Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

Are you looking for a vote of confidence when picking winners, spreads and over/ unders? Let me be that football wizard who has seen the prophecies of victory and has the ability to put your wagering soul at ease. In this weekly column, I'll go over every match up and let you in on the deciding factors which will lead me to my winning visions for the week ahead. I'll also throw in the occasional article and words of advice on wagering strategies. But hey, if for some reason any of Nick's picks let you down, I'm cool with you telling your bookie it was all my fault.

WEEK 1 PICKS:

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 23 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 30 - The Chiefs are getting better, but the Patriots still have Brady and Billy B. Plus, New England is at home and going to raise the banner. It will be great to see the top two tight ends in the game as well as explosive players like Hill and Hunt on the Chiefs in this contest. Take the Patriots to win but I would avoid the spread... too evenly matched for 9 points. Go with the over(48).

NEW YORK JETS 16 @ BUFFALO BILLS 27 - Not much to say here other than the Jets are in a state of disarray and the Bills have Shady running the rock. I really am not expecting either offense to look 'crisp'. I'd take the Bills and the 9.5 points as well as hitting the over.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 27 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS 34 - Half the football experts have the Eagles pulling this one out, so looks like I'm going to have to go against half the grain. Kirk Cousins has stellar numbers against Philadelphia in his short career against them and the Redskins are at home in this game. Even though Philly's defense is ranked in the top ten, I don't feel they will match last year's numbers, especially since I believe they will finish last in the NFC East this season. Additionally, I think Washington upgraded their receiving core as well as getting key players healthy the last couple weeks. I also haven't seen much continuity in the Eagles running game yet. Definitely go with the Redskins and the point they're given as well as the over of 47.5 points.

ARIZONA CARDINALS 37 @ DETROIT LIONS 20 - This is another game I think a lot of experts are way off on. First off, there is no way the Lions are going to be able to stop the top fantasy player in the league. The Arizona D also upgraded in the off-season and allowed a season-low, two TD total to tight ends in the 2016 season. A couple reasons I bring this up is because Detroit's current TE, Eric Ebron, had one TD all of last season, and the Lions are probably the team in the league most dependent on the pass, especially since they haven't had a hundred-yard runner in a hundred-years. Actually, it was only 46 games ago(Thanksgiving 2013) by Reggie Bush for 117 yards, but it does seem like a generation could of passed since a Detroit RB had triple digits. I just see no way the Lions have any sort of chance in this one and the point and a half they're given is just comical. Roll with the Cardinals and the over of 48.

ATLANTA FALCONS 40 @ CHICAGO BEARS 13 - Hey, this guy was born and bred in Chicago, but even I'm not biased enough to think that the Bears don't suck. Are they going to be better than last year? Well, probably. I mean, most wine and cured cheese get better just by sitting there and aging, so why shouldn't the Bears get better by pulling off a few half-ass, off-season moves? They are obviously starting the wrong quarterback to boot and most of the NFL knows it. No need to break down strategies here. Atlanta is bringing back everyone, except with a new offensive coordinator in tow. All the weapons will be there at Matt Ryan's disposal, so watch out Chicago. Since it will be a beat-down, feel comfortable taking the Falcons and the 7 points as well as the 49.5 over. After all, Atlanta will be putting 40 of those points on the board.

OAKLAND RAIDERS 34 @ TENNESSEE TITANS 27 - Another game with me fighting the system. I'm close to winning my confidence and survivor pools every year, so why not think of myself as an expert? I mean, my competition does. HAHAHA Anyway, Lynch is back running the rock and Carr is back throwing the rock from last year's devastating injury. Cooper and Crabtree hauling in passes and TD's. Great story-lines for Oakland. Mariota also had a devastating injury late last-year, but hasn't looked too accurate in the preseason. I know that's not a 'judge-all' for how the season will play out, but until I see results, I'm tempering beginning-of-season expectations. Take Oakland to win with the 2 points they're given and the 50.5 point over with confidence.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 16 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 20 - A contest of two strong defenses and mediocre QB play. Points will come at a premium but the Texans should have more big plays in the game due to having big play makers, such as the likes of Hopkins, Miller and Watt. Comfortably take Houston and the 5.5 points. First game so far of week one to consider the 39.5 under.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 30 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS 20 - A bunch of people are thinking this game is going to be closer than it really is. Hey, the Browns made some upgrades recently, but don't let alcohol or drug addiction ever influence your decision on taking Cleveland over Pittsburgh... especially since the Steelers now have the '4' B's: Bell, Brown, Ben and Bryant. So go with Blitzburgh and the 8.5 points, but don't put too much on the over(47) if you need to wager point totals on this one.

BALTIMORE RAVENS 20 @ CINCINNATI BENGALS 27 - I expect this one to be a divisional grind and an average amount of points being scored. Other than Danny Woodhead, I don't see a lot of improvements on Baltimore's end. The Bengals have an all-around, better team and should have no problem with the Ravens at home, especially since Baltimore might be fighting Cleveland for last in the AFC North this season. Have no worries taking Cincinnati and the 3 points, but cautiously take the 42.5 over.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 0 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS 0 - Game cancelled due to weather.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 13 @ LOS ANGELES RAMS 27 - No Andrew Luck, so guess who is sh*t out of luck? You guessed it, the Indianapolis Colts. I'm thrilled to have the Rams' defense on my high dollar fantasy team. Another game with not much strategy to break down other than, A. Luck is out and the Rams' Defense smells blood. Smile all day taking the Rams and the 3.5 point spread but go with the 41.5 under.

CAROLINA PANTHERS 24 @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers 20 - A game that should end up closer than both teams want, so don't flash all the cash on this one. The Panthers have more pieces of the puzzle than the 49ers do, but Cam's arm is still a question mark, even though he will be getting the start. I just don't know how well I can trust it. San Fran isn't a powerhouse by any means but is making quick enough strides to make this a close contest. Go with the Panthers and the -5.5 but stick with the under of 48 points.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 24 @ GREEN BAY PACKERS 34 - I like Green Bay's track record at home against Seattle and think they should have no problem pulling this game off. I also don't think the 'Legion of Boom' will be as big of a problem for Rodgers and his receiving core these days. It should be some exciting football, but with Packers prevailing in the end with the -3 spread. Also feel comfortable taking the 51 point over.

NEW YORK GIANTS 27 @ DALLAS COWBOYS 31 - Even though the Giants have had success lately against the Cowboys, as well as on the road in Dallas, doesn't mean I automatically think this year will be a repeat. Remember, Prescott and Elliott were rookies in both of those games. Now, both players will have a little more 'seasoning on the meat' and will provide even more value to Cowboys' offense, if you can believe that. This will be a close, divisional game and Eli will have a lot of toys to play with, but in the end, Dallas will prevail due to youth. The Cowboys and -3.5 is safe, but don't go crazy with the amount on this game. Definitely safe to take the 47.5 over.