Hi Paul its Kathie the girl who took your picture at the Yankee Stadium tour back in July. I read your site quite often. What's your take on the Giants season? I feel good about it. The defense is healthy. The offense now has a boost from Burress, not to mention a beast of a RB for short yards with Bradon Jacobs. Tiki is in top shape. Is hoping for a 10-6 season wishful thinking? Will Eli bring a spark that Blue needs? Will Shockey hold on to the ball? Also, I don't see NE going to the promised land this year.

Denver -4 over Miami

Well, Kathie, I think the Giants schedule looks pretty brutal. Maybe all NFL skeds look that way since there are only a few roll-overs, like Cleveland, San Fran and Miami.

Dr. Z expects a 5-11 season based on that schedule, and I expect them to do better. The over-under in Vegas for Giants wins is 7. Last year it was 6. So an uptick is expected, but obviously not a huge leap.

Sure, they get a boost from Burress, but I don't remember the Steelers crying about losing him.

It's the NFL, so have faith. You didn't expect a Super Bowl appearance in Kerry Collins' first year, did ya? All teams have good reason to get juiced for Week 1.

I absolutely agree on the Denver lock. Four points to the Dolphins should be no problem at all.

And I'm not so sure about the Jets. They're on the road. No one is sure their QB is back healthy. And the KC defense seems to have upgraded itself (and with their offense, they don't have to upgrade much!).

Oh, and the Eagles are always a lock ;-) (-2.5 vs. Atlanta)

For the record, my three picks are:
Denver -4 vs. Miami
Tennessee +7 vs. Pittsburgh
San Diego -4.5 vs. Dallas

Nice "bank shot" on the Raiders v Pats game. You really locked that one in.

Thanks for your first comment since May 25. Really adds a lot to the discussion.

Care to make picks for the weekend?

Yeah, Jayhaux has a good point, Paul. I think this means you should give up prognosticating for the rest of your blogging career. Hell, this is probably as good a time as any to give up blogging altogether. I mean, god forbid you miss the very first pick on the very first game of the NFL season... and a little Oakland incompetancy got in your way.

On the other hand, it's just as likely that Jayhaux is a jackass.

Bill Simmons is in with his picks, including a funny bit about the Eagles Monday night. Mute button, please!

I could be a jackass. But I was just trying to point out that Paul, even though he is a good writer, seemed a little too cocky with his picks. Though yes it is the first game of the season. But apparently it was a "lock" or sure bet.

My picks are:

Pittsburgh (-7.5)
Denver (+4.5)
Car. (-6.5)
Seattle (+3.5)
Min. (- 6.5)
Chicago(+6.5)
Houston (+4.5)

Its a comment section. I felt free to comment.

Yeah, Jayhaux, never meant to imply you couldn't comment, that's what comments are for... including my comment that you're a jackass ;-)

And yeah, Paul, I'm guessing Bill is dead-on with his prediction for MNF chatter. But it is my squad, so I'll be there!!!! And I'm having a tough time reading Bill anymore... I don't think it's humanly possible for him to be on the BoSox and Pats jocks any more than he is now!

your a prophet, that saints pick was/is nuts...

I officially put a "Kick Me" sign on myself for only getting one of my picks right.

I am a jackass.

Maybe if I had picked 7 games I'd have gotten one right. I missed my three "locks." Ugh! lol

Well, I was 0-1 but if you want to make some cash fade Jayhaux picks! Hey, that should be a great section for the site, Jayhaux's weekly fade picks!

Those teams had the tools to win. Daunte had a fluke game.

Second, everybody does the opposite of what I do anyway. Its nothing new.