Week 1 NFL Predictions: Key Games with Postseason Implications

Now the real games begin as we near kickoff for Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season.

Despite being four months away from the postseason, results of all games, including the early ones, always plays a major role regarding the playoff race.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers is arguably the biggest matchup of the first week, simply because the winner gains that early edge for home-field advantage in January. After all, both are top tier NFC title contenders and Super Bowl expectations reside as well.

We'll break down San Francisco and Green Bay later on, though, because Week 1 gives us a few other crucial games that will have a profound effect down the stretch. Two of which are divisional contests.

Get ready folks, because pro football is back and this season—much like every other season—is filled with much anticipation and excitement. We're so close now you can easily taste it.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

We saw how crucial this game was in 2011 and the New York Giants took complete control.

This time around the Dallas Cowboys can't afford to fail versus Big Blue again, otherwise a shot at the postseason will crumble.

The NFC East remains a wide open division with everyone getting significantly better and Dallas has just as much, if not more, talent than anyone. New York, though, still presents a strong pass rush from its front four and the coverage always shows up in big games.

Tony Romo won't have all day to throw, but Big D needs to rely more on the ground attack anyway.

DeMarco Murray is an underrated ball-carrier and Dallas must keep him between the tackles for a balanced approach. The Giants on the other hand need to balance with Eli Manning.

They again present a sound two-back tandem in Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie David Wilson, while receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are capable of beating any single coverage from Dallas. Still, the Doomsday Defense has DeMarcus Ware and a better secondary with Brandon Carr and rookie Morris Claiborne.

This game will come down to who runs the rock better, which in turn creates a stronger play-action to limit the opposing pass rush. Last season Dallas was better collectively, although the Giants simply executed when it mattered most.

Giants over Cowboys

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

The game features Peyton Manning as the Denver Broncos quarterback, so the Pittsburgh Steelers need not worry about chasing Tim Tebow everywhere.

A rematch of last season's AFC Wild Card, the Steelers defense is expected to be stellar once again and the Broncos present an obvious passing threat.

So the key difference here lies within the pass protection given to each quarterback.

Neither team will see an immense amount of success on the ground, because each offensive unit lacks an explosive runner. Pittsburgh certainly has the advantage with a deeper receiving corps, but Ben Roethlisberger's time in the pocket will be limited.

Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil will be bringing the pain on every down, whereas Manning will feel the heat from Pittsburgh's front seven. It will be a much tougher defensive battle than expected. With both quarterbacks getting constant pressure, the more opportunistic secondary provides the advantage.

The Steelers can obviously anticipate a reliable performance from Troy Polamalu, however, Denver presents Tracy Porter along with Champ Bailey. Porter is a big game playmaker and Pittsburgh's pass protection is weaker than Denver's.

In short, more ill-advised throws from Big Ben in Week 1.

Broncos over Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

The second divisional matchup sees the Cincinnati Bengals traveling to Baltimore to face the Ravens.

It's quite realistic that the winner of this game takes the AFC North is 2012, because the Bengals are improved from last season.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a bowling ball in the backfield and the Ravens will have to stack the box to slow him down. In addition, the coverage must double-team receiver A.J. Green or Andy Dalton will just toss up jump balls all day long.

Cincy must emphasize balance because Baltimore has the experienced players to capitalize on any broken play or minuet error. Ed Reed can jump any pass in Cover 1, 2 or 3 and Ladarius Webb is a top five cornerback.

When the Ravens have the rock everything revolves around Ray Rice.

The Bengals have a strong secondary once again and the front seven added impressive depth with rookies Devon Still and Brandon Thompson. This game will be won on big plays by Green and Torrey Smith, because each defense will shut down the run and get solid quarterback pressure.

Both young receivers can stretch a defense, so it comes down to number of opportunities inside the red zone. Here, Green has the slight edge with Terrell Suggs being out which significantly reduces Baltimore's pass rush.

Bengals over Ravens

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

As previously mentioned, the 49ers-Packers Week 1 game will be the sole factor in determining NFC home field advantage.

Both are two of the best the NFC has to offer and after being the top seeds from a year ago, this past offseason's improvements/upgrades keep each team on their own level.

San Francisco has provided Alex Smith with more receiving targets such as Mario Manningham and Randy Moss, whereas Green Bay put a strong emphasis on defense via the draft. Therefore, expect the 'Niners to give a little pro-spread with Smith under center so Frank Gore can find some running lanes without having to deal with a stacked box.

Green Bay's defense will bring more pressure as it remains quite opportunistic defensively, so Gore must be fed early and often to keep the Pack's offense off the field. For as great as San Francisco's defense is, no one can entirely contain the onslaught of Aaron Rodgers.

The 49ers will get their pressure as well, however, Rodgers reads much better than Smith pre-snap and has a quicker release. In other words, the competitive edge here comes from controlling the game tempo.

Although the cheese has Cedric Benson, Gore and the 'Niners are more consistent on the ground and San Francisco still fields the better defense. It's a lower-scoring game than expected and that's what the Bay area wants.

49ers over Packers

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