NFL Predictions: Week One and 32 Clean Slates

Week one is finally here and there are no shortage of games to get the football juices flowing. The best part of week one is everyone has a clean slate. To say a team doesn't stand a chance to win a game in week one is being ignorant. So here are my week one predictions:

Thursday 9/9

Minnesota at. New Orleans

Since the NFL started holding the kickoff game on Thursdays with the defending Super Bowl Champions hosting the game, the Champs are undefeated. It won't stop here either. I expect a high scoring game, but the Saints will get off to a good start.

Sunday 9/12

Cleveland at Tampa Bay

Two teams that went scrapping for wins all last season will battle it out in week one. The best news for one of these teams is one of them won't have to worry about going winless this year.

Miami at Buffalo

The Dolphins could be one of those surprise teams. Buffalo has too many questions across their entire roster to be a great team this year. It also doesn't help Buffalo's case that the weather will still be warm in Buffalo, so there won't be that advantage over Miami.

Cincinnati at New England

The Patriots will be back this year. Tom Brady is one year further along in his recovery from knee surgery, Randy Moss is in a contract year, and the defense will be solid once again, sans a very good Leigh Bodden. 

Indianapolis at Houston

This is my upset of the week. I'm sure many of you will comment below talking about how I'm crazy for picking Houston over Indy.

The fact is, the Texans have a good chance at taking a huge shot at the Colts. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will be ready as well as Arian Foster getting the nod as the starter. The Texans will really miss Cushing in this game, but I would have expected a high scoring game even if he wasn't there.

Denver at Jacksonville

This game may actually be a fun one to watch. I don't expect either of these teams to make the playoffs. Dumervil was to big of a part of Denver's defense, and they will notice the difference. However, the Jaguars only have one thing going for them, Maurice Jones-Drew. Denver wins it by less than 7.

Atlanta at Pittsburgh

If Ben Roethlisberger was in this game, I may have gone the other way. But I can't expect Dennis Dixon to beat Atlanta. It wouldn't make me any more comfortable if Charlie Batch went in the game. The Falcons will run away with this one.

Oakland at Tennessee

Tennessee will have a hit or miss year. Their defense is young and relatively unknown, but seemed to have a solid preseason not allowing a single touchdown with the first team in the game. The Oakland Raiders are arguably the most improved team this offseason. This game will be a great measuring stick for both teams.

Carolina at New York Giants

Jimmy Clausen is not ready to be a starting quarterback and Matt Moore is not a franchise quarterback. The Panthers have one of the best run games in the game, but with no passing game to back it up, I don't expect them to beat the Giants.

Detroit at Chicago

The Lions have improved a lot, and the Bears are once again a mystery team. Detroit needs this game to get off to a good start for once. The Bears will come away victorious in this low scoring game.

Arizona at St. Louis

I love Steven Jackson, but he can't do it alone. Donnie Avery's injury doesn't make it any easier. Arizona's offense will be in question, but their defense is still pretty good and they will come out of this game with a W. 

Green Bay at Philadelphia

This matchup may be seen again in the postseason. Kevin Kolb has a lot to prove this year and this could be the game he starts. The Packers are a very good team this year and will come out on top in this game. 

San Francisco at Seattle

Welcome to the NFL Pete Carroll. The 49ers are looking more and more like a contending team, while the Seahawks... well aren't. It wouldn't surprise me if Seattle ended up winning this game, I just don't believe it will happen.

Dallas at Washington

The Redskins have most of their puzzle pieces plugged in, it is now just a question of if they can play as a team. Dallas could very well be one of those teams that severely underachieves this year, but we will see in this first game. This could turn out to be one of the most important games of the year for these two teams as both of them could end up being the last team out of the NFC playoffs.

Mon 9/13

Baltimore at New York Jets

This will be a very fun game to watch. The Ravens and Jets will both be very good this year. I think it will be interesting to see if Hard Knocks was a distraction in the off season. If you remember the Bengals lost their first game last year after doing the series. The Jets are at home, and they should be able to sneak away with a win. 

San Diego at Kansas City

To be honest I'm not really sure why this is a Monday night game. I am much more excited about the earlier game on this night. It will be interesting to watch and see if Charlie Weis can get the Chiefs offense running. San Diego is very good once again this year and will come away with the win.