After a fun filled opening Sunday in the NFL, we follow it up with not one but two Monday Night games.  They offer possibly the best bets of the week one schedule.  Sportsbook.com has the Washington Redskins at a –4.5 spread, while the San Diego Chargers are at a –3 spread.

·  Vikings (+4.5) at Redskins

 The Vikings enter Washington after an off-season that saw quarterback Daunte Culpepper traded away to the Dolphins.  They turn to the veteran Brad Johnson who started the final nine games for them last year after the knee injury to Culpepper.  They will also be starting Chester Taylor, acquired from the Ravens, who has been unimpressive during the pre-season.  Add to that the fact that they have a sub-par wide receiver core and it may be a long night for them in the nations capital.  After four meaningless preseason games, the Redskins have left many in doubt what if anything to expect from them this season.  That was however preseason and this one counts.  They received good news on Saturday that stud running back Clinton Portis has been upgraded to probable by coach Joe Gibbs.  It’s not clear if he will get the start but we expect him to see significant action.  Quarterback Mark Brunell is expected to throw often to a good wide receiver core led by Santana Moss coming off a career year in 2005. 

ICK : Redskins

·  Chargers (-3) at Raiders

 The Chargers beat the Raiders twice by a combined score of 61 to 24 last season.  They enter week one with a new starting quarterback in Philip Rivers.  In his third year in the league, Rivers lacks experience but has had two years to study under quality quarterback Drew Brees.  Rivers is expected to look for tight end Antonio Gates who is coming off a year that saw him go for over 1100 yards.  The X-factor for the Chargers has to be star running back LaDainian Tomlinson.  The raiders were 25th against the rush last season, making this an enticing match-up for Tomlinson.  The Raiders come into the game led by new quarterback Aaron Brooks coming off the worst season of his career.  He will have Randy Moss at wide receiver and Lamont Jordan at running back giving him quality targets to work with.  However, even if this offense gets rolling, the defense will probably fail them in the end.  The chargers have beat the Raiders in their past five meetings and we look for more of the same tonight. 

PICK: Chargers    

Get in now at sportsbook.com on two of the best bets of the opening week schedule.