Maybe I should just quit now while I’m ahead.
For those of you who are not friends with me on facebook, I previewed this column on Thursday by picking the Packers to beat the Saints (really). So, I’m officially 1-0 on my picks this year. Perfecto. While we’re talking about predictions, here’s one for you: getting the first one right will probably be the highlight of my year, picks-wise.
Before I get to the picks, I’m going to give a bit of advice. If you are like me, and like to make the games more interesting with a bit of legal gambling (i.e.: ProLine), don’t be afraid to pick some upsets this weekend. As much as the experts like to make it seem like they know exactly what they are talking about, the reality is that until the teams start playing, nobody really knows what will happen. There are always some surprising upsets during the first week, and they usually pay good odds. There’s money to be made out there folks; good luck!
Now, on to my picks:
Bengals at Browns
The Bengals are missing several key players from last year’s team. However, last year’s team went 4-12, so I can’t be sure that that’s not a good thing. They’ll be starting a rookie QB, Andy Dalton, against a Browns team that a lot of people are saying will be improved this year. Cleveland should win this game easily. I’ll be monitoring this game closely, but only to see if some horrible misfortune befalls Madden cover-boy Peyton Hillis. Winner: Browns
Lions at Buccaneers
Everyone seems to be jumping on the Lions’ bandwagon this year. I’m a bit sceptical. Yes, I think that they will be improved this year, but I think that all of this attention will make them overconfident. A young, talented Bucs team will humble them this Sunday. The mobility of Bucs QB Josh Freeman should be just enough to negate the Detroit’s pass rush, allowing Freeman to make key completions against Detroit’s suspect secondary. Winner: Buccaneers
Bills at Chiefs
I was close to calling this an upset win for the Bills. I think that they’ll be able to do enough to keep it close. It’s just so hard for road teams to win at Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs have a very strong running attack. Winner: Chiefs
Falcons at Bears
I was leaning towards the Bears in this one, but I don’t trust their offensive line to able to protect Jay Cutler from Atlanta’s very good pass rush. Also, Marion Barber is out, leaving Matt Forte to shoulder most of the running load for the Bears. Atlanta’s offence will be much better with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez all returning from last year’s team, plus heralded rookie WR Julio Jones. Winner: Falcons
Titans at Jaguars
The Jags are a team in turmoil, having released David Garrard just days before the start of the season. The Titans will load up to stop Maurice Jones-Drew, and force Luke McCown to beat them. He won’t. New Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck will be able to make enough plays, and Chris Johnson will have a better day than Jones-Drew. Winner: Titans
Eagles at Rams
This game could be a close one. Although the Eagles have a lot of speed and talent on offence, their offensive line is suspect, and St. Louis has a very good pass rush. I think that Philadelphia’s defence will be the deciding factor in a low-scoring game. The Eagles’ secondary should have little trouble in coverage, which will allow them to key on stopping the run. I can’t see the Rams being able to score many points in this one. Winner: Eagles
Colts at Texans
Yeah, I know, one guy doesn’t make a team. However, we’re not talking about just any guy now, are we? I would have given the Texans a good shot to win this game even if Peyton Manning was going to play. The only thing that can beat the Texans in this game is themselves. They have a potent offence, and the defence should be vastly improved over last year’s unit. The Colts are going to be looking to prove that they can win without Manning, so Houston has to stay focused. The game, and the division, is theirs for the taking. Winner: Texans
Steelers at Ravens
This is the game I’ll be watching on Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t miss a Steelers-Ravens game. The two teams are division rivals. They hate each other. The games are always close and hard fought. I’m looking forward to seeing if the additions that Baltimore made on offense and defence will be enough to push them past Pittsburgh. I have a hunch that they will. Winner: Ravens
Vikings at Chargers
If Donovan McNabb gets off to a fast start, which I expect he will, the Vikings should have a pretty potent offence. The Chargers have a lot of offensive firepower as well. I see San Diego winning in a high-scoring contest. Winner: Chargers
Seahawks at 49ers
