6 Unit Pick #465 Take Jacksonville (+7) over Indianapolis (Sept 13, 1:00)

Last year Jacksonville early on was touted as being a good team and from the start it wasn’t good with a teammate being shot and paralyzed and that seem to carry over to the season where they lost their first two games before walking into Indianapolis and walking out on the winning side as a four point road pup’s. This team had a ton of injuries in 2008 mainly to the offensive line and they just seem to falter. This team is still good and I think catching the Colts at the best time, the Colts are dealing with some injuries on the defensive side of the ball most notable with safety Saunders out. They also will be starting a rookie cornerback along with breaking in two new coordinator’s and a new head coach. I don’t think the Colts are “season ready” ! The Jag’s are a live team in 2009 and very live here on Sunday.

4 Unit Pick #478 Take Green Bay (-3.5) over Chicago (Sept. 13 8:15)

On paper both teams look like they have improved. The Bears went out and stole the show aquiring Jay Cutler but haven’t really improved any where else to get this team as good as the press they get. Don’t expect their defense to be what it has been in the past as they’re starting to age. The Pack quietly have become a threat in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers is the real deal throwing over 4000 yards last year and lit it up in the preseason. They brought in a new defensive coordinator in Dom Capers and with all the talk around the division with the new quarterbacks seems to have deflected the pressure that surround this team last year with Farve leaving. Sunday night will be a statement game.

1 Unit Pick #464 Take Houston (-4.5) over the New York Jets (Sept. 13 1:00)

The Jets made some big news in the off season with hiring new head coach Rex Ryan and the drafting of high profile quarteback Mark Sanchez. Tough spot here for Sanchez here as he makes his first pro start on the road vs. a quietly improving Texan team. Houston is improving on both sides of the ball and I think head coach Gary Kubiak hard work will show in 2009. This is a winnable game for the Texans, one that they wouldn’t win in the past but this team is growing and playing a team that in some ways resembles them a couple of years ago. The oddsmaker wouldn’t hang my number in week one because of Houston’s past, but I think this number should be Texans (-6) get on it.