NFL Week 1 Predictions

Football is finally here! After months of waiting, worrying that there might not even be an NFL season this year, the excitement of the NFL begins anew tomorrow afternoon. (Well, the main part of the schedule does, since the opening game was already last Thursday, but you know what I mean.) And what better way to show our national pride on the anniversary of 9/11 than with America's favorite Sunday pastime?

I usually try to predict all the games each weekend during the week before, but this time will be the first that I've officially posted my picks for regular-season games. Hopefully, I'll be able to do this every week. I'm not planning to give a detailed preview of every game like I do with the playoffs, since I really don't have that kind of time or energy, but I might provide some brief comments on selected games, and most likely on every Steelers game. So here goes:

Steelers over Ravens