Here are two teams that I expect very little from this year. Starting QBs Tavaris Jackson and Alex Smith won’t set too many hearts aflutter with their less-than-stellar play. San Fran will win a sloppy game, because they are a little better on defence than Seattle. Winner: 49ers
Giants at ‘skins
All I’ve heard about the Giants recently has to do with injuries. I don’t think any team has as many key players hurt. On the other hand, I expect Washington to be terrible. This might be the toughest of all the games for me to pick. I’m going with the Giants, because I think that their running game, featuring Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, will be able to do enough the eke out a victory for New York. Winner: Giants
Panthers at Cardinals
This is a good game to start Kevin Kolb’s tenure with Arizona. Carolina isn’t very good, so this game will give Kolb some valuable in-game experience running the offence and building a rapport with Larry Fitzgerald and the rest of his receivers. Look for TE Todd Heap to pay immediate dividends for the Cards as Kolb’s security blanket in the passing game. Winner: Cardinals
Cowboys at Jets
This one will come down to how well the Cowboys’ offensive line can protect Tony Romo. The Cowboys will be anxious to erase the disappointment of last season, and being on the road may actually help take some of the pressure off. There’s lots of pressure on the Jets, after two straight trips to the AFC Championship Game. This one will be close, but the Jets’ defence will be the difference. Winner: Jets
Monday Night
Patriots at Dolphins
The Dolphins have a good, young defence and a very good pass rush. They could confound New England, especially since the Pats have some injuries on the offensive line. In the end, though, the Dolphins’ offence will be terrible, again. I want to like Chad Henne. I really do. The problem is, I’ve seen him play. He will never be a winning quarterback in the NFL. Tom Brady will have too many chances not to have a big day. The Pats will score and celebrate, Brady will take off his helmet on the sidelines and toss his hair, and the nation will swoon. Winner: Patriots
Raiders at Broncos
I said in my season preview that the Raiders would not repeat their 6-0 divisional record from last year. They will start with a win, though. Oakland’s potent running attack will dominate, and will give QB Jason Campbell the comfort he needs to make the throws he needs to make. Winner: Raiders
For those of you who are not friends with me on facebook, I previewed this column on Thursday by picking the Packers to beat the Saints (really). So, I’m officially 1-0 on my picks this year. Perfecto. While we’re talking about predictions, here’s one for you: getting the first one right will probably be the highlight of my year, picks-wise.
Before I get to the picks, I’m going to give a bit of advice. If you are like me, and like to make the games more interesting with a bit of legal gambling (i.e.: ProLine), don’t be afraid to pick some upsets this weekend. As much as the experts like to make it seem like they know exactly what they are talking about, the reality is that until the teams start playing, nobody really knows what will happen. There are always some surprising upsets during the first week, and they usually pay good odds. There’s money to be made out there folks; good luck!
Now, on to my picks:
Bengals at Browns
The Bengals are missing several key players from last year’s team. However, last year’s team went 4-12, so I can’t be sure that that’s not a good thing. They’ll be starting a rookie QB, Andy Dalton, against a Browns team that a lot of people are saying will be improved this year. Cleveland should win this game easily. I’ll be monitoring this game closely, but only to see if some horrible misfortune befalls Madden cover-boy Peyton Hillis. Winner: Browns
Lions at Buccaneers
Everyone seems to be jumping on the Lions’ bandwagon this year. I’m a bit sceptical. Yes, I think that they will be improved this year, but I think that all of this attention will make them overconfident. A young, talented Bucs team will humble them this Sunday. The mobility of Bucs QB Josh Freeman should be just enough to negate the Detroit’s pass rush, allowing Freeman to make key completions against Detroit’s suspect secondary. Winner: Buccaneers
Bills at Chiefs
I was close to calling this an upset win for the Bills. I think that they’ll be able to do enough to keep it close. It’s just so hard for road teams to win at Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs have a very strong running attack. Winner: Chiefs
Falcons at Bears
I was leaning towards the Bears in this one, but I don’t trust their offensive line to able to protect Jay Cutler from Atlanta’s very good pass rush. Also, Marion Barber is out, leaving Matt Forte to shoulder most of the running load for the Bears. Atlanta’s offence will be much better with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez all returning from last year’s team, plus heralded rookie WR Julio Jones. Winner: Falcons
