Every year this time comes upon us, and every week Bill Dow puts out his best picks. In the second half of the last season, he was above-.600 with his weekly NFL spread picks. Here we go…

@Baltimore (+2) over Cincinnati - The Ravens have one of the worst quarterback situations in recent memory — Flacco isn’t ready, and Boller/Smith are fighting injuries — but I still take the Ravens at home primarily because of their defense and run game. The spread makes it essentially an extra point game, and I trust both Shayne Graham and Matt Stover on those.

Houston (+6.5) over @Pittsburgh - I don’t see Houston winning this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is won by a field goal. Houston was surprisingly good last year, and has a better all-around team. Pittsburgh is much better, but this early in the season nobody is playing 100%.

Jacksonville (-3) over @Tennessee - The Titans have been short Haynesworth for some time now, and Jacksonville is a sexy pick for the Super Bowl this year. This should be way higher, except for it is in-division. I still take the Jags by a touchdown or two.

Seattle (+0) over @Buffalo - The Bills are notoriously slow starters, the Seahawks are too. The game is going to be close, as the line suggests, and could go either way, as the line also suggests. Just because I am a homer, I am taking the Hawks. Both Engram and Branch are out, but Seneca and Jordan Kent are primed to take over for the short-term.

St. Louis (+7.5) over @Philadelphia - The Rams are going to be the number two team in the NFC West if they can stay healthy. Philadelphia essentially acquired Asante Samuel and DeShaun Jackson and are now seen as a definite Super Bowl contender. Sorry: McNabb is old, the defensive line isn’t great, and neither is the linebackers group. St. Louis not only covers the spread, they win the game.

@Cleveland (+6) over Dallas - Romo has nobody to throw to, Anderson is a great quarterback and Quinn is a solid backup. The Browns aren’t as flashy as the Cowboys, but Hard Knocks is the only reason for this spread.

@Indianapolis (-9.5) over Chicago - I don’t care about Peyton Manning’s health, Jim Sorgi is a better quarterback than Kyle Orton. The Colts have an awesome offense, a solidified defense, and are my pick for the AFC Championship. I watched Orton/Grossman struggle to beat the Seahawks’ 3rd string defense. Take the Colts.

New York Jets (-3) over @Miami
@New England (-15) over Kansas City
Detroit (-3) over @Atlanta
@New Orleans (-3) over Tampa Bay
@San Diego (-9) over Carolina
Arizona (-2.5) over @San Francisco

And the Skyline Pick?

Both Sheldon and Skyline are great teams. Both won their respective state championships last season, both have great quarterbacks with good supporting players. I am a little worried by Skyline going to another state to play a team that will undoubtedly have home field advantage, but I think that the NFL 7v7 Champion offense should be able to rise above it.

The Pick - Skyline 28, Sheldon 20