Mark Craig's Week 1 NFL picks

September 6, 2014 at 6:29AM

craig's LIST

We hear this NFL thing is catching on in popularity. But just to be safe, in addition to our weekly picks segment, we're willing to throw in some catchy slogans to help drum up ticket sales.

You're welcome, Roger, and here ya go …

MN -3½ at STL

Rams by 4

"Vikings football:  Come out and enjoy the birds while they last."

NO -3 at ATL

Saints by 7

"Falcons football:  Buy your tickets before all the good players get hurt."

CLE +6 ½ PIT

Steelers by 7

"Browns football:  Be patient. Eventually we'll stink enough to start Johnny."

JAX +10 ½ at PHI

Eagles by 14

"Jaguars football:  It almost beats shopping with your wife."

OAK +5 ½ NYJ

Jets by 6

"Raiders football:  Hey, we lost to our cheerleaders, so there's nowhere to go but up!"

CIN +2 at BAL

Ravens by 3

"Bengals football:  Hurry! Hurry! Come see Andy Dalton before his next playoff game!"

BUF +7 at CHI

Bears by 3

"Bills football:  Hurry! Hurry! Buy tickets before Donald Trump makes us the third most unlikeable team behind the Redskins and Cowboys!"

TEN +3 ½ at KC

Chiefs by 7

"Titans football:  We're bad, but our division is worse."

NE -5 MIA

Patriots by 10

"Patriots football:  According to profootballfocus.com, we've won the last 1.23456789 bazillion AFC East titles."

CAR +2 at TB

Bucs by 7

"Buccaneers football:  Leslie Frazier is here, but don't worry. He didn't pack his jacket, snowblower or Josh Freeman."

SF -5 at DAL

49ers by 7

"Cowboys football:  Good news. According to Jerry Jones, Adrian Peterson's three new goals are to move to Dallas, go 8-8 and miss the playoffs."

IND +7 ½ at DEN

Broncos by 3

"Broncos football:  Yeah, defense wins Super Bowls, but our offense makes Fantasy Football nerds really happy."

SD +3 at STL

Cardinals by 7

"Cardinals football:  We're the best darn third-place team in football!"

WAS +3 at HOU

Redskins by 3

"Redskins football:  Sticks and stones will break your bones, but the way we see it, our name will never hurt you. So beat it, pal."

UPSET SPECIAL

NYG +5 ½ at DET

Giants by 3

"Lions football:  We haven't won a playoff game since 1991, but you know what they say. The 23rd time is the charm."

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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