NFL Week 1: Previewing and Predicting Every Matchup in the Opening Week

It has been a long, long wait.

We have endured through a lockout that lasted 136 days—a period of time that made us try to look for other things to occupy our time besides the NFL.

Baseball? Nope. Golf? You're kidding, right? The NBA? Oh, that's right, that league is locked up too.

But through the struggles and hardships, we've made it. The time has finally come. The 2011 edition of the NFL kicked off with a Thursday night battle up in Green Bay, and will end with the Patriots looking to start fast while facing a Miami team with a ton of questions and an AFC West matchup that could go either way.

This opening week features some great matchups including the contending playoff teams (Atlanta and Chicago), what is currently the best rivalry in the NFL, (Pittsburgh and Baltimore) and also two of the youngest teams in the league that seem to be on the rise (Detroit and Tampa Bay).

So, without further ado, here are the previews for the first weekend of the NFL season.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

Despite the offseason lockout, there was no love lost between these two franchises.

In contrast with the Thursday night game, the NFL's fiercest rivalry should prove to be a heavy-hitting slug-fest.

Rarely does the NFL put a game with playoff implications on the slate for Week 1, but this game's outcome has a major impact on the AFC North's outcome.

If the Ravens are to lose at home, they essentially start a game back of the Steelers, needing a win in Pittsburgh later in the season to even the series.

As always, the biggest matchup to watch is the two defenses. Notorious for their reckless tackling and ball-hawking secondaries, this game, as it always is, should be a defensive struggle.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 17 Ravens 13

KEY TO THE GAME: Through the preseason, the Steelers have looked the strongest out of all of the major contenders. Their offense is as balanced as can be, and that factor will cause the Ravens defense to bend and eventually break in Week 1.

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

Continuing the theme of competitive games in the opening week of the season, the top two teams in the NFC from last year's regular season match up at Soldier Field.

Many analysts have imminently discounted the Bears due to their struggles with the offensive line, and general lack of ability on the offensive side of the ball.

Talent-wise, Atlanta has a major advantage offensively and can score with anyone. With a three-headed monster of Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White, it takes an entire team effort to try and slow the Falcons offense.

PREDICTION: Falcons 20 BEARS 24

KEY TO THE GAME: One thing that the Chicago Bears have, that only a handful of teams do, is a dominating defense and exciting special teams. These two phases always keep Chicago in the game, and add in a big punt return and a turnover or two, and Jay Cutler may be able to take advantage of some shortened fields.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

This, an all-Ohio battle of two Texas-born quarterbacks, features two rebuilding franchises.

The Bengals are moving onto the rookie, second-round pick Andy Dalton to lead a franchise left behind by a retired Carson Palmer and now-New England Patriot Chad Ochocinco, the two faces of the franchise.

On the flip-side, Cleveland enters the 2011 season with Colt McCoy at the helm, who looked strong during the preseason. With a strong running game led by Peyton Hillis, the Browns are developing into a strong, young offense.

PREDICTION: Bengals 10 BROWNS 24

KEY TO THE GAME: Frankly, the Bengals are one of, if not the least talented team in the NFL this season. And to no one's surprise, Andy Dalton will struggle to get Cincy's offense moving as the Bengals will suffer to an 0-1 record.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

Jeans and a t-shirt, the same attire pictured here, will be worn by Peyton Manning as his Indianapolis Colts take on division rival Houston on Sunday.

Manning underwent his second neck surgery, likely keeping him out for most of the 2011 season.

As far as the Texans are concerned, they are given an extreme opportunity to take over the top of the AFC South, a spot the Colts have held onto firmly for years.

With Kerry Collins at the helm for Indianapolis, the Texans' new and improved Wade Phillips-coached defense should be able to defend against a depleted Colts attack.

PREDICTION: Colts 17 TEXANS 31

KEY TO THE GAME: Out of any team in the league, the one franchise that most heavily relies on their starting quarterback is the Indianapolis Colts. Without Manning, the offense could struggle to put up points to match a stellar Houston offense.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

To most people, Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown were set to appear like they are picture here at the onset of the season. But, after Jacksonville's surprising release of quarterback David Garrard, McCown has been asked to put the clipboard down, take the headset off and lead the Jaguar's first-team offense into the 2011 NFL season.

While the Jaguars lost a major offensive figure, the Titans are relieved to keep one. Running back Chris Johnson ended his hold out and should be ready to go for Week 1.

