9/7/11

NFL Week 1 Predictions

NFL Season is upon us and after a wild offseason there are fantastic match-ups on tab for week 1 including the first game of the season taking place at the home of the defending champions in Green Bay. We will preview one match-up from each time slot and give predictions on the remaining games.

New Orleans at Green Bay, 8:30 Thursday Night:
Preview: The Packers enter the season looking to repeat as champion, returning with even more fire power than last season. Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley return after being out a majority of last season with injury and should make the Green Bay Offense even more explosive than last season

Finley (source: gcobb.com)
The Saints return to the field for the first time since getting embarrassed by the Seahawks in the wild card round of the playoffs last season. They also return a majority of their starters with the big change coming at running back with Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles in and Reggie Bush out, a change that should work in New Orleans favor. Look for both offenses to be sharp from the first kick-off with both teams putting up large offensive numbers. Finley should have an incredible game with the Saints having no answer. Green Bay will send in the better defense giving them the edge in this competition.
Prediction: Green Bay 34, New Orleans 30

Cutler (source: beargoggleson.com)
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears, 1:00 Sunday:
Preview: One of the first games to kick off on Sunday features two teams that many have picked to reach the NFC championship game. The Falcons enter the game looking to recapture the magic of their 12-4 regular season record last season. The offense returns with additional fire power including Julio Jones at Wide Receiver and Jacquizz Rodgers out of Oregon State at running back. These additions will look to make an impact immediately in Chicago.

Jay Cutler and the Bears return to the field for the first time since losing to the Packers in the NFC Championship Game last season. Jay Cutler will have to win his trust back from the Chicago Fans after removing himself from the Championship Game last season with an injury it appeared he could have played through costing Chicago the game in the process. Atlanta and Chicago both will field potent offenses with Atlanta getting the edge in the offensive department. Chicago will get the edge in defense however, which should make this game a close one with Atlanta coming out on top
Prediction: Atlanta 20, Chicago 19

Remainder of 1:00 Games Predictions:
Cleveland 24, Cincinnati 10: Andy Dalton will have a rough game in his first career start.

Kansas City 27, Buffalo 20: Matt Cassel plays through his rib injury out-dueling Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills in the process

Phildelphia 34, St. Louis 23: Look for St. Louis to give the Eagles a fight before eventually falling behind late in the game.

Tampa Bay 19, Detriot 17: This game will be close, but Tampa Bay should escape with the win at home.

Tennessee 17, Jacksonville 7: This my pick to be the most boring game of the week.

Baltimore 14, Pittsburgh 13: Baltimore narrowly escapes this one getting the edge in this game due to home field advantage.

Houston 35, Indianapolis 10: Without Peyton Manning the Colts do not stand a chance.

McNabb (source: http://beat.bodog.eu)
Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers, 4:15 Sunday:
Preview: This game features two teams hoping to redeem themselves after disappointing 2010 seasons in, which both teams failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Chargers bring back most of their offense with the exception of Darren Sproles who left to join the Saints. Vincent Jackson will be back for the entire season after not reporting until week 10 last year. Ryan Matthews looks to stay healthy after an injury prone rookie season. If the Chargers stay healthy their offense will be dangerous.


The Vikings will be fielding a new look at offense after losing their Quarterback and top Wide Receiver this off-season. Brett Favre retired. (For Now at least) and Sidney Rice took the bigger contract and left Minnesota for Seattle. The Vikings drafted Christian Ponder, but traded for Donavan McNabb who will start this weekend. The offense will be worse then last season meaning the Vikings playoff chances are not favorable. The Chargers should put up big numbers on offense verse a decent Minnesota Defense. Minnesota's offense will start slow while the team adjusts to a new look at offense meaning the Chargers should easily outpace Minnesota early in the game giving them the edge in this matchup.
Prediction: San Diego 27, Minnesota 20

Remainder of 4:15 Games Predictions:
NY Giants 24, Washington 14: The Giants edge out Rex Grossman who will have trouble moving the ball against the Giants D.

San Francisco 20, Seattle 13: Look for the Seahawk's offense to struggle in Travis Jackson's first game at Quarterback in Seattle.

Arizona 24, Carolina 10: Cam Newton will struggle early giving Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald enough time to put the Panthers away early.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets, 8:00, Sunday Night:
The Ryan Brothers (source: http://i.cdn.turner.com)
Preview: The Jets once again will be opening in prime time on Sunday Night. They fell short last season losing to the Ravens 10-9 in their first game. The Jets and Cowboys both enter the game after failing to meet expectations last year. The Jets failed to make the Super Bowl and the Cowboys missed the playoffs completely. The Jets enter the game with a recharged receiving corps that will give defenses problems all year long. If Mark Sanchez plays well all season the Jets will be the team to beat in the NFL this season.

This will be Jason Garrett's first game as the permanent head coach of the Cowboys after serving as interim coach last season. Rob Ryan will also be coaching his first game as the Cowboys Defensive Coordinator putting the Ryan brothers against each other. Tony Romo will be returning from injury last season to command the dangerous Cowboys arsenal attack. The Cowboys offense should be firing on all cylinders, but the Jets defense will limit them to the best of their ability. Mark Sanchez should play well enough to put points on the board and eek out a victory for the Jets at home.
Prediction: New York 24, Dallas 20

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 7:00, Monday Night:
Preview: The Miami Dolphins return to the field after a rough offseason that saw them get rejected by Jim Harbaugh to coach the team leaving them with an insulted Tony Sparano still as coach. The team also failed to acquire a new quarterback to give Chad Henne competition and replaced veteran running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams with shaky Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas. This leaves the Dolphins with a worse offense than they had last season.

Brady and Ochocinco (source: http://www.sourcehop.com)
The New England Patriots return for the firs time since getting stunned by the Jets in the playoffs last season. They bring back a core of their team while adding Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth, and former Jets lineman Shaun Ellis. The Patriots will be in the Super Bowl hunt once again this season. The Patriots offense will easily outplay that off the Dolphins. The Dolphins in this game will discover what the rest of the league already knows, Reggie Bush can not be a starting running back in the NFL, while Daniel Thomas will be effective, but not great against the Patriots D. Chad Henne will struggle while Tom Brady succeeds in this game. The game will be a much bigger blow out then the score says with the Patriots dominating all over the ball
Prediction: New England 31, Miami 20

Final Monday Night Game Prediction:
Denver 24, Oakland 17: Kyle Orton does just enough to grab the win for Denver.

~Look for my NFL Article next Tuesday breaking down the week 1 events and news while giving predictions for week 2 as well. Post by Jordan Cole

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