MINNESOTA (-4) over Atlanta
The Vikings made plenty of bold moves this offseason, giving QB Kirk Cousins plenty of added protection and bringing in offensive guru Gary Kubiak to assist the process of improving this team's efficiency. The Falcons have shown little this preseason (per usual), but appear to be coming into this opening season game pressing a bit on the Julio Jones contract issue and recognizing their window is narrowing in a very competitive NFC South. Look for a determined effort from the Vikes, who will be motivated further by seeing what their division rivals Packers and Bears did to each other on Thursday night. There's no way they came out of that game not thinking they're among the elite in the North.
San Francisco (+1) over TAMPA BAY
Normally, I hate the west coast team traveling to the east coast, but there are some valid concerns that this Buccaneers team might rival Miami for the worst team in the state of Florida. And while we still may not have seen the best of 49ers QB Jimmy Garappolo, the fact is he's healthy and that could be enough facing a team that appears to be coming into this season in pure desperation mode. Niners in revenge mode after an embarrassing road loss at Tampa last season during the Nick Mullens era as starting signal caller. Bucs have all new coaching staff, and will have a microscope on QB Jameis Winston in what may be a make or break season for him.
SEATTLE (-9 1/2) over Cincinnati
They can make all the coaching changes they want in Cincinnati, very little has changed. Meantime, there appears to be a swagger in the Pacific Northwest, where HC Pete Carroll and a much more financially motivated Russell Wilson are looking to make a run at the NFC West. The recent addition of Jadeveon Clowney brings in a familiar attitude for the Seahawks defense. Curious to see if Wilson will have some help up front considering the recent patchwork efforts of offensive lines in the past. Carroll has been notoriously good in home openers since taking over in Seattle, where the team is unbeaten since 2009.