NFL Predictions Week 1: 3 Underdogs Guaranteed to Upset Their Opponents

In the NFL regular season, every win counts and every loss has the potential to be the one that keeps you out of the playoffs.

Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season means two things:

1. Football is finally back!

2. Things are about to get crazy.

Not only are your favorite teams and players going to be squaring off for real now, but all the chips are on the table.

This is the real deal.

This is when heroes are made, championships are won and upsets can be had.

There is nothing more riveting to an NFL fan than watching an underdog go into a game and pull off the upset. Well, that is, unless you are a fan of the team that just lost.

Here are three teams that will pull off upsets in Week 1.

St. Louis Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles

I think the Rams are primed for an upset in Week 1.

Not only do the Eagles have to go into their house, but they will be under a lot of pressure to perform.

The Rams have high expectations, but not nearly as high as those of the "dream team." I think the Rams will utilize the blitz and force Michael Vick to not look anything like the MVP many are projecting him to be. 

Minnesota Vikings vs. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are notorious for coming up small in big moments. Conversely, Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb is known for playing his best when people doubt him, and he sure has a lot to prove in 2011.

I think Adrian Peterson is going to take over this game on the ground and McNabb will do just enough to lead the Vikings past the Chargers.

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

I like the Redskins to pull off the upset in this game. I think they are a highly underrated team, and the Giants are actually highly overrated.

Mike Shanahan knows how to win and how to create a great running game, and I think he’s going to do both against the Giants.

Rex Grossman just has to manage the game, and I think Tim Hightower is going to go off. The ‘Skins defense is also underrated, and I think they will force the turnover-prone Eli Manning into a pick or two.