The NFL regular season kicks off this Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints begin their championship defense at home against the Minnesota Vikings. The game is a rematch of last year’s NFC title game, which the Saints won in overtime. The Saints looked good in the preseason. Drew Brees is an elite quarterback, and Reggie Bush might be ready to have his break-out season this year. For the Vikings, Brett Favre is back for his final season yet again. Sage Rosenfels was traded to the New York Giants, which means Tavaris Jackson is the established backup should Favre fall to injury. After the way the Saints went after Favre last year, that scenario is certainly a possibility. The absence of Sidney Rice is a big loss for Minnesota. The public likes the Saints at nearly 4:1. As you can see on our NFL betting lines page – or the table below – the line opened with New Orleans favored by 4 ½ points. Most books have stayed there, though a couple have moved up to 5 points.

The Sunday slate offers several intriguing games. The New England Patriots host the Cincinnati Bengals in what could be a preview of a playoff match-up. The Pats opened as 6 point favorites, but sportsbooks have brought that down to 4 or 4 ½ points. The Patriots were energized in the preseason, and having Wes Welker back is a huge plus. For the Bengals, Carson Palmer has the enviable problem of having to choose between Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. Cedric Benson has found rebirth in Cincy. The Bengals defense was rock solid last year. This should be a very good game.

Indianapolis travels to Houston in what looks to be a high scoring affair. The Colts opened as 3 point favorites, but now books are scattered between 1 ½ and 2 ½ points. Peyton Manning has a host of weapons, led by Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Joesph Addai and Donald Brown make for a productive backfield. The Texans counter with Matt Schaub, who led the NFL in passing yards last season. Andre Johnson can be unstoppable. Mario Williams anchors a defense that needs to get Peyton Manning on the move in order to be successful.

The Cowboys and Redskins meet in Washington to play the Sunday night game. Dallas opened as 3 point road favorites and now books put the ‘Boys between 3 ½ and 4 points although some books have this game pulled off the board because of McNabb’s status. Tony Romo leads, in my opinion, the darkhorse team to come out of the NFC. Don’t forget about the Cowboys. Washington moves forward with Mike Shanahan at coach and Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Shanahan recently claimed that McNabb should be ready to for the game; McNabb suffered a sprained ankle in the preseason. If need be, Rex Grossman will be ready to go. The defense will be better once Albert Haynesworth gets out of Shanahan’s dog house.

Monday night features two games, but the one that grabs my attention is Baltimore at the New York Jets. I foresee a lot of hitting in this game as two of the League’s best defenses will be on the field. The Jets opened as 3 point favorites but now the line is anywhere between 1 and 3 points, depending upon the book. Joe Flacco is a year older and the Ravens added Anquan Boldin in the off-season. The Jets will have a good ground game behind a punishing offensive line and running back Shonn Greene. Mark Sanchez needs to be able to complete third down throws to keep the chains moving.

Time	Game	Team	Open	Bookmker	Pincle	5 Dimes	Bdog
9/09 7:30p	451 452	MINNESOTA NEW ORLEANS	51½ 4½	48 5½	48u10 4½-07	47½ 5	5
9/12 12:00p	453 454	CAROLINA NY GIANTS	40 7	41½ 7	41o06 7	41 8+10	7
9/12 12:00p	455 456	MIAMI BUFFALO	2 38	3-15 39	3-16 38o10	3-20 38½	3-25
9/12 12:00p	457 458	ATLANTA PITTSBURGH	41 pk	2 38	1½-18 38u13	1½-25 37½	2½
9/12 12:00p	459 460	DETROIT CHICAGO	42½ 7	43 6	43o07 6-13	43 7+05	6
9/12 12:00p	461 462	CINCINNATI NEW ENGLAND	44 6	45 4	44o17 4	45 4	4½
9/12 12:00p	463 464	CLEVELAND TAMPA BAY	37 1	37 3-05	37o06 1½-29	37 1½-30	3ev
9/12 12:00p	465 466	DENVER JACKSONVILLE	42 1½	40 3ev	39½o07 2-13	39½ 2-15	3+05
9/12 12:00p	467 468	INDIANAPOLIS HOUSTON	3-15 47	2 47	2-10 46½o16	1½-15 47	2½
9/12 12:00p	469 470	OAKLAND TENNESSEE	41 7	40½ 5½	40½o07 6-05	40½ 6	6½
9/12 3:15p	471 472	GREEN BAY PHILADELPHIA	46 pk	3+05 47½	3+02 47o18	2½-25 47½	3-05
9/12 3:15p	473 474	SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE	38 1	3 36½	3+02 37½u23	2½-25 36½	3ev
9/12 3:15p	475 476	ARIZONA ST. LOUIS	3½ 42½	4 39½	4-07 38½o09	4 39	4
9/12 7:20p	477 478	DALLAS WASHINGTON	3-20 43½		3½-10 40½u10	4 40
9/13 6:00p	479 480	BALTIMORE NY JETS	37½ 3	35½ 2½	35½o06 1-29	35½ 1½-25	2½
9/13 9:15p	481 482	SAN DIEGO KANSAS CITY	5½ 45	4½ 45	5½+08 44½	4½ 44½	5½

Lines taken from Bookmaker, 5Dimes, Pinnacle, & Bodog.  All offer unique lines and are a great stable of books to have in your NFL betting arsenal for week 1 and beyond.

Don’t forget – Maddux Sports’ premium picks is the best way to make money on your sports betting investment. The NFL football picks are guaranteed and the professionals at Maddux Sports have a long history of great returns. Sign up now! You’ll be thankful you did.