NFL Picks Week 1: Get Your Popcorn Ready

Ladies and gentleman, contain yourselves, because the 2011 NFL football season is finally upon us. It's the most wonderful time of the year, the NFL's opening weekend.

I will start things off with a few questions to think about:

Can the Packers repeat?

Are the Eagles and Patriots overrated?

Is Cam Newton the answer in Carolina?

All of these questions will be answered in due time. For now, the lockout is over. Let's play some football. 

Top QB: Aaron Rodgers, 20-28, 317 yards, 3 TDs

Top RB: Jamaal Charles, 17 carries, 162 yards, TD, 6 catches, 100 yards, TD

Top WR: Andre Johnson, 12 catches, 177 yards, TD

Top Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski

Top Defense: Tennessee Titans 

Predictions and Award Winners

To get things started, here are my predictions for the season and award winners. Don't hold me to this.

MVP: Phillip Rivers.

Offensive Rookie: Mark Ingram.

Defensive Rookie: Patrick Peterson.

Coach of the Year: Gary Kubiak.

Division Winners, NFC: Eagles, Packers, Saints, Rams.

Division Winners, AFC: Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Chargers.

Wild Card, NFC: Cowboys, Falcons.

Wild Card, AFC: Ravens, Jets.

NFC Championship: Packers over Eagles.

AFC Championship: Chargers over Ravens.

Super Bowl: Packers over Chargers.

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Seriously, could you ask for a better game to start the season?

To kick things off in 2011, the two past Super Bowl champions will square off against each other at Lambeau Field.

After a disappointing playoff outing a season ago in Seattle, the Saints look to bounce back and return to their Super Bowl form. This offseason, the Saints lost Reggie Bush but replaced him with speedster Darren Sproles and Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram. This offense has so many weapons, and you can be sure that Drew Brees will find them.

As for the Packers, their quarterback isn't too bad either. His name is Aaron Rodgers, in case you didn't know.

In just his fourth season as the Packers' starting quarterback, Rodgers has already won a Super Bowl and made his place among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Something tells me he may not be done winning championships.

Although you may be expecting to see a shootout, don't be surprised if this game turns out to be ugly. Remember, the players missed much of the offseason due to the lockout, and the first game sometimes tends to be not so pretty. 

I'll take the Packers in this one, as they start the 2011 season right where they left off. 

Fearless Forecast: Packers 24, Saints 17. 

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears

Next, we have another NFC clash when the Falcons and the Bears meet. These are two playoff teams from a season ago with plans on building that playoff run to the Super Bowl. Is it out of the question? No, not in the least bit. 

After finishing the season 13-3 in 2010 and securing home field advantage, the Falcons got rocked by the Packers to the tune of 48-21. So, where do they move forward from there? They may have over-achieved a season ago, and I do not see them having the best record in the NFC this season. However, having said that, Matt Ryan is only going to get better and just got another weapon to throw to in Julio Jones. 

Likewise, the Bears season ended with a loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship game. How can we forget that game? This was the game where Jay Cutler hurt his knee and could not play, followed up by getting ripped in the media. Do you really think Jay Cutler looks like the kind of guy who cares what people say about him? 

This game is a toss-up, and it would be a great win for the Falcons to start the season. In the end though, I like the Bears to take this one at home.

Fearless Forecast: Bears 23, Falcons 20.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Don't you just love it when the Steelers and Ravens meet up? Every time they play, you get the feeling that someone on the opposing team might just kill somebody. That's how much these two teams hate each other.

For the Ravens to be able to take the next step from a playoff team to Super Bowl contender, it all comes down to the play of Joe Flacco. Can he really be the guy to take the Ravens to the promised land? This is a huge year for Flacco to prove he is that guy. 

Luckily for the Steelers, they do not have the same problem, as I would say Ben Roethlisberger is that guy. Roethlisberger does not get enough credit for everything he does. The man already has won two Super Bowls and was a drive away from winning a third last season. Give me Big Ben over any other quarterback in football with the game on the line. 

Expect a hard hitting battle on Sunday, and I have a feeling this game will have some implications down the road. I'm picking the Ravens here, as they kick things off in 2011 taking down their rivals. 

Fearless Forecast: Ravens 17, Steelers 13. 

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Next up, we have the biggest match-up of the AFC North between the Bengals and the Browns.

Just kidding.

The Bengals come into the season in disarray, having lost their franchise quarterback in Carson Palmer, longtime receiver in Chad Ochocinco, as well as cornerback Jonathan Joseph. Not much went the way of the Bengals during the offseason. You have to wander how Marvin Lewis is still coaching this team.