Titans at Jaguars
The Jags are a team in turmoil, having released David Garrard just days before the start of the season. The Titans will load up to stop Maurice Jones-Drew, and force Luke McCown to beat them. He won’t. New Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck will be able to make enough plays, and Chris Johnson will have a better day than Jones-Drew. Winner: Titans
Eagles at Rams
This game could be a close one. Although the Eagles have a lot of speed and talent on offence, their offensive line is suspect, and St. Louis has a very good pass rush. I think that Philadelphia’s defence will be the deciding factor in a low-scoring game. The Eagles’ secondary should have little trouble in coverage, which will allow them to key on stopping the run. I can’t see the Rams being able to score many points in this one. Winner: Eagles
Colts at Texans
Yeah, I know, one guy doesn’t make a team. However, we’re not talking about just any guy now, are we? I would have given the Texans a good shot to win this game even if Peyton Manning was going to play. The only thing that can beat the Texans in this game is themselves. They have a potent offence, and the defence should be vastly improved over last year’s unit. The Colts are going to be looking to prove that they can win without Manning, so Houston has to stay focused. The game, and the division, is theirs for the taking. Winner: Texans
Steelers at Ravens
This is the game I’ll be watching on Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t miss a Steelers-Ravens game. The two teams are division rivals. They hate each other. The games are always close and hard fought. I’m looking forward to seeing if the additions that Baltimore made on offense and defence will be enough to push them past Pittsburgh. I have a hunch that they will. Winner: Ravens
Vikings at Chargers
If Donovan McNabb gets off to a fast start, which I expect he will, the Vikings should have a pretty potent offence. The Chargers have a lot of offensive firepower as well. I see San Diego winning in a high-scoring contest. Winner: Chargers
Seahawks at 49ers
Here are two teams that I expect very little from this year. Starting QBs Tavaris Jackson and Alex Smith won’t set too many hearts aflutter with their less-than-stellar play. San Fran will win a sloppy game, because they are a little better on defence than Seattle. Winner: 49ers
Giants at ‘skins
All I’ve heard about the Giants recently has to do with injuries. I don’t think any team has as many key players hurt. On the other hand, I expect Washington to be terrible. This might be the toughest of all the games for me to pick. I’m going with the Giants, because I think that their running game, featuring Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, will be able to do enough the eke out a victory for New York. Winner: Giants
Panthers at Cardinals
This is a good game to start Kevin Kolb’s tenure with Arizona. Carolina isn’t very good, so this game will give Kolb some valuable in-game experience running the offence and building a rapport with Larry Fitzgerald and the rest of his receivers. Look for TE Todd Heap to pay immediate dividends for the Cards as Kolb’s security blanket in the passing game. Winner: Cardinals
Cowboys at Jets
This one will come down to how well the Cowboys’ offensive line can protect Tony Romo. The Cowboys will be anxious to erase the disappointment of last season, and being on the road may actually help take some of the pressure off. There’s lots of pressure on the Jets, after two straight trips to the AFC Championship Game. This one will be close, but the Jets’ defence will be the difference. Winner: Jets
Monday Night
Patriots at Dolphins
The Dolphins have a good, young defence and a very good pass rush. They could confound New England, especially since the Pats have some injuries on the offensive line. In the end, though, the Dolphins’ offence will be terrible, again. I want to like Chad Henne. I really do. The problem is, I’ve seen him play. He will never be a winning quarterback in the NFL. Tom Brady will have too many chances not to have a big day. The Pats will score and celebrate, Brady will take off his helmet on the sidelines and toss his hair, and the nation will swoon. Winner: Patriots
Raiders at Broncos
I said in my season preview that the Raiders would not repeat their 6-0 divisional record from last year. They will start with a win, though. Oakland’s potent running attack will dominate, and will give QB Jason Campbell the comfort he needs to make the throws he needs to make. Winner: Raiders
RSS Feed