NFL Schedule Week 1: Power Ranking the Best Games to Watch
So you missed the NFL's Week 1 schedule kicking off last night. Oh well, not like you missed much anyway; besides, everyone knows the season actually starts on Sunday when the league's other 30 teams are in action.
But, who should you watch? You've got one of those fancy TV packages that show all the games, and your friends are all coming to watch with you, but you have no clue who to tune in to see.
Well, fret not, good citizen, because you have before you a comprehensive ranking of every game being played this weekend based on watch-ability. Enjoy.
15. Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Lowdown: The Browns and Bucs enter the 2010 season competing for the distinction of "Worst team in the NFL." This thrilling clash will help decide who gets that crown at the end of the year. Talk about must-see TV.
Why You'll Watch: Because every other NFL game has been blacked out, or you're currently trapped in the fiery depths of Hades and this is all that's on.
Why you won't: Because outside of the cities of Tampa Bay and Cleveland, no one particularly cares what happens in this one. Plus, it has all the makings of a suck-fest. Bad offenses, lackluster defenses, low expectations this season. I can't think of why you'd miss it.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 21, Cleveland 10
14. Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
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The Lowdown: The Dolphins enter the season as contenders in the AFC East. Newly-minted starting quarterback Chad Henne will get his first chance to run the Dolphins' offense as a starter, and wideout Brandon Marshall promises to make every game exciting. The Bills enter the year with none of those expectations and lack a passing game entirely. They look to keep up with the Browns and Bucs as the NFL's worst team.
Why You'll Watch: To see if Henne can have success against what is a fairly decent Buffalo pass defense, and whether he can survive as an NFL starter. Plus, you get to watch a team who still thinks it's 1975, when you didn't need a passing game to win in the NFL. Good luck with that, Bills.
Why You Won't: This one promises to be a knock-down, drag-out power running slugfest. It might be close, but it sure won't be exciting.
Final Score: Miami 14, Buffalo 9
13. Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams
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The Lowdown: One of these teams had one of the most exciting offenses in football last year. The other did not. Why so far down on the list? Two words: Derek Anderson.
Why You'll Watch: To see whether either team can have success with their new quarterbacks: Derek Anderson in Arizona and Sam Bradford in St. Louis. If Anderson does well, you'll also get to see one of the most potent offenses in football blow out one of the NFL's bottom feeders.
Why You Won't: Blowouts aren't fun, and if Anderson struggles, this game will be painful to watch.
Final Score: Arizona 21, St. Louis 10
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12. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
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The Lowdown: The Niners enter 2010 as a popular pick to win the NFC West. The Seahawks enter the 2010 season as a team who will battle the Rams for last place in the NFC West. Still, San Fran looks like a fun team this year, and the Seahawks have talent on the roster.
Why You'll Watch: To see if the Niners can live up to the hype. To see if Justin Forsett can carry the load as the go-to running back in Seattle. To see Frank Gore run over the entire Seahawks' defense at one time. Because it will be closer than you think it will.
Why You Won't: Because Matt Hasselbeck is essentially a zombie out there right now, and Seattle has no wide receivers who can do anything. The Seahawks' defense is also going to get downright torched by the San Francisco offense. This could be a laugher if Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Casey Bradley can't get stops early.
Final Score: San Francisco 31, Seattle 14
11. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
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The Lowdown: San Diego tries to prove it made the right decision releasing LT, and that they can win without Vincent Jackson. Kansas City tries to prove they don't belong in the worst NFL team discussion with St. Louis, Cleveland, Tampa and Seattle.
Why You'll Watch: To see if Ryan Mathews was worth a first-round pick. To see if Matt Cassell was worth all that money. Because the Chiefs might not be hopeless this year. Because Eric Berry might take Patrick Crayton's head off with one of his big hits. Because the Chargers are notoriously slow starters and the Chiefs could shock the world.
Why You Won't: Because Philip Rivers has won with worse wideouts than he has now. Because the Chiefs still lack a consistent defense. Because San Diego should win the AFC West.