As for the Browns, their offseason was highlighted by two things: Colt McCoy working with Brett Favre, and Peyton Hillis gracing us with the Madden cover. I'd say that McCoy working with Favre is a little more important than Hillis being on the cover of Madden. Judging from the preseason McCoy has improved, and we will see if it paid off.

I'm not sure what to expect out of the Bengals this season, as it all boils down to the play of Andy Dalton, who will start right away. I'm taking the Browns in this one as McCoy starts things off on the right foot.

Fearless Forecast: Browns 20, Bengals 13.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Folks, the Indianapolis Colts run of nine consecutive playoff berths may be in serious jeopardy in 2011.

With Peyton Manning nursing a neck injury, his return date is unknown and he has already been ruled out for Week 1. It's going to be weird watching a Colts game without Manning starting. You're telling me he isn't invincible?

As for the Texans, if there was ever a time to capitalize, the time is now.

After starting out 2010 as one of the hottest teams in football, the Texans fell apart, missing the playoffs. They are still searching for their first playoff berth in franchise history. I think that this is finally the year it happens, but please, do not hold me to it if I am wrong. It is so hard to trust this team. 

In 2010, the Texans kicked things off by beating the Colts 34-24, and I expect a similar result here. They may be without Arian Foster in this one, but I don't think it will matter. If Peyton Manning is out, it's hard to like the Colts chances. 

Fearless Forecast: Texans 31, Colts 17.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

With the season just a few days away the Jaguars made a surprising move, letting go of quarterback David Garrard. Instead, they have now turned to Luke McCown, with rookie Blaine Gabbert backing him up.

I do not understand this move whatsoever. The Jaguars were on the bubble of making the playoffs a season ago with Garrard, and with Peyton Manning's injury the division is open. 

Are you telling me that Luke McCown is a better option than David Garrard? Jack Del Rio is doomed in Jacksonville. It might be a long year for the Jags. 

The Titans come into the season with Matt Hasselbeck as their starting quarterback and with Chris Johnson finally having ended his lockout. Now, he can play football and get down to business. While Hasselbeck is the current quarterback in Tennessee, something tells me we will not see him all season. It's only a matter of time before he gets hurt and rookie Jake Locker comes in. 

In this game, I like the Titans to take it in Jacksonville. I have absolutely zero faith in Luke McCown, and I imagine Maurice Jones Drew is not happy about Garrard being cut. 

Fearless Forecast: Titans 27, Jaguars 13.

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs

I'm tempted to pick the Bills in this game for two reasons, and I will tell you why.

The first reason is that I am not sold on the Chiefs being for real. Yes, they won the division in the AFC West last season, but let's be serious, that's not the cream of the crop in terms of divisions. The Chargers were hit with injuries all season long, while the Raiders were inconsistent and the Broncos were a complete non-factor. I have a feeling that the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs may have been a fluke.

The second reason I'm tempted to pick the Bills is because I have a soft spot in my heart for the Bills. Because of my father, I have watched the Bills all my life and it is a constant heartache to be a fan. No team loses a game in the ways that the Bills do. I won't even get started on the games. 

Okay, so the second reason is not a real reason to pick the Bills, but you have to feel for this team.

During the offseason, the Bills biggest moves were drafting Marcell Dareus out of Alabama and signing linebacker Nick Barnett as well as the versatile Brad Smith. Their weapons at wide receiver are limited however, as they traded away Lee Evans for only a fourth-round pick. The reasoning for this is still unknown for me, and to many Bills players as well, including Drayton Florence who said he may not have resigned with the Bills had he known Evans would be gone. 

Like I said, I want to pick the Bills in this game, but my mind tells me to go with the Chiefs. The running game will be too much for the Bills as the Chiefs win. 

Fearless Forecast: Chiefs 20, Bills 17. 

Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams

Out of any team during the offseason it was the Eagles who made the biggest splash, signing Nnamdi Asomugha, Vince Young,  Ronnie Brown, Steve Smith, and Jason Babin, among others.

This year, for Eagles fans, it is Super Bowl or bust, and this is coming from an Eagles fan. No city in the NFL deserves a Super Bowl more than this team, no matter how much you hate Eagles fans (okay, maybe Bills fans deserve it more).

For the Eagles to get to get there, it all boils down to the play of Michael Vick. Can he play at an MVP-level again like he did last year? He wore down at the end of the 2010 season after looking like a superhero throughout the first half of the year. 

