NFL Predictions: Week 1

Week 1 is predictably unpredictable but I'll give it a shot.


Eagles @ Packers
Donovan McNabb sets out on his road to redemption by taking on a Packers team led by the aging...er, I mean, ageless Brett Favre at Lambeau.  Brett should have hung them up a couple years ago and he's set the organization back by keeping the front office on the fence about hs plans.  But, he's Brett Favre, aka "White Steve McNair", so he gets a pass.  The Eagles are traditionally strong during the early part of the season which coincides with being prior to McNabb and Brian Westbrook suffering season ending injuries.  

Eagles  28-10

Chiefs @ Texans

Matt Schaub, who the Falcons could probably use right now, makes his Texan debut against a Chiefs team that doesn't seem to know who they're going to suit up year to year.  The core of KC's team is getting old (even Damon Huard isn't as young as you think), but will probably still be productive.  The Texans still won't be able to block anybody.

Chiefs  34-7

Broncos @ Bills

I usually don't like second year quarterbacks and I'm not going to make an exception for Jay Cutler.  The good thing is he's got a running game that could win games if they just direct snapped to a running back every play.  The Bills are boring and there's really no reason to watch them or this game.  JP Losman isn't NFL #1 material.

Broncos 17-7

Steelers @ Browns

This is a grudge match between two AFC North teams who I think are both going to be crap.  Everybody seemed to jump on Big Ben's back after the Super Bowl win when I thought he did less that year to help Pittsburgh win than Trent Dilfer did in Baltimore.  The usual answer to that is that he is there to just not lose games.  Maybe that's true when you have a monster defense and a smash mouth running game.  Even so, that doesn't make Ben any good.  They've still got a good running game, but their defense isn't what it used to be and will take a step backward this year.  Ultimately, they'll have enough to beat Cleveland and lame duck QB Charlie Frye.

Steelers 14-10

Panthers @ Rams

I'm expecting this to be an offensive showcase.  Stephen Jackson is an absolute beast with speed and he's probably the toughest guy to tackle in the NFL.  He can catch balls out of the backfield, he can run outside, he can bust it up the middle.  Unfortunately, he chooses not to play defense, but he'd make a Wilbur Marshall type linebacker.  Or a Chuck Cecil safety.  Man, I miss Chuck Cecil.  Marc Bulger can play a little and they've still got some stellar wideouts.  I'm hoping their defense is going to be improved.  THE RAMS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!  Carolina is a mystery to me and I don't have a strong feeling about them.  My gut's telling me they're going to be disappointing.  THE RAMS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

Rams 38-31

Falcons @ Vikings

Minnesota has got a serious run-stopping defense and with Warrick Dunn running the ball, I don't see Atlanta being very successful.  This is going to put a lot of pressure on Joey Harrington.  I'm sure we all remember that Joey is not very good in these situations.  He can have 10 receivers drafted in the top 3 overall and it's not going to make a difference.  Tarvaris Jackson is just a place holder at QB for Minnesota.  I don't see him being more than a number 2 guy for most of his career.  I'm thinking Babe Laufenberg here.  Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson make an interesting combination in the backfield.  I think the Falcons are going to lay down this year.  It's a gross understatement to say Bobby Petrino has his hands full.  If he can make it through the year with the players still listening to him when he talks, never mind winning games, consider it a success.

Vikings 24-10

Pats @ Jets

Chad Pennington is not very good.  Tom Brady is very good.  I don't see Randy Moss being a problem in New England.  I doubt anything will ever even have to be said to him.  Before he arrived, he knew what he was getting in to when he showed up to camp.  Keep my mouth shut and win, or run my mouth and be sent home.  He's at the point where he's going to be considered a guy who never lived up to his potential because of attitude problems and he'll try to avoid that label from here on out.  New England continue their winning ways against a Jets team sure to be disappointed this year.  Chad is going downhill.

