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Our FOUR Best Bets for Week 1 are:
     Pittsburgh -4.5
     San Diego -6
     Dallas -5.5
     Baltimore +2.5

Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Line: Pittsburgh -4.5
Total: 36.5

Last season, Pittsburgh was 8 - 8 straight up and 3 - 5 on the road. They were 8 - 8 against the spread overall and 3 - 5 on the road. They played 7 unders and 9 overs. On the road they played 5 unders and 3 overs. They averaged 22.1 points a game this season, 18.5 points on the road. They gave up an average of 19.7 points a game, while giving up 20 points on average on the road.

Last season, Cleveland was 4 - 12 straight up and 2 - 6 at home. They were 6 - 8 against the spread overall and 3 - 5 at home. They played 10 unders and 6 overs. Playing at home they played 6 unders and 2 overs. They averaged 14.9 points a game this season, 14.1 at home. They gave up an average of 22.3 points this season, while allowing 21 points per game on average at home.

The Steelers won 6 of their last 8 games last season. This is a team that is just 2 years away from winning the Super Bowl, and they have many of the same starters. New head coach, Mike Tomlin, brings added excitement to the team. One of the problems last year was a Super Bowl let down. If Ben Roethlisberger can keep progressing, they can make the playoffs.

The good news is Browns fans won't be disappointed this season. They have no hope of a good season. Four of the first 5 games come against teams that should crush them. The easiest part of the schedule is from late November on, but by that time they'll be looking at next year. Romeo Crennel is on the hot seat, and this should be his last season. How bad is it in Cleveland? They didn't win a division game last season and over the last 2 years are 1-11 in the division, winning only their last game of the season when nothing was on the line for either team.

Look for the Steelers to dominate the Browns. This game isn't close on paper. The Browns have lost 14 of their last 15 division games. This line should be much higher.

PROGnosis: Pittsburgh -4.5

Chicago at San Diego
Line: San Diego -6
Total: 42.5

Last season, Chicago was 13 - 3 straight up and 7 - 1 on the road. They were 10 - 5 against the spread overall and 5 - 2 on the road. They played 4 unders and 11 overs. On the road they played 3 unders and 5 overs. They averaged 26.7 points a game this season, 24.8 points on the road. They gave up an average of 15.9 points a game, while giving up 15.5 points on average on the road.

Last season, San Diego was 14 - 2 straight up and 8 - 0 at home. They were 9 - 7 against the spread overall and 5 - 3 at home. They played 6 unders and 10 overs. Playing at home they played 3 unders and 5 overs. They averaged 30.8 points a game this season, 31.1 at home. They gave up an average of 18.9 points this season, while allowing 16.5 points per game on average at home.

Once again the Bears are saying they love Rex Grossman. I just don't see it. He's very inconsistent, and if you're pinning your Super Bowl hopes on this guy, you may be in trouble. The only reason they made the Super Bowl last season is because someone had to go from the NFC.

The Chargers have the most talent in football. Norv Turner is a lucky man. This is his 3rd time as a head coach, and the only time he's won is when he takes over a good team. Marty Schottenheimer got jobbed just when he was finally ready to win the Super Bowl. That's the last thing he needs to go down as one of the great coaches ever.

The Chargers are head and shoulders above the Bears. Even if Rex Grossman shows up for the game, look for San Diego to start fast and end strong. Now that Phillip Rivers has a year as a starter under his belt, now that he understands the offense, look out.

PROGnosis: San Diego -6

N.Y. Giants at Dallas
Line: Dallas -5.5
Total: 44

Last season, the N.Y. Giants were 8 - 8 straight up and 5 - 3 on the road. They were 8 - 8 against the spread overall and 5 - 3 on the road. They played 9 unders and 7 overs. On the road they played 3 unders and 5 overs. They averaged 22.2 points a game this season, 26.9 points on the road. They gave up an average of 22.6 points a game, while giving up 24.1 points on average on the road.

Last season, Dallas was 9 - 7 straight up and 4 - 4 at home. They were 8 - 8 against the spread overall and 4 - 4 at home. They played 6 unders and 9 overs. Playing at home they played 3 unders and 4 overs. They averaged 26.6 points a game this season, 24.6 at home. They gave up an average of 21.9 points this season, while allowing 22.5 points per game on average at home.

Tom Coughlin kept his job last season by sneaking into the playoffs. It really doesn't make much sense because he's gone at the end of this season for sure, and if you're going to be rebuilding, why not start now? This team has serious problems, but if Eli Manning can finally become the consistent passer that some of the other people in his family are, that would make the transition much smoother.

The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996, yet if not for the missed snap against the Seahawks, they would have been in Chicago, just one step away from the Super Bowl. They have some of the pieces in place and could be a factor in the very weak NFC.

The line opened at -4 then went to -5.5, which still seems too low. Dallas is so much better than the Giants in so many areas that the line should be closer to 9.

PROGnosis: Dallas -5.5

Baltimore at Cincinnati
Line: Cincinnati -2.5
Total: 40.5

Last season, Baltimore was 13 - 3 straight up and 6 - 2 on the road. They were 10 - 6 against the spread overall and 4 - 4 on the road. They played 9 unders and 7 overs. On the road they played 5 unders and 3 overs. They averaged 22.1 points a game this season, 20.6 points on the road. They gave up an average of 12.6 points a game, while giving up 13.1 points on average on the road.
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Last season, Cincinnati was 8 - 8 straight up and 4 - 4 at home. They were 8 - 8 against the spread overall and 3 - 5 at home. They played 9 unders and 7 overs. Playing at home they played 4 unders and 4 overs. They averaged 23.3 points a game this season, 23.6 at home. They gave up an average of 20.7 points this season, while allowing 23.4 points per game on average at home.

The Ravens were good last year and have gotten better. The defense should still be a dominant force, but the offense is the key. They've added a more versatile runner in the back field in Willis McGahee, and now are going to ditch the I formation. They're going with more 2 tight end and 3 wide receiver formations. This should make them 1 of the 4 best teams in football.

The Bengals ended the season by losing their last 3 games. Their defense fell apart last season, finishing 30th, but the real problem was on 3rd down, on BOTH sides of the ball. On offense they ranked 25th in the league converting for first downs, and the defense ranked 22nd in preventing first downs.

As much press as the Bengals get, you'd think they were a great team or even a good one. Such is not the case. Whatever they do have is on offense. However, the truth of the matter in the NFL is that early in the season the defenses normally have an edge on the offenses. The offenses just need a little more time to gel. With the Ravens great defense, a more powerful offense, I just love them getting points here.

PROGnosis: Baltimore +2.5