NFL Predictions Week 1: Pinpointing Most Likely Upsets for Opening Week

The first week of the NFL season is always ripe for upsets. That much is easy to predict. Finding out which ones it will be is a different story. 

In a league of parity, it can be hard to predict games from a week-to-week basis—let alone after a long offseason filled with countless roster moves. 

There are some lines that will prove to be wildly off, and there are three in particular that I strongly feel have the wrong team favored. 

Point spreads according to Football Locks on Sept. 2

Atlanta Falcons (+3) over New Orleans Saints in New Orleans

This game is going to provide big fireworks. We have two of the most dynamic offenses in the league facing off. 

With the return of Sean Payton to the sidelines of the Saints, hopes are on high that the Saints will make a return to the postseason.

Also, the Saints' defense should be improved from last year, while the Falcons' defense could very well take a step back. Still, as terrible as the Saints were on defense last year (31st in passing yards, 32nd in rushing yards) these developments aren't enough to have the Saints surpassing the Falcons. 

New Orleans is always tough to beat at home, but Atlanta is also a dome team and will be right at home in New Orleans. 

Prediction: Atlanta 34, New Orleans 31

New York Giants (+3) over Dallas Cowboys in Dallas

The season gets off with a bang in Big D. One of the league's best rivalries will introduce itself to 2013 as the Giants take on the Cowboys. 

The Cowboys enjoy home field, which would account for their three-point spread. On the surface, that makes sense. The Cowboys and Giants are close to each other on most power rankings, and I agree with that assessment. However, the Giants are a bad matchup for Dallas. 

Dallas has some serious issues along the offensive line, and when the Giants front four can dominate the trenches, New York is hard to beat. 

There is also the fact that Cowboys Stadium is the Giants home away from home. 

New York is a perfect 4-0 in the Cowboys extravagant home. They haven't won one of those contests by more than six points, but they've owned the fourth quarter. I expect a similar result this year.

Prediction: New York 24, Dallas 20 

Minnesota Vikings (+4.5) over Detroit Lions in Detroit 

The Lions have the passing game to victimize the young Vikings' secondary. If Detroit uses their explosive offense to jump out to a big lead, it will lead to an easy victory. 

However, I don't see that happening because Adrian Peterson will not allow it. 

Detroit finished a decent 16th in rushing yards allowed last year. However, Peterson and the Vikings strong offensive line have been able to neutralize the Lions' defensive line, and that is a problem for Detroit.

The Vikings swept the Lions last year, and in those two games they rushed for a total of 323 yards. Minnesota will wear down the Lions' defense and take control of this game in the second half. 

Prediction: Minnesota 27, Detroit 17