Carolina Panthers @ Denver Broncos (Panthers -3)
This line seems a bit easy. The Super Bowl, based on a per-play game, was far closer than 24-10, and that was with the Panthers making umpteen mistakes and the Broncos having a QB who had played a game before. The Panthers are a really good team, out for revenge, and with a manageable line to cover as well. They match up well with what Kubiak likes to do, with zone concepts to hurt a roll-out / deep-throw game, and a run defense that can swallow up the Broncos run game. It seems easy, though I know it won't be.
Panthers 20 Broncos 10 (CAR -3)
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans (Texans -6)
This seems a little high, especially with many people thinking the Bears have an outside shot at a Wild Card spot. Overall, I think people are way too high on Houston, and I could see some course correction here with them, as this really does seem like an inflated line. I'm not all that high on either team, but to me they are close together than this, especially with a likely less than 100% JJ Watt against a fully healthy, for now, Bears offense.
Bears 20 Texans 17 (Bears +6)
Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles -3.5)
This is actually one of the few games the Browns could win this year. I saw some people pick a 0-16 season for the Browns, and while I wouldn't be that shocked (that is, you know, the point of what they are doing), it would be strange if they start off 1-0. Still, it is against my consciousness to pick them to win a road game, and even to cover when their 'relatively' stronger unit, their offense, may be neutralized by the Eagles strength on defense.
Browns 13 Eagles 23 (PHI -3.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Tennessee Titans (Vikings -2.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (Falcons - 3)
Green Bay Packers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Packers -5.5)
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs -6.5)
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens (Ravens -3)
Oakland Raiders @ New Orleans Saints (Saints -1.5)
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets (Bengals -2.5)
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks -10)
Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts (Colts -3.5)
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (PICK)
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals -6)
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Redskins (Steelers -3)
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (Rams -2.5)
This line seems a bit easy. The Super Bowl, based on a per-play game, was far closer than 24-10, and that was with the Panthers making umpteen mistakes and the Broncos having a QB who had played a game before. The Panthers are a really good team, out for revenge, and with a manageable line to cover as well. They match up well with what Kubiak likes to do, with zone concepts to hurt a roll-out / deep-throw game, and a run defense that can swallow up the Broncos run game. It seems easy, though I know it won't be.
Panthers 20 Broncos 10 (CAR -3)
Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans (Texans -6)
This seems a little high, especially with many people thinking the Bears have an outside shot at a Wild Card spot. Overall, I think people are way too high on Houston, and I could see some course correction here with them, as this really does seem like an inflated line. I'm not all that high on either team, but to me they are close together than this, especially with a likely less than 100% JJ Watt against a fully healthy, for now, Bears offense.
Bears 20 Texans 17 (Bears +6)
Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles -3.5)
This is actually one of the few games the Browns could win this year. I saw some people pick a 0-16 season for the Browns, and while I wouldn't be that shocked (that is, you know, the point of what they are doing), it would be strange if they start off 1-0. Still, it is against my consciousness to pick them to win a road game, and even to cover when their 'relatively' stronger unit, their offense, may be neutralized by the Eagles strength on defense.
Browns 13 Eagles 23 (PHI -3.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Tennessee Titans (Vikings -2.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (Falcons - 3)
Green Bay Packers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Packers -5.5)
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs -6.5)
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens (Ravens -3)
Oakland Raiders @ New Orleans Saints (Saints -1.5)
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets (Bengals -2.5)
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks -10)
Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts (Colts -3.5)
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (PICK)
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals -6)
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Redskins (Steelers -3)
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (Rams -2.5)
