NFL Underdog Pick for Week 1
September 11th 2009 - Special K            

Miami Dolphins (+4) at Atlanta Falcons

You have to admire the complete transformation both these teams made during the 2008 offseason. At the end of the 2007 season, the Dolphins finished an embarrassing 1-15 and Falcons were 4-12, yet both teams made the playoffs in 2008.  Bill Parcells is looking like a complete genius once again and one of his smartest moves was hiring head coach Tony Sparano away from the Cowboys. 

C'mon, you have to admit that the Dolphins 38-13 victory in Foxboro last season where they unleashed the wildcat formation was the biggest shocker of the year! Sparano has instilled a level of toughness and an identity for this team. Like the Steelers and Ravens, this toughness has resulted in the Dolphins playing close, tight games.  Did you know that 6 out of the last 8 regular season games the Dolphins played in, the outcome was determined by 7 or less points? For this reason. 4 points is a lot of points to be giving up to a team who plays most games down to the wire.

I know it is tough picking a road team against a team with a home opener but Joey Porter and the Dolphins defense won't exactly be facing the most hostile crowd in Atlanta. The Dolphins were one of 3 teams with a perfect 4-0 preseason and I look for them to continue their winning ways against the Falcons.

Take the Dolphins with the points