Final Score: San Diego 35, Kansas City 17
10. Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans
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The Lowdown: This one could be pretty good. The Raiders come in with their most talented team since their Super Bowl run in 2003. The Titans look like they could compete in what is going to be one of the hardest fought divisions in the NFL. Chris Johnson looks like a stud, while Jason Campbell is a real NFL quarterback, something the Raiders haven't had since Rich Gannon.
Why You'll Watch: To see Chris Johnson begin his quest to break the single season rushing record. To see if Jason Campbell will work as the Raiders' quarterback. Because Vince Young, despite all his shortcomings as a passer, has done nothing but win in the NFL. Because Nnamdi Asomugha is going to terrorize the Titans' receivers.
Why You Won't: This one has all kinds of low-score potential, given the Raiders' offensive line and the Titans' ball-control offense. When you're picking games, they shouldn't just be close, they should have lots of offense and be close.
Final Score: Tennessee 20, Oakland 17
9. Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Lowdown: Both of these teams see themselves as contenders in their divisions (even if, in the case of the Jags, no one else does) and this game will go a long way toward determining who's legit, and who's all talk.
Why You'll Watch: To see Maurice Jones-Drew, one of the NFL's most exciting backs, do his pinball wizard impersonation. To watch Jabar Gaffney become a relevant NFL wide receiver. To see whether Knowshon Moreno can stay healthy.
Why You Won't: Because Jones-Drew has knee issues and might not play, and without him, the Jags are sunk. Because it could be one of the more boring games on Sunday, despite the close final score.
Final Score: Denver 21, Jacksonville 17
8. Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Lowdown: Two teams aching to prove that last season was the exception, rather than the rule. The Steelers have to bide their time until starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returns from suspension, but Dennis Dixon is better than you think. The Falcons have no excuses this season; they have to perform up to expectations, in spite of a subpar pass defense.
Why You'll Watch: To see if Dennis Dixon can make Steelers fans forget Big Ben. To see Michael Turner's return to prominence. To see if Matt Ryan can become the leader Atlanta needs. Because it will be a close game, and should come down to the wire.
Why You Won't: The Steelers probably won't pass much, because they don't trust Dixon. But the Falcons' rush defense was ranked 10th last year, so there won't be much room to maneuver. Likewise, the Falcons are a run first team, and the Steelers defense looks to be back in the form it showed in 2008-09. That means, lots of three- and four-yard runs, which doesn't make for exciting football.
Final Score: Atlanta 17, Pittsburgh 10
7. Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
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The Lowdown: A clash between two of the NFL's most mediocre teams in 2009. Both the Giants and Panthers went 8-8, although it was for decidedly different reasons. The Panthers lacked a passing game, while the Giants were good at everything, but great at nothing. Will this season be any different?
Why You'll Watch: To see which of the Giants' young, talented receivers takes the first step toward stardom. To see the best running game in the NFL in the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. To see if Matt Moore will stick as quarterback of the Panthers. Because having two Steve Smiths on the field could cause a tear in the space-time continuum.
Why You Won't: Because Carolina can't stop the passing game of New York, but New York can contain Carolina's running game. Because Eli Manning is the Luigi of the Manning family. Because you know that even if the Giants win, their late season collapse is all but guaranteed.
Final Score: New York Giants 24, Carolina 20
6. Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
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The Lowdown: A clash between two teams with high expectations. The Cowboys come into the season as a trendy Super Bowl pick, but they haven't lived up to the hype in recent years. The Redskins, meanwhile, come in looking to show that they can make the playoffs and win under new head coach Mike Shanahan, while quarterback Donovan McNabb looks to prove he's not a choke artist.
Why You'll Watch: Donovan McNabb. The former Eagles quarterback looks to prove that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated, and has Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Fred Davis to throw to. The Cowboys offense looks potent as well, with Romo throwing to Dez Bryant, Roy Williams, Miles Austin and Jason Witten. This one could be a real barn-burner.
Why You Won't: The Redskins went 0-6 against the NFC East last year, and were 2-7 in games decided by a touchdown or less. They didn't add that much this offseason, and this one could be a laugher if Dallas jumps out early.
