Upset Central: Upsets That Can Happen This Weekend in The NFL

With the first game to the 2010-2011 NFL Season only a few hours away,  I thought I would give some upsets that could very well happen in Week 1, and with those upsets, there will be new beginnings for franchises and heartbreak for those who were supposed to do well this season.

I will pick 4 games that would be considered upsets if the team I choose, wins the game. I believe these teams will have a legit chance at winning their games this weekend, when others say they wont upset anyone.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: Defensive end Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans is introduced before a preseason game against the Dallas Cowoys at Reliant Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

When the Colts are playing and the spread is at a 2, you know there is a chance for an upset. This is still a great Indianapolis Colts team, that can still make a Super Bowl run, but there is a fiery, fast, ready to succeed Houston Texans team waiting for them, and it is the first game for both teams.

 With the Colts, you know what you are getting: Peyton Manning, a solid core of wide receivers, Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark, and a defense that is improving every year. This game will show us what this season could look like for the Colts.

The Houston Texans come into this game with their best team to date and with the most expectations in team history. They have a healthy Pro Bowl quarterback in Matt Schaub, a running game that still needs to prove itself, the best wide receiver in the game Andre Johnson, a Pro Bowl caliber tight end Owen Daniels, and a defense ready to prove they aren't a push over. This could be the year of the Texan.

Even with their record of 1-15 against the Colts, this is the perfect time for the Texans to shine. They are at home, with a Colts team that at sometimes this preseason looked vulnerable.

Texans win 31-28.

Cinncinnati Bengals at New England Patriots

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Terrell Owens #81 and Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals look on during the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 33-24. (Photo by Joe

This off season is a tale of two different stories for these two franchises. One has been filled with drama and the other one has been filled with upgrades and a new hope.

Usually we would say the Patriots are the ones upgrading and adding new hope every year. But their off season has been filled with drama, from Wes Welker's recovery, Tom Brady's contract, and Randy Moss' contract. They have a a tough first test in the gritty, new and improved Bengals.

In the Bengals, they have a new focus, defense and the running game. They also helped Carson Palmer regain his old Pro Bowl form by drafting Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley. They also brought in another controversial wide receiver in Terrell Owens, but with the addition, they have one of the most dynamic duos in the game with Owens and Chad Ocho Cinco.

This game can go either way, but with all the distractions the Patriots are having going into the season, I see the Bengals defense sealing this game for them.

Bengals win 20-14

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

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DETROIT - AUGUST 28: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to playing the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on August 28, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

In my eyes this is one of the most interesting games of the weekend. This game can either be a really close game, or a blow out for either team.

With the Lions, they have  franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford, a game changing running back in Jahvid Best, "The Natural" Calvin Johnson Jr., and now a defense that is younger,meaner, and ready to get after opposing quarterbacks.

The Chicago Bears have some major questions going into this game. Their offensive line is very suspect, they still don't have a reliable wide receiver, except Johnny Knox is a promising playmaker, and a defense that needs to stay healthy to succeed. Jay Cutler should succeed under Mike Martz offensive system, but if he isn't given any time, this game will be the Lions for the taking.

Lions win 28-24

Arizone Cardinals at St. Louis Rams

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball in the first quarter against the New England Patriots on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Has the QB controversy in Arizona over yet? At least the Rams have a franchise quarterback and the beginning of brighter days.

 Well Derek Anderson is the quarterback of the Cardinals for right now, which isn't exactly the best thing you want to say when you're talking about your starting quarterback. They have a suspect running game, they still have Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and a defense that will still be good enough to keep them in games, but with Derek Anderson at quarterback they won't be able to win any shootouts.

The Rams enter this season looking to improve on their 1-win season. The team will win more than one game, but they are still far from being the playoff team they used to be. They have Sam Bradford who will take a beating at least for this season, but it will only make him better. He has great accuracy and will get a bigger arm once he gets stronger and maybe a throwing motion change. They have their workhorse running back Steven Jackson, who even with teams knowing they were going to give him the ball last year, he still had a productive year. He will still be used more often since Donnie Avery went down with a torn ACL, but Bradford has enough skills to get it to his other wide receivers. Their defense still has work to do, but they will have their good games and bad games.

St. Louis wins 20-17