Week one of the NFL season is officially here, which means it's time to do our week one picks. Just so you know, the NFL lockout will in no way impact my performance this weekend. To prepare for this, I did preseason predictions for all the preseason games and came out with a record of 58-6.
As you all can probably tell, I'm having a lot of trouble coming up with an introduction for this article, so I'm just going to get right into it. Check out my week one picks after the jump.
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears
Chicago can be a tough place to play, but it's September, so weather will not be a factor. The Falcons have one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL and added rookie wide receiver Julio Jones to the mix. Their offense should be better than ever. I don't see the Bears being able to keep up with the Falcons.
Winner: Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
The Bengals are awful. Andy Dalton struggled in preseason and doesn't appear ready to start in the NFL. They do have Cedric Benson, who is good when not in jail, and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green is a talent. Second year Browns quarterback Colt McCoy showed a lot of promise this preseason and could be the breakout quarterback from the 2010 quarterback draft class.
Winner: Browns
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
The latest report is Matt Cassel will be able to start Sunday, which to me means any chance for an upset is gone. The Chiefs have a strong run game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. They also upgraded their receiving corps with former Arizona Cardinal Steve Breaston. Arrowhead stadium is one of the best home field advantages in the NFL, and I don't expect that to change on Sunday.
Winner: Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams
The Rams may be the favorites in the NFC West this season. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much when you are playing the Eagles. The Eagles did struggle in preseason, but I don't see that continuing into the games that count. Their offense is too explosive and they already have one side of the field locked down with Nmandi Asomugha.
Winner: Eagles
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is one of the more intriguing match-ups to me. The Buccaneers were the young up-and-coming team last year and the Lions hope to be that this season. I like Matt Stafford when his shoulder is intact and Megatron is a freak of nature, but I like Josh Freeman and the rest of the Buccaneers more.
Winner: Buccaneers
Tennesse Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Neither of these teams have good quarterbacks, but the Jaguars have Luke McCown. It is because of this, and the fact that Chris Johnson is now a happy man, that I will take the Titans to win this game. Kenny Britt managed to not get suspended despite his best efforts during the lockout, so Matt Hasselbeck should have at least one guy to throw to.
Winner: Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Week one will start of with some violence with the Steelers and Ravens getting their rivalry started back up early this season. The Ravens may have lost Todd Heap, but they were able to add a vertical threat in Lee Evans to complement Anquan Boldin. James Harrison is reportedly already banged up to start the year. I see the Ravens great defense and balanced offensive attack beating the Steelers on Sunday. This game may be toughest to predict.
Winner: Ravens (Go Jim Harbaugh's little big brother!)
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Is this the year the Texans finally win their division? This season will prove that Peyton Manning has been the NFL MVP for the last decade. I just don't see how the Colts can outscore the Texans explosive offense without him. The Texans are hoping to upgrade their defense with the addition of respected coordinator Wade Phillips. They also added Johnathan Joseph to upgrade their secondary.
Winner: Texans
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Rex Grossman.
Winner: Giants
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers do not have to face the Seahawks best player on Sunday. I am talking, of course, about their "12th man." Robert Gallery and Sidney Rice are doubtful on offense, so Tarvaris Jackson will not have his former teammate and number one option to throw to. Look for Vic Fangio to turn up the heat on the Seahawks questionable offensive line.
Winner: 49ers
Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers statistically had one of the best offenses and defenses in the league last year. Their special teams were awful last year, so awful it caused them to miss the playoffs. I see the passing attack of the Chargers being too much for the Vikings secondary to handle. Best of luck to Takeo Spikes in his debut with the Chargers. This man needs to go to the freaking playoffs.
Winner: Chargers
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
Cam Newton is starting for the Panthers. That is reason enough for me to pick the Cardinals. I just don't think that Newton is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. The Kevin Kolb to Larry Fitzgerald connection should be the key to this game. For the sake of my fantasy team, I hope it is the main reason for a Cardinals victory.
Winner: Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets
The Ryan brothers, Rex and Rob, will be going head to head in this matchup. Look for the two men to try to out-blitz each other. I'm not a believer of either the quarterbacks on these teams, but I see the Jets defense and running game wearing down the Cowboys.
Winner: Jets
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
There are just too many question marks at quarterback for the Dolphins for me to even think of going with an upset here. It should be interesting to see how comfortable Tom Brady and Chad Ochocinco look with each other.
Winner: Patriots
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
With the loss of Nmandi Asomugha, the Raiders pass defense should experience a drop this season. The Broncos are set up to be a passing team with Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal. I think they can take advantage of the Raiders secondary and come out with a victory.
Winner: Broncos