Spiars' Quick Picks: NFL Week One

The first week is always the toughest in terms of picking winners. The preseason is a lost cause when determining a victor, so most of these picks are based on the performances of last year and how well each team bolstered their depth chart.

Featured Games- As the season progresses, I will feature three weekly games. Two of them will feature the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos as they are my two home state teams. The third will feature what I consider to be the most intriguing match-up outside the other two games.

Green Bay Packers (0-0) vs. Chicago Bears (0-0)- Green Bay Packers

Green Bay is coming off a very frustrating season that had many games decided by very few points. A newly installed 3-4 defense and the ever-improving mechanics of Aaron Rodgers will be a tough task for Chicago to handle. Add in a healthy Ryan Grant and a victory for the Pack is almost rest-assured.

Denver Broncos (0-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)- Denver Broncos

Denver appears to be in a calm and collected rebuilding process that has seen long-time coach and his highly-sought after quarterback leave town. However, their offense may be better than expected behind the masterful game-plans of Josh McDaniels. Also, the Bengals appear to be in more of a confused state than the Broncos.

Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)- Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially open the NFL 2009 season at home against "the terrible towel stompers", the Tennessee Titans. Pittsburgh did nothing but improve in the offseason and have a dominant game plan. A smash-mouth run game and their No. 1 defense will lead them to victory.

Other Games

Miami Dolphins (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)- Miami Dolphins

Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0)- Baltimore Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles (0-0) at Carolina Panthers (0-0)- Philadelphia Eagles

Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-0)- Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets (0-0) at Houston Texans (0-0)- Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-0)- Indianapolis Colts

Detroit Lions (0-0) at New Orleans Saints (0-0)- New Orleans Saints

Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)- Dallas Cowboys

San Francisco 49ers (0-0) at Arizona Cardinals (0-0)- San Francisco 49ers

Washington Redskins (0-0) at New York Giants (0-0)- New York Giants

St. Louis Rams (0-0) at Seattle Seahawks (0-0)- Seattle Seahawks

Buffalo Bills (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)- New England Patriots

San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Oakland Raiders (0-0)- San Diego Chargers

Sunday will awaken the giant that is the NFL and while the crowd screams the stadiums into a light shiver, I'll be toasting to great friends, great food, and even better beer for what will be another mind-bending season.