For the gambler in you, Week 1
Each week, we'll take the best -- and most clever -- odds collected by Bovada for the upcoming week and give our take. This is important stuff, perhaps the most important post you'll read all week. Because if you can't lose money while watching a game in which you have absolutely no effect, what's the point of watching sports at all?
Game One: Packers -5.5 vs. 49ers
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
| 2011 Against The Spread | |
 |  |
| Overall: 11-5 | Overall: 11-4-1 |
| Home: 7-1 | Home: 7-0-1 |
| Away: 4-4 | Away: 4-4 |
| Last 5 vs. SF: 4-0-1 | Last 5 vs. GB: 0-4-1 |
| 2011 Team Rankings | |
| |
| Pass offense: 3rd | Pass defense: 16th |
| Rush offense: 27th | Rush defense: 1st |
| Pass defense: 32nd | Pass offense: 29th |
| Rush defense: 14th | Rush offense: 8th |
Verdict: As you can see, both teams were very good vs. the spread last year, but, like their win-loss record, the 49ers will fall back this season. Quarterback Alex Smith won't perform like he did in 2011 (he might not return to "absolute bust" mode this year, but he also won't have another career season). Plus, it'll be tough for Frank Gore to carry the running game after Green Bay takes a big lead thanks to Aaron Rodgers and his solid pass-catching corps. At home, I like the Packers by at least a touchdown.
Game Two: Broncos -1 1/2 vs. Steelers
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
| 2011 Against The Spread | |
 |  |
| Overall: 7-8-1 | Overall: 7-9 |
| Home: 1-6-1 | Home: 5-3 |
| Away: 6-2 | Away: 2-6 |
| Last 4 vs. PIT: 2-2 | Last 4 vs. DEN: 2-2 |
| 2011 Team Rankings | |
| |
| Pass offense: 31st | Pass defense: 1st |
| Rush offense: 1st | Rush defense: 8th |
| Pass defense: 18th | Pass offense: 10th |
| Rush defense: 22nd | Rush offense: 14th |
Verdict: Wow, the Broncos were pretty terrible against the spread at home last year (ah, the power of a Tim Tebow late fourth-quarter comeback). But -- and perhaps I'm being naive -- I think Peyton Manning will lead Denver to a repeat of the AFC West title and give the Broncos a legit chance at the conference crown. Though Manning only has been ordinary vs. the Steelers in his career (at 2-1, though, he does have a winning record), he immediately will prove why he was such a high-profile free agent.
Game Three (largest spread of the week): Texans -12 vs. Dolphins
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
| 2011 Against The Spread | |
 |  |
| Overall: 10-5-1 | Overall: 8-7-1 |
| Home: 5-2-1 | Home: 3-4-1 |
| Away: 5-3 | Away: 5-3 |
| Last 5 vs. MIA: 3-2 | Last 5 vs. HOU: 2-3 |
| 2011 Team Rankings | |
| |
| Pass offense: 18th | Pass defense: 25th |
| Rush offense: 2nd | Rush defense: 3rd |
| Pass defense: 3rd | Pass offense: 23rd |
| Rush defense: 4th | Rush offense: 11th |
Verdict: The Texans are Super Bowl contenders. The Dolphins will be one of the worst teams in the league. Thus, the large spread. With Houston at home vs. a Dolphins squad with a rookie quarterback, no proven receivers and a defense that will have a tough time stopping Arian Foster, this could get ugly for Miami.
And now, the props ...
Who will be the first head coach fired during the 2012 regular season?
Ken Whisenhunt 3/1
Norv Turner 7/2
Pat Shurmer 4/1
Rex Ryan 5/1
Lovie Smith 6/1
Andy Reid 7/1
It's got to be Whisenhunt. I said this in the EOF season predictions, but Whisenhunt, no matter how much of it is his fault, will be undone by the John Skelton/Kevin Kolb starting quarterback disaster. That said, I don't think the Chargers will make the postseason again this year, and that will be the end of Turner's tenure in San Diego. But Whisenhunt will be let go first. 
Who will record more passing yards Week 1 of the 2012 regular season?
Andrew Luck (IND) 7/4
Robert Griffin III (WSH) 2/1
Russell Wilson (SEA) 2/1
Ryan Tannehill (MIA) 15/2
Brandon Weeden (CLE) 15/2
Although the Redskins should take a beating vs. the Saints, RG3 will have the most impressive debut of any of the rookie quarterbacks. New Orleans' secondary isn't all that great, especially after losing Tracy Porter to free agency. And though Patrick Robinson should be fine, Griffin is good enough this early to take advantage.
Will an NFL coach, player or owner be fined by the NFL for comments made regarding replacement officials about Week 1's games?
Yes +140 (7/5)
No -180 (5/9)
In case you hadn't noticed, NFL coaches, generally speaking, are a savvy bunch who would rather reveal next week's gameplan than risk the wrath of Roger Goodell by saying the wrong thing. And even if there is some discord -- can you imagine any of these coaches if a replacement ref's bad judgment costs his team a game? -- the NFL won't make the PR mistake of fining a coach for speaking his mind about officials that shouldn't be on the field in the first place. Besides, players have referred to the replacements as The Three Stooges, and nobody's bank account has been touched. Go with No here.
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