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As a new, weekly feature, I will be putting my prognosticator's cap on - and offering up bold predictions for every game on the NFL schedule. You are welcome to join the fun - and offer your picks in the comments section. Nothing wrong with a little bit of competition. I will be making two sets of selections: straight-up winners - and which teams cover the spread. The odds are courtesy of OddsShark.com, via SB Nation (link).
The accompanying chart presents the format [and selections], for each game: home team - away team - the spread - my straight-up winner - which team covers/beats the spread - and the outcome of the game:
| Home | Away | Spread | Straight Up | Vs. Spread | Score |
| St. Louis | Arizona | StL 4 1/2 | St. Louis | St. Louis | 24 13 |
| Denver | Baltimore | Den 7 1/2 | Denver | Baltimore | 24 21 |
| Buffalo | New England | NE 9 | New England | New England | 30 14 |
| Pittsburgh | Tennessee | Pitt 7 | Pittsburgh | Tennessee | 20 17 |
| New Orleans | Atlanta | NO 3 | Atlanta | Atlanta | 34 31 |
| NY Jets | Tampa Bay | TB 3 | Tampa Bay | Tampa Bay | 21 10 |
| Jacksonville | Kansas City | KC 3 1/2 | Kansas City | Kansas City | 24 10 |
| Carolina | Seattle | Sea 3 1/2 | Seattle | Seattle | 23 19 |
| Chicago | Cincinnati | Chi 3 | Chicago | Chicago | 20 16 |
| Cleveland | Miami | PK | Miami | Miami | 17 10 |
| Detroit | Minnesota | Det 5 | Detroit | Minnesota | 24 20 |
| Indianapolis | Oakland | Ind 10 | Indianapolis | Indianapolis | 31 10 |
| San Francisco | Green Bay | San 4 1/2 | San Francisco | Green Bay | 21 20 |
| Dallas | NY Giants | Dall 3 | Dallas | NY Giants | 23 21 |
| Washington | Philadelphia | Was 3 1/2 | Washington | Philadelphia | 30 27 |
| San Diego | Houston | Hou 4 | Houston | Houston | 27 17 |
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
TST's Ryan Van Bibber lent some insight into the Rams' match-up with Arizona, in an article on Tuesday (link):
"For now, a majority of the action has the Cardinals covering the spread. The Rams were 11-5 against the spread last season, the best mark in a long time for the team. However, recent history for both teams paints a different picture for opening day. The Rams are 2-10 against the spread in their last 12 season openers, and a woeful 1-6 when favored.
Predictions are pointing toward a low-scoring affair. Odds Shark's model currently calls for a 17-13 Rams win. That matches history where eight of the last 10 games between these two teams have gone under the over/under mark."
Arizona will be a much improved team in 2013. They brought in QB Carson Palmer, and upgraded the offensive line. The keys to this game will be pressuring Palmer - and exploiting Arizona's deep secondary [two new safeties]. Although improved, the Card's offensive line still has question marks. The line suffered a huge blow - when they lost guard Jonathan Cooper for the season - with a broken leg. Arizona will have no way to prepare, in advance, for the new-look Rams offense. The defenses will keep this game relatively close. Key match-ups: Levi Brown/Eric Winston vs. Robert Quinn/Chris Long. Who does Patrick Peterson cover? Who covers Patrick Peterson? Can Chris Givens and Jared Cook exploit a depleted Arizona secondary?
5 Intriguing Must-Watch Games
Green Bay @ San Francisco - A re-match of last years divisional playoff game (won by the Niner's 45-31). Both teams have Super Bowl aspirations - and both have a tough stretch of games to open their seasons. Rams fans will be watching this game with keen interest.
Philadelphia @ Washington - The return of RG3 - and the debut of Eagles coach Chip Kelly [and his warp-speed offense] - make this an intriguing, must-see game.
Baltimore @ Denver - The defending Super Bowl champs visit the Broncos - in a re-match of last years divisional playoff game [won by the Ravens, in dramatic fashion]. How much will the Broncos miss Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil? Is Baltimore's revamped defense better than last years?
Atlanta @ New Orleans - The home opener for New Orleans marks the return of head coach Sean Payton. The Saints face a division rival with Super Bowl aspirations - and a new running back familiar to the Rams faithful for many years...Steven Jackson.
Seattle @ Carolina - There could be a whole lotta' read-option goin' on - in a match-up of two of the best "new breed" quarterbacks - Russell Wilson and Cam Newton. A game that may have implications for the Rams, later in the season.
Are you ready for some football!!!