NFL Picks Week 1: 5 Bold Score Predictions

Tonight kicks off Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season.

Sunday, however, is the day we all rejoice because Pro Football is back.

That being said, hopes everywhere are high and predictions/analyses are on continuous repeat until after Super Bowl XLVI.

And speaking of the Super Bowl, Sunday begins the journey for the majority of the league on the road to the sports' greatest championship.

Therefore, here are five bold game score predictions for Sunday afternoon.

Steelers vs Ravens

Right now, this is arguably the best rivalry in pro football.

Two teams with solid offenses, but dominating defenses.

As usual, it will be a tough hard-nosed game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

The Steelers, however, have the advantage as they do have the better defense.

Although, the Ravens have made some offensive improvements in adding RB Ricky Williams, WR Lee Evans, and drafting rookie WR Torrey Smith.

Pittsburgh's offense remains intact, and their record against Baltimore with Ben Roethlisberger is 8-3 for his career, including the previous six when he's under center.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 21, Baltimore 17

Cowboys vs Jets

They haven't played since 2007, and at that time their teams were rather different.

As an example, the Cowboys still had QB Brad Johnson and WR Terrell Owens, while the Jets had QB Kellen Clemons and RB Thomas Jones.

This time around, New York once again posts one of the NFL's best defenses combined with the addition of WR Plaxico Burress to the offense.

Dallas sees the return of QB Tony Romo after only playing in six games last season due to a broken clavicle, and they no longer have RB Marion Barber or WR Roy Williams.

However, new head coach Jason Garrett appears to have things turned around in Big D, but their 2011 season starts off slow due to a tough early schedule.

Prediction: New York 28, Dallas 14

Falcons vs Bears

The top two seeds in the NFC from the 2010 playoffs meet in Week 1 at Soldier Field in "The Windy City."

Matt Ryan and his Atlanta Falcons traded up in the NFL Draft to get WR Julio Jones, who contributed with ten receptions for 157 yards in the preseason.

Along with WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons will be virtually impossible to slow down.

Which is where the Bears' rushing offense comes in.

They are, however, without longtime center Olin Kreutz (now in New Orleans), but RB Matt Forte remains, and they also acquired Marion Barber from Dallas.

In addition, WR Roy Williams is now paired with Johnny Knox and Devin Hester out-wide.

The Falcons defense with John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux will stop the Chicago run game, thus forcing Cutler to pass, which is Atlanta's weakness on D.

Anticipate a high scoring affair in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

Prediction: Atlanta 42, Chicago 31

Titans vs Jaguars

Finally, Titans' fans can breathe a sigh of relief as RB Chris Johnson has signed on the dotted line.

As for Jacksonville fans, it may be odd because QB David Garrard was released earlier this week.

Thus opening the door for rookie QB Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown.

At this stage, the Jags' are behind offensively in doing so, and they also no longer have WR Mike Sims-Walker.

However, the defense should be dominant, as they have DE Aaron Kampman in the trenches, and they acquired LBs Paul Posluszny and Clint Session this offseason, as well as DB Dawan Landry.

Believe it or not, this game will be more defensive than the critics may think.

Prediction: Tennessee 17, Jacksonville 14 (OT)

Seahawks vs 49ers

This season there are some new faces in The Great Northwest that should help keep the Seattle Seahawks an NFC West contender.

WR Sidney Rice and QB Tarvaris Jackson come over from Minnesota, and TE Zach Miller and OL Robert Gallery move north from Oakland.

Also on defense, former Green Bay DB Atari Bigby was acquired to boost Marcus Trufant and the struggling pass defense from 2010.

As for San Fran, they traded DB Taylor Mays to Cincinnati, but brought in Donte Whitner from Buffalo.

Additionally, they keep DL Ray McDonald in signing him to a five-year deal, and still have Justin Smith, Issac Sopoaga, and Patrick Willis in the front seven.

Offensively, Alex Smith is getting the start, and he has plenty of toys to play with such as WRs Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr., and Braylon Edwards, as well as TE Vernon Davis and RB Frank Gore.

Expect a lot of Frank Gore early on because Seattle is improved in the secondary.

Prediction: San Francisco 27, Seattle 17

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And, you can follow him on   Twitter @ Sportswriter27.