NFL 2010 Week 1 picks

Welcome to the start of a new NFL season!  I'm behind schedule here, so I'll get right into it

Thursday, Sept 9
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints:  We start off with a rematch of last season's NFC title game, and perhaps the best match-up of the week.  Both of these teams are strong and itching to start off strongly.  For New Orleans, it's the start of their Super Bowl title defense.  The Vikings are out for blood in this revenge match, but I still think the Saints offense is stronger.  SAINTS, 31-30

Sunday, Sept 12
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers begin their stretch without Ben Roethlisberger.  Charlie Batch has been with them for years, so he knows the system, but he's not the field general that Big Ben is.  Fortunately, the bigger threat from Atlanta is on the offensive side of the ball, and the Steelers' defense remains intact.  PITT, 23-20

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants:  Carolina was forced to alter their offense in the wake of Jake Delhomme's departure.  That offense won't be ready for the Giants' defense.  GIANTS, 21-13

Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots:  The TO-Ochocinco tandem hasn't been terrific, because one or the other has been below average during preseason.  Unless they both get in sync, the Patriots precise offense will outstrip the Bengals.  PATS, 24-20

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The best thing about Cleveland in recent years had been Derek Anderson and his slate of receivers.  Now the Browns start over without Anderson and some of those receivers.  Tampa Bay has had to reorganize, too, but at least they have a bit more going for them.  BUCS, 13-6

Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars:  It's the Jags defense against Orton and the Denver passing offense.  Denver's line makes a running game difficult, but their defensive line should slow Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jags running game.  If Orton and company can get past Jacksonville, the Broncos will soar.  BRONCOS, 20-13

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears:  Perhaps this one should be billed as the snoozer of the week, with two weak teams playing each other.  I'll go for the home team here, especially since the defense is probably in the best physical shape they'll be in all season.  BEARS, 16-13

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans:  Peyton Manning and the Colts are ready to fire.  The Texans' defense is good, but not good enough to slow down Indy.  The real challenge will be how good Matt Schaub can move the Texans.  COLTS, 31-20

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills:  Miami has the better team, but they'll be a bit distracted by the chaos occurring in the front office.  Buffalo has shown some good form during preseason, and I think that'll continue into opening week.  BILLS, 17-13

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans:  Chris Johnson is poised to have a spendid season.  With Vince Young feeling confident, they are a powerful force.  Oakland's defense will try to slow that, but perhaps they won't be up to the task.  They'll slow them down, though, making this game more competitive.  TITANS, 13-10

Arizona Cardinals at St Louis Rams:  The Rams should improve this year, but it'll take Sam Bradford some time to get used to the NFL.  Derek Anderson has been leading a pro team for years.  CARDS, 27-14

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles:  This could be the closest game of the day, with the lead shifting often.  In a test of stamina like this one could become, I like the Packers to come out on top.  PACK, 27-23

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks:  The Seahawks have been made over by Pete Carroll, but I don't think he'll start off any better at this stop than his previous pro positions.  49ERS, 20-13

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins:  Dallas has looked downright awful in the preseason.  Washington has been slowly improving, and I think this is the year that it comes to fruition.  REDSKINS, 21-17

Monday, Sept 13
Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets:  Both teams have worked more on defense than offense.  For the Jets, they're happen to have Derrelle Revis sign his contract (and for much less than he was fighting for).  However, Rex Ryan began to change the defense to work without him.  He won't be able to seamlessly come back.  Still, I think the Jets have the edge in this game.  JETS, 17-13

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs:  The Monday Night double-header concludes with this divisional rivalry.  KC thought to improve their team, but they still have a ways to go, especially on defense.  The powerful Chargers offense will just shred them.  CHARGERS, 34-13