All right, let's work from the bottom up this week, shall we? Let's face it, no matter how much we love our football--even the hardiest die-hard football fan has that one game they just don't care about.
Cleveland Browns @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Crap. This game will be absolute crap. I'd rather walk a couple blocks away to the high school stadium, sit behind the football moms with milk jugs filled with sand as their noise makers and watch that game. Bucs win.
Middle of the Line:
These games will be tolerable, and enjoyable if you're actually a fan of one of the teams.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
While I think both teams have improved since last season, I also think they play in an extremely difficult division. (Read: Pats and Jets are the other teams in this division.) While this will be a good game, I'm not yet seeing the playoff potential. Fish win.
Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Many will be surprised that I have rated my beloved Broncos as a middle of the line game. Let's face it, the team that started 6-0 last season finished the season by going 2-8. I'm not impressed. I think Coach McDaniels needs another year now that he has that cancer Marshall off the team and a different defensive coordinator. (Good luck with Marshall, Phins). But the Broncos also need to prove it to me this year, and they better start off the season with a win against troubled Jacksonville. (Del Rio, start working on your resume, buddy.) Broncos win.
Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, I know, as does the world, that Dennis Dixon is starting for the Steelers. Got it, thanks. That's what happens when the starting QB is a douche who doesn't know how to treat women. Yes, I know that the charges were dropped. You know what else I think? I think someone was paid handsomely to claim that while his young victim was bloody and bruised there wasn't enough evidence for rape. Bullsh!t.
Steelers will continue to eat some of their humble pie. Falcons win.
Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans
I am having a difficult time listing this as a middle of the line game. But the Faders may actually have something going for them this year. It'll be interesting to see how they start the season against the Titans. Still, I'm going with Tennessee for the win.
Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants
I think the Giants as the underdogs were meant to win the Super Bowl a couple of years ago and bring the perfect Patriots to their knees. Since then, they haven't played a high caliber of football. And the Panthers, are... well, the Panthers. Giants win.
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
Does anyone else get the chant "Lions, and Tigers, and Bears oh my!" stuck in their head after hearing about this match up? Anywho, I think the Lions have figured out a lot this season and are anxious to debut their stuff against their division rival. The Bears have brought in a fresh offensive coordinator to further confuse QB Jay Cutler which could also mean another season high of INTs. Lions win.
Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
I'm not sure if the QB question in the desert is settled as Derek Anderson has been promoted to starter. Franchise QB? Probably not, but they also needed someone who had more emotional stability than Leinart. Bye Leinart. I like Sam Bradford at QB for the Rams, and maybe Coach Spagnuolo has something new figured out this season. I'll take the Rams to beat the Cards.
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Sorry Seattle, you have to start against Coach Singletary, a hardass coach who thinks he has something to prove. And I bet his team will pay for it if they don't take this win. 49ers beat the Hawks.
San Deigo Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
WOOHOO! It's a division rivalry! It's going to be a competitive match! It's going to be... oh wait, the Chiefs? Dude. While everyone is saying they've created enough changes to actually be a contender this year, it might be mid season before they figure out what they have. Chargers win in Arrowhead.
Now for the games with some competitive, amazing football. Hopefully.
Cincinnati Bengals @ New England Patriots
I do think the Patriots are fading from their glory days, but it's a slow fade, and they're still a tough team to beat. The Pats will have a competitive match in the Bengals with the rampant, headcase personalities of Ochocinco, T.O., Pacman Jones, and Tank Johnson. I think they'll be able to beat the Pats at Foxboro. Bengals win.
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
I also think the Colts are fading from their glory days despite their appearance in the Super Bowl last year. (Maybe some of their competitive edge was lost in the retirement of Dungy, just saying.) Anyway, the Texans are really starting to be a contender and this game should be exciting with solid offenses and defenses operating on both teams. I pick the Texans to win at home.
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
I rarely make Super Bowl predictions in the first week of the season, but I honestly think the Pack will make it all the way this year barring too many injuries. Also, I don't think new Eagle starting QB Kevin Kolb has a real grounding in being a QB in the NFL yet. Cheeseheads win.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redsk!ns
Now here's an interesting division rivalry this week! While I think Coach Wade Phillips and QB Tony Romo are complete schmoes, the Cowboys will probably be a competitive team this year. I also think that Coach Shanny will be trotting out his tired old offensive schemes that he used with the Broncos and his son Kyle used with Texans. While they are good, they are well known. Also, just in, QB Donovan McNabb has a sprained ankle but will be probable to play. For a few series. Anyway, Cowboys win.
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
Big mouths, big games, both are amazing on both sides of the ball. The only thing swaying me in this game is the Ravens already have some injuries, and they'll be playing to hang on until the 2nd half of the season when Ed Reed is able to return. Add that factor to the Jets playing at home, and I'll take the Jets for the win.
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