NFL WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS

NFL Week 1 Predictions:

Redskins @ Giants: Giants

I am not real confident about this pick, but I had to do it. Even with Osi being out for the year, I still think the Giants pass rush will befuddle Jason Campbell. If the Skins had looked even average in the preseason, I would have been inclined to take them instead. Until I can trust Jim Zorn, I have to take the Giants here.

Lions @ Falcons: Lions

I absolutely hate the Lions team this year. Their defense is going to be atrocious, and their offense is still in limbo. They need to find their QB for the future to go with the rest of the young O, otherwise the teams development will be slowed for years to come. But still, they are better then the Falcons. I do not think that Matt Ryan will be a top QB in this league at any point, but more of a journeyman (Kitna style), and his play this season will certainly reflect it.

Seahawks @ Bills: Seahawks

This could be a bad opening for the Hawks. Seattle is known for being bad on the road, especially in openers. Still, the Bills are set for a bad year. Yes, they are on the right track, but not this year, and especially not this week.

Jets @ Dolphins: Jets

Favre gets a W in his Jets debut. Expect to see more of these results (W’s for Jets, L’s for Fins) throughout the season.

Chiefs @ Patriots: Patriots

Even though the Pats won’t be perfect this year, they aren’t that much worse off then last year. They worked on fixing the LB core through the draft, but failed to address the Cornerback position. That could be their ultimate downfall this season. As for the Chiefs, they are in pretty much the ultimate rebuilding project. They have the running game, and the pieces for a solid defense, but lack a passing game and any kind of offensive line. Look for this team to improve throughout the year, but still be in the top 5 in the draft when its all said and done.

Buccaneers @ Saints:  Saints

I’m invoking the “home field advantage rule” on this one. Unlike most people, I really like the Bucs this year. The Saints will also be good, but have to gain some consistency on both sides of the ball. Good thing they acquired Vilma and Shockey this offseason.

Rams @ Eagles: Eagles

I don’t think the Rams will be as bad as they were last year, mainly because their offensive line is no longer made of mannequins. Still, they will not be able to overtake the Hawks in the NFC West. The Eagles just have more firepower than the Rams this year, and this will not be anything that even resembles a Defensive battle.

Texans @ Steelers: Steelers

Too many questions for the Texans this year for them to be successful. Who will emerge as a running threat? Will Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson stay healthy long enough to develop into one of the best QB-WR combo’s in the league? On the other hand, the Steelers only have one real question mark (Who will replace Alan Faneca at Guard?). Look for Mendenhall to accumulate a TD or 2 in the red-zone, as the Steelers will go on to win in a somewhat convincing manner.

Bengals @ Ravens: Ravens

The headline in the Washington Post Monday: Flacco is our savior. I have all kinds of confidence in this kid, and I expect him to make me look good this year. It’s not all that hard, when all the QB in Baltimore has to do is hand the ball off and throw slant patterns. The Bengals are too much of a mess to win early on in the season, but could have some success late in the year when the injury report clears up a bit.

Jaguars @ Titans: Jaguars

In the NFC, the Jaguars would be the top team to deal with. In the AFC, they are stuck at the #4 spot. The Jags will not even feel the loss of Marcus Stroud on defense, and the offense should continue to flourish as the receiving core matures and becomes more talented. Joey Porter (WR) could be the comeback player of the year, if he hadn’t had caused his own problems in Oakland. The Titans are still a mess offensively, mainly due to Vince Young and his pea-sized brain. How come no one brings up his wonderlic score anymore? When he doesn’t have the smarts to manage an NFL game, that would have been my first thought.

Panthers @ Chargers: Chargers

If you have to choose one game to watch for the entire week, this could be it (DAL/CLE is also intriguing). I still hate Phillip Rivers and still don’t believe the skill set is there. Lucky for him, he has LT on his side. The Chargers D is still daunting, even with Merriman’s lack of a knee. The Panthers could be a playoff team this year, if Steve Smith can just play nice. This game stays close, but the Bolts prevail in the end.

Cardinals @ 49ers: Cardinals

When will Matt Leinart retire already? He is a career backup, and should get cozy with his headphones and clipboard on the bench this season. The 49ers season is pretty simple to describe: When J.T. Sullivan is your QB, you are an awful team. This may end up being a good game to look at the scoreboard for as it will be close, but it will be a bad one to watch.

Cowboys @ Browns: Cowboys

Tough Week 1 draw for both of these teams. I would hate to have a play a high caliber team in my first week. The players aren’t always ready and injuries can take a toll. Lucky for the ‘Boys, the team has been together for quite awhile now. The Cowboys will be the team to reckon with in the NFC, but I just don’t trust their mental toughness.

Bears @ Colts: Colts

Simple here, and can explain in one matchup. Peyton Manning vs. Kyle Orton. Dominant game for the Colts.

Vikings @ Packers: Packers

I cannot believe anyone is picking the Vikings here. Tavaris Jackson is their QB, and he’s playing on the frozen tundra. Not a very good situation. The Packers still have an outstanding team around Aaron Rogers. If Brett Favre was the QB of this team, then I would be picking them to go to the Super Bowl.

Broncos @ Raiders: Raiders

With Brandon Marshall out, expect the Broncos to be flat on offense. The Raiders are slowly building themselves up. If only their owner didn’t throw out completely undeserved contracts to players, they may get better even faster. Look for the Offense from Oak-town to be impressive.

And that’s Week 1. Tune in every week for more predictions!