This weekend, I’ve run out of time to write an extensive analysis of my picks. Last season, I would start writing my picks on a Friday and end on a Sunday morning. To avoid that this year, I was hoping to do everything at once, but with Tropical Storm Hanna and then researching Videos of the Week for today, I don’t have the time to write what I would like so instead of fretting over it, I’ll just give quick picks.
To be honest, I don’t remember my record from last season and I’m certainly not going to find out now. I will say I got the Super Bowl right when I picked the Giants. So without further ado, my picks for Week 1 in the League Where They Play for Pay.
New York Jets at Miami – CBS, 1 p.m.
This would have been another pedestrian matchup had Brett Favre not been traded to the Jets. Miami is improving, but it won’t matter on Sunday. Jets take this one, 24-14.
Kansas City at New England – CBS, 1 p.m.
Tom Brady didn’t play in the exhibition season. Pats went 0-4. He’ll play on Sunday, but it’s not known had bad that foot injury is. I’ve read predictions that have the Pats slaughtering the Chiefs. I do think the Pats will win, but it’ll be closer causing the entire New England region to start panicking. Patriots, 16-9.
St. Louis at Philadelphia – Fox, 1 p.m.
Philly will have a good start to the season by defeating a woeful Rams team, 28-10.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans – Fox, 1 p.m.
The Saints have had to deal with another hurricane, but they’ll be back in the Superdome on Sunday. For some reason, I like the Bucs to win, 29-27.
Cincinnati at Baltimore – CBS, 1 p.m.
Baltimore has to play a rookie, QB Joe Flacco today. Chad Johnson is now Chad Ocho Cinco. Go with the Bengals, 26-17.
Houston at Pittsburgh – CBS, 1 p.m.
Being a Browns fan, it’s tough for me to pick the Steelers, but the Texans are a tough team to play and will give Pittsburgh a hard time at Heinz Field. Houston may even lead for a time during the game, but take the Steelers to win, 31-27.
Jacksonville at Tennessee – CBS, 1 p.m.
Good AFC South division rivalry to get going in Week 1. A game that could go either way will go to Jacksonville, 28-24.
Seattle at Buffalo – Fox, 1 p.m.
The Seahawks have been chosen by some analysts to go to the Super Bowl this season. I like their chances of getting to the Big Game as well and it starts with a win in Orchard Park on Sunday, 30-6.
Detroit at Atlanta – Fox, 1 p.m.
The Matt Ryan era begins in the ATL on Sunday. He can use Buddy Ryan’s help on defense because the Lions will in the offensive backfield all day. Detroit wins, 31-14.
Dallas at Cleveland – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
I have no idea what to expect from my Browns. They played poorly in the exhibition season. Derek Anderson is hurt. Brady Quinn did not help my confidence in August. I throw my hands up. Cowboys win, 31-21. ARRRGGGGHH!
Arizona at San Francisco – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
Kurt Warner is starting at QB over Matt Leinart. I don’t know how Arizona is favored in this game because the Cardinals don’t deserve to be a road favorite. I’ll take the 49ers to win their home opener, 19-10.
Carolina at San Diego – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
Shawne Merriman is hurt, but will play on a knee that should be operated on. That’s dangerous, but the Chargers are on a collision course with New England and Indianapolis to be on top of the AFC. Take the Chargers to win on Sunday over a Carolina team some expect to be a contender in the NFC South. Chargers, 38-27.
Chicago at Indianapolis – NBC, 8:15 p.m.
I don’t think this game deserved to be in primetime, but NBC wanted to open the season with the Manning brothers and be the first network to have the debut of Lucas Oil Stadium. So expect a lot of “beauty shots” of the place during the game. Anyway, the Bears’ offense will look as anemic as it did in Super Bowl XLI when these two teams met two years ago. Take the Colts, 40-10.
Minnesota at Green Bay – ESPN, Monday, 7 p.m.
The Aaron Rodgers Era officially begins at Lambeau Field Monday Night. This was supposed to be the game in which Brett Favre’s jersey was to be retired during an emotional halftime ceremony, but instead, it becomes a game where Rodgers’ every move will be scrutinized. The Vikings defense will make him run around, knock him down, force a lot of hurries and the Lambeau Field crowd will boo him. But the Pack will take this game barely, by a score of 23-22.
Denver at Oakland – ESPN, Monday, 10:15 p.m.
The Raiders will be a bad football team this season. Again. Take the Broncos, 33-16.
There you go.
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