Final Score: Washington 24, Dallas 17
5. Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
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The Lowdown: Both teams in this clash look to show that the NFC North isn't a two-team race this season. The Bears are trying to turn Jay Cutler into a franchise-caliber quarterback, while the Lions look to ride their devastating offense to some victories this year.
Why You'll Watch: This one has all the makings of a barn-burner. Chicago's offense promises to be wide open under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Plus, for all his interceptions last year, Jay Cutler still has a cannon. The Lions offense, meanwhile, looks to be an incredibly young, dangerous unit, with second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to all-world wideout Calvin Johnson. Plus, Nate Burleson and tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler. New running back Jahvid Best will help Lions fans relive Barry Sanders' glory days.
Why You Won't: Jay Cutler still throws too many interceptions, and even the Lions' Swiss cheese defense could pick him off. Stafford flashed greatness as a rookie, but looked overmatched at other points. A clash between what could be the two worst teams in a division is almost never enjoyable.
Final Score: Detroit 35, Chicago 28
4. Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots
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The Lowdown: Two teams who will be in contention for the division crown all year long. The Patriots want to show everyone that it may have been a bit hasty to crown the Jets as AFC East champs, while the Bengals want to show that 2009 was no fluke.
Why You'll Watch: To see Carson Palmer announce his return to the pantheon of great quarterbacks. To see just who is going to carry the ball in New England. To watch Tom Brady, master of the Pats' offense, work. Because this game quietly has the makings of a classic.
Why You Won't: Because New England's defense is still young and unproven. Because the Bengals only have one young receiver (rookie Jordan Shipley) and the rest are washed up. Because the Patriots might not be able to score against a formidable Bengals defense.
Final Score: Cincinnati 28, New England 24
3. Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
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The Lowdown: The Packers have looked the parts of favorites to reach the Super Bowl this season. The Eagles have tons of promise, but very little proven on the field yet. Two teams eager to show what they can do against top opponents. Sounds like a fantastic game to me.
Why You'll Watch: Green Bay's passing game is going to eviscerate all comers. The Packers defense has improved. The Eagles wideouts are some of the most talented in the league. To see Kevin Kolb and LeSean McCoy prove themselves on the big stage.
Why You Won't: The Eagles offense is incredibly young, and Kolb looked shaky in preseason play. The Eagles pass defense is blitz-based, meaning that if the offensive line holds, Rodgers will pick their secondary apart. Could be a great game...or it could be a blowout.
Final Score: Green Bay 28, Philadelphia 24
2. Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
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The Lowdown: The Colts have owned the AFC South since 2002. The Texans are looking for their first playoff berth in franchise history. The Texans had the Colts dead-to-rights in both matchups last year, then let them off the hook with late game collapses.
Why You'll Watch: Two of the best offenses in all of football going head-to-head. Plus, while both teams have defensive stars, their overall defenses are not among the league's best, meaning lots and lots of points. After all, there's nothing better than a good, old-fashioned shootout.
Why You Won't: The Texans have beaten the Colts all of once in their franchise's history. That win came in 2006, under a different head coach and with a different quarterback under center. Why would that change now? It won't.
Final Score: Indianapolis 21, Houston 20
1. Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets
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The Lowdown: The game of the week. Two Super Bowl contenders locking horns. Add to that a heated exchange between Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis and Jets' head coach Rex Ryan, and you've got yourself a game of the week.
Why You'll Watch: To see the Ravens' shiny new offense. They go three or four deep at wide receiver, three deep at tight end, and three deep at running back. Be afraid, be very afraid. The Jets defense, on the other hand, is still the best in football, while their offense looks to add a passing game to its already formidable running attack. To see whether Ray Lewis lights someone up on the first play from scrimmage, and whether Rex Ryan flies into such a rage that he devours the assistant coach whose job it is to keep Ryan from tripping over his headset cord.
Why You Won't: If you are a football fan, there's no good reason why you shouldn't watch this game. It promises to be a classic.
Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 28, New York Jets 27
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