NFL Week 1 Picks: Seattle Seahawks and Teams Destined to Disappoint in Opener

Expectations in the NFL are always out of whack.

Think about it—the NFL is structured to create hype. Free agency now has a bigger countdown than the ball drop in New York each year. The NFL draft is an unofficial holiday.

Each and every year, no matter how last season wound up for a team, the team's fanbase is ecstatic because "anything can happen" and "any given Sunday!" when in reality, only a handful of teams are worthy of the hype.

Credit the NFL for handling things the right way and for fans being so passionate. Week 1 is finally here and expectations are through the roof.

Like any kickoff extravaganza, there will be disappointments. It is not the end of the world for the following teams, but it will certainly not be the impressive start most envisioned.

Chip Kelly's NFL Debut Falls Short in Washington

The hype surrounding Chip Kelly's NFL debut is palpable after he wowed the nation at Oregon with his innovative offensive schemes.

One problem—it may not work at the professional level.

It's one thing to run up the score on collegiate athletes, but it is a whole different beast when every player is on the same level.

Kelly's starting quarterback is Michael Vick, who has never played in a full season since 2008. Vick has looked comfortable in the new scheme, but it is not the offense that will lose the game for Philadelphia in Washington.

The Eagles are destined to have a bottom-five defense while undergoing a schematic change to a 3-4 base with leftover 4-3 parts. Philadelphia may be able to score fast, but Alfred Morris, owner of over 1,600 rushing yards last season, can control the pace of the game—with or without Robert Griffin III.

Washington will also be able to take advantage of a weakened line with both Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan at full strength.

Credit Kelly for revitalizing a franchise stuck far too long doing the same old things, but the Redskins are a complete package that can bully a weak defensive unit and dictate how the game plays out.

Prediction: Redskins 35, Eagles 21

Atlanta Sees Wings Clipped in New Orleans

Atlanta may be riding high after finally achieving playoff success and finding a quality running back in Steven Jackson, but New Orleans has found something better this offseason.

Sean Payton—the man who led New Orleans to Super Bowl XLIV—is back.

The return of Payton does wonders not only for the locker room, but also for the offense with a shift to re-focusing on the ground attack with Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram. Drew Brees and the passing attack will of course be as stellar as ever.

Atlanta is exciting offensively, but the team is expecting rookie cornerbacks such as Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford to contribute meaningful reps. That is simply asking for too much against Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Lance Moore.

Brees can and will take advantage of the holes in Atlanta's defense. The New Orleans defense is undergoing a facelift, but Rob Ryan will squeeze the most out of the talent available.

Winning in the Superdome is never an easy task (Atlanta hasn't done so since 2010), and despite the high expectations, the Falcons won't fly out victorious.

Prediction: Saints 42, Falcons 30

Seattle Fails to Match Hype in Carolina

Laugh away, but the Seattle Seahawks have a serious issue on their hands in Week 1.

Not only does Seattle have to play on the road, but Russell Wilson and Co. have to travel over 2,800 miles to meet a Carolina Panthers team that is quietly very sound on both sides of the football.

Fans know about Cam Newton and what he offers on the offensive side of things, but it is the defense the nation will discover sooner rather than later.

Carolina's weakness last season was defensive tackle. That will no longer be an issue with No. 14 pick Star Lotulelei and No. 44 pick Kawann Short clogging the middle of the line.

Not only does that free up Luke Kuechly, last year's Defensive Player of the Year and owner of 165 total tackles, it also allows pass-rushers Charles Johnson (12.5 sacks last year) and Greg Hardy (11 sacks last year) to get after Wilson on every down.

If that sounds like a scary defensive front seven and an iffy matchup for the Seahawks on the road—it is. Seattle will be without Percy Harvin and will have to rely on the running game to win.

Seattle will end up having a great season, but it won't start well in Carolina.

Prediction: Panthers 27, Seahawks 17

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling