I'll play your game you rouge! Time for some overly-thought out predictions, half of which will probably seem laughably wrong in 2-3 weeks.
Saints at
Colts - I love the Saints but I figure the Colts will win this one in a shoot-out at home. Indy's defense took some serious hits in the offseason so I'm predicting a close game.
Eagles at Packers - The Packers barely made any moves in the offseason so I only expect incremental improvement which will be offset by incremental decline from Favre. If the Eagles stick to a balanced air/ground attack they'll win easily.
Patriots at Jets - The Patriots seem loaded and the Jets O-line starters looked bad in the preseason. I thought NYJ should've given Kendall some kind of pittance raise and kept him.
Broncos at
Bills - The last few years Denver has dropped a stinker in the opener; I'm not getting fooled a third time. Losman did look legit by the end of last season.
Panthers at
Rams - The Rams seem to be turning the corner again and their offense should carry them through this one despite a mediocre preseason.
Steelers at Browns - This has not been a rivalry since that crazy Wild Card game in 2002, a washed-up Jamal Lewis is not going to turn things around in Cleveland.
Falcons at
Vikings - The Vikings offense will probably be pedestrian and brutal to watch this year but the defense can be brutal in a good way. Call me crazy but I actually think the Falcons will be mediocre this year but not abysmal. Vick was kicked out before training camp so the coaching staff should know what they're working with by now and can game-plan accordingly.
Chiefs at
Texans - I liked the Matt Schaub pick-up and if Ahman Green has anything left in the tank Houston may have a balanced enough offense to complement their young defense. The Chiefs look like they're in trouble this year because LJ can't do it alone.
Titans at
Jaguars - If Garrard doesn't throw picks this should be an easy win for the Jags. I don't see the Titans getting any running game going in this one and Vince was dreadful as a passing QB last year, I don't expect much improvement in his first game this year.
Dolphins at
Redskins Tough call since I hardly tracked either team recently but JC looked good in the limited preseason action I saw and the 'Skins are at home while the Dolphins are going through another coaching/QB transition.
Buccaneers at
Seahawks - I think Gruden(as much as I love his personality) is done in Tampa after this year because they don't seem to have any long-term plan for fixing either side of the ball. Seattle plays well at home and were usually winners last year when Hasselbeck and Alexander were healthy.
Bears at
Chargers - Good match-up and the X factor is Grossman, if he plays great the Bears can win. My gut tells me the Chargers offense has enough to pull out a close win in a mostly defensive struggle.
Lions at
Raiders - What the hell right? Oakland's defense should have enough to contain the Lions (especially against the run). I say go with McCown but even Culpepper should be able to give them something more than last year.
Giants at
Cowboys - I'm not sold on Romo but I don't think the Giants did enough in the offseason to make up for the loss of Barber or improve the defense. If Newman is hurt or limited I can see Eli putting up some points through the air but the Giants' defense last year couldn't hold any leads. I'm against turning Kiwanoka into a LB and this looks like another down year for Big Blue.
Ravens at Bengals - I love Carson Palmer but I don't see the Bengals defense forcing the Ravens into any serious mistakes. McNair looked awful in the playoffs last year but McGahee looks like at last a mediocre upgrade for the running game and will help control the clock.
Cardinals at
49ers - San Fransisco spent a lot of cash to bolster their young team, which has already grown a lot in two years. Arizona always seems to have great young talent but key weaknesses drag the whole team down and why should this year be any different?
