2011 National Football League Game Predictions, Week 1

So, here it is. My first set of predictions for all of the NFL games every week this season. Each week I will strive to have this ready and published before the first game, even if that first game is on Thursday.

On Tuesday of each week, I will reveal how good or bad my NFL crystal ball is, and put the results up against some of the other name brand, aka, popular crystal balls.

Atlanta at Chicago

Atlanta is favored by two points in this game. I can't really argue with that call, but I don't think you go into another team's home field on opening day and expect an easy game. I will call this one even.

Prediction: Atlanta 21, Chicago 20

Buffalo at Kansas City

If the Chiefs do not win this game, then they should call it a season. It is the first game of the new season and the first home game for the Chiefs. By every standard, the Bills are a sub-par team when compared to the Chiefs. Officially, the Chiefs are six point favorites.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bills 10

Philadelphia at St. Louis

The Eagles look like a team that will win every game. The game is in St. Louis, and the Rams were a much better team last season than expected, but it doesn't matter.

The Eagles will probably dominate this game to the point that people will start to feel sorry for the Rams. The official line is the Eagles by four. How about the Eagles by 40!

Prediction: Eagles 42, Rams 10

Indianapolis at Houston

The question is simple. Without Peyton Manning, are the Colts still the Colts? The answer is also simple. No! The Colts first game of the season, on the road, against a team, the Texans, who should compete for a playoff spot, without your starting QB. The Colts will lose, and lose big.

Prediction: Texans 30, Colts 13

Cincinnati at Cleveland

The Bengals might be the disaster team of 2011. Enough said.

Prediction: Browns 24, Bengals 7

Detroit at Tampa Bay

I hear a lot of talk about the Lions this year. There are some teams in the NFL that never seem to be able to put it together. The Lions fit that mold.

The Buccaneers, however, missed the playoffs last year with a 10-6 record. This game is in Tampa Bay. The Bucs are ready to show the league that they deserve to be a playoff team. I am sorry! The Lions are not ready for this match up.

Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Lions 14

Tennessee at Jacksonville

I think this game matches up two pretty similar teams that will not be good enough to make it to the postseason. This one goes to the home team.

Prediction: Jaguars 17, Titans 14

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

In my mind, this is the best game of the week. Baltimore may have a home-field advantage, but if the Steelers get on any kind of a roll, the crowd will not be able to make up the difference. This should be close, but the Steelers are a better team.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Ravens 24

Carolina at Arizona

The Panthers are at the bottom of the league, however the Cardinals are not much better. The Cardinals are at home and the first game of every year has every team full of hope. The Cardinals get this one on home-field emotion only,

Prediction: Cardinals 14, Panthers 10

Minnesota at San Diego

 It is pretty much written in stone that the Chargers will win this game. Minnesota has a pretty good defense and Adrian Peterson, but that is not enough against a team like the Chargers that had the No. 1 defense and the No. 1 offense last year.

Funny thing is, having the No. 1 offense and defense last year did not do the trick. It takes more than numbers to win in the NFL.

Prediction:  Vikings 17, Chargers 10

Seattle at San Francisco

Seattle got way more out of a bad record last season than any team should ever get. But, be that as it may, the emotional ride of last year's playoffs may last for several games into this season.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, 49ers 16

NY Giants at Washington

The Redskins have too many negatives to believe they can win any game, even a home game. Bad karma is hard to overcome, and what happened with Donovan McNabb last year will stay with this team for a while. Mr. Shanahan is not in Denver any longer .....

Prediction: Giants 27, Redskins 17

Dallas at NY Jets

The Cowboys are a good team, and last year was an unfortunate fluke. Can they prove that last year was an anomaly and beat the Jets in New York? I think so.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Jets 21

New England at Miami

Larry Johnson would have to pretend he is a Chief again behind one of the best offensive lines in NFL history to even come close to giving the Dolphins a chance of winning this one. Guess what? Those guys that opened those holes for Larry have retired.

Prediction: Patriots 34, Dolphins 10

Oakland at Denver

The Raiders are two fast for the Broncos. This is a Monday night nationally televised game. Too bad for the Broncos!

Prediction: Raiders 24, Broncos 16

Official Disclaimer ..... Do not put any money on any of these predictions. However, if you do, and you win something, send my 30 percent to .......

See you on Tuesday. It is good to have football back, isn't it?