I have to admit, that as a Cowboys fan, I was totally unprepared for what happened on Wednesday night. I was fully ready for the Giants to comeback and ruin my night. I started telling coworkers and friends that I had complete confidence that the ‘Boys would blow it.
Then something weird happened: They didn’t.
After the Ahmad Bradshaw TD to cut it 24-17, the defence held. Tony Romo didn’t fumble a snap or throw it away. DeMarco Murray didn’t fight for unneeded extra yards only to get stripped and instead of just going down when in grasp.
It was uncanny. Maybe this is a changed team. Is that too much to asked for with the amount of talent Dallas trots out year to year, only to end up failing?
Or maybe it was just the Giants succumbing to opening-night jitters. We’ll find out next week.
The lines are from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.
Bills +7.5 over JETS
To cover a spread of over seven points, the Jets would actually have to score more than seven points.
Seahawks -3 over CARDINALS
Russell Wilson will be firmly in the spotlight here. Remember that Cam Newton shot to stardom with a dominant Week 1 against the Cards in 2011.
Falcons -3 over CHIEFS
Many see this as an upset special. I see this as KC’s secondary not being able to contain the flying Falcons passing attack.
BEARS -9.5 over Colts
Andrew Luck will undoubtedly have a worse first week than RG3. But careers aren’t a sprint, they’re a marathon.
Patriots -5.5 over TITANS
I picked the Pats to win the Super Bowl, so I think it would be silly to pick them to lose to a probable 8-8 team in Week 1.
Redskins +7 over SAINTS
Don’t forget that the Saints are down a lot of suspended bodies on defence. This one will be a shootout.
VIKINGS -3.5 over Jaguars
I hope you don’t get stuck watching this one. It should be a battle of backup backs with MJD and AP both relegated to third-down duties. I’ll reluctantly take Christian Ponder over Blaine Gabbert.
BROWNS +9 over Eagles
As much as I hate to admit it, I think Michael Vick could get hurt here. That could devastate fantasy owners and gamblers alike.
LIONS -7.5 over Rams
Now here’s a candidate for blowout of the week. The Rams are weak in the secondary and at receiver, so they’ll be burned by Megatron and unable to capitalize on the Lions shabby DBs.
Dolphins +12 over TEXANS
Arian Foster is already a little banged up and 12 points is a lot to give — even if Ryan Tannehill is starting for Miami.
PACKERS -5 over Niners
This should be the marquee matchup of the week. While the 49ers defence is great, I don’t see how they contain Rodgers and Co. in their 2012 Lambeau opener.
BUCS +2.5 over Panthers
I love Cam Newton, but this feels like a trap game — even if we’re only in Week 1.
Steelers +1.5 over BRONCOS
Poor Peyton Manning. He has to face the always-tough Steelers in his home debut for Denver. Pittsburgh will have something planned for him.
Bengals +6 over RAVENS
Can you really give six points in a Monday night division battle? This one seems like a late field goal will be the difference.
RAIDERS -1 over Chargers
San Diego always stinks it up at the beginning of the season, particularily if they play in the idiotic 10 p.m. Monday nighter.
This week: 0-1
This season: 0-1
Last season: 131-120-2
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