NFL Gridiron Guide Week 1 picks: Jets cover spread, Giants keep it close enough

BROWNS AT JETS, 1 p.m.

Jets by 3 1/2; O/U: 40

TV: Ch. 2; Radio: ESPN (98.7)

Greatest invention of all time? Some might say the light bulb, but I say it's the NFL RedZone channel. Every touchdown from every game. Genius! Don't expect to see these two teams frequent the show that often this season. The Jets will be a competitive bunch, but most of their games will be of the 17-13, 16-10 variety. The Jets' calling card under first-year coach Todd Bowles will be the defense. Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are back, and newcomer Buster Skrine make it a unit that could be secondary to none. We all know why Ryan Fitzpatrick, and not Geno Smith, is starting, but Bowles is a no-nonsense coach and his team will be ready. Brandon Marshall finds the end zone in his Jets debut, and the defense picks apart Josh McCown.

The pick: Jets

GIANTS AT COWBOYS, 8:30 p.m.

Cowboys by 6; O/U: 51

TV: Ch. 4

Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9)

The Giants have one of the best talents in football in Odell Beckham Jr., a player who can single-handedly change the outcome of a game. The Cowboys counter with their own superstar receiver in Dez Bryant, so expect these two to put on a show. Dallas has won four of the last five meetings, and four of those games were were decided by five points or fewer. I expect another close one in what should be a shootout.

The pick: Giants

1 P.M. GAMES

COLTS AT BILLS

Colts by 2 1/2; O/U: 45

Radio: WNYM (970)

Andrew Luck will continue to put up big points, but can Indy's 'D' stop anyone? Rex Ryan will be fired up. QB Tyrod Taylor, making his NFL starting debut, leads the league in the cool nickname category: "T-Mobile." The Colts may be better, but the Bills, with a strong defense and high Rex-pectations for Week 1, are the better play.

The pick: Bills

PANTHERS AT JAGUARS

Panthers by 3; O/U: 41 1/2

It's the battle of 1995 expansion teams. Excited? Me neither. The Jags have some young playmakers, so I'll take a shot.

The pick: Jaguars

LOCK OF THE WEEK: DOLPHINS AT REDSKINS

Dolphins by 3 1/2; O/U: 43

Recapping the Redskins' 2012 draft: Robert Griffin III No. 2, Kirk Cousins No. 102. Now, it's Cousins' team, but he won't get it done. Meanwhile, the No. 8 pick in that draft, Ryan Tannehill, is poised for a breakout year in Miami. Bold prediction of the week: The Dolphins' 'D' scores more touchdowns than the Redskins' 'O'.

The pick: Dolphins

PACKERS AT BEARS

Packers by 6 1/2; O/U: 49

Don't worry about Aaron Rodgers, who will make a star out of a new WR. I expect Chicago to be more disciplined under coach John Fox.

The pick: Bears

CHIEFS AT TEXANS

Texans by 1; O/U: 41

You know you enjoyed "Hard Knocks" when you Googled to see who made the final cut before the finale aired. I'm all-in on the Texans. With J.J. Watt and a healthy Jadeveon Clowney, their defense is top-notch. I have Houston as a wild-card team.

The pick: Texans

SEAHAWKS AT RAMS

Seahawks by 4; O/U: 40 1/2

The last time Seattle played at St. Louis, the Rams won by pulling out all the tricks, none bigger than a fake-out punt return for a touchdown. Seattle's O-line is in for a long day against the NFL's best defensive line.

The pick: Rams

4 P.M. GAMES OR LATER

RAVENS AT BRONCOS, 4:25

Broncos by 4; O/U: 48 1/2

TV: Ch. 2; Radio: WNYM (970)

Peyton Manning is back, but with new coach Gary Kubiak, Denver wants to run it more. This might be the toughest Week 1 game to call. As Walter White would say: "Tread lightly."

The pick: Ravens

SAINTS AT CARDINALS, 4:05

Cardinals by 2 1/2; O/U: 48 1/2

TV: Ch. 5

Winning formula: Arizona is 13-3 straight up at home under coach Bruce Arians and 17-5 when Carson Palmer starts.

The pick: Cardinals

TITANS AT BUCS, 4:25

Bucs by 3; O/U: 41

It's rare that a rookie quarterback wins his debut, but that's going to happen for either No. 1 pick Jameis Winston or No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota. Winston has the better receivers, and he's at home, so he gets the edge.

The pick: Bucs

BENGALS AT RAIDERS, 4:25

Bengals by 3; O/U: 43

The Raiders are going to surprise teams this year. Derek Carr, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper lead a young, exciting offense. I don't trust Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Give me Oakland to win outright.

The pick: Raiders

LIONS AT CHARGERS, 4:05

Chargers by 3; O/U: 46

Eleven of the 16 spreads are 3 1/2 points or fewer. Should be close, but Philip Rivers finds a way.

The pick: Chargers

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES

EAGLES AT FALCONS, 7:10 p.m.

TV: ESPN; Radio: WCBS (880)

Eagles by 3; O/U: 55

Chip Kelly and his revamped roster will again run 70-plus plays a game. The Falcons will score 20-plus points in this one. Only problem: Their defense will allow 30-plus.

The pick: Eagles

VIKINGS AT 49ERS, 10:20 p.m.

TV: ESPN Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9) Vikings by 2 1/2; O/U: 41

The '49' in 49ers might as well stand for how many players they lost. Times are so tough they brought in a rugby player. The Vikings get Adrian Peterson back, and will compete for a playoff spot.

The pick: Vikings

Staff Picks for Week 1 (best bets in caps)

JOE MANNIELLO: Jets Giants Bills Jaguars DOLPHINS Bears Texans Rams Ravens Cardinals Bucs Raiders Chargers Eagles Vikings

BOB GLAUBER: Jets Cowboys Colts Panthers DOLPHINS Packers Chiefs Seahawks Broncos Cardinals Bucs Raiders Chargers Eagles Vikings

TOM ROCK: Jets Cowboys Colts PANTHERS Dolphins Packers Texans Rams Broncos Cardinals Titans Raiders Chargers Eagles Vikings

KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN: Jets Cowboys Colts Panthers DOLPHINS Packers Texans Seahawks Broncos Cardinals Bucs Bengals Chargers Eagles Vikings