MEGA-LOCK: Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and the Lions will ransack the Rams in the opener, Dave Blezow predicts. (
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It’s not often a team’s most important game of the season is its opener, but that very well may be the case for the 2012 Jets.
Consider they are coming off a three-game, season-ending skid that not only ruined them but helped launch their stadium mates’ Super Bowl run. They followed that up with an 0-4 preseason in which the top two offensive units failed to score a single touchdown. And they have a quarterback in Mark Sanchez who, in his fourth season, should be ready to put the Jets over the top, but instead will be pushed off to the side when Tim Tebow comes in to run the Wildcat.
It’s not a promising lead-in, and the betting line reflects that, dropping below three against an opponent that was 6-10 last year and had its own 0-4 preseason.
Though the Bills come in with some reliable weapons in Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller and Stevie Johnson, Rex Ryan’s defense will be ready. LaRon Landry was the stud safety he needed to complement top cornerback duo Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, and as a result, the rushers will have more success getting after the quarterback.
With this defense, the tag team of Sanchez and Tebow may not have to amount to all that much to win games and keep the Jets in the hunt.
The pick: Jets, -2 1⁄2.
Colts (+9 1⁄2) over BEARS: Get used to hearing “Andrew Luck, complete to Coby Fleener.” Little much to give with a Bears team that blew a playoff spot with a late five-game dive last season.
Eagles (-8 1⁄2) over BROWNS: Rookie RB Trent Richardson is doubtful for the Browns. After their Dream Team nightmare, count on the Eagles to be hot out of the gate.
SAINTS (-7) over Redskins: Would like to give Robert Griffin III the same nod given to Luck, but RG3 is in a much tougher spot. Drew Brees and his mates will be all out to hang a big number right in front of Roger Goodell’s face.
Patriots (-5 1⁄2) over TITANS: Patriots have won eight openers in a row and Brandon Lloyd only adds to the opposing defensive coordinator’s headaches. Tom Brady will be out to get the offense in gear quickly to erase memories of their Super Bowl failure.
VIKINGS (-4) over Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert was given some better receivers in Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson, but the quarterback will have to improve greatly over his skittish act as a rookie. Tough to do in Jason Allen’s house.
TEXANS (-12) over Dolphins: Four years ago, the rookie QB-coach tandem of Sanchez and Ryan won on Opening Day in Houston. Texas A&M product Ryan Tannehill and Joe Philbin will have a tough time staying close against one of the AFC’s top teams.
LIONS (-7 1⁄2) over Rams: Rams will be improved with Jeff Fisher on the sidelines, but with 17 rookies they are not equipped to keep up in any kind of shootout with Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson & Co.
CHIEFS (+3) over Falcons: If Matt Cassel is any good, the Chiefs have a chance to be a big mover. They were a tough out after Romeo Crennel took over, losing mostly because of horrible quarterback play by Cassel’s replacements.
49ers (+5) over PACKERS: Week 1 warmth takes the Lambeau edge out of the equation. Two excellent teams, but 49ers have clearly the better D and Alex Smith has a deeper arsenal than he’d had, with newcomers Mario Manningham, Randy Moss and eventually Brandon Jacobs.
Panthers (-2 1⁄2) over BUCCANEERS: Best of luck to Greg Schiano, but the Carolina program is a year ahead of his right now. Panthers can still run it and Cam Newton is ready to become a huge NFL star.
CARDINALS (+2 1⁄2) over Seahawks: Line has moved four points in Seattle’s favor since the open, if you read anything into that. Shrimpy Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is going to have to show us something before he’s the choice as a road favorite though.
BRONCOS (-1 1⁄2) over Steelers: Peyton Manning in his return to the NFL likely won’t have to deal with James Harrison. Steelers also have to piece it together on offense with Rashard Mendenhall dealing with a bad knee and Mike Wallace recently having shown up.
MONDAY NIGHT
RAVENS (-6) over Bengals: Big fan of Andy Dalton and Bengals, but league did them no favors with Inner Harbor prime-timer. Ravens ran the table in the division in 2012 and have won 10 in a row at home.
Chargers (+1) over RAIDERS: Philip Rivers adds Robert Meachem to Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates. Many think the ship has sailed on this team, but there’s still an awful lot there.
BEST BETS: Lions, Patriots, Panthers.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Lions (Locks finished 13-6 in 2011 season and playoffs).
WEDNESDAY: Giants (L).
dblezow@nypost.com