NFL Predictions 2011: Predictions for All 16 Week 1 Games for the NFL

There is nothing better than getting back to football. We have all marked this week down since February as one of the greatest weeks of the year. And with the 2011 season in limbo for over 100 days, there is a collective sigh of relief from football fans all across the country, including this coffee-drinking writer right here.

Perhaps one of my favorite posts to write is this one where I get to predict what's going to happen during Sunday's action.  So, if you have some questions who you might take in your office pool, look no further.

Green Bay 28 New Orleans 24.  It doesn't get much better than this for an opening=night game. In fact, we could be seeing this game again late January. But this game Thursday is all about Green Bay letting the nation know that they don't expect a hangover and New Orleans saying last year was a fluke.  

I don't know about you, but I expect this game to come down to who turns the ball over more.  Sure, Green Bay's defense is good, but I don't think Drew Brees and company don't really care. Sorry, Drew, but I can't see Green Bay losing at home.

Pittsburgh 20 Baltimore 10.  I would personally like to thank the schedule-makers for this game too. I know my score doesn't make sense to the masses. They never have a blow out (yes, 10 points in this series is a blow out). Call it a hunch, but I'm not a believer in the Ravens yet.  I think it's going to take a bit for them to get that offense going, and this isn't the weekend for it to start.

Atlanta 30 Chicago 20. I've heard more Falcons Super Bowl predictions than I care to admit. But you know what's intriguing here? How Jay Cutler will come back from a controversial end to his season. The Bears are good, make no mistake, but last year seemed almost like they didn't believe they were this good. I don't think they will be a division winner, and playoffs may be a stretch.

Tampa Bay 27 Detroit 23. Here are two teams who are wildly picked to be in the playoffs this year. So do you think this game means something big to each team? Absolutely. I think this could be a tie-breaker game in December. Eh, who am I kidding? I don't think either team will be in the playoffs. But at least Tampa will be 1-0.

Buffalo 35 Kansas City 24. Yeah, here is an upset if you can call it that. Kansas City overachieved last year. Buffalo did too. But do you think the Bills know that Matt Cassel's ribs are a little bit achy? Ask Tedy Bruschi. Expect the Bills to come hard at the Chiefs because they expect to win this game. This time, I'm buying.

Tennessee 10 Jacksonville 9. I won't spend much time here. Luke McCown will be starting for the Jags. Chris Johnson could be rusty. Somebody has to win.  I like a rusty CJ over Luke any day.

Cleveland 31 Cincinnati 13. Pew Pew Pew. You hear that? That's the sound of Colt picking off that Bengal secondary.  I don't expect much from Cleveland this year, but I did notice Colt's looking really comfortable in that pocket these days. Could that time with Brett Favre help with becoming Andy Dalton? Not so much. He will be better than he's shown so far, but expect a long year for the Bengals. This rivalry will be a hazy shade of brown this year. 

Philadelphia 34 St. Louis 17. The Dream Team starts their journey in the Mid West with a date with the highly-touted, up-and-coming St.Louis Rams. I don't buy the claim of the Rams being overly improved, as I expect them to be a 7-9 team again—especially with their schedule against the NFC East and AFC North. Their first loss will be this Sunday against a Michael Vick-led Eagles team that will show why they may be the team to beat. The Rams secondary will not see too many offensive weapons like this all year. 

Houston 28 Indianapolis 17.  To be honest, with or without Peyton, I expected the Texans to win this. With no Peyton, I feel like the game will be more of a beating, but I warn you fantasy owners: Don't trust Arian Foster's hamstring quite yet.  Sure, he'll start, but expect Ben Tate to get plenty of work. I don't think it's doom and gloom for the Colts yet, but Manning is hurt more than all of us know—maybe even more than Manning himself knows.

Arizona 31 Carolina 17.  A home game in Arizona in opening week? Really? Well, the nest will be ready for the challenge. The last five times Carolina and Arizona have played, the Panthers have won four. The only win was the playoff game where Carolina quarterback at the time, Jake Delhomme, ended his career and became known as the interception king of the South.

I think Cam Newton has promise, but the speed bump from preseason to the regular season will shock him. And that's all that revamped Cardinals defense needs.

San Diego 38 Minnesota 10. Two Words: Phillip Rivers. Two more words: Donovan McNabb. Two final words: Chargers win.  That's all you need to know for this movie.

Seattle 20 San Francisco 10. I don't think Jim Harbaugh knows what he has in Alex Smith. Heck, neither do I. I think Pete Carroll knows a little more about what he has in Tavaris Jackson. It may not be that much better, but it's 10 points better this weekend.  

Washington 24 New York Giants 17. This may be an upset to many as well. I just think Rex Grossman will be better than you think. Eli Manning has to get better and better fast. The Redskins defense is better than most think, and Bradshaw and Jacobs may have a tough time running.  It's gonna be a good game, and any victory in the NFC East is a big one. 

Dallas 17 New York Jets 16. This game goes beyond the Ryan brothers. Forget the fetishes, forget Rex Ryan's Super Bowl predictions, forget Mark Sanchez and his GQ spread—this game is on the field. Mark Sanchez has to improve for the Jets to take the next step. So does Tony Romo. I get the feeling that Romo beats Sanchez and Rob beats Rex. At least dad gets to see a good game before his surgery. I wish Buddy Ryan the best. 

New England 27 Miami 20. The Patriots begin their quest to prove that the AFC East belongs to them. The Dolphins want to derail the Pats and Jets, but is Chad Henne the quarterback to do it? I think not. Neither do you.

Oakland 27 Denver 24.  I see Oakland blitzing early and often. I see Oakland running the ball right down the throats of Denver from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. Kyle Orton will do fine, and John Fox will see progress, but he won't see a victory. 

Remember folks: DirectTV Sunday Ticket is free this weekend. So get some wings, beer and ice cream, and sit back and enjoy one of the best opening-week schedules in a long time.