Week 1 NFL Picks

MIN vs. NO



Don’t expect to see the same game you saw in the NFC Championship game a year ago. Minnesota’s receiving core has been ravished by injuries and New Orleans secondary has lost their leader (Sidney Rice and Darren Sharper missing at least six games each). The difference in this game will be Drew Brees, who has risen past Tom Brady, and only tails Peyton Manning, as one of the top 2 quarterbacks in the NFL right now. I’m picking New Orleans to win solely on their ability to outscore the Vikings with Brees at the helm. Don’t expect this to be a common theme however; this New Orleans defense needs to prove to me that they were anything but a one year wonder.


CLE vs. TB


This is a really good match-up; not because it will be terribly exciting to watch, but because it allows both participating teams to play an opponent that is evenly matched against them, at least on paper. Sometimes when a team is trying to make the transition from being bad to being mediocre, if they are facing a great team in the first week, their confidence gets shattered and they never recover. With this game, both teams get the opportunity to build some confidence and take steps forward without doubting the direction their taking. I’m picking Cleveland to win, mostly because of Aqib Talib’s suspension, but I think both teams can be winners if the game is close.


MIA vs. BUF


This game is very similar to the previous game I previewed, except that Buffalo is not trying to go in a definite direction like Tampa Bay or Cleveland. Miami should be able to get a good rhythm going between Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall in what should be a good win.


CIN vs. NE


Now this game will be very interesting to watch. New England is desperately trying to regain the form they had when they were winning Super Bowls and going 17-0. Sadly for them, the Bengals have been doing a much better job of building their team, especially using the draft to build their defense. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was very impressed with how much pressure the Bengals defense was able to get during the preseason. Maybe it’s just the preseason being the preseason, but it’s enough for me to give the Bengals the slight edge in this game.


IND vs. HOU


Watch this game closely. While Indy is probably winning, how well Houston plays against them will let us fans know how far they’ve come and how far they could go.


DEN vs. JAC


I really pity Broncos fans. They have an arrogant coach with little to no clue what he’s doing and have lost the majority of the talent they had leading into the season. Without Elvis Dumervil, I just don’t think that the defense can keep the offense in the game, Jacksonville wins.


ATL vs. PIT


With Dennis Dixon being the starter for this game, it would seem obvious to pick Atlanta for the win. However last year’s game he started against Baltimore showed that he is pretty good, when the Steelers gameplan around his talents. I’m still picking Atlanta to win this game; it’s just going to be closer than most think.


OAK vs. TEN


While Oakland is taking steps forward, they really won’t show themselves in this game. Tennessee should show all the reasons that they are my surprise team in the AFC this season.


CAR vs. NYG


Two teams that seem to be taking steps back. While I think that the Giants will have a better season than the Panthers, I think the Panthers’ defense will be able to slow the Giants’ offense just enough to pull out the win.


DET vs. CHI


While I am really tempted to pick Detroit for the upset, I’m just not that bold. I’ll put it this way; Detroit has taken enough steps forward over the last two years for me to see them winning six to eight games. I just don’t have the guts to pick them to defeat the Bears while their secondary is this unproven.


ARI vs. STL


In-spite of my doubts about Derek Anderson, St. Louis is still nowhere near good enough to compete with Arizona. Cardinals win.


GB vs. PHI


A year ago, this game would have been a shoot-out. This year, it’ll likely be a bit off a blowout. I do not like Kevin Kolb’s chances of having a great game against the Packers dominant defense, or at least not against Charles Woodson. I’m giving the Packers the victory in this game.


SF vs. SEA


The Seahawks are trying desperately to not fall into the category of a rebuilding team, even though they fell into that category since releasing Shaun Alexander. San Fran has actually rebuilt quite well, and should win this game handily.


DAL vs. WAS


While I think Donovan McNabb is going to help the Redskins improve, I don’t think the supporting cast is there quite yet. Especially with the rift between the coaching staff and Albert Haynesworth likely leading to his being traded or released at some point this season. Dallas is going to win this one.


BAL vs. NYJ *GAME OF THE WEEK*


Two teams that are almost perfectly matched. Both have dominant defenses. Both have a strong running presence. Both have young quarterbacks who have experience great success early in their careers. The only real difference between these two teams is that last part; one team has a quarterback who is a legitimate raising star (Joe Flacco), the other has a quarterback who is the product of a system (Mark Sanchez). Also, I think the Jets may have neutered their own running game by releasing Alan Faneca and are relying on first time starter Matt Slauson to be the dominant run-blocking force. I don’t like the chances of Slauson being able to hold down the dominant force of Haloti Ngata. For this reason, as well as the mistake waiting to happen that is Mark Sanchez (at this point in his career), I’m picking the Ravens to win.


SD vs. KC


This game isn’t very hard to pick. Chargers win.