NFL Preview: Week 1

Unless you are a fan of the New York Giants, the past 7+ months have been excruciating, waiting for your team to get back out on the field in order to chase the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

It has been especially excruciating for fans of teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, who didn't fulfill the expectations set forth at the beginning of postseason play. 

The journey began with two-a-days back in the dog days of late July.

Now, with the first weekend of regular season games so close you can taste it, the NFL season is officially ready to get into full gear. 

Good luck to your team in the new campaign. And even though I'm a Dallas fan, yes, I extend my well wishes to the hated Eagles, Redskins, and Giants and their (obnoxious) fans as well. 

Grab a cold beverage, find the remote, and kick back. Professional football is here!


GAME OF THE WEEK: Vikings at Packers
To some, this might seem like an odd choice for the best game of Week 1. 

After all, we have Brett Favre making his Jets debut, the Giants beginning their Super Bowl defense, and several other intriguing stories to follow. 

But the Vikings and Packers are long-time hated rivals, and figure to be the at the top of the NFC North in the new season. 

And as a cherry on top, the Packers alleged (though no investigation was made) that the Vikings tampered with Brett Favre before he was eventually traded to the Jets.

The key for both teams will be quarterback play. Aaron Rodgers and Tarvaris Jackson both have the opportunity to prove they deserve to be starters on contending teams. 

It would serve both well to come out on Monday night, play well, and lead their teams to victories. The confidence gained as a result of such a feat would serve both of them well in the coming weeks and games. However, only one will actually accomplish that feat.


OTHER TOP GAMES

Redskins at Giants
The defensive losses for the Giants are well documented, so it will be interesting to see how guys like Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka respond to the added pressure of carrying the unit. 

Plus, will we see the Eli who was so magical in the postseason, or the one who was inconsistent for most of his first four years in the NFL? 

He will get tested by a Washington defense bolstered by the addition of Jason Taylor. However, Taylor may not play, which would make Manning's life easier if so. 

Cowboys at Browns
Dallas is the overwhelming favorite to make the Super Bowl out of the NFC, but they have to start off with a trip to the Dawg Pound to face the Browns, their fans, and a prolific offense. 

The Cowboys' secondary, which was pedestrian a year ago, will be tested by Derek Anderson early and often. 

Jaguars at Titans
Jacksonville has obviously been preoccupied with the condition of Richard Collier for the past two days, but that still does not mean they can rest on their laurels in preparation for the season opener.

Tennessee made the playoffs a year ago, and always gives the Jags a hard fought, defensive contest. 

Buccaneers at Saints
New Orleans has been preoccupied with their own issues this week, specifically Hurricane Gustav. Thankfully, the city suffered only minor damage and is ready for a home opener at the Superdome on Sunday. 

Jon Gruden's defense will be faced with the difficult task of slowing down Drew Brees and his arsenal of weapons, as the Saints try to prove last season's struggle was an aberration. 

Jets at Dolphins
Never has an opening weekend game between a 4-12 team and a 1-15 team garnered so much attention.

But, Brett Favre is only the greatest quarterback of this generation, and that type of player doesn't find a new team everyday.

The acquisition of Favre allowed the Jets to release Chad Pennington, who was signed by a Miami team that lacked a definitive starter at quarterback. 

A lot must be proven in this game: the Jets and Dolphins need to show they have improved, Favre needs to show he still has it after being retired most of the offseason, and Pennington needs to prove he's still an adequate starter.


AND THE REST....

Chiefs at Patriots
The first game of the Kansas City youth movement will be a handful for Herm Edwards and company.

Tom Brady hasn't played at all this preseason, and questions about the health of his foot are abound. 

Bengals at Ravens
Joe Flacco will make his first career start on Sunday, and it couldn't come against a worse defense.  That should help his confidence. 

Chad "Ocho Cinco" plans to play, and will be key to Cincinnati's chances for a divisional victory on the road.

Texans at Steelers
Don't say I didn't tell you at the beginning of theseason, but 16 weeks from now, Houston and Pittsburgh may be battling for one of the wild card spots, making the result of this game important.

The Steelers should roll at home, but the Texans aren't a team to sleep on in 2008. 

Rams at Eagles
St. Louis is healthy on the offensive side of the ball, but for how long?

Donovan McNabb may not have many great receiving targets, but it won't matter in what will turn into a warmup for the Eagles' second regular season game at Texas Stadium in Week 2. 

Lions at Falcons
Someone HAS to start the season 1-0. 

Lions' faithful may not get a definitive answer on whether or the defensive improvements are the real deal or not, with Atlanta sending out a rookie quarterback and inexperienced offensive line. 

Seahawks at Bills
Seattle is a much better team in the confines of Qwest Field, and will have their hands full with a Buffalo team that is tired of being overlooked. 

This could quietly turn into one of the best games of Week 1, and I am labeling it as my UPSET SPECIAL. 

Bills win in an upset (even though Buffalo is listed as the favorite, but those of you who do not follow the Vegas lines closely probably consider the Seahawks to be the team with a greater chance of winning this contest). 

Panthers at Chargers
Thanks to Steve Smith's selfish and violent behavior in the early portion of training camp, Carolina will be devoid of a serious target in the passing game. 

Meanwhile, the Chargers will be holding their breath this season as they keep an eye on Shawne Merriman's knee. 

Cardinals at 49ers
What's this?  The third time these NFC West rivals start the season against each other?

Kurt Warner won the quarterback competition in Arizona and, for now, gives the Cardinals a better chance of making the playoffs. 

The Niners settled on J.T. O'Sullivan, and it will be interesting to see how long Mike Martz and Mike Nolan stick with him. 

Bears at Colts
Things change in a New York minute in the National Football League.  Eighteen months removed from their Super Bowl matchup in Miami, the Colts continue to be one of the league's elite teams, while the Bears will just be trying to get through the first official game at Lucas Oil Stadium without getting blown out. 

Broncos at Raiders
Ah...nothing like an AFC West rivalry (except an NFC East rivalry, of course). 

Oakland has made significant upgrades on both sides of the ball, but will need to run the ball to keep the pressure off of Russell and stop the run to be successful.  Denver will not have Brandon Marshall for this game.