With the National Football League season commencing tonight, it’s time for this column to get back up and running. As usual, I will pick every game, and starting next week, I will show my score from the previous week, my best score to date, and my total for the season.
Green Bay Packers (0-0) at Seattle Seahawks (0-0)
The defending champions open the season at home against the Pack, and they will play the cheeseheads in Seattle for the first time since the infamous “replacement refs” game. Aaron Rodgers finished strong last year after he missed substantial time with a collarbone injury, and I think he will re-establish himself as the best quarterback in today’s NFL. However, this game is the culmination of the Seahawks’ parade, and even the great Rodgers won’t be able to take that from them.
Prediction: Seattle 24, Green Bay 17
New Orleans Saints (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
New Orleans is the best team in the South and they’re playing in a dome, where the elements cannot affect their high powered offense. I think that the Falcons will have a rebound season, but I don’t see them beating the runaway early favorite to win the NFC South crown.
Prediction: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 17
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
The AFC North looks to be an extremely tight division, if only because there is no sure runaway winner. Earlier, I picked the Ravens to win the division, and I think they’ll start off on the right foot. Joe Flacco will have a shaky game and I think that Andy Dalton will outplay him, but Baltimore steals a tight one at home.
Prediction: Baltimore 20, Cincinnati 17
Buffalo Bills (0-0) at Chicago Bears (0-0)
Buffalo is contending for the first overall pick. Chicago is contending for a playoff spot. What else is there?
Prediction: Chicago 24, Buffalo 10
Washington (0-0) at Houston Texans (0-0)
This game presents Washington with a great opportunity to start off the season with more success than last year. However, if I’m Washington, I’m terrified of the fact that Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt might pound Robert Griffin III to the ground. Is there a QB controversy brewing in the nation’s capital? Houston will turn it around this year, and I think that a five win year is very reasonable.
Prediction: Houston 23, Washington 20
Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)
The Titans will be worse. In fact, I think they are serious contenders for the first overall pick. There is little chance that Kansas City matches its 2013 record, but I think they will still be in the hunt for the sixth wild card spot.
Prediction: Kansas City 17, Tennessee 13
New England Patriots (0-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-0)
The Patriots are winning the AFC East this year barring an injury to Tom Brady. Miami could be in the hunt for a playoff spot, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Ryan Tannehill puts up points on New England’s defense. However, I don’t see Miami’s defense holding up against Brady’s offense.
Prediction: New England 31, Miami 27
Oakland Raiders (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0)
Here are one of your two favorites to be the worst team in football this season. I don’t see much going right for Oakland in 2014, but developing Derek Carr would be a solid start in planning for the future. I picked the Jets as a playoff team, and a home loss to Oakland would be embarrassing for a team with such expectations.
Prediction: New York 17, Oakland 9
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
The Jags might surprise quite a few people this year. Their ceiling looks to be about five wins or so, and I can see Blake Bortles taking them there. However, this won’t be the game to start. I didn’t pick the Eagles to make the playoffs, but they’ll start out of the gates flying against an inferior team.
Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Jacksonville 17
Cleveland Browns (0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
I doubt that either of these teams makes the playoffs, but it’s possible that Pittsburgh could sneak in. The Browns are your other favorite for the first overall pick. After Brian Hoyer struggles in this game, you’ll see people calling for Johnny Manziel to slide into the starting quarterback position.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 20, Cleveland 10
Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at St. Louis Rams (0-0)
Both play in ultra competitive divisions and both will likely be on the outside looking in January. Either way, this is Shaun Hill’s chance to prove he’s the answer for this season in St. Louis. Can Matt Cassel fend off Teddy Bridgewater for the starting job in Minny?
Prediction: St. Louis 23, Minnesota 17
San Francisco 49ers (0-0) at Dallas Cowboys (0-0)
I picked San Francisco to win the Super Bowl in my preseason predictions, but their lack of offensive success in the preseason coupled with their off the field distractions leave me terrified. I think that San Fran’s offense will be fine and Colin Kaepernick will have another great season. Is there a better way to start than against one of the worst defenses in the league? Poor Tony Romo. He’ll put up the numbers, but the other side of the ball won’t help.
Prediction: San Francisco 31, Dallas 23
Carolina Panthers (0-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)
The reigning NFC South crown winners won’t repeat this year in part because of the lack of offensive weapons surrounding Cam Newton. This game marks the beginning of a new era in Tampa Bay, and I think that they will surprise many fans out there.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 24, Carolina 17
Indianapolis Colts (0-0) at Denver Broncos (0-0)
In last year’s matchup, Andrew Luck beat Peyton Manning in the house that Manning built. This year, the teams open the season in Denver, Peyton’s new place. Ultimately, Indianapolis’ lack of a running game will leave too much time for Peyton Manning to put on a show on primetime. The loss of Robert Mathis to suspension will essentially eliminate Indy’s pass rush.
Prediction: Denver 38, Indianapolis 24
New York Giants (0-0) at Detroit Lions (0-0)
I’m not even sure what I can say about Eli Manning. He’s one of the biggest enigmas in the NFL. Matthew Stafford and Megatron will have a great year together, albeit one that doesn’t result in a playoff spot. Book it.
Prediction: Detroit 34, New York 24
San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Arizona Cardinals (0-0)
The Chargers are one of the most underrated teams in the league. Philip Rivers will quietly dominate once again in the shadow of more discussed quarterbacks. I think that the Cards and the Rams will fight for the NFC West’s third ranking, but Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald will put points on the board this season.
Prediction: San Diego 24, Arizona 20
[Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports]
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