Brady and Favre Return: Opening NFL Weekend Highlights

NFL drama, I mean—action, returns in full swing today.

Today QB Brett Favre makes his regular season debut in purple (purple cheesehead?) when his Minnesota Vikings visit Cleveland for the matchup vs. the Browns.  The Dog Pound in Cleveland will be barking loudly.

I pick Vikings over Browns.

Speaking of dogs, the Philadelphia Eagles will be Michael Vick-less but not hound-free when traveling to Charlotte in an encounter with the Carolina Panthers.  Today’s QB Scrutiny Bowl shares snaps between Donovan McNabb and Jake Delhomme.

These pair of QBs’ inconsistencies have been very well chronicled and both will continue to be hounded today if they don’t play well.  Well, the QB of today’s winner will buy himself another week.

Eagles over Panthers.

The Tony Dungy-less Indianapolis Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who no longer are considered a serious playoff contender.  Coaches have changed but QB Peyton Manning remains the same, which is excellent news for the Colts.

Colts over Jaguars is my pick.

Prolific passer Drew Brees and his New Orleans Saints host the revised Detroit Lions, with rookie QB Matthew Stafford starting.  The Lions haven’t won since two days before Christmas 2007.

Saints over Lions.

Another starting QB, Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, makes his debut in Houston vs. the Texans today. DE Mario Williams and teammates will give Sanchez his official “Welcome to the NFL!”

I pick Texans over Jets.

Miami at Atlanta, in my mind, is a marquee matchup of two resurgent teams, who made but lost in round one of the playoffs a season ago.  Both teams have upgrade their talent but the Dolphins has the better defense.

I pick Dolphins over Falcons.

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for their football game vs. the Ravens.  QB Matt Cassel faces the fierce Ravens defense and Ray Lewis will be in his face all day.

Ravens over Chiefs is my pick.

The Dallas Cowboys visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today for their tune-up for their huge debut game in Cowboys Stadium, featuring their monster video scoreboard.  The Cowboys will be working on offensive chemistry between QB Tony Romo and his WRs, while the Bucs’ offense will be struggling.

Cowboys over Buccaneers.

In today’s “who cares” matchup, enlisting the St. Louis Rams at the Seattle Seahawks, head coaches Jim Mora, Jr., and Steve Spagnuolo, respectively, make their debuts for their teams. 

Jim Mora, of course, has previous head coaching experience with the Atlanta Falcons. Spagnuolo does not have the defensive talent he had with Giants to work with.

My pick is Seahawks over Rams. 

My wish is that both teams redesign their uniforms and colors. But don’t bother, for only a few will be watching.

The NFC defending champions, the Arizona Cardinals, may have their hands full today in a contest featuring Mike Singletary’s debut as full-time head coach. This game almost smells upset, but I dare not go against QB Kurt Warner and WR Larry Fitzgerald.

Cardinals over 49rs is my pick.

Today’s games also features a matchup between the New York Giants, last season’s NFC East Division winners, vs. the Washington Redskins, the best fourth place team of the league.  The Redskins have a solid defense with an inconsistent offense. 

The Giants no longer have WR Plaxico Burress but rookie WR Hakeem Nicks was the No. 1 NFL WR during preseason in terms of statistics. Oh-oh.  Who maintains and keeps up with irrelevant preseason stats?

Giants over Redskins is my pick.

Both Chicago and Green Bay appear to be improved and stronger at the start of the 2009 season. The QB matchup of Jay Cutler vs. Aaron Rogers should be very fun to witness tonight. 

I think that the Packers will edge the Bears at Lambeau Field.

After tearing ligaments in his left knee in the season opener of the 2008 season, QB Tom Brady, after hours upon hours of rehabilitation,  leads his New England Patriots into Buffalo for a contest against the Bills Monday night.

My pick is Patriots over Browns.

And oh yeah, their is a second NFL Monday night game; The San Diego Chargers at the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are one of two NFL franchises—the other being the Dolphins—whose home fields feature MLB infield dirt. 

That should be outlawed! You’re out!!!

Duh. Chargers over Raiders.

Technorati Tags: NFL,2009 NFL Season,football,sports

Quote of the Day:
Patience is the companion of wisdom.
--Anonymous

1 Peter 3:8“ [Suffering for Doing Good] Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.