NFL Picks Week 1: 3 Pretenders Who Will Look Like Contenders

Matchups mean the difference between winning and losing in the NFL, which holds as well for Week 1 of the 2011 season as it ever has.

All too common is the case of a team that little, if any, hope of contending for the Super Bowl looking like a world-beater in the early season. These three teams will get their fans' hopes way up on opening weekend, only to have them crash back down to earth later on.

Houston Texans

 Everyone and their mother has the Texans pegged as the AFC's biggest breakout team, making Matt Schaub and company three-time champs in that department. Houston has as good an opportunity as it's ever had or will have to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Texans need only sort their way through the rubble of the AFC South and survive a few tough games against the AFC North and NFC South to claim a spot in the postseason.

Houston's bandwagon is already at capacity and figures to runneth over with constituents on Sunday when the Peyton Manning-less Colts come to town. The Texans will take full advantage of the fact that Indy's offense is now as shaky as its defense to roll up a solid lead and stretch it out with their fantasy football-friendly offense.

Now, whether they'll be able to roll up points so easily against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints is a different story entirely, and one that folks in Houston won't have to worry about...until Week 3.

Washington Redskins

 As much as Houston will benefit in Week 1 from Manning's absence, Washington might be even better suited to looking like an early-season juggernaut against the hapless and "health-less" New York Giants.

Big Blue has already lost five key defensive players for the year, with Pro Bowl end Osi Umenyiora and rookie corner Prince Amukamara expected to miss significant time at the outset. If Justin Tuck plays with his neck injury (and it's a big IF), he won't likely be anywhere near 100 percent.

The Giants' offensive line has also undergone a drastic reshuffling this summer amidst the departure of Shaun O'Hara, the arrival of David Baas and the movement of David Diehl and Will Beatty.

So while the Redskins aren't exactly about the set the world on fire, with an offense led by the lukewarm Rex Grossman and the slightly lukewarmer Tim Hightower, they should find plenty of room to operate on offense and really take advantage of the woes of their NFC East rival.

Cleveland Browns

 The Browns will be better this year, just not to the extent that a convincing victory over the Cincinnati Bengals will suggest.

I like Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis in Pat Shurmur's offense, and I really like them against Cincy's defense, which is stocked with career underachievers like Manny Lawson and Rey Maualuga.

Cleveland's biggest reason for success, though, will be the Bengals' bungling offense.

In particular, the Browns will feast on the errant throws of rookie quarterback and noted ginger Andy Dalton while keeping Cedric Benson to his typically-measly 3.7 yards per carry, a number that places him last among active running backs in that category.

The Browns have an incredibly favorable schedule through Week 12, but will be hard-pressed to hang with the big boys in the AFC North after four games against the Steelers and the Ravens in the final five weeks. 

Follow @J0shMart1n