NFL Predictions Week 1: 3 Teams That Will Rebound from Week 1 Losses

The first week of the season has some tough matches.

Obviously, 16 teams are going to lose. Still, those teams won't all miss the playoffs.

Right now, we're going to take a look at teams that drew tough openers, but will come back nicely during the rest of their seasons.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens didn't get any favors from the NFL, who scheduled them against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener. The Steelers are not only the Ravens' arch rivals, but also the defending AFC champions.

While the Ravens are favored, I like the Steelers' balance in this one. Look for Ben Roethlisberger to connect with Mike Wallace for a big play, while Troy Polamalu will impact the other side of the ball.

The next date for the Ravens is the Tennessee Titans. While that game is in Nashville, look for the Ravens to get back to .500 with a big win there.

Baltimore's strength is its defense. They are aging and the offense is going to deal with a lot of turnover this year.

Whether or not they are viable Super Bowl contenders is a matter that can be debated. But Baltimore will make the playoffs this year. They will lose to Pittsburgh but come back strong against Tennessee.

By the way, Pittsburgh's second game is against Seattle. If Baltimore beats the Steelers, the Steelers will come back fine in Week 2.

Green Bay Packers

I like the Saints. Even though the opener is in Green Bay, I think the Saints will pull the upset. Actually, I think the Saints will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The opener will be a thriller. New Orleans may win it, but it won't exactly be a blowout. Green Bay is still a strong team that's largely intact from their Super Bowl win.

In the second week of the season, they go on the road to face the Panthers. The Packers will take that game easily.

If the Packers win, the Saints are in a little more trouble. They face the Bears in the second week of the season in New Orleans. I would predict the Saints to win that one, but it's nowhere near as sure.

But I like the Saints to win the opener and the Packers to come back strong. This is a very possible NFC championship game preview.

Buffalo Bills

Arrowhead Stadium is notoriously one of the toughest stadiums to play at in the NFL. The Bills will learn that lesson this week.

Playing in a division with the Patriots and Jets, I don't expect the Bills to make the playoffs this year. But they do have a team that can surprise a lot of people and ruin some seasons late.

After Kansas City, Buffalo's tour of the AFC West will continue with a home date against the Raiders. That's where Buffalo will begin to show themselves as a stronger team than people realize.

The Chiefs have a lot to prove this year. They certainly don't want their 2010 season to be labeled as a fluke. Because of that, Buffalo will have a rough opener.

But they will come back nicely in the second week and have a decent season.

If the Chiefs can't win, they may be in some trouble. Their second game is on the road against an upstart Detroit team.