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Pilfo's Parlay for Week 1
September 9th 2009 - Pilfo
The first week is always the easiest so load up sports fans.
Miami and Atlanta were Cinderella teams last year but who is real and who is a
one hit wonder? Remember when Miami was 1-15 two seasons ago? Even though they
lost almost every game they seemed to be able to hang around and give teams a
run for their money. Add Parcells and company the next year and they vault their
way to the playoffs. Miami is for real. Atlanta shocked the NFL last year with a
great season. Atlanta’s schedule was fairly easy and Matt Ryan came out of
nowhere to erase all Michael Vick memories. Teams have had a chance to look at 2nd
year quarterback Matt Ryan now and I believe Ryan will have an average season at
best this year. Atlanta’s secondary is very poor so teams will be able to score
when they need to against Atlanta. I have Miami ranked a little higher than
Atlanta on my power rankings and Atlanta with the home field advantage should be
about a 1.5-point favorite. Atlanta has not earned the right to be a 4-point favorite
this week. By far my best pick of the week, Prediction Miami 20-17.
San Francisco and Arizona is an interesting game. Both
teams have things to prove to their fans and themselves. San Fran wants to prove
they are to be taken seriously under their newest head coach Mike Singletary and
that they are not losers. Arizona wants to prove they were not a fluke last
year. Unfortunately only one team can prevail. Historically the Super Bowl loser
is not heard from again for at least 2 years after they lose the Super Bowl. Who
am I to argue? Remember the Cardinals were only an average team last year before
they hit their stride in the playoffs. Does the momentum carry over? I don’t
think so. Kurt Warner is showing his age with a poor pre-season after hip
surgery. Boldin has hamstring problems. The Hightower/Wells battle of the
backfield could become even more controversial than you may think. On the other
side of the coin San Fran had some late season momentum of their own under the
new coaching staff. I believe Arizona will not be able to stop Frank Gore and
that San Fran will contain the Cardinals offense enough to make this game a must
see last second field goal victory. Prediction San Fran 27-24
Chicago at Green Bay. The old divisional rivals face off to
open the Sunday night season. Chicago acquired Jay Cutler in the off-season.
Cutler is arguably the best QB Chicago has ever seen. Cutler will make the Bears
average receiving core better than they ever knew they were. This year the Bears
will score points, which will take some pressure off their defense. Green Bay
has a few weapons of their own though in Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings. I
believe the Bears defense will be able to keep the Packers offense to a
reasonable amount of points while the Bears offense picks apart the newly
installed 3-4 defense of the Packers. Prediction Bears 27-24.
3 Team Parlay: Miami +4 / S.F. +6.5 / Chicago +3.5 | 
