After finishing editing my 4000-word 2014 season preview today, there’s not much left to write before I get to my Week One picks.
One quick thought, though, before I begin:
The NFL is better than Major League Baseball. It just is. In the stands in Seattle tonight, undercover police will be in attendance, dressed in Green Bay Packers’ gear, to identify unruly fan behaviour against fans of opposing teams, something that is a problem in many professional sports venues. Sure beats harassing paying customers just for wearing what they want.
Thursday Night
Packers at Seahawks
Best hope for the Pack is if their defence can get pressure early and often in Seattle’s backfield, stuffing the running game, not allowing pass patterns time to develop, and forcing Russell Wilson into costly mistakes. That’s a big “if,” though. Aaron Rodgers always gives his team a shot, but he’s in pretty tough against this defence. Winner: Seahawks
Sunday
Saints at Falcons
Look for the Saints to get off to a fast start in this one, and cruise to a comfortable victory. Winner: Saints
Vikings at Rams
Until I’m proven wrong, I’m saying that points for this Rams offence will be few and far between. Winner: Vikings
Browns at Steelers
Nice AFC North defensive battle here. Big Ben wins the QB battle over Lame Duck (?) Brian. Winner: Steelers
Jaguars at Eagles
Philly offence overwhelms Jax in this one. Winner: Eagles
Raiders at Jets
I’m interested in seeing how rookie QB Derek Carr fares in his real NFL debut. Jets should be good enough to take this one at home. Winner: Jets
Bengals at Ravens
Great test for Cincy as they begin their defence of the AFC North crown. This game will tell a lot about both teams. Winner: Bengals
Bills at Bears
I’m pretty high on this Chicago team. I expect nothing less than a massacre here. Winner: Bears
Washington at Texans
Tough one to call here. I’m expecting a bit of a bounce-back from both of these teams. RGIII will have to get it done against a tough Houston pass rush. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can avoid mistakes and make just a few plays, Houston should squeak by. Winner: Texans
Titans at Chiefs
Fortunately for KC, they have a relatively manageable opponent for their home opener. They’d better not sleep on these Titans, though. Winner: Chiefs
Patriots at Dolphins
I can’t imagine a scenario where the Pats don’t win this handily. OK, I can imagine it, but it’s kind of tragic, and I won’t describe it. Winner: Patriots
Panthers at Buccaneers
If ever there was a team ripe for an upset loss to start the season, it’s this Carolina team, especially when cam Newton is as banged up as he is now. Winner: Buccaneers
49ers at Cowboys
At first glance, a ‘niners win seems obvious, but I wouldn’t rule out the Cowboys, playing at home, especially if Tony Romo is in tip-top form. I’m picking San Fran, but I admit that I’m hesitant. Winner: 49ers
Colts at Broncos
Broncos at home, especially with the improved defence, is a pick you have to make, even if, like me, picking against Andrew Luck scares the shit out of you. Winner: Broncos
Monday Night
Giants at Detroit
No lie, I’ll be rooting hard for the Giants in this one. This column is all business, though. Winner: Lions
Chargers at Cardinals
Too many question marks about this Cards team; they’ll succumb to San Diego, a team on the rise. Winner: Chargers
One quick thought, though, before I begin:
The NFL is better than Major League Baseball. It just is. In the stands in Seattle tonight, undercover police will be in attendance, dressed in Green Bay Packers’ gear, to identify unruly fan behaviour against fans of opposing teams, something that is a problem in many professional sports venues. Sure beats harassing paying customers just for wearing what they want.
Thursday Night
Packers at Seahawks
Best hope for the Pack is if their defence can get pressure early and often in Seattle’s backfield, stuffing the running game, not allowing pass patterns time to develop, and forcing Russell Wilson into costly mistakes. That’s a big “if,” though. Aaron Rodgers always gives his team a shot, but he’s in pretty tough against this defence. Winner: Seahawks
Sunday
Saints at Falcons
Look for the Saints to get off to a fast start in this one, and cruise to a comfortable victory. Winner: Saints
Vikings at Rams
Until I’m proven wrong, I’m saying that points for this Rams offence will be few and far between. Winner: Vikings
Browns at Steelers
Nice AFC North defensive battle here. Big Ben wins the QB battle over Lame Duck (?) Brian. Winner: Steelers
Jaguars at Eagles
Philly offence overwhelms Jax in this one. Winner: Eagles
Raiders at Jets
I’m interested in seeing how rookie QB Derek Carr fares in his real NFL debut. Jets should be good enough to take this one at home. Winner: Jets
Bengals at Ravens
Great test for Cincy as they begin their defence of the AFC North crown. This game will tell a lot about both teams. Winner: Bengals
Bills at Bears
I’m pretty high on this Chicago team. I expect nothing less than a massacre here. Winner: Bears
Washington at Texans
Tough one to call here. I’m expecting a bit of a bounce-back from both of these teams. RGIII will have to get it done against a tough Houston pass rush. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can avoid mistakes and make just a few plays, Houston should squeak by. Winner: Texans
Titans at Chiefs
Fortunately for KC, they have a relatively manageable opponent for their home opener. They’d better not sleep on these Titans, though. Winner: Chiefs
Patriots at Dolphins
I can’t imagine a scenario where the Pats don’t win this handily. OK, I can imagine it, but it’s kind of tragic, and I won’t describe it. Winner: Patriots
Panthers at Buccaneers
If ever there was a team ripe for an upset loss to start the season, it’s this Carolina team, especially when cam Newton is as banged up as he is now. Winner: Buccaneers
49ers at Cowboys
At first glance, a ‘niners win seems obvious, but I wouldn’t rule out the Cowboys, playing at home, especially if Tony Romo is in tip-top form. I’m picking San Fran, but I admit that I’m hesitant. Winner: 49ers
Colts at Broncos
Broncos at home, especially with the improved defence, is a pick you have to make, even if, like me, picking against Andrew Luck scares the shit out of you. Winner: Broncos
Monday Night
Giants at Detroit
No lie, I’ll be rooting hard for the Giants in this one. This column is all business, though. Winner: Lions
Chargers at Cardinals
Too many question marks about this Cards team; they’ll succumb to San Diego, a team on the rise. Winner: Chargers
RSS Feed