As division rivals, the two teams know each other well, especially as each team plays a similar, run-first style on offense.

PREDICTION: Titans 13 JAGUARS 16

KEY TO THE GAME: In a low scoring affair, Maurice Jones-Drew will be a key figure as the Jaguars try to control the ball and wear down the Titans defense. This strategy will work as MJD could break some big runs to open up the lead for Jacksonville.

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

Although the preseason doesn't indicate much about a team's regular season prospects, the Chiefs did not look like the playoff team that they were last year.

Matt Cassel suffered a rib injury in the final preseason game against Green Bay, and although he will be ready to go on Sunday, he looked very uncomfortable and out of sync with his receivers in his first three preseason games.

For Buffalo, Ryan Fitzpatrick showed promise last season as a starting quarterback as that should continue this season. He and wide receiver Steve Johnson have a great chemistry and give an offense that can become stagnate, some firepower.

PREDICTION: Bills 23 CHIEFS 31

KEY TO THE GAME: Led by Jamaal Charles, the Kansas City rushing attack was the best in the NFL last season. Buffalo doesn't have enough answers on either offense or defense to contend with Charles and the Chiefs running game.

Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

The St. Louis Rams are projected by many to take a huge leap this season in Sam Bradford's second year in the league.

A major test for the young Rams appears in Week 1 as they welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to town. The Eagles were the equivalent of the NBA's Miami Heat during this abbreviated offseason, signing Nnamdi Asomugha, Jordan Babin and Cullen Jenkins, while trading for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Both teams enter Week 1 with playoff aspirations, and hope for a successful 2011 season.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 38 Rams 20

KEY TO THE GAME: Very few teams were capable of stopping Michael Vick a season ago, and that momentum should carry over into this season as the Eagles return their weapons from 2010.

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday 1:00 PM EST)

Much like the Rams, Detroit seems to be gaining followers as an exciting young team with promise.

The Lions travel to Tampa to take on what was one of the surprises of 2010.

Josh Freeman led the Bucs to an excellent 10-6 record last season. The Lions, on the other hand, lost Matt Stafford again for a majority of the season with a shoulder injury, but still managed to improve with four straight wins to finish the year, including a 23-20 overtime win over Freeman and Tampa Bay.

For two teams led by young quarterbacks, getting off to a good start is essential.

PREDICTION: Lions 24 BUCCANEERS 27

KEY TO THE GAME: In what could be the closest game of the weekend, the difference between the two teams lies on the shoulders of Josh Freeman. His vast improvement throughout the season should continue into this season, and provide the Buccaneers with a dangerous air attack, and the Detroit secondary is clearly the Lions' weakness on defense. 

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday 4:15 PM EST)

The Cam Newton and Kevin Kolb eras begin in the desert on Sunday.

For the Panthers, the first overall pick in the draft showed promise during the preseason, but Newton did struggle with his accuracy from the pocket. In his first regular season game, Newton must shake off his first-game jitters and relax if the Panthers are to have a chance to win in Week 1.

In Kolb's first action as a Cardinal, he has developed a strong chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald, while helping the Cardinals lead the league in passing yards per game with over 400 YPG.

PREDICTION: Panthers 10 CARDINALS 24

KEY TO THE GAME: Newton should provide a spark of energy for the Panthers, but the combination of Fitzgerald and Kolb should prove to be too much for the young Panthers.

Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers (Sunday 4:15 PM EST)

Minnesota suffered a major setback last season, only winning six games after reaching the NFC Championship in 2009. And with the official(?) retiring of Brett Favre, the Vikings immediately signed Donovan McNabb to lead the team back to success.

In San Diego, the Chargers finished the season as the top ranked offensive and defensive team based on statistics, but failed to reach the playoffs. With the return of Vincent Jackson for a full season, and a healthy Ryan Mathews, a balanced San Diego offense could again be the the best in the league.

PREDICTION: Vikings 23 CHARGERS 34

KEY TO THE GAME: The Chargers are notorious for starting slow under Norv Turner, but that shouldn't be the case in 2011. They suffered early in 2010 due to their special teams play, but with the kickoffs moved up to the 35-yard line, San Diego could hide some of their struggles in that phase of the game.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday 4:15 PM EST)

San Francisco begins a new era in their rich history, as Jim Harbaugh will roam the sidelines for the first time as the 49ers head coach.

