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| Jay Cutler looks to get the Bears a division crown again. |
Atlanta @ Chicago
Both teams had bye weeks in the playoffs last season, and proceeded to lose to Green Bay in consecutive weeks. This season, the Falcons have high expectations after giving up several draft picks in a trade to draft WR Julio Jones. Lined up opposite WR Roddy White, the Falcons are expected to have another great season. However, playing in Soldier Field is no easy task, especially for a team not used to success. This game should be close, but the Bears will come out the victor.
Edge: Chicago
Indianapolis @ Houston
The Colts received some very bad news when they announced QB Peyton Manning will miss this game. Then, Manning went on to have another neck procedure, which is sure to put him out for a couple of months. With that in mind, the Colts are doomed. These two teams met in the first game last season in Reliant Stadium, and RB Arian Foster introduced himself to the nation. After a breakout season, Foster may miss this game. However, the loss of Manning is too much to overcome.
Edge: Houston
Buffalo @ Kansas City
The Chiefs surprised many by winning the AFC West, but quickly bowed out to the Ravens at home in the Wild Card round. This time around, the Chiefs don't figure to be sneaking up on anybody this year. The Bills aren't considered by anyone to be a contender, but they do have promise with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Stevie Wilson, and RB Fred Jackson. With the Jets and the Patriots in the AFC East, the Bills will still be out of playoff contention, but they will be improved.
Edge: Buffalo
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
This is probably the easiest pick for analysts looking for a sure pick. There is nothing positive about what the Bengals are displaying this season. Rookie quarterback, rookie top receiver, and a lackluster defense is shaping up to be one of those Bengals' seasons Cincinnati fans are used to. The Browns are in the AFC North, where the Ravens and Steelers figure to dominate. That being said, the Browns will not being a contender. However, they are far better than the Bengals.
Edge: Cleveland
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| The Steelers and Ravens renew their rivalry in Week 1. |
Until the Ravens can prove they can beat the Steelers with QB Ben Roethlisberger, this isn't a fair rivalry. The Ravens beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh last season, but Roethlisberger was serving a suspension. Every time these two teams play each other, QB Joe Flacco looks dreadful, the game is always close in the fourth quarter, and Roethlisberger leads his team to victory. I expect the same on Sunday.
Edge: Pittsburgh
Philadelphia @ St. Louis
Backup QB Vince Young called the makeup of the Eagles' roster a "Dream Team." The Eagles have been the best team in free agency, and management should thank QB Michael Vick for being the force luring these free agents to Philly. However, their success depends squarely on the arm and decision-making of Vick. It seems as if he has regressed from what we saw in the middle of the season. The Rams, on the other hand, seem to be the logical choice to win the NFC West. The other three teams don't look quite as good.
Edge: St. Louis
Detroit @ Tampa Bay
These are two teams who have high expectations this season. For the Lions, this is new territory, as they have been the laughingstock of the league for a decade. Infusion of young talent through the draft the past couple of years have them looking high, trying to see what can be in the next couple of years. While their future looks bright, the Buccaneers went through the same deal last season and were denied the playoffs despite a 10-6 record. While the Buccaneers surprised most analysts with their improvement, only one of those wins came against a team with a winning record. This figures to be an interesting game between two young teams, but the home team figures to be the victor.
Edge: Tampa Bay
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
This might very well be the least interesting matchup of Week 1. This is also a matchup of teams with interesting issues at the quarterback position. The Jaguars may have shot their season down by releasing QB David Garrard. 30-year old QB Luke McCown takes over, and while the Jaguars believe there's a lot of potential in him, I'm not buying it. The Titans, on the other hand, could be the surprise team this season. If QB Matt Hasselbeck limits the amount of turnovers and makes good decisions like he's capable of, the Titans are very capable of winning the division. Let's see what they got.
Edge: Tennessee
Minnesota @ San Diego
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be in Landover, MD covering the Giants-Redskins game. They should be in San Diego covering this game, a much more interesting matchup. The last time RB Adrian Peterson played the Chargers, he set an NFL record in his rookie season with 296 rushing yards in a win. While there isn't much hype for the Vikings, they could very well surprise many folks as well. QB Donovan McNabb is in a much better situation than with the Redskins, and they have a defense that, if playing at the level of 2009, can take them places. On this day, however, the Chargers are the better team unless QB Philip Rivers gets injured.
Edge: San Diego
Carolina @ Arizona
Both teams are starting fresh, with new quarterbacks, hoping the future is bright. QB Cam Newton is facing the odds, immediately starting after being the #1 overall pick in this year's draft. Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning are two notable examples that have struggled mightily in their first season being the #1 pick. However, both of them have gone on to Hall of Fame careers, so there is upside with Newton. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are looking to see if QB Kevin Kolb can be the replacement for Kurt Warner. The Cardinals have a golden opportunity in a weak division, whereas the Panthers aren't so lucky. However, that may not be true for this game.
Edge: Carolina
New York Giants @ Washington
The Redskins should be applauded for their offseason moves. Other than the Eagles, they probably have had the most productive offseason, which is rare. On the defensive side, they signed DL Barry Cofield, DE Stephen Bowen, and S O.J. Atogwe. On offense, they acquired WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Donte Stallworth, and RB Tim Hightower. The only thing holding them back is their sketchy quarterback situation. Still, the Redskins can be a surprise improvement. The Giants have had the worst luck this offseason, but they have the most important pieces to their success.
Edge: New York Giants
Seattle @ San Francisco
This doesn't look like an interesting matchup, but Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh make it a bit interesting. Back in Harbaugh's Stanford days and Carroll's USC days, Stanford routed USC in their house in a stunning upset. However, up 48-21, Harbaugh decided to go for a two-point conversion, which didn't sit well with Carroll. During the postgame handshake, they both exchanged words that were not pleasantries. Let's see if the animosity is still there.
Edge: San Francisco
Dallas @ New York Jets
After coming up short of the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons, the Jets look to finally break the ice this season. They made headlines by acquiring WR Plaxico Burress and WR Derrick Mason, two veterans who have been around the block. This matchup pits Rex Ryan against his twin for the second straight season, so this figures to be an electric Sunday night game. The Cowboys haven't made many moves, but they have been on an interesting pattern of success these past couple of years. The Cowboys may bounce back this season, but a win in MetLife Stadium doesn't look to be in the cards.
Edge: New York Jets
New England @ Miami
The Patriots ended the season in disheartening fashion, losing at home to their division rivals after a 14-2 regular season. It's been a while since the Patriots have been very successful. QB Tom Brady will look to get the Patriots back to championship contention, while the Dolphins look to be in disarray. Sure, they acquired RB Reggie Bush. But they failed to land QB Kyle Orton, and seem to be stuck with QB Chad Henne, who seems to have made zero progress. If Henne does not show drastic improvement, this can be an abysmal year.
Edge: New England
Oakland @ Denver
The Raiders swept the AFC West last season, yet failed to make the playoffs. The likelihood of them sweeping the division again is unlikely, but there is promise with this franchise. QB Jason Campbell gives them a little bit of stability at the quarterback position, and if they get more out of their other offensive weapons and better defensive play, they could surprise folks. Hopefully, that isn't asking too much. The Broncos, on the other hand, don't quite know what they're doing at quarterback. A failed attempt to trade QB Kyle Orton has him as the starter, but in limbo. QB Tim Tebow figured to be the starter, but, in the eyes of John Fox, hasn't proven enough. That has angered some Broncos fans and Tebow supporters. Who knows what will happen for the Broncos going forward, but Orton still gives them the best opportunity to win games. Maybe, not this night.
Edge: Oakland
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