NFL Week 1: Five Games No Football Fan Should Miss

The NFL season is only a few days away. Darrelle Revis has signed, Matt Leinart has been dropped and Sam Bradford will be starting under center. All the starters are set, and the rosters have been cut down. All of that preseason junk is over.

The best thing about the opening week of the NFL season is that every team realistically has a chance to make things happen this season. The slate is completely clean, and for all we know, the St. Louis Rams and the Buffalo Bills could be playing into December. That is an unrealistic prediction, but it still could happen.

Here are the top five NFL games for week one . . .

1) Minnesota Vikings Verses New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the San Diego Chargers at the Louisiana Superdome on August 27, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Thursday night game that opens up the NFL season is always one that looks outstanding on paper (Pittsburgh/Tennessee; Indianapolis/New Orleans; Washington/New York Giants), and this matchup doesn't disappoint.

The Vikings/Saints matchup is a repeat of last season's NFC Championship game, which was of course won by New Orleans on an overtime field goal. Brett Favre's remarkable season was cut short of the ultimate goal, and the Saints went on to win the Super Bowl. This season is a little different. Favre is going to be nursing that hurt ankle, Sidney Rice is out with injury, and Percy Harvin has been battling migraines for most of the preseason (questions remain about how good he will be even if he does get into the game).

New Orleans returns most of the team that won the Super Bowl.

Prediction: New Orleans wins big: 32 - 17

2) Green Bay Packers Verses Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles stands on the sidelines during a preseason game against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty

On one side, Aaron Rodgers begins his MVP campaign. On the other Kevin Kolb begins his career.

Rodgers is coming off a great statistical season in '09 and he has been clicking with his offense this preseason. There is reason to believe that Green Bay will have the best offense in 2010. Their defense is a little suspect.

I think Kolb will turn out to be a good quarterback in this league, but it won't be happening in the first game. He does have a lot of weapons in DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. Green Bay is loaded offensively and they will be airing it out all game. They should win by a touchdown or two, but it will still be intriguing to see how Kolb deals with the pressures of being a starting quarterback.

Prediction: Green Bay takes it by two scores: 34 - 20

3) Baltimore Ravens Verses New York Jets

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against the San Diego Chargers during AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Could this be a potential AFC Championship game preview?

The Jets and Ravens enter the season ranked near the top of the AFC. This should be an insanely competitive game. With Darrelle Revis now in and ready to go for the Jets, their defense is absolutely solid. That should make up for their inconsistent play on the offensive side (Can Mark Sanchez be a top QB in this league? Can Shonn Green stay healthy?)

Baltimore is the better team here. Personally, I have the Jets finishing 3rd in the AFC East.

Prediction: Baltimore wins a close one: 24 - 21

4) Dallas Cowboys Verses Washington Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys holds the ball before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Thing are buzzing madly in Washington with their new QB, Donovan McNabb. But things are really going off in Dallas as this Cowboys team is completely loaded at nearly every position. To many Dallas fans, the Super Bowl is their only goal.

Tony Romo is coming off his best season, and he has talent at nearly every position offensively to throw to. Miles Austin is one of the best receivers in the league, and they just added rookie Dez Bryant, a player with enormous potential. Going from Patrick Crayton/Roy Williams to Bryant is like upgrading from a Honda to a BMW.

This is the NFC East, the best division in the NFL; a division so difficult that Washington has improved greatly from last season, and they will still probably be in fourth at the end of the year. It will be exciting to see how McNabb does (if he plays, he's been hurt recently ). Mike Shanahan should have this team prepared but they aren't as talented as the Cowboys are.

Prediction: Dallas airs it out big time: 38 - 17

5) Indianapolis Colts Verses Houston Texans

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59-24. (Photo by

Another divisional matchup. Indy has stayed at the top of the AFC for the previous decade. Houston has been trying to get there for year, and although they have had a playoff-worthy team for the past few seasons, they have yet to reach the postseason. This season could very well change for them.

But first, they have to get by the Colts. Payton Manning is very hard to beat in the regular season and he has loaded receiving corps this year for the first time since Marvin Harrison retired: Wayne, Garcon, Collie and tight end Dallas Clark. 

Houston has had some success against Manning in the past, and these games are always hard fought. It's very hard to bet against Manning in any situation, but the Texans are a frisky enough opponent for this game to go down to the wire.

Prediction: Indianapolis wins a close one: 28 - 26