Pete's Best Bets: Don't sleep on the Rams, Jags in Week 1
Pete Prisco shares his five entries for the Westgate SuperContest for Week 1 of the NFL season.
I make a lot of picks as part of my job for CBSSports.com, some as early as the previous Sunday night for the next week's games.
Try that sometime.
I have picks against the spread, "Prisco's Picks" -- outright winners and scores -- video picks and last year I added a "Best Bets" column on Friday.
For my SportsLine debut and every Friday throughout the season on SportsLine, I will provide my "Best Bets" and increase the games from three to five.
Why the change? Am I a glutton for punishment?
No, it's now five because I am taking part in the SuperContest at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as part of Team OddsShark. So each week in this space you will be getting my five picks that I will submit for the SuperBook contest, picks I hope show up the rest of my teammates -- and, quite frankly, everybody else in the contest.
Along the way, I will chronicle my highs -- there will be many -- and lows each week as I scour the standings to see just how good I am picking these NFL games against the spread versus some of the best out there.
The Team OddsShark gang will have a separate section devoted to our team and our plight in the contest that features many of the top handicappers in the world.
When my record is 85-0 at the end of the season, you can add me to that list and Team OddShark will be glad I am part of the squad.
For now, here are my Week 1 picks ...
Seahawks at Rams (+4)
The Seahawks have issues on the offensive line, which is never a good thing against that St. Louis front.
The Rams have played the Seahawks tough the past few seasons, winning two of three in St. Louis, and that front will be the difference here.
The Seattle secondary isn't the same without Kam Chancellor, so while the Rams have issues on their offense it won't be facing the same Seattle defense. The Rams will win the game outright.
Browns (+3) at Jets
This game is a tossup.
So I will gladly take the points. Neither one of these teams excites on offense, especially with their quarterbacks. So I see a low-scoring game with a field goal difference. Give me the points.
Panthers at Jaguars (+3)
Both of these teams are a little dinged up, but the Panthers are in worse shape.
They have no outside receivers. That's an issue, even if Jacksonville doesn't have a great defense. They can double tight end Greg Olsen and not worry about the outside receivers.
The Carolina defense has also taken some hits, which is why I think Jacksonville wins the game outright. Blake Bortles will make some big plays down the field.
Saints at Cardinals (-2.5)
This is a tough way to open for a Saints team loaded with a lot of youth on defense.
The Arizona offense, with Carson Palmer back healthy, should be able to have success against that young defense.
Drew Brees is far from done, so he will get some as well. But, in the end, I just think Arizona will find a way to make more plays against the inexperienced defense to win it.
Colts (-2.5) at Bills
Buffalo is a trendy pick this week and for the season.
I like bucking trends.
The Colts have Andrew Luck. The Bills have Tyrod Taylor.
That's enough for me, even on the road. The Colts will throw it around some. Yes, the Bills have a good defense, but they will have trouble matching up with the Indy speed.
Pete Prisco is a Senior NFL Writer for CBSSports.com. You can follow Pete at @PriscoCBS
