NFL Week 1: Predicting the MVP of Every Game

It's here. It's finally here. After months and months of no football, the NFL has returned! This weekend's slate of games offers quite a few tasty matchups and juicy storylines—as if your mouth wasn't watering already.

The first week of every NFL season is always crazy, because players who are about to have surprising seasons give us the first taste of what's to come. Of course, there are only 16 games, so many players destined for typical seasons have their best game in Week 1. To top it all off, half a nation of fantasy football owners are about to prematurely celebrate their obvious impending Super Bowl win.

So, which players will put their real-life teams on the map in Week 1?

Dallas Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree already claimed his Week 1 MVP award with his two-touchdown performance against the New York Giants.

The following 15 players will also be MVPs of the first week of games.

Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears: Matt Forte

The Colts are shifting to a 3-4 defense, and one thing new 3-4 defenses often do is struggle to stop the run. Even if Andrew Luck can keep pace with Jay Cutler in the air, Matt Forte is going to be too much for the Colts defense to handle.

Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns: Jason Babin

Don't be surprised if the Browns defense gives the Eagles a lot more trouble than most realize. But the Eagles' pass rush should be too much for rookie Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden, even with the Browns' excellent offensive line.

St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford

Though the Lions aren't renowned for their run defense, Steven Jackson and Isaiah Pead won't be able to keep pace with the Lions' air attack. Stafford's arm and decision-making will eventually overwhelm the Rams' overhauled defense.

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans: Owen Daniels

With the Dolphins switching from a 3-4 back to a 4-3, it might not be clear as to who has coverage responsibility for which offensive player or space yet.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels is a nightmare matchup for Dolphins SLB Koa Misi, a pass-rusher by trade, and he could have a very big day.

Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs: Julio Jones

Both of the Falcons' elite wide receivers could go off on Kansas City's secondary, but Julio Jones has been tearing through the preseason—there's no reason to believe he's going to slow down now.

Jones gets the nod over Roddy White.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings: Jared Allen

This game is an evenly matched battle of two teams who aren't as bad as you think they are. Both teams feature shaky second-year quarterbacks and two veteran running backs who aren't up to game speed yet.

The difference will be in the defenses, and Vikings sack-master Jared Allen will make the plays that will change the game.

Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints: Roger Goodell

With courts overturning the suspensions of four Saints players involved in the "Bountygate" scandal, Saints fans are surely going to turn the Superdome into a madhouse.

Eager to prove the NFL's railroading won't slow them down, the Saints will be revved up to take out their frustrations on the Redskins.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets: Mario Williams

The Jets have struggled mightily with pass protection in the preseason, and newly minted Buffalo Bill Mario Williams is a monster off the edge. Whether Mark Sanchez takes every snap or Tim Tebow gets some reps, Williams is likely to make mincemeat out of either.

New England Patriots at Tennesee Titans: Chris Johnson

In a shocker, the Titans should keep pace with—and maybe even beat—the mighty Patriots. If Chris Johnson really is "back," he'll be a challenge for one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. The Patriots are the better team, but the Titans have talent and something to prove.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals: Russell Wilson

He hasn't disappointed yet. Even though the Cardinals defense is no pushover, sensational Seahawks rookie Russell Wilson will be the most dynamic offensive player on the field come Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith proved last season he can execute his offense well enough to avoid egregious turnovers. But these Packers have something to prove, and with the home crowd behind them, I see Charles Woodson turning back the clock and making an MVP-worthy play.

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Newton

Sometimes it's best not to over-think things. The Buccaneers spent a truckload of free-agent money in the offseason, but Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will still be the best player on the field—and the most valuable.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos: Troy Polamalu

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning showed some flashes of his old self this preseason, but he also showed he doesn't have quite the same zip on his fastball.

Under the pressure of the Steelers rush, Manning is likely to force a throw to a target that isn't quite open enough...and Polamalu will be there.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco, the self-proclaimed best quarterback in the NFL, showed signs of proving himself not-crazy during the playoffs last season. The Bengals have a solid pass defense, but the M&T Bank Stadium crowd should get Flacco's confidence (and the points) rolling.

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders: Carson Palmer

It was just a few years ago that Carson Palmer was considered one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. Injuries and a stubborn owner robbed him of some of his prime, but he's still just 32 and coming off his first offseason with the Raiders. Maybe he'll still struggle in some games, but he'll shine in a few, too.