2010 NFL Week 1 Picks: Brett Favre, Tony Romo Hit Primetime
The regular season is finally here, and now it's time to break down the Week 1 matchups.
You have the NFC Championship game rematch, complete with Brett Favre, you have the Cowboys and Redskins renewing their rivalry on primetime, and you have the T.O., Ochocinco show premiering.
The Season kicks off Thursday night, but we're going to run down all the games, who wins, who loses, and if I'm drinking too much coffee.
Here we go!
Vikings Vs. Saints, Thursday Night Kickoff
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In what is sure to be a great first game, the Saints take on the Vikings to open the 2010 NFL regular season.
This game will come down to which quarterback performs better, and just how good or bad the Vikings wide receivers are.
I expect the Saints defense to shut down Favre's passing game as he struggles to find a rhythm with the tattered remnants of the Vikings receivers.
Going with the Saints on this one, 28-14.
Falcons Vs. Steelers
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This game will either prove the Steelers are on their way to the playoffs, or that Ben Roethlisberger's suspension can't end soon enough.
Matt Ryan is poised to have a great year, and the Steelers are just hoping Dennis Dixon will be effective until Roethlisberger returns.
The problem is, Roethlisberger has proved he's the only quarterback who can still make plays behind an offensive line held together by tiny bits of string and good intentions.
The Steelers defense didn't look good in preseason, but they have all the major components there, including Troy Polamalu, so Ryan isn't going to get out of this game easy.
Final analysis is it will be a close battle with the Falcons having a slight edge, Falcons 21, Steelers 20.
Bengals Vs. Patriots
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This is the premier of the Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco show in the regular season, and how quarterback Carson Palmer will handle the two giant egos.
The Bengals had a breakout year in 2009, but started showing cracks around the edge at the end of the season.
On the flipside, Tom Brady and the Patriots are out to prove 2009 was a fluke and that they're going to return to their 16-0 form in 2010.
Bottom line is Bill Belichick is very good at shutting down elite wide receivers, and Owens isn't as young as he used to be.
The Bengals get embarrassed as Brady romps all over the defense, Patriots 35, Bengals 17.
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Lions Vs. Bears
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NFC North Divisional games always were meant to be brutal contests, but the Lions and Bears both are underwhelming going into the season.
If Jay Cutler goes down, the Bears don't have much behind him, and the rest of the team is struggling to find an identity.
In Detroit, they definitely look like a team on the way up, but they're not anywhere near a powerhouse yet.
That being said, Matthew Stafford looks like the real thing, and the Bears come out on the losing end.
Lions 30, Bears 24
Miami Vs. Buffalo
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The Miami Dolphins offense is going to be good this year, there's very little question about that.
However, Sunday will feature the first edition of the C.J. Spiller show, and he's going to surprise a lot of people as Buffalo takes this one from the Dolphins.
Buffalo 31, Dolphins 21
Packers Vs. Eagles
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Aaron Rodgers is going to have the kind of season Green Bay Packers fans are used to seeing out of their quarterbacks.
The Philadelphia Eagles now are going with Kevin Kolb, but the head coach and system remain the same, as do a lot of other factors on that team despite the personnel changes.
That being said, the Eagles are going to need some adjustment period before that team really gels.
With that in mind, the Packers are gelled and ready to go.
Packers 35, Eagles 18
Broncos Vs. Jaguars
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Kyle Orton has a good week versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tim Tebow will not make an appearance, so take a good look at the picture above if you're a Tim Tebow fan.
Broncos 24, Jaguars 7
Colts Vs. Texans
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The Colts/Texans game is a no-brainer, it's either the upset of the week, or Peyton Manning steamrolls all over the Texans, who still will be searching for an answer to that guy.
Colts 35, Texans 10
The Rest Of Sunday's Schedule
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The rest of the Sunday afternoon schedule features the other Manning, Jake Delhomme, and the debut of Sam Bradford.
Eli Manning and the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers, who still are finding their new identity now that Jake Delhomme is in Cleveland.
Giants 33, Panthers 17
The Browns open their season on the road vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams want to leave the bad memories of 2009 behind, but the Browns open the season in style with a surprisingly potent offense able to overcome their defensive problems.
Browns 28, Bucs 24
The Raiders are a much better team in 2010, the question is are the Titans a better team?
Yes.
Titans win on the legs of Chris Johnson, Titans 23, Raiders 14
Derek Anderson makes his debut as the Cardinals starting quarterback versus the debut of Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams. Interceptions rule, but Anderson will throw more of them.
Rams 21, Cardinals 7
The Niners take on the Seahawks, but Pete Carroll proves he's ready again for the NFL in a game that comes down to who moves their offense better.
Seahawks 14, 49ers 10
Dallas Vs. The Skins
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As of this writing, Albert Haynesworth is still a Redskin.
But that doesn't matter because he'll be ineffective in Week 1 no matter what.
Mike Shanahan has his team ready to play, Donovan McNabb comes out with a vengeance, and Tony Romo and the Cowboys continue to look as bad as they did in the preseason.
Redskins 31, Cowboys 13
Monday Night Part 1, Ravens Vs. Jets
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Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense will have to be sharp to overcome the injuries their defense has suffered before the regular season even started.
The Jets have to hope Mark Sanchez comes into his own and that Darrelle Revis can come right out and pick up where he left off last year.
This is a game the Ravens can win, but the Jets ride the home field advantage train to a smooth victory.
Jets 30, Raven 21
Monday Night Part 2, Chargers Vs. Chiefs
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The Chiefs are a team on the way up, but the Chargers already are there.
Matt Cassell has a good showing, but Phillip Rivers and the Chargers defense are better.
Chargers 24, Chiefs 20
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