Seattle also has seen a major change as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck left Seattle this offseason for Tennessee, giving Tarvaris Jackson the starting job.

With a quarterback matchup of Jackson and Alex Smith, throwing the football isn't either of these teams' strength.

The 49ers will try and ride the talent of running back Frank Gore, and the Seahawks will try to do the same with Marshawn Lynch.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 17 49ERS 21

KEY TO THE GAME: Although Seattle won the lowly NFC West last season, they do enter 2011 with some major holes. One of these is the lack of linebacker Lofa Tatupu, a steady force for the Seahawks defense for years. This lack of leadership could hurt as they will see a heavy dose of Frank Gore in Week 1.

New York Giants at Washington Redskins (Sunday 4:15 PM EST)

The Giants have been neglected during the preseason as a legitimate contender by losing two out of their last three games in 2010, to play themselves out of playoff spot at 10-6.

New York has always had a strong running game with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, but Eli Manning being able to cut down on turnovers will be huge for the Giants in 2011. 

Washington, on the other hand, was not at all competitive last season, and let go of quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Vikings. The dismissal of McNabb provided a quarterback controversy between John Beck and Rex Grossman, that Grossman eventually won out for Week 1.

PREDICTION: GIANTS 24 Redskins 10

KEY TO THE GAME: The Giants defensive front has been very impressive the past few seasons, and that shouldn't change in the opening week of this season. Expect Rex Grossman to see a lot of turf on Sunday, as the Giants should be in the 'Skins backfield on almost every passing play.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets (Sunday 8:20 PM EST)

This game, featured on the 10th anniversary on the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, should receive national attention due to the emotion surrounding the game.

The Jets come into 2011 unusually under the radar. With no HBO Hard Knocks camera on Rex Ryan, New York seems to be focusing more on the football aspect of things, rather than the popularity of their team.

In Big D, Jason Garrett has taken over as head coach, where his air-it-out style of offense should suit a talented trio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. Dallas is again one of the most talented teams in the league, but it will be their ability to come through in the clutch that will determine how successful they can be this season.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 24 JETS 28

KEY TO THE GAME: With a revved up crowd at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Jets defense will be up to the challenge of a talented Dallas offense. Despite the Jets giving up 24 points, a few key turnovers will give Mark Sanchez good enough field position to provide the J-E-T-S, Jets, with an opportunity to win.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (Monday 7:00 PM EST)

Last season's top team in the regular season, New England, has very few concerns coming into 2011. Aside from the signings of Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, the Pats bring back most of their starters from a year ago, an unappreciated stat due to the lack of OTAs and mini-camp because of the lockout.

For the Dolphins, Chad Henne won the starting quarterback job once again, but will need to perform better this year if he wants to last longer in Miami. They also lost both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to free agency, but signed Reggie Bush and drafted rookie Daniel Thomas out of Kansas State to sure up their ground attack.

PREDICTION: PATRIOTS 48 Dolphins 17

KEY TO THE GAME: Tom Brady has looked sharp through the preseason, and he has shown no signs of slowing down from his historic 2010 campaign. The Patriots should be able to light up a superior Miami team to open up 2011. 

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (Monday 10:15 PM EST)

Both Oakland and Denver were often in the news this preseason for reasons that have very little to do with what is going on during game time.

In Denver, Tim Tebow couldn't catch a break from NFL analysts who constantly ridiculed the prospect of him playing quarterback. Tebow eventually was demoted to the third string on the depth chart behind Brady Quinn and starter Kyle Orton.

The Raiders had plenty of negative press due to an outburst that occurred after their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, where two people were shot in the parking lot after the game. One the field though, Oakland has a new head coach in Hue Jackson.

PREDICTION: Oakland 23 DENVER 24

KEY TO THE GAME: Denver was never particularly strong during the preseason, but new head coach John Fox will instill a balanced attack that should make Denver's offense much more productive. This new offensive game plan should give the Broncos just enough to edge out Oakland at home.

Josh Rosenblat is a high school student from Chicago looking to find a way to break into sports journalism. He often writes about the NBA (primarily the Chicago Bulls), as well as the MLB, college basketball, Tennis and the NFL. You can email him at [e-mail] or follow him on Twitter @JMRosenblat. Feel free to send him comments.

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