Matt Fazelpoor (of mattfaz.com), one of my best friends whom I’ve known since I was four years old, and I have decided to compete against each other week to week on NFL Picks.  Each week we’ll pick three games against the spread.  We’re working out some kind of wager, and will have that for you by next week.  Bragging rights are also at stake.  Over the years, the friendly rivalry between us has toed the line between competitive and psychotic, so this (and our renewed fantasy rivalry) should be entertaining for all.  We haven’t worked out the wager part of it, yet, but we’ll know by next week.

For now, here are our picks.

Sharkey

TENNESSEE (-6) over Oakland

I like this Tennessee team, a lot.  I expect them to be the second best team in the AFC South this year.  They’re not on Indy’s level, but they are leaps and bounds ahead of the Raiders.  The Raiders will be improved, but there are too many people hopping on their bandwagon this year.  I’m hopping off, just because when everyone picks a certain team, things usually go poorly.

Cleveland (+3) over TAMPA BAY

I know Tampa Bay is the home team, and both these teams are bad, but how on earth is Tampa the favorite?  Say what you will about Cleveland, but they are on a four game winning streak.  And say what you will about Jake Delhomme, but he is an upgrade for Cleveland.  He’s a great QB for a 6-10 team.  I think Cleveland is going to come out and look really good this weekend.

San Francisco (+3) over SEATTLE

Sharkey’s Lock Of The Week

Even at home, no way should Seattle be giving points to San Fran.  Seattle’s offensive line is a mess, and their backfield is disorganized.  The 49ers have maybe the best D in the NFL, and should be able to stop Seattle at will.  I don’t see San Francisco’s offense exploding this weekend, but they’ll get enough points to win the game outright.

Matt Faz

JACKSONVILLE  (-3) over Denver

Week 1 offers the opportunity to find some serious value picks while Vegas and the public are trying to figure out what the hell they are doing.  In my humble opinion, this is definitely one of those games.  I think Denver might ultimately be one of those 8-8, 9-7 teams that can be a thorn down the stretch, and maybe make some noise in the AFC West if San Diego takes a step back.  But Week 1 will not be that week.  Jacksonville isn’t exactly worldbeaters, and it’s not exactly like playing at LSU’s Black Hole, since this city will face multiple blackouts this year.  I digress; this team has a lot more things figured out at the moment, and owns the more superior skill position players at the moment.  With Mo-Jo Drew and Garrard leading the charge, I think this is the game where the Jags batter down the Broncos at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and play Del Rio’s style of football.  This should be something along the lines of…

Miami  (-3)  over BUFFALO

Classic game where you are getting a generous line value because of it being the first week and it’s in Buffalo.  Buffalo fans are devout, and it should be a lively game and all that rah rah fun stuff.  Except one thing…..BUFFALO SUCKS.  They are slowly, and I mean slowly, acquiring some decent young talent.  Hell, they did take my favorite player from the draft (who will win the rookie of the year), and make the smart choice to start him off the bat, but CJ Spiller isn’t enough in his first professional game.  Miami is coming off a very solid year, and they are much improved, notably with the addition of the best receiver in the game (again in my opinion), Brandon Marshall.  Marshall won’t need to do much in this game, as their potent running game should take care of this one handily……LOVE THIS GAME

Indy  (-2.5)  over HOUSTON

Matt Faz Lock of the Week

I don’t love taking two favorites on the road off the bat, but this is another classic example of getting line value in Week 1.  Houston has been “the sexy pick” (man, do I hate that term) for about 15 years now.  I love so much about their team, i.e. Andre, Schaub, Mario, etc etc.  They play in a great home stadium and are definetly a team I expect to be in the mix for a wild card spot, but this spread should be 6.  Peyton Manning is coming off a Super Bowl loss where his interception was the difference.  Call my analysis cliche, but that is good enough for me.  There are few sure things in sports, especially football, but Peyton is it.  And a very underrated plot of the Colts season is having a healthy Anthony Gonzalez back.  Remember, last year, the reason for guys like Garcon and Collie getting a chance to step up was because Gonzalez went down so early.  NOW, Peyton has ALL of them.  Oh yeah, plus two guys named Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.  This pick isn’t about me knocking the Texans and I think they will play tough.  But this is about the fact that I don’t think God could coordinate a defense that will stop Peyton Manning on Sunday.

From Matt:

Everybody have a great time on opening NFL weekend, and enjoy the great slate of college games as well.  Most importantly, be sure to remember in your hearts those who lost their lives on 9/11, and spend the weekend with loved ones.   I will post my NFL preview (on mattfaz.com) at some point before Sunday.  Enjoy!