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Associated Press
Cincinnati minus 1 at Baltimore

Straight Up: Cincinnati 27-17.

Against The Spread: Cincinnati minus 1.

N.Y. Jets minus 3 at Miami

Straight Up: N.Y. Jets 21-13.

Against The Spread: N.Y. Jets minus 3.

Kansas City plus 16 1/2 at New England

Straight Up: New England 31-10.

Against The Spread: New England minus 16 1/2.

Houston plus 7 at Pittsburgh

Straight Up: Pittsburgh 24-21.

Against The Spread: Houston plus 7.

Jacksonville minus 3 at Tennessee

Straight Up: Jacksonville 17-10.

Against The Spread: Jacksonville minus 3.

Detroit minus 3 at Atlanta

Straight Up: Atlanta 17-16.

Against The Spread: Atlanta plus 3.

Seattle pick 'em at Buffalo

Straight Up: Buffalo 20-17.

Against The Spread: Buffalo at pick 'em.

Tampa Bay plus 3 at New Orleans

Straight Up: New Orleans 24-20.

Against The Spread: New Orleans minus 3.

St. Louis plus 7 1/2 at Philadelphia

Straight Up: Philadelphia 37-5.

Against The Spread: Philadelphia minus 7 1/2.

Dallas minus 5 at Cleveland

Straight Up: Dallas 34-14.

Against The Spread: Dallas minus 5.

Carolina plus 9 1/2 at San Diego

Straight Up: San Diego 37-19.

Against The Spread: San Diego minus 9 1/2.

Arizona minus 2 1/2 at San Francisco

Straight Up: Arizona 27-21.

Against The Spread: Arizona minus 2 1/2.

Chicago plus 9 1/2 at Indianapolis

Straight Up: Indianapolis 20-13.

Against The Spread: Chicago plus 9 1/2.

Monday Night Games

Minnesota plus 3 at Green Bay

Straight Up: Minnesota 18-17.

Against The Spread: Minnesota plus 3.

Denver minus 3 at Oakland

Straight Up: Denver 22-13.

Against The Spread: Denver minus 3.

David Ritchie

Take Cincinnati minus 1 over Baltimore

Criminal element remains in Cincy, but coach Lewis vows to run a tighter ship. Starry WR Johnson case in point. Ravens need to find a legitimate starting QB. Bengals 27-3.

Take N.Y. Jets minus 3 over Miami

Favre figures to be super pumped making Jets' debut. Oddly enough, former Jets QB, Pennington, part of yet another rebuilding process in Miami. Jets 24-10.

Take Kansas City plus 16 1/2 over New England

Brady Bunch are home and still smarting after Super Bowl blowout. But Brady didn't play a single down in pre-season, Pats were winless and oddsmaker spotting run-oriented Chiefs more than 2 TDs. That sways our thinking. Patriots 27-13.

Take Pittsburgh minus 7 over Houston

Just a sneaky suspicion that Texans are going to be much improved this time around. Regardless, Steely Ones tough opening gambit particularly with RB Parker operating at full throttle after season-ending broken leg year ago. Steelers 33-24.

Take Jacksonsville minus 3

over Tennessee

Going by what you hear, Jags could be among power brokers in AFC this season. Certainly QB Garrard proved himself in post-season. With Young at QB controls, Titans unpredictable at the very least. Jags 17-9.

Take Detroit minus 3 over Atlanta

Lions always risky proposition away from Home den. But such is the unsettled state of affairs in Atlanta that even home field in Week 1 not enough for a favourable first impression. Lions 21-3.

Take Buffalo even money over Seattle

You never know with a team like the Bills. They're at home playing against Seahawks team traditionally not that good away from their home base. In Week 1, that could be enough. Bills 17-14.

Take New Orleans minus 3

over Tampa Bay

Saints projecting big expectations after injury-riddled disappointment last season. Gotta factor in emotionally charged home crowd in wake of hurricane scare. Garcia gives Bucs spunk at QB position. Saints 27-14.

Take Philadelphia minus 7

over St. Louis

They say it was a committed McNabb reporting for duty in Eagles camp this time around. He's the key for a team which has an annoying habit of under-achieving early on. Until proven otherwise, luvable Lambs remain in St. Loo. Eagles 34-10.

Take Dallas minus 5 over Cleveland

Anderson's health is the key for Brownies who looked awful in going winless during pre-season. All things equal, Cowboys with Romo throwing to Owens and the Barbarian operating out of the backfield should prevail in Week 1. Cowboys 38-27.

Take San Diego minus 9 1/2

over Carolina

That's a lot of points to spot but Panthers having to travel across country to play one of the AFC elite pretty daunting task. Not only that, but training camp incident costs Panthers services of best receiver in Smith. Chargers 27-3.

