NFL Picks Week 1: Home Teams That Will Leave Fans Disappointed

There is nothing like attending the home opener to a football season, but for the fans of the following teams, that experience is going to be tarnished by a bad outcome. 

Fans of these teams can take a bit of solace in the fact that their team suffered from a bit of bad luck with the opponent they drew for the opener, but it is always a tough pill to swallow when your team starts off the season in a winless hole. 

Denver Broncos

Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

For the record, I have the Broncos winning the AFC West, and if this game came a little further in the season, I wouldn't hesitate to pick the Broncos. 

However, it is in the opening week, and Denver is still trying to incorporate Peyton Manning into an offense that did everything possible to avoid throwing the ball last season, and they have to do that against the tough defense of the Steelers. 

Pittsburgh is going to make it hard for the Broncos to get on the same page in this game, and their new commitment to the run game should help slow down the Broncos' pass rush that harassed their offense in last year's playoff loss. 

Prediction: Steelers 20, Broncos 17

Cleveland Browns

Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

It almost doesn't feel right including the Browns on this list. I don't think there is even many people in Cleveland who expect the Browns to go out with a rookie QB making his first start against the complicated Eagles defense and emerge with a victory. 

However, I decided they were fair game when I deduced the beating would be so thorough the fans will be left to deal with an extra helping of disappointment. 

If Cleveland is going to hang in this game, it is going to take a tremendous defensive effort, and with the high-powered Eagles enjoying the health that comes with the start of the season, they will not be stopped. 

Prediction: Eagles 27, Browns 6

Tennessee Titans

Opponent: New England Patriots

Tom Brady has some new toys to tinker with in this high-powered offense, and Bill Belichick has some new pieces on defense to throw into the mix. 

This is bad new for the NFL, and terrible news for the Titans, who must try and figure this out without anything but preseason film to go on. 

The Titans have a solid secondary to help match up with the Patriots' improved receiving corps, but they are going to have a hard time containing New England's amazing tight end duo. 

On the other side of the ball, Belichick is going to throw some looks at second-year QB Jake Locker has never seen before, and force him into a couple of mistakes. 

They will jump out to a lead, and essentially render Chris Johnson and the Titans running game useless. 

Prediction: Titans 31, Titans 20