NFL GREEK INSIDER WEEK 1

[jimmythegreek]

Seattle -10 over Miami (bought half):
I'm sure that first year head coach Adam Gase was anything but thrilled when the schedule makers started the fish off with Seattle in week 1. One of several team making the cross country journey, Century Link Field will be rocking in front of a sellout crowd denoting the league's most loud and raucous venue. Not to mention the squad with the overall defense that gave up the fewest points over the last couple of seasons. While Ryan Tannehill had a promising preseason, however one area of necessary improvement from last season's misfortune is the ability to produce in the opponents red zone. 

The acquisition of Arian Foster in the offseason could only build confidence in that area as well as the overall rushing game. However it could also add more motivation to not only a fierce Seattle pass rush notoriously called the legion of boom, but further challenge last season's #1 ranked defense against the run. In order to take pressure off of Tannehill, Foster will need to be efficient from his days in Houston considering that there's issues on the depth chart. Jay Ajayi did not travel with the team after being demoted which leaves Isaiah Pead and Damien Williams as the second and third backfield options. At the receiving core, top target DeVante Adams is likely a game time decision due to a hamstring injury. However, deep threats Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills could pose a challenge to the Seahawks secondary. Also, Jordan Cameron could get some looks underneath as Seattle was vulnerable at times last season covering the tight end position. Led by Richard Sherman, this nucleus has plenty of experience up front and deep with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor playing alongside each other for the past 7 years. KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner are also intimidating pieces that cover a lot of ground.

While Russell Wilson leads an offense that is versatile and dangerous with his arm showcasing his deep ball ability as well with his feet, Marshawn Lynch will no longer be the top option in the backfield after his offseason retirement. However, enter Thomas Rawls who ran for 830 yards and 4 TD with an average of 5.6 ypc before suffering a season ending broken ankle injury against Baltimore. Rawls also made NFL history as the first player with 250-plus scrimmage yards, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game. One glaring concern for Seattle will be their offensive line to provide space and protection for Wilson and Rawls. Tom Cable's unit will feature a converted tight end in Garry Gilliam, J'Marcus Webb or rookie Rees Odhiambo at right guard and Justin Britt. With Jimmy Graham back healthy from last season's knee surgery, Wilson will be looking to click on all cylinders led by Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse as his top targets and playmakers. Miami will not lay low especially with the presence of Dolphins defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh, Cam Wake and offseason addition Mario Williams.

Miami struggled offensively last season, averaging only 19.4 points per game and they will definitely have their hands full against the Seahawks dominating defense who can make plays turning them into points or short field opportunities for Wilson and company. While Seattle doesn't start out exactly running it down your throat Wilson will be able to exploit the Dolphins defense as long as he can be efficient and methodical with the ball in terms of time of possession.

[jimmythegreek]

Minnesota -3 over Tennessee:
So Mike Zimmer chose Shaun Hill to start under center for the week 1 opener. Basically call this a no-brainer even after trading for Sam Bradford who comes into a whole new situation in a run first offense. Both had good preseasons, and when you consider how far Minnesota came falling a field goal shy of the NFC Championship, perhaps losing Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason may have not have had costly ramifications. Two years ago, Hill started the opener for St. Louis after Bradford went down with a season-ending ACL tear in the third exhibition game. Hill lasted a half, going 8-for-13 for 81 yards and an interception before a thigh injury knocked him out. Two years later, the 36-year old Hill again plays the role of veteran backup filling in for young franchise quarterback, in this case Bridgewater, who will have surgery on his torn ACL Thursday.

Adrian Peterson is their go-to guy especially since Bridgewater went down. At 31 years of age the 10th year RB shows no signs of slowing down after gaining nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 11 TD in 2015. Laquan Treadwell will be a perfect compliment to the speedy Stefon Diggs, who emerged as the No. 1 target in Minny last season. Throw in a healthy Kyle Rudolph and the offense has a real chance to be balanced. The Titans defense is inexperienced and a virtual question mark with few star names and even fewer difference-makers, though they have made moves to beef up their defensive line with a pair of second-round draft picks going on defensive end Kevin Dodd and defensive tackle Austin Johnson. However, it will be a monumental task for a pair of rookies to salvage a defense that conceded 423 points last season, 6th worst in the league.

