Week 1NFL Predictions

New Orleans at Indianapolis

Line: Colts by 6

In what should be an offensive shootout, look for New Orleans to take full advantage of Indy’s inexperienced secondary, but still not have quite enough ammo to outfire a razor-sharp Indy offense that returns most of its starters from their Super Bowl-winning season.

Colts 31, Saints 28

Denver at Buffalo

Line: Broncos by 3

Everything, from Cutler’s development to an upgrade at RB with Henry and Young to a rejuvenated defensive line points to Denver re-establishing itself as an AFC contender this year. The road back to contention starts here in Buffalo for the resurgent Broncos. Broncos 20, Bills 13

Kansas City at Houston

Line: Texans by 3

Mark this down as the year Herm Edwards’ woefully bad coaching finally wears off on the Chiefs. Count me into the ever-growing circle that does not believe Damon Huard is the man to carry this sputtering offense. Texans 17, Chiefs 9

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

Line: Steelers by 4.5

Move this matchup forward about 12 weeks, when Quinn is the starting QB, knows the offense, and Edwards and Winslow are getting the fans excited for next year, and I might not be so sure about this point spread. But it’s Week 1, Charlie Frye is the starting QB, Pittsburgh’s coming out with a bitter taste in its mouth from last year’s meltdown, and you have all the makings of a merciless blowout. Steelers 24, Browns 3

Miami at Washington

Line: Redskins by 3

Mark Miami down as my first road dog to capture victory on opening weekend. Washington’s porous rushing defense will give up yards on the ground and the Dolphins’ front seven will expose Jason Campbell’s lack of experience in their Week 1 victory in DC. Dolphins 17, Redskins 14

Philadelphia at Green Bay

Line: Eagles by 3

Brett Favre against the Eagles’ ferocious D. This one’s just too easy. Of course, the depressing part for me has been watching Favre’s steady decline as a player over the last four years. He just doesn’t have it anymore. Eagles 21, Packers 10

Tennessee at Jacksonville

Line: Jaguars by 6.5

The Jags open at home with some huge question marks at QB, but with the awesome RB trio of Fred Taylor, MoJo Drew and Greg Jones, look for the Jags to eat up clock and beat the Titans up physically with the ground game, giving Vince little time to pull off his heroics. Jaguars 17, Titans 13

New England at New York Jets

Line: Patriots by 6.5

The Pats are favored by 6.5 with their star QB and their best WR nursing injuries and their best defensive lineman out for at least the first month of the season. Without question and without fail, take the Jets to beat this lopsided spread! Patriots 27, Jets 24

Atlanta at Minnesota

Line: Vikings by 3

OK, I’m going to do it! I’ve agonized for an hour but I’ve decided I’m drinking the Falcons’ Kool-Aid. Bobby Petrino will inspire and motivate the troops to a surprising division-winning season while Mike Vick spends the season behind bars. I couldn’t resist, I’m a dog-lover! Falcons 21, Vikings 17

Carolina at St. Louis

Line: Rams by 1.5

The Rams defense gets beaten by many things. Jake Delhomme and a paltry running game aren’t two of them. I still think that offense in St. Louis can put up the points and this year, Scott Linehan’s sensible coaching will finally kick in full tilt. Rams 24, Panthers 17

Chicago at San Diego

Line: Chargers by 6

Five words: Rex Grossman on the road. Any further explanation as to why the Bears won’t quite have enough moxie to pull one out in San Diego? Chargers 20, Bears 13

Detroit at Oakland

Line: Raiders by 2.5

The Lions seem to have something of a bandwagon following among fantasy owners, but I must heed warning nonetheless: Bench any and all Lions’ players for the Week 1 matchup against the Raiders, who quietly have one of the best defenses in football. Raiders 16, Lions 13

Tampa Bay at Seattle

Line: Seahawks by 6

Seattle overmatches Tampa on both sides of the ball. They should run roughshod on an aging Tampa defense and shut down the struggling Bucs’ offense in the official TUMS Blowout of the Week. Seahawks 34, Bucs 10

New York Giants at Dallas

Line: Cowboys by 6

Instead of getting the joy of watching Tiki Barber the RB, I have to listen to him gossip about the Giants team he no longer plays for in the halftime studio. Cowboys 24, Giants 17

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Line: Bengals by 2.5

The Bengals seem to be a team known for their fast starts, plus Carson Palmer is one of a small handful of QB’s who doesn’t look below average against the Ravens’ punishing defense. Bengals 17, Ravens 10

Arizona at San Francisco

Line: 49ers by 3.5

Every year, it seems, someone thinks the Cardinals will overcome their life-long incompetence and play winning football. Every year, they’re wrong. The Niners are a bit overrated on paper too, but they should win opening night at home against the still-unproven Cards. 49ers 24, Cardinals 21