NFL Week 1 predictions are on the minds of sports bettors, Point-Spreads.com received an email today from sports bettor Seth G. from Alpharetta, Georgia asking if the Atlanta Falcons can overcome the loss of Michael Vick? We have enlisted the help of football handicapper Brad Marchetti to give his analysis on life after Vick for Atlanta and some other NFL Week 1 predictions below.
Can the Atlanta Falcons overcome the loss of Michael Vick? It appears to be a tough mountain to climb according to the betting public and oddsmakers, as the Falcons sport the longest odds of any team in the NFC to win the Conference Championship. SportsBetting.com has the Atlanta Falcons currently pegged at 40-1 betting odds, firmly anchored at the bottom of the list with Tampa Bay next at 25-1 odds. Dallas, Chicago and New Orleans are the favorites all coming in at 5-1 odds to win the NFC Conference.
“Atlanta is finished,” stated NFL handicapper Brad Marchetti. “Joey Harrington is a proven loser and 40-1 to win the NFC is generous. This team has been relying on it's running game for years to carry the offense but this will be the year that Warrick Dunn bottoms out and Jerrious Norwood will prove to be no more than a glorified #2 runner.”
Here is something to keep an eye on as you make your NFL Week 1 predictions:
Brett Favre isn’t done yet, as he comes back for his 35th year (or something like that). Can those old bones get the job done in a NFC North division that is ripe for the picking? That’s a good question. The more immediate question is can Favre lead the Packers to a victory as a 3-point home dog on opening day vs. Philly. History tells us Green Bay hasn’t normally excelled in this spot, as they are 0-5 straight up and against the spread the last five years in their first game in front of the hometown faithful.
“Philly will provide a good gauge as to how good Green Bay will be this year," stated Marchetti. "They really didn't do anything to upgrade this mediocre team in the off-season. Depending on all those young players to get them back to the playoffs is delusional.”
What kind of mark will Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn make on the league this year? The sports bettors at clearly liked what they saw from young Mr. Quinn, as the money is very lopsided on him connecting with that first toss to the tune of 90% backing that outcome.
SportsBetting.com has posted a prop bet on what the results of the first throw Brady Quinn will make in the 2007 NFL Regular Season?
A Completion (-130)
Incompletion or INT (Even)
“Expect Quinn to get some playing time this year but not during the NFL Week 1," commented Marchetti. "Everybody got all worked up when Brady completed a few dump off passes against some guys that will be playing in the arena league but i'm not convinced. I think Brady can be a decent game manager at this point, but a top flight QB? Fat chance.”