Take Arizona minus 2 1/2

over San Francisco

Cards had spirited camp with Warner and Leinart vying for starting job at QB. Regardless of who ends up playing, they're capable of putting points on the board. Key is whether they can stop the opposition. 49ers offence not exactly one to strike fear. Cardinals 21-14.

Take Indianapolis minus 9 1/2

over Chicago

Manning vows he'll be ready to play even with knee being scoped early on in camp. Manning arguably the game's best, and the supporting cast pretty good, too. Bears are a mess offensively, with the confusion beginning at the QB position. Colts 33-14.

Take Minnesota plus 3 over Green Bay

Just a gut feel the transition to the Rodgers era in Packer-land won't be as smooth as hoped, particularly with all the fuss about Favre's flip-flop. Vikes lacking at QB but they run the ball as well as anybody and they always play Pack tough. Vikings 17-14.

Take Denver minus 3 over Oakland

Broncs facing huge pressures trying to bounce back from lousy effort last season. Nothing like playing hated rival in their yard on Monday night to get the juices flowing right from Week 1. Broncos 27-21.

Bruce Hallihan

Take Cincinnati minus 1 over Baltimore

The Ravens started 4-2 last season, then lost nine in a row as their pass defence killed them. The Bengals, who swept the Ravens 27-20 and 20-7 last season, keep it going. Cincy 23-17.

Take New York Jets minus 3 over Miami

Last season, the Dolphins dropped to 0-11 when they lost 3-0 to Pittsburgh. But that was in Pittsburgh and the Steelers were favoured by 15. Most poolies thought Miami would follow up that moral victory with a real one the next week. No, it was Jets 40, Dolphins 13. Closer this time, but Jets 24-20.

Take Kansas City plus 16 1/2

over New England

As brutal as the Chiefs were last season - and a nine-game losing streak and counting is pretty brutal - K.C. was 7-5 against the spread. New England has covered just two of its last 11 games. Patriots 31-16.

Take Houston plus 7 over Pittsburgh

The Texans were 8-8 last season and, if not for a porous pass defence, would have been above .500. The Texans are being touted as a surprise contender, so let's put that theory to the test at Pittsburgh. Steelers 26-20.

Take Jacksonville minus 3

over Tennessee

The Jaguars won 28-13 at Tennessee last season and, if they can establish a pass rush early, it could be more of the same. Split the difference: Jags 19-13.

Take Detroit minus 3 over Atlanta

After a 6-2 start, the Lions reverted to pretender status and finished 7-9. But the Falcons can't run the ball and surely experienced Jon Kitna is better than Matt Ryan making his NFL debut. Detroit is favoured for the first time on the road in 23 games, though, so proceed with caution: Lions 23-17.

Take Buffalo pick 'em over Seattle

This might be the Seahawks' only tough test in September. After this, they host San Fran and St. Louis before a bye week takes them to Oct. 5. The Bills, who were 6-2 at home against the spread last season, should be a good 'dog with a fierce defence. Bills 23-20.

Take New Orleans minus 3

over Tampa Bay

I don't get this low spread. The Saints, with a high-flying offence and a slightly improved defence, are being projected by some as a top five team in the entire NFL. The Bucs are pegged as a middle-of-the-pack team. Saints 27-13.

Take Philadelphia minus 7 1/2

over St. Louis

This is my Survivor pick for week one as I just can't see the Rams, who'll be facing blitzes all afternoon, being competitive. The Rams were 3-13 last season and lost seven games by 14 points or more. Eagles 30-13.

Take Dallas minus 5 over Cleveland

The Browns will put up a game effort, but can they stick with Tony Romo and company all day? Probably not. Cowboys 30-20.

Take Carolina plus 9 1/2

over San Diego

If you have a cross-country trip to make, it's better to make it on opening weekend when players are fresh and ready to make an impression. The Panthers, who promise to get back to the pound-the-ball on the ground roots and take time off the clock, might just be good enough to cover. Chargers 24-17.

Take Arizona minus 2 1/2

over San Francisco

Kurt Warner vs. J.T. O'Sullivan? Sounds like a QB mismatch to me, too. Cardinals 26-17.

Take Indianapolis minus 9 1/2

over Chicago

Since 2003, the Colts are 16-1 in September (the 1 being to New England) and this one has another quarterback mismatch even if it's Peyton Manning on one good knee against Kyle Orton. The Colts are christening a new stadium, too. Colts 33-16.

Take Minnesota plus 3 over Green Bay

The Vikings have a highly respected D-line, which should give new Green Bay starter Aaron Rodgers fits. The Vikes are underdogs but I think they'll win outright. Vikings 23-20.

Take Denver minus 3 over Oakland

The Raiders, with JaMarcus Russell at QB and Darren McFadden running the ball, will be better but will they be good enough to topple a decent Denver team on Monday night? I like Broncos QB Jay Cutler to lead his team to a tight road win. Broncos 24-20.