LAS VEGAS – Well, Zoneblitz.com has hit the road.

The patriarch of the Zoneblitz.com family and Tony and I landed at about 1 p.m. Las Vegas time and quickly caught a cab to the Golden Nugget, which will be home base for the next four days. I’ve got my last fantasy auction on Friday but much of the rest of the week will be spent playing Blackjack and analyzing some sports bets for Sunday.

The week got off to a rough start. Tony and I both took a beating at Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel, Fitzgeralds Casino and the Four Queens Resort and Casino. At press time Dad was still out there trying to make sure we had enough cash for dinner … okay, it’s not that bad.

On the way back to the room I stopped in the sports book to grab some pick sheets, both for the weekend and for some future bets on Super Bowl, NFC and AFC championship, and regular season win totals. On the win totals, I’m thinking of putting some money down on the Bears to win fewer than eight games.  I’m also intrigued by the under on the Raiders (6.5), the Ravens (6) and the Chiefs (6) but I feel less strongly about those than I do Chicago. Arizona, which is at eight right now, almost always finishes below .500, so that has potential.

For over bets, I’m considering New Orleans (9), whom I am also considering for NFC Champion, and Cleveland (8.5). But the Browns mediocre performance in the preseason coupled with their tough schedule have me nervous about that – they could be better than they were last year and not have a better record to show for it.

As for week one, I don’t quite know who to pick. This is a tough week. As posted on the digital boards at the Golden Nugget this evening, New Orleans is a 3 point favorite over Tampa – I don’t think the Bucs are bad, but I do think the Saints are one of the better teams in the NFC. I like Indianapolis as a 10 point favorite to beat the spread against Chicago. I also like Dallas as a 5.5 point favorite against Cleveland.

Otherwise it’s a collection of really tough calls this week. I consider myself reasonably intelligent at picking the games but early in the season it’s always a struggle.

Who do you like? Any advice? Tips? I’d take any info you’ve got on either pro or college games for the week. Let me know your thoughts.