| "I have a notion that gamblers are as happy | | | | fielding a different team than the one that |
| as most people, being always excited; women, | | | | hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last February. |
| wine, fame, the table, even ambition, sate | | | | However, with Belichick, Brady, and Dillon |
| now and then, but every turn of the card and | | | | still in the fold it should hardly matter, |
| cast of the dice keeps the gambler alive."- | | | | right? Oh, and the over/under on "Tuck Rule" |
| Lord ByronThe starting lineups have been set. | | | | mentions is 2.5.New York Jets at Kansas City |
| The fantasy football teams have been drafted. | | | | (-3), Sunday at 1 p.m.The Jets are a sheik |
| The money has found its way back into the | | | | pick to unseat the aforementioned Patriots |
| offshore gaming accounts, and the Week 1 | | | | this season. However, questions still abound |
| lines are posted and ripe for the picking. | | | | in New Jersey - like how will Chad |
| The sporting public has been going through | | | | Pennington's shoulder hold up? Also, the Jets |
| rehab and withdrawal for seven months since | | | | defense is still unsettled. John Abraham has |
| the Super Bowl, but it is about to again | | | | just recently rejoined the team, and his |
| submerge itself in a wonderful orgy of | | | | conditioning will be a concern. Ty Law will |
| drinking, violence, and gambling that will | | | | start this weekend but is still gimpy, and |
| last the next 21 weeks.The season kicks off | | | | Dwayne Robertson is playing with an injured |
| Thursday night when the Oakland Raiders | | | | hand. The Chiefs defense, on the other hand, |
| travel to New England to take on the | | | | will be a reason to watch this game. I'm |
| defending Super Bowl champion Patriots. That | | | | curious as to how the new additions - |
| evening will feature the type of showmanship, | | | | Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Patrick |
| self-importance, and spectacle that we've | | | | Surtain and Sammy Knight - will |
| come to expect from Commissioner Paul | | | | perform.Seattle at Jacksonville (-3), Sunday |
| Tagliabue and his massive public relations | | | | at 1 p.m.By Week 10 of last season the best |
| machine.But don't be distracted. We have work | | | | bet in the NFL was a middle-of-the-road AFC |
| to do this season - making all of us some | | | | team against any NFC team. By that rationale |
| money by finding and exploiting the | | | | this game would be an easy cleanup for the |
| weaknesses in the bookmaking industry. No | | | | Jaguars. I know it's only one week, but this |
| matter who you go through - an online sports | | | | game will at least be an early indicator of |
| book, that fifth-year sophomore in the dorm | | | | whether that corollary still holds true |
| next to yours or even that office picks pool | | | | (Dallas at San Diego is another such game in |
| that gets up to one or two hundred dollars - | | | | Week 1). Seattle was a dreamy pick for the |
| Doc's Sports is the place for you to find the | | | | Super Bowl last season and still has talent. |
| exclusive information that can be the | | | | They've been a bad road team the past two |
| difference between picking up that new | | | | seasons, and I think that "experts" are |
| surround sound system for your living room or | | | | severely underestimating how good this |
| having to pawn that watch that Mom bought you | | | | Jacksonville team is. This will also be the |
| last Christmas.Looking at the lines for | | | | first time anyone sees how healthy Fred |
| opening weekend, it's apparent that the books | | | | Taylor is. He is the key to the Jags |
| are just as skittish as the rest of us when | | | | season.Indianapolis (-3) at Baltimore, Sunday |
| it comes to predicting the performance of | | | | at 8:30 p.m.Oh, this one has it all. This |
| most NFL teams. Most of the lines are chalk, | | | | game is a rematch of a key game from last |
| with the favorites from the end of last | | | | season's stretch run. Indianapolis dominated |
| season listed as the favorites now. There are | | | | that contest (20-10) and Baltimore ended up |
| no real big numbers (minus 8 in the New | | | | missing the playoffs by one game. This |
| England game was the largest). I'm going to | | | | season, both the Colts (5/1) and the Ravens |
| take it slow this weekend, sitting back and | | | | (14/1) are two of the top six favorites to |
| enjoying the blissful beginning to another | | | | win Super Bowl XL. I know that the preseason |
| fall football season. If you decide to throw | | | | means less than the drunken promises I make |
| around a few bills, here are a few things to | | | | to college girls, but the Colts were 0-5 and |
| remember for Week 1:1) Forget about last | | | | didn't really look good at any point. This |
| year. That's worth repeating. FORGET ABOUT | | | | will also be fans' first opportunity to see |
| LAST YEAR! All of the preseason hype, | | | | new Colts defensive lineman Corey Simon in |
| predictions and the opening week lines are | | | | his new uniform. Deion Sanders (hamstring) |
| based around how teams performed last year. | | | | and Samari Rolle (knee) are both |
| That's the point of origin and any | | | | questionable. Jamal Lewis came out and voiced |
| adjustments to that are based on limited | | | | serious displeasure with Baltimore management |
| conjecture. Remember, part of the formula for | | | | because he hasn't been given a contract |
| determining a line is the public's perception | | | | extension. He contests that the Ravens played |
| about teams. People will form their opinions | | | | a part in his decision to accept jail |
| based on their most recent recollection of | | | | time.Philadelphia (-2) at Atlanta, Monday at |
