NFL Week 1 Preview And Predictions (Part 2) Miami Upset, Dixon Debuts
In three parts, predictions for each and every game in Week 1. Here's five games. Score and something I think you should watch for in each game.
Well, Thursday night came and went and New Orleans continued their winning ways. No early sign of a Super Bowel hangover for this team. Meanwhile, the Brett Favre quarterbacked Vikings looked almost punchless in the passing game save a few trademark Favre circus maneuvers. Still out there playing , whether you like it or not. AP looked good out there, but the vikings abandoned him in the end.
Not the game all of us expected; and especially after New Orleans' opening drive who would of thought 14-9 would be the final? The NFL is a wild, unpredictable beast, with more parity than any other professional sport. That's a huge part of the reason we love watching it and it still dominates headlines during the thick of baseball season every summer.
So without further adieu, here they are, my Week 1 predictions (Part 2).
Atlanta at Pittsburgh
1 of 5
Dixon vs Ryan. A few years ago these guys were wreaking havoc on the NCAA. Now, they're starting opposite each other. Ryan has established himself as a solid QB and winner. Dixon starts his first regular season game and just has to be good enough to keep the Steelers at .500 until big Ben comes back. He should be able to do that, but he will be behind the eight ball after this game.
Atlanta 20, Pittsburgh 16
Miami at Buffalo
2 of 5
The AFC East is a three horse race. These teams, for example, would all run away with the NFC West. The odd team out in the division is Buffalo. Rebuilding under new head coach Chan Gailey, the Bills will struggle often this year. They looked pretty good in the postseason and this offense will surprise people this year. Expectations aren't high, which is why this Week 1 upset will be such a shocker.
Buffalo 17, Miami 14
Carolina at New York Giants
3 of 5
Matt Moore is a bit of an enigma. Some people love this kid's game and say he is the long term solution in Carolina. Others say he doesn't have what it takes and are anxious to get former Notre Dame star Jimmy Clausen under center. Whether or not Moore can start in this league will be proved in the first half of this season, but he won't win many people over in Week 1 against a revitalized Giants defense.
New York 31, Carolina 13
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Indianapolis at Houston
4 of 5
It's funny. When talking about Super Bowl contenders, it's so easy to overlook the Colts. But here they are, the same team as last year. Maybe that's why people forget about them. They did nothing exciting in the offseason. They didn't have to. Expect them to take care of business in Week 1.
Indianapolis 31, Houston 21
Green Bay at Philadelphia
5 of 5
It's strange to see Kolb vs. Rodgers instead of Favre vs. McNabb. But these two guys are the cornerstones of their respective offenses now, and I think both will have good, long careers in this league. Green Bay is stronger in most aspects of the game than the Eagles and should win here.
Green Bay 26, Philadelphia 17
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