NFL Week 1 Thoughts and Predictions

Finally, The NFL regular season is here, and I couldn’t be more excited. I hate the preseason, and wish it was cut down to a maximum of 2 games (especially since a preseason ticket is typically the same price as a regular season ticket).

I will post my predictions each week (typically before noon) on Tuesday. This week I am late, since we just got back from vacation (post and pics later).

So, without further ado, here they are. Week One’s picks:

Washington at New York Giants Before the injury to Osi Umenyiora, I would have picked the Giants to win this one with out a hesitation, but with Umenyiora gone, and Strahan staying retired, I think the Giants D will be a bit porous, giving the Redskins the opportunity to put an end to the pre-game celebration by half time. Washington Wins
Detroit at Atlanta While I don’t know that the Lions will win 10 games this year, I do think that they will win this game, giving them their first of the season, and Matt Ryan the first loss of his career. Detroit Wins
Cincinnati at Baltimore Another rookie QB gets the nod this week, this time in Baltimore, but I expect Cincy to take this one. Cincinnati Wins
Seattle at Buffalo Oops, forgot this game, and my guess is that unless you are a fan of either of these two teams, by next week, you will have forgotten about it as well. Seattle Wins
New York Jets at Miami Favre vs Pennington, Round 1 - This round will go to Favre, but once Miami starts to gel, I think round 2 could be sweet revenge for Chad Pennington. Jets Win
Kansas City at New England Brody Croyle may set a record this season. Unfortunately for him, it will likely be “Most Sacks in One Season”. KC’s O-line has more holes than a fishing net, and that may spell disaster for Croyle (and Larry Johnson). New England Wins
Tampa Bay at New Orleans The Saints WILL play in New Orleans, so this one should be an emotion filled game, with NO coming out on top. I personally think that the NFL should buy any unsold tickets and give them away to New Orleans residents, just as a show of good will. Saints Win
St Louis at Philadelphia While the Rams did make some moves to fill the holes from last year, I don’t think that we will start to see the effects immediately. Philly Wins
Houston at Pittsburgh Houston will be a playoff contender this season. That said, they won’t win this one, but they will put up a good fight. Pittsburgh Wins
Jacksonville at Tennessee I have read a lot lately bashing Vince Young, mainly calling him a bust. Honestly, he is far from it! He is a good QB, but he doesn’t have any solid WR’s/TE’s to throw to. In the AFC South, the toughest division in the NFL, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 4th place team end up 9-7. Jags Win
Dallas at Cleveland The fate of each team hinges on their respective QB’s, with Dallas making the playoffs and making quick exits the past 2 seasons, Romo needs to step up, and prove he isn’t a product of a great system. Derek Anderson on the other hand, has Brady Quinn breathing down his neck, just waiting for a chance to get in the game, but Anderson has proven that he has what it takes to keep Quinn on the bench… at least for now. *UPSET OF THE WEEK!* Cleveland Wins
Carolina at San Diego Shawne Merriman could be one of the greatest linebackers ever, but his career could be cut short if he hurts his knees (seeing as how he is refusing to have surgery). I don’t see Carolina putting up much offensively without Steve Smith, who is serving a suspension for punching Ken Lucas. Chargers Win
Arizona at San Francisco Last season I picked both of these teams to be playoff contenders, and got doubly burned, but not this year. Arizona could make a run, but SF has a lot of work to do in order to be considered contenders. Arizona Wins
Chicago at Indianapolis Even though this is a rematch of Super Bowl XLI, Manning and Co should win this one pretty easily. Indy Wins
Minnesota at Green Bay In Aaron Rodgers first start I expect to hear a few “Boo”s, and a few chants concerning Brett Favre, but I think Minnesota has the edge over the Favre-less Pack. Minnesota Wins
Denver at Oakland I’m not sold on either team, but my gut tells me to go with Oakland… so… Oakland Wins

There you have it… Week One starts tomorrow (tonight if you are on the East Coast). What do you think? Am I way off base with a pick (or two)? Let me know, by commenting below!

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