NFL: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in Week 1

Football is back.

No more snapshots of owner meetings and disgruntled players; pigskin has prevailed.

And as we approach the start of the NFL season, which is nearly one month away, Super Bowl dreams are starting to build.

With that said, nothing is going to be settled until Week 1, when the last few months of court rulings and private debates finally pay off.

Along with the notion that players and head coaches are going to be ready for the start of the season, here are the top five upsets of Week 1.

5. Dallas Cowboys over New York Jets

This picture says it all about the Dallas Cowboys in 2010.

Injury riddled and disappointing.

But beyond the harsh memories following a season in which head coach Jason Garrett took over for an unwelcome Wade Phillips, the Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo are ready to bounce back.

Dallas has cleaned out the shed, cutting ties with Roy Williams, Marion Barber and Leonard Davis.

It seems as if owner Jerry Jones is finally turning over a new leaf, entering the 2011 season with a hard noised coach and a roster that employs less selfish players than usual.

However, a Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets is the perfect storm to find out whether or not the Cowboys are legit contenders in the NFC.

The Jets are serious Super Bowl players, but with a new wideout in Plaxico Burress, a suspect quarterback who completes only 54 percent of his passes and a sometimes lack luster pass rush, New York is in no way unbeatable.

Even if Darrelle Revis happens to shut down Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten could prove deadly for the Jets.

Also considering that Dallas loves to blitz early and often, quaterback Mark Sanchez could have trouble finding his receivers.

This game could very well decide the fate of either team.

If Dallas wins, everyone will be praising Jason Garrett and once again call the Cowboys a top team in the NFL.

If New York wins, their championship hopes remain in tact, and the moves they've made thus far in the offseason will be worth it.

Cowboys   20   Jets   13

4. Carolina Panthers over Arizona Cardinals

With a newly drafted Cam Newton and a re-signed Deangelo Williams, Carolina is setting themselves up for a very productive future.

After hiring head coach Ron Rivera, who has been a defensive mastermind for the majority of his career, the Panthers are hoping to bolster down their defensive potential while maintaining a sometimes dominant run game.

Heading into Week 1, Carolina's new faces have a lot to prove.

Can Newton get it done at the pro level?

Was Williams' huge contract worth it?

It all depends. 

The Panthers are pegged to face the Arizona Cardinals in the first game of the year.

Arizona has done everything they could this offseason to prepare themselves for regular season wins, trading for Kevin Kolb, signing Todd Heap and drafting cornerback Patrick Peterson.

While many people still don't consider the Cardinals serious playoff contenders, their potential moving forward is exceptionally growing.

Heading into this game, Carolina's two wins from a year ago will go a long way in calling a win against Arizona an upset.

It just doesn't seem possible that a run heavy offense and a defensive minded head coach could lose to a new quarterback and a questionable ground game.

Carolina   27   Arizona   23

3. Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts

The Houston Texans know a little something about trying to beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Manning and company have been the major beneficiaries of Houston's recent late game break downs and midseason injuries.

It seems that whenever head coach Gary Kubiak and Houston gain any ground on their divisional woes, everything comes apart.

With that said, along with the fact that Manning's injured neck could play a role in the Colts 2011 demise, the Texans are prone for a Week 1 victory.

Newly signed cornerback Jonathan Joseph is more than capable of shutting down Reggie Wayne.

Arian Foster should take over where he left off last year as one of the league's best backs.  His impact against the Colts is not only going to show in goal-line situations, but his success early in the game should keep Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis at bay.

Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson should connect for at least 100 yards and a touchdown, once again offering offensive support for Foster's aggressive running.

There aren't many reasons why Houston couldn't win a Week 1 divisional battle, and with their potent offense and upgraded secondary, 2011 could be the Texans year to shine.

Texans   35   Colts   31

2. Detroit Lions over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions had a very productive 2010 season.

Even at 6-10, with an injured quarterback and suspect run game, the NFC North underdogs were much improved from the year before.

Heading into Week 1 with a healthy Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best, Detroit has what it takes to become a .500 squad in 2011.

Their opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, won 10 games last year but failed to reach the playoffs.

The Bucs were sort of the Lions of 2010, using youth and hunger to supplement a somewhat subpar team on paper.

Tampa Bay could struggle in the passing department for the majority of the season, and running back LeGarrette Blount might have trouble running the ball through all 16 games.

Add that to the fact that Calvin Johnson is arguably the best wide receiver in the game, Best has unmatchable speed, and with the health of their best on-field play caller, Detroit is poised to start the year 1-0.

Lions   23   Bucs   17

1. St. Louis Rams over Philadelphia Eagles

Yes the St. Louis Rams will beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

Now before I get accused of berating the Eagles because I'm a Giants fan, let me be the first say this comes with all bias aside.

The fact remains that with one of the biggest offseason impacts in recent memory, Philadelphia has a lot of critics to prove wrong.

Can this so called "Dream Team" finally win a Super Bowl?

What will the team do if Michael Vick happens to get hurt?

Was a lucrative contract for a 30-year-old Nnamdi Asomugha worth it?

Is Desean Jackson's holdout going to interfere with the Eagles early season success?

These are just a few questions that the team has to answer in 2011.

It's going to take time for Philadelphia to work out all the kinks and gain a respectable team chemistry.

Head coach Andy Reid is the perfect guy to throw into that fire, but considering the team has a limited time frame to get things in order, St. Louis could be in for a huge upset in Week 1.

Stephen Jackson and newly signed Cadillac Williams should find each and every hole on the Eagles defense, offering Sam Bradford a breather behind center.

Also considering the Rams are getting back a revamped wide receiving core including a healthy Donnie Avery, newly acquired Mike Sims-Walker and a 6'3" rookie in Austin Pettis, St. Louis has the tools to pull off a surprising first win.

If the Eagles want to win this football and start their "dream" season at 1-0, Jackson needs to be held under 100 yards.

Rams   28   Eagles 27