The Eagles draw the Rams in Week 1, and trust me, this is not a game they should be overlooking. The Rams were a game away from making the playoffs last season, and Sam Bradford got some more weapons in the offseason with Mike Sims-Walker and Cadillac Williams. They are the favorite to win the NFC West this season, and it would send a big message to their division if they can knock out the Eagles on the opening weekend.

I like the Eagles in this game though, and I think they will be a little too much for the Rams. Michael Vick shines in Week 1 as the Eagles move a step closer towards their goal.

Fearless Forecast: Eagles 31, Rams 20. 

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Bucaneers

As I continue to pick the games for Week 1, it amazes me how intriguing most of these matchups are. The schedule-makers did a brilliant job, and yes, I am saying that I am excited for the Lions-Buccaneers game. 

These are two teams on the rise, with both squads having young quarterbacks with so much upside. Throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, Matthew Stafford has struggled to stay healthy, but if the preseason is any indication, watch out for the Lions. Stafford looks sharp, and the Lions will be a tough team to beat this season. 

But so will the Buccaneers. The Bucs finished 2010 with an impressive 10-6 mark, barely missing the playoffs. Quarterback Josh Freeman took a huge step forward last year, and needs to take a bigger one in 2011. For the Bucs to make the playoffs though, it won't be easy as they have to face both the Saints and Falcons twice. The same goes for the Lions, who must play the Packers and Bears twice. 

I will have my eyes on this game on Sunday, and I would not be surprised to see a shootout. I like the Lions this year, but I like the Bucs to take this one at home. 

Fearless Forecast: Buccaneers 24, Lions 17. 

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals

After studying behind Donovan McNabb for three seasons, Kevin Kolb was supposed to be the Eagles quarterback of the future starting in 2010. All that changed when he got a concussion in Week 1 last season against the Packers, and you know the rest of the story. 

Now, one year later, Kolb has a fresh start (and a fat contract) in Arizona, and is playing in the worst division in football. The time is now to prove that he deserves to be a starter in this league.

Look, I'll be the first one to tell you that I thought he was disrespected in Philadelphia last season. Andy Reid gave up on him after just one half, and shocked everyone by starting Michael Vick. Now, as it turns out, that move changed the Eagles fortunes, but you see my point.

The Panthers come into the season having won just two games in 2010, and were planning on winning the Andrew Luck bowl. There was a little change of plans however when Luck decided to stay at Stanford, forcing the Panthers to go with Heisman Trophy winner, Cam Newton. This season is all about development for Newton, and it won't be easy. The first year is never easy.

I'm going with the Cardinals in this game, and I think Kolb will have a nice game in his first test of 2011.

Fearless Forecast: Cardinals 24, Panthers 10.  

Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers

After a season in 2010 in which the Chargers failed to make the playoffs, I thought Norv Turner was a dead man walking in San Diego. Somehow, someway, Turner stuck around for one more season and now the Chargers are healthy and ready to take off.

Do not expect a similar result from last season. I have a feeling this team is going to be dangerous in 2011. 

The Vikings, on the other hand, are an interesting case.

It was just two years ago that they were a field goal away from making the Super Bowl before Brett Favre threw an interception, costing them the game. Two years later, Favre is retired and the Vikings have brought in Donovan McNabb to try and rejuvenate his career.

In his one season in Washington, McNabb was disrespected and benched in favor of Rex Grossman. I am curious to see how McNabb plays this season because I do believe he still has something in the tank.

I'm picking the Chargers here, but would not be surprised if the Vikings stole it. At the end of the day though, the Chargers offense will be hard to handle. 

Fearless Forecast: Chargers 30, Vikings 17. 

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

And the award for the most boring game of Week 1 goes to....

The Seahawks and 49ers. Sorry if I am offending any Seahawks or 'Niners fans, but I cannot get excited about this game for any reason other than the fact that Frank Gore is on my fantasy team. 

After shocking the football world in 2010 by beating the Saints in the playoffs, the Seahawks have gone backwards and their quarterback situation is a disaster. Shortly after the lockout ended the Seahawks traded for Tarvaris Jackson, naming him their starter right away.

Is he a significantly better option than Charlie Whitehurst? If I am the Seahawks, I go after David Garrard right away. 

The 49ers quarterback situation is not much better, I must add. It's a miracle that Alex Smith has been given another chance in San Francisco, and I swear to you, if the 'Niners do not make the playoffs he will be gone. The former No. 1 pick has been a bust thus far, but maybe Jim Harbaugh can turn things around.