| these clubs (last year's playoffs). The same | | | | 9 p.m.A juicy beginning to the Monday Night |
| 12 teams that made the postseason last year | | | | Football lineup. This game may be a rematch |
| aren't going to make it this season. | | | | of the 2004 NFC Championship Game, but it may |
| Conversely, at least one team that had 4,5, | | | | as well be the Super Bowl for the Falcons. |
| or 6 wins last year is going to be playing in | | | | Somehow, the feeling in Atlanta is that a win |
| the second week of January. It happens every | | | | here could somehow avenge the savage beating |
| year, so don't try to fight it.2) Bet | | | | they took in Philly last January. The Eagles, |
| conservatively in Week 1. I know you're | | | | on the other hand, are just trying to prove |
| excited. We all are. But you don't want to | | | | that the Owens vs. Everybody feud has run its |
| put yourself in a hole early because you'll | | | | course and that the bad blood really won't |
| be playing from behind the whole season. Be | | | | spill over into the regular season. I was |
| patient. Make a few small bets - maybe half | | | | surprised to see Atlanta as the home dog, |
| the size of what you would wager during the | | | | especially given the troubles that Philly has |
| season - and keep a list of bets that you | | | | endured in the last month. However, the books |
| would have made. After the weekend, check | | | | are wise enough to know that despite the |
| your list of bets against what actually | | | | off-field distractions this is still a |
| happens. If you would have done well, then | | | | dangerous Eagles team that can erupt at any |
| you have a good read on the teams and are set | | | | time.Some final, quick thoughts:1) Eli |
| for Week 2. If not, keep the same | | | | Manning's elbow is reportedly fine, and he |
| conservative approach.3)Pay attention to the | | | | will be ready to go when the Giants host the |
| injury report. This is always important, but | | | | Cardinals on Sunday. He better be. He might |
| you'd be amazed how many people assume that | | | | not face a weaker secondary again this |
| in Week 1 all the players are healthy and | | | | year.2) Tampa Bay will be starting Dan |
| ready to go. That couldn't be less true. | | | | Buenning and Anthony Davis at left guard and |
| Pulled hamstrings, lingering soreness and | | | | left tackle, respectively, when they take on |
| other ailments to key players will have just | | | | Minnesota. Neither of these guys has ever |
| as big an impact in the opening games as they | | | | started an NFL game. I expect them to be |
| would later in the year. A perfect example is | | | | totally dominated by the Vikings defensive |
| the Tennessee at Pittsburgh (minus 7) game | | | | line, which happens to be one of the best in |
| this weekend. Pittsburgh is the better team, | | | | the league.3) Don't underestimate the serious |
| but they're without Duce Staley, Jerome | | | | emotional factor for the New York Giants, |
| Bettis, and Joey Porter. On the flip side, | | | | Washington Redskins, and New Orleans Saints. |
| the Titans roster is littered with talented | | | | The New Orleans situation is tragic and well |
| but injury-prone guys (Kris Brown, Steve | | | | documented, and no one can predict how |
| McNair, and Tyrone Calico) who are 100 | | | | they're going to come out and play against |
| percent at the moment, but probably won't be | | | | Carolina. Also, there will most assuredly be |
| for the whole year. The result is a slightly | | | | some type of poignant September 11 |
| different competition level this weekend than | | | | commemoration in D.C. and NYC. Expect two |
| it would be if the game were played in | | | | lively crowds, and don't be surprised if |
| November.4)Special teams can win games early. | | | | those teams jump out early on their |
| For whatever reason, it takes a few weeks for | | | | opponent.4) This is going to be the first |
| most organizations to get their special teams | | | | opening week without Jerry Rice in over 20 |
| in order. Don't be surprised to see more big | | | | years. Au revoir. And no matter what Terrell |
| plays than usual in the first few weeks. This | | | | Owens and Randy moss think about themselves, |
| also yields an extra advantage to squads with | | | | neither are half the man or half the player |
| good special teams. Some clubs with the best: | | | | that Rice was.5) This Sunday, whether you're |
| Buffalo, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and | | | | at a bar surrounded by scantily clad |
| Denver. Some with the worst: St. Louis, | | | | waitresses or on a couch somewhere enjoying |
| Oakland, Tampa Bay and Seattle.Now that we | | | | your team on the high-def big screen, make |
| have some of the basics covered, let's take a | | | | sure you take some time to think about how |
| look at the most compelling games in this | | | | fortunate your are. Especially compared to |
| weekend's slate:Oakland at New England (-8), | | | | those lost souls down in the Bayou.Doc's |
| Thursday at 8 p.m.Now it's time to see just | | | | Sports Handy Links:Football PicksJeremy |
| what Rasta Randy Moss brings to the Raiders. | | | | Martin archive2005 NFL Preview pageDoc's |
| Despite the addition of the controversial | | | | Sports Handicapping Service |
| wideout, oddsmakers don't expect too much out | | | | |
| of Oakland this season. Besides Randy, the | | | | 1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has |
| Raiders will also trot out their new 4-3 | | | | been recognized as one of the leaders and |
| defense, which should be a huge upgrade. New | | | | most trusted names in sports handicapping |
| England is a heavy favorite (-8) but will be | | | | information. |