Pats 27-9

Dolphins @ Redskins

Trent Green leads the new look Dolphins in to FedEx to take on my beloved Redskins.  I usually find a way to make it to a lot of Skins games but not tomorrow, but that has nothing to do with my prediction.  The Skins, regadless of their final record, usually squeak out a win on Opening Day.  I'm hoping the Redskins don't cite Jason Campbell's (damn my second year quarterback theory!) inexperience as a reason to throw two-yard hitches and WR screens out the wazoo as has been their recent history.  Follow that up with a draw play on 3rd and long which is never successful because you've just shown the opposition you have no confidence in your quarterback by throwing 2-yard hitches and WR screens all game.  Luckily for us, the Skins have a punishing running game and two All-Pro caliber running backs in Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts.  Their defense, which hasn't tackled anyone since an intra-squad scrimmage in 2004 training camp, should be better this year.

Skins 17-14

Titans @ Jags

So, David Garrard is starting for the Jags, huh?  Wow, that'll make a world of difference.  Hopefully you sense my sarcasm.  You could have Muggsy Bogues handing off to their running backs and it would not make a difference.  Jack Del Rio shouldn't be looking for a lot out of their quarterback anyway.  Not saying David Garrard doesn't have talent, he does.  I just don't think quarterback should play a big part in the Jags' philosophy.  Find a couple serviceable journeymen and they're interchangeable.  Some guys make careers out of this (Dilfer, Brad Johnson, I see Chris Simms going this way).  Vince Young rubs me the wrong way.  Not personally (that's for you, dh, if you read this).  I've yet to see an offense ran around a double-threat quarterback be successful.  A double-threat quarterback is an asset if the quarterback running is a third or fourth option and the QB can throw the ball accurately and accurately while on the move.  I've yet to see this from Vince Young and I have my doubts that he'll learn.  He'd have a lot more success if Frank Wycheck was still there.

Jags 21-10

Bears @ Chargers

I see the Bears going 8-8 this year even in their mediocre division.  They're no match for San Diego.

Chargers 42-10

Buccaneers @ Seahawks

I find the Seahawks very boring.  Shaun Alexander is starting his decline and that'll expose Matt Hasselbeck even more.  I don't see anything truly outstanding here.  They're perennial contenders, but that should tell you more about the NFC than about Seattle.  Jon Gruden's Chucky-face isn't funny anymore.  It's even less funny when your team sucks.  

Seahawks 27-17

Lions @ Raiders

Why this isn't the Game of the Week I'll never know.  I like Jon Kitna though, and Detroit's skill position players could match up well with any team.  Kitna's one of those guys that if you replayed his career and he had a little better luck and was in better situations, might be headed to the Hall of Fame.  Maybe.  He's got a lot of weapons, but they have a habit of losing in Detroit, which shouldn't be ignored.  Keeping Matt Millen in charge tells me the owners find losing acceptable and that attitude flows throughout the organization.  The Raiders would probably struggle in the Pac-10.

Lions 21-14

Giants @ cowboys

Phil Simms and a coked-up Lawrence Taylor lead the Giants against Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith, and the rest of the cowboys in this fierce NFC match-up.  My, how times have changed.  Squeaky clean Eli caught a little slack from Tiki about his leadership skills.  Kind of like when that idiot kicker talked about his brother.  Eli handled it well.  There should be rule that if you're a kicker or named Tiki, you can't talk about other people.  Regardless, Eli should have a breakout year this year.  Tony Romo will fall victim to my second year quarterback theory.  He's not any good anyway.  And Wade Phillips laid-back attitude may go over well with TO and the rest of the cowboys, but it won't translate into wins.  And that doesn't translate into players keeping their mouths shut about the coach when talking to the media.  It will be a season spawned from hell for the cowboys and their fans.

Giants 24-0

Ravens @ Bengals

The Ravens offense is an enigma.  They did well getting rid of Jamal Lewis (Beware Cleveland), and I like McGahee.  But, for some reason, there are days when they just can't get anything done offensively.  They have a decent line, a decent quarterback, a GREAT tight end, and receivers with some talent.  I see this as one of those days.  The Ravens are a good team, and they'll make the playoffs, but they're going to lose this one.

Bengals 16-7

Cardinals @ 49ers

Remember Neil Lomax and Stump Mitchell and the heyday of the Cards?  Well, they weren't that good then, either.  Every year I think the Cardinals are going to surprise everyone and make it to the playoffs.  Every year, I'm disappointed.  Not this year, Arizona!!!  The Niners surprised some people last year.  Alex Smith is good and Vernon Davis.  They have some quality players on defense.  But, they're still average and average can beat Arizona.

Niners 24-20