In this game, I say the 49ers win, simply because of the home field advantage. It's going to be a long year for Seattle. 

Fearless Forecast: 49ers 20, Seahawks 10. 

New York Giants at Washington Redskins

The 2011 NFC East division play kicks off when the Giants travel to Washington to play the Redskins.

The season hasn't even begun yet and the Giants have already been hit hard by the injury bug. Among those injured are Clint Stintim, Marvin Austin, Terrell Thomas and Prince Amukamara. That is not even to mention Jonathan Goff, who was announced out for the season yesterday.

Yeah, I'd say things are not starting out too well for the Big Blue.

As for the Redskins, they head into the season with a confident Rex Grossman as their starting quarterback. I want to stress the word confident considering Grossman did say the Redskins would win the NFC East. Okay Rex, good luck out-dueling Michael Vick, Tony Romo and Eli Manning for that crown.

The Redskins can start their quest for the NFC East title by taking down a division foe on opening weekend. Sorry Skins fans, I like the Giants in this one. But hey, the Redskins can still go 5-1 in the NFC East, right?

Fearless Forecast: Giants 24, Redskins 20.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

Can't both of these teams just lose on Sunday night? If you are unaware, I cannot stand either of these teams and I get the feeling I'm not alone. Having said that, I think we are due for a thriller on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. 

In Rex Ryan's third year as the Jets head coach, I have lost count of how many times he has said the Jets are going to win the Super Bowl. The past two seasons, his Jets have come up just short, losing both times in the AFC Championship game.

The Jets got a little more interesting this offseason when they signed Plaxico Burress following his release from jail. This was a great move for the Jets, giving Mark Sanchez a huge target to throw to. Can you imagine if Burress returns to his level of play from before he was in prison?

After a disastrous 2010 season, the Cowboys look for a fresh start this year.

This will be Jason Garrett's first full season as head coach in Dallas, and the pressure is on. If you think there is pressure on Garrett though, it is nothing that compares to Tony Romo. Ever since taking over for Drew Bledsoe in 2006, Romo has failed to deliver in playoff games, winning just one game in three trips. Now, with Romo returning from injury, it's his time to show he can lead Dallas to a Super Bowl.

In this game, I'm taking my chances and going with the Cowboys. I think Tony Romo delivers in a big way on Sunday night, as the Cowboys steal one in the Big Apple.

Fearless Forecast: Cowboys 24, Jets 23. 

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

In addition to the Eagles, the team that made the biggest splash this offseason was the Patriots, bringing in Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth most notably. After a disappointing exit in the playoffs a season ago to the Jets, I get a sense that Tom Brady smells blood.

What I am most looking forward to in this game is seeing how Brady and Ochocinco play together and if the chemistry is there. Ochocinco seems as dedicated as he has ever been since he has been in the NFL and he has never been in a better opportunity than in New England. 

Since winning the AFC East in 2008 the Dolphins have hit a speed bump, going 7-9 the past two seasons. The pressure is on Tony Sparano this year, as well as quarterback Chad Henne. In what was supposed to be his breakout season last year, Henne disappointed, and now, similar to Alex Smith, he gets one more shot.

Will he capitalize on it? Unlike Alex Smith, Henne does not have the luxury of playing in the NFC West. Henne has to face the both Patriots and Jets twice a year. Good luck. 

Games that are played within the division are always weird and can go either way. In the end though, my money is on the Patriots to take it in Miami. 

Fearless Forecast: Patriots 27, Dolphins 20. 

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos

Remember what happened when the Raiders and Broncos met last season? In case you forgot, let me just refresh your memory. In two games, the Raiders outscored the Broncos to the tune of 98-37, including a 59-14 beat-down.

So who am I picking in this game? Yep, you guessed it. The Raiders.

Just win, baby. 

Maybe I am a little bit bitter at the Broncos for refusing to start Tim Tebow. No, not maybe, that is a definite. After Kyle Orton finished 3-10 last year in Denver and was benched for Tebow, I thought a new era was beginning in Denver. Now, a season later, the Broncos are in the same position and head into the season with Orton starting.

Look, Kyle Orton is not bad by any means, but we've seen what he can do. The Broncos need a leader and a winner. They need someone who has the intangibles and the fight to do anything to win. Oh wait, they already have that guy in Tebow. Give him a chance.

Fearless Forecast: Raiders 31, Broncos 27.