Marcus Mariota, who had another encouraging preseason, made a sound first impression as the Titans’ signal caller last season. 2,818 yards in the air for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2015 is nothing to sneeze at, but the Oregon product’s rookie campaign proved to be more promising than Tennessee’s past QB options. most notably Zach Mettenberger and Jake Locker. Not to mention the fact he missed 4 games due to injury. Ben Jones should help fortify a Tennessee offensive line that gave up a league-leading 54 sacks in 2015. If that wasn’t enough, the Titans also upgraded their rushing necessities by signing DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. They will help boost a Tennessee offense that averaged just 92.8 yards per game on the ground last season, 24th best in the league. Better play from youngsters up-front with Taylor Lewan and Jeremiah Poutasi will also help. There's a lot of blue-chippers up-front and this is the year for it to start paying off. Minnesota's defense continues to be one of the most feared in the league especially from last season. The line is where they've come the furthest, clogging up the run a lot better inside with Linval Joseph and Sharrif Floyd, while getting good play at the ends with Everson Griffen and Brian Robison.

While losing Bridgewater's size and versatility may look bleak on paper, having Hill operating behind a tough line and Peterson makes the overall picture promising, especially with a dominant defense that will make plays. Tennessee is on the up with the additions in the backfield and having Mariota back for the stretch, but will be at a disadvantage in experience and size on the line and in the maligned secondary. If Hill can utilize Treadwell and Diggs in the open field, the Titans will have their hands full matching wits.

[jimmythegreek]

Kansas City -6 over San Diego (bought half):
Many thought that the torn ACL injury to Jamal Charles that occurred in week 5 last season would lead to a full recovery for 2016. Andy Reid was slow but a realist to shoot down those hopes this week as the tandem of Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware will carry over respectable finishes into this season. San Diego's run defense was among the worst in the league surrendering nearly 126 yards per contest. Alex Smith has plenty of other weapons, as tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin are both big-time play-makers. Knile Davis is particularly dangerous in the special teams and could also be used as a select back in long and short yardage situations. The Chargers lacked consistent pressure on quarterbacks in 2015. However, DE Joey Bosa, along with outside linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu or Kyle Emanuel, will be rushing the edges against free-agent right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and tackle Eric Fisher. With Brandon Mebane occupying two blockers, this should free up starting inside linebackers Manti Te'o and Denzel Perryman to have clear paths to the Chiefs' ball carriers. This may force Kansas City to utilize more success in the passing game putting pressure on Smith.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has never lacked confidence, though father time in quest for a championship has certainly caught up. Ken Whisenhunt must find a way to jump start an offense that was so dormant in 2015 that it was no surprise most of the staff was let go. Things are looking up in the running game with Melvin Gordon looking to become the first option after joining the bolts as a rookie. Rivers also gets his top target back in Kennan Allen Black, who missed half the regular season due to a lacerated kidney. Antonio Gates returns along with former Cleveland receiver Travis Benjamin, so the Chargers should have all their weapons in place when it comes to the passing game and receiving core. With Justin Houston out due to a knee injury, Rivers could have more time in the pocket to key in on his targets. That will likely mean more snaps for Tamba Hali, who missed most of the preseason after having knee surgery, and Eric Berry who has had offseason contract issues.

This game could get out of hand especially if the Charger defense cannot stop Kansas City's ground game. If the Chiefs can make plays, it will give Smith plenty of opportunities to capitalize. Otherwise, Rivers could keep this close if he can sustain efficient drives avoiding making quick decisions that can lead to turnovers. 

Also playing Cleveland/Philadelphia over 41.5.
Best of luck to all in week 1.

[Mofome]

My man! Here's to a 3-0 start on Sunday!