I just want to get my prediction in before the game starts.
*Big Game
**Game of the Week
**New Orleans Saints v.s. Green Bay Packers
The past two champions dueling at Lambeau Field to open up the season, now what is better than that? I look for this to be a tight ball game, more offensive than defensive and both Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have big games. Whatever team runs the ball better I believe will pull out the victory and I think James Starks and Ryan Grant will run the ball effectively enough to open up the passing game a little more for Aaron Rodgers. I also think that the Packers are capable of pulling off a big defensive play to switch the momentum of the game. All of these things along with the fact that Aaron Rodgers might just be the best player in the NFL right now, the Packers will slip by the Saints.
Green Bay 27-24
Spread: New Orleans
Now, the rest of the predictions.
*Atlanta Falcons v.s. Chicago Bears (ATL -3)
The Falcons are hyped as legitimate Super Bowl contenders and the Bears are predicted to fall this year. I agree with the Bears falling off a little bit this year, but I do not believe that the Falcons are Super Bowl contenders this early in the season. They have questions on offense and defense. They sured up the defense a little bit, but I still believe that Matt Ryan can't put the points on the board when he really needs to. In this one, the Bears will play stellar defense and the Falcons offense will struggle.
Chicago 21-17
Spread: Chicago
Cincinnati Bengals v.s. Cleveland Browns (CLE -7)
The Battle of Ohio. Cleveland looked great in the preseason, particularly Colt McCoy. Cincinnati however did not look good in preseason. It will take some time for Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and the Cincinnati offense to get in synch. I believe the Bengals defense will keep them in the game, but Colt McCoy, Peyton Hillis and the Browns will pull out the victory.
Cleveland 20-10
Spread: Cleveland
Buffalo Bills v.s. Kansas City Chiefs (KC -6)
The big question is whether or not Matt Cassel is healthy. If he is, than Kansas City should take care of business handily. If not, Kansas City will rely heavily on Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones to pound away against the Bills unproven defense. I don't believe Cassel will play and I think Shawne Merriman has a big game in the opener. But Kansas City will find a way to win in a tight one.
Kansas City 17-16
Spread: Buffalo
*Philadelphia Eagles v.s. St. Louis Rams (PHI -5)
The much talked about Eagles finally debut against the Rams. I think Philadelphia's defense will cause the Rams offense to struggle mightily, but I think that the Rams defense will keep St. Louis in the game. It's Philly's game to lose, the pressure is on them. But they'll get it done because they have a little bit too much talent to lose.
Philadelphia 24-17
Spread: Philadelphia
*Detroit Lions v.s. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB -1)
This is a very intriguing game. Both teams are on the rise and are playoff contenders. When these two teams met last year, the Lions beat the Bucs in Tampa. I expect the same thing to happen this year with the Lions defense causing Josh Freeman to struggle.
Detroit 27-12
Spread: Detroit
Tennessee Titans v.s. Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC -1)
I don't know who to pick in this one. I could go with Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans or Luke McCown and the Jaguars. Somehow, someway, the Jaguars always seem to win these types of games. There on their way to another 7-9 season no matter who is at quarterback.
Jacksonville 23-19
Spread: Jacksonville
*Pittsburgh Steelers v.s. Baltimore Ravens (BAL -1)
This may be the best rivalry in the NFL and is certainly the 1:00 game to watch tomorrow. These games have come down to big plays in the 4th quarter. In each game last year, the team that won made the big play when it mattered. Sunday will be no different and it will be the Ravens who make that big play and secure the victory.
Baltimore 16-14
Spread: Baltimore
Indianapolis Colts v.s. Houston Texans (HOU -9)
This is a game the Texans have to win. It's as simple as that. No Peyton Manning, no problem, right? Yes, the Texans will get it done, but its the offense that puts on a show against a lack luster Indianapolis team.
Houston 35-17
Spread: Houston
Carolina Panthers v.s. Arizona Cardinals (ARZ -7)
Both teams are very different from last year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Carolina has both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart back and healthy while the Cardinals have Kevin Kolb to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. This game will be close because the Panthers will be a surprise team this year, but I think the Cardinals have a little bit more defense than the Panthers and since their at home, I'll take the Cardinals in overtime.
Arizona 26-23 OT
Spread: Carolina
Minnesota Vikings v.s. San Diego Chargers (SD -9)
I don't see the Minnesota defense slowing down the Chargers attack and I don't see Adrian Peterson, Donovan McNabb and the Viking offense scoring enough points to hang with the Chargers. This game is over early.
San Diego 31-23
Spread: Minnesota
Seattle Seahawks v.s. San Francisco 49ers (SF -5.5)
The Jim Harbaugh era begins in San Francisco. Both teams have many questions on both sides of the football. I think this game comes down to turnovers and which team makes fewer mistakes. I think that Frank Gore will pound away at the Seattle defense and Alex Smith will limit his mistakes.
San Francisco 20-16
Spread: Seattle
New York Giants v.s. Washington Redskins (NYG -3)
I think the Giants defense may be too much for Rex Grossman and the Redskins to handle. But you never know what to expect from Grossman. Who knows what to expect from Eli Manning? Which Giants team will show up? Many questions surround this game, but the Giants are a little bit more consistent than the Redskins.....I think?
New York 19-14
Spread: New York
*Dallas Cowboys v.s. New York Jets (NYJ -6)
The Cowboys are healthy and they are ready to rebound in 2011. They are the most underrated team heading into 2011. Now the Jets; they have a stellar defense but you don't what to expect from the offense. I think the pressure will get to the Jets because the highs are too high and the lows are too low. Dallas comes in and rail roads the Jets in my upset special.
Dallas 31-20
Spread: Dallas
New England Patriots v.s. Miami Dolphins (NE -7)
The Patriots have been torching the Dolphins of late, but if you follow the Patriots, you know that Miami is never easy, especially on Monday Night. That being said, I don't see how the Dolphins slow down Tom Brady enough to win.
New England 31-22
Spread: New England
Oakland Raiders v.s. Denver Broncos (DEN -3)
I think the Raiders downgraded the most out of any team in the NFL, but that doesn't mean I don't think they can go to Denver and win. Oakland stays close early, but Kyle Orton and Denver take care of the football and take care of business on monday night.
Denver 17-12
Spread: Denver
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