's final standings

2011 Final Standings. A year to remember.

RK DUer (REC) PCT (WKS PLYD)
1. RagAss (125-102) .551 (1-11,13-17)
2. Goblinmonger (113-101) .528 (1-5,7,9-17)
3. PRETZEL (117-106) .525 (1-2,4-17)
4. chollybocker (123-117) .513 (1-17)
5. InternalDialogue (106-103) .507 (1,3-15,17)
6. Condem (119-121) .496 (1-17)
7. Scurrilous (82-84) .494 (1-12)
8. flvegan (118-122) .492 (1-17)
9. many a good man (110-115) .489 (1,4-17)
10. fishwax (88-92) .489 (1-13)
11. Auggie (116-124) .483 (1-17)
12. Forkboy (114-126) .475 (1-17)
13. brendan120678 (113-127) .471 (1-17)
14. Liberal_Dog (113-127) .471 (1-17)
15. Redbear (110-113) .469 (1-4,7-17)
16. JonLP24 (107-133) .446 (1-17) BOO

Only 5 players above .500. Will any repeat? Who will join them?