NFL Daily Presents- The SOS Week 1 ATS Picks

I'm already 1-0 with the Colts demoliton of the Saints, let's keep up the good work before I hurt myself patting myself on the back. I'll give y'all some free fantasy tips, with some insight from Matt Williamson from Scouts INC in between.

The Vikings and Falcons could be one of the fuve worst matchups of the season. Since the offenses on both teams stink, the game should be rather close but I'll see Minnesota taking it by more then 2.5. Watch out for the kickers, because there won't be many TD's.

Call me crazy (many have) but I don't see the Panthers as a legit team. The Rams on the other hand has a bunch of offensive talent, and coupled with Carolina's poor secondary St Louis could go off. Holt, Bruce, and Bennett could all have huge games as St Louis will win this at home by more then half a point. I trust the Ram offense a whole bunch more then I do Jake Delhomme.

A lot of people are calling a Buffalo home upset over Denver, due to the poor performance in opening road games by the Broncos. But I see this as a terrible matchup for the Bills offense. Bailey and Bly will blanket Lee Evans man to man, allowing the Denver D to put 8 or 9 men in the box against Marshawn Lynch, who won't have an enjoyable day in his NFL debut. The Bills defense is young, expect a good game from Javon Walker and Travis Henry. Go with Denver and the 3.5.

If you want a home upset, it's right here. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said that he won't use Larry Johnson as much at the beginning of the season, and Gary Kubiak thanks him, especially considering that Damon Huard will play QB for KC. Expect a healthy dose of Ahman Green, given that Kubiak will want to ease Matt Schaub into the starting role. Expect a TD from Andre Johnson and some good work from rookie wideout Jacoby Jones. Johnson will be matched up with Ty Law and Patrick Surtain, and it'll be certain that the Law won't win. Neither will the Chiefs. Give me the young Texan D against Huard and the Chiefs plus the 1.5.

Washington and Miami is a tough game to figure out. The Phins defense is strong against the run, so don't expect too much from Portis or Betts, but I don't know where the Miami offense will come from. I do like Moss and Cooley in the game for the Skins, and the game will likely be in the teens for much of the contest. 3.5 may seem like a little, but it seems like a lot to me. Expect the Skins to win, but the Dolphins to cover the 3.5

There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding tomorrow's big Pats-Jets division showdown throwdown. Moss, Jones, Samuel, the Jet o-line. So very confusing, so expect a close game, right? It only makes sense. The only sure thing may be that Laurence Maroney will have a stellar game against the New York run defense, especially since Tom Brady may need a game working with his new receivers. Thomas Jones is the key for Chad Pennington and co, and Bill Belichik will focus on Jacob Bender, the replacement for Pete Kendall. If the Jets have to max protect to help Bender out, it'll compromise the options that Pennington has which would allow the Pats to key on the run, whoever that'll be for the Jets. What I'm trying to say is that New England will win, but not more then a TD. I'll take the Jets to cover 6.5.

Philly and Green Bay will be exciting to watch. I really want to see how the Green Bay defense will do against a complex back like Brian Westbrook. He may get a lot of reps with McNabb trying to get settles back into his role as team leader. The Eagles defense is young and weak against the run, so I expect a sleeper day out of Brandon Jackson. Brett Favre will rely on Donald Driver way too much, so expect DD to have a nice performance. Lambeau Field will be jumpin tomorrow, but I'm going to be conservative here. Green Bay has to earn SOS's trust. I'll go safe and take the Iggles by more then 2.5.

Pittsburgh and Cleveland seems like a pretty easy pick. That's 'cause it is. Please give us money with a 4.5 spread. The Browns D is banged up, and fast Willie Parker will make some fast cash with a big game. Watch out for Santonio Holmes. The Steelers D knows Jamal Lewis and will neutralize him. Charlie Frye will get smoked tomorrow, and the public will be laughing all the way to the bank. Call it my LOCK OF THE WEEK.

I orignally picked the Jaguars to beat the Titans by more then a TD, but I then reconsidered. I don't know why, maybe I expect Vince Young to run wild and Garrard to have some stage fright. Expect good output from Fred Taylor and MJD, but this division game could be close so expect the Jags to win but the Titans to cover. I could be wrong here.

Bolts-Bears seems tough, but really isn't. The Colts proved on Thursday that there's a large disparity between the elite teams of the American and National conferences. LT will go off, and Rex Grossman will look shell shocked at the multiple blitzes that Ted Cotrell will bring to the table. I don't like Ceddy Benson here, and I like the Chargers to cruise plus the 5.5.

The Raiders defense and the Lions offense will be something to watch on Sunday. But I'll take Air Martz in the Black Hole, providing that Jon Kitna doesn't screw it up. Expect a big game from Calvin Johnson, and Al Davis will be all pissed that he took JaMarcus over CJ. Then again, David could be more angry at Josh McCown, who will looked confused against the Lions D. I'll take Detroit plus 1.5.

I expect Seattle to handily beat the Bucs. I wonder how well Jeff Garcia will fare in a Gruden offense, but I expect Joey Galloway neutralized and Caddy Williams kept in check. I like DJ Hackett to have a nice performance with the defense keying on Deion Branch. The spread is 6.5, and I like the Seahawks by around 2 scores.

Even with Terry Glenn and Terence Newman out and Michael Strahan in, I expect the Cowboys to cover against the Giants. Wade Phillips will force Eli Manning into mistakes, and the additions on the Dallas offensive line will allow a revitalized Tony Romo to work his magic outside of the pocket. Look out for Witten and Crayton with a banged up Giants secondary trying to contain TO. And even given that, I don't know how well RW McQuarters and other will do against Terrell. Dallas plus 4.5.

The Ravens and Bengals is a tough game to figure out, so I used a lifeline: Matt Williamson of Scouts INC. So how well will the Cincy O do against the Ravens D?
"Rudi will do nothing. Not a thing. Chad will battle McAlister and I like his chances. Palmer could have a good game. Will often to to TJ against Rolle-huge matchup in Cincy's favor."
I agree, but with Rudi Johnson not being able to do anything, I could see a lot of help given to Rolle. I like McGahee in this game, and Todd Heap as well. I like Baltimore with the 2.5 points.

Will the 49er defense be able to contain Fitzgerald and Boldin? This game is why Frisco ponied up the green to get Nate Clements. Frank Gore will have a really good game, and Vernon Davis is primed to break out in prime time and will lead the Niners to the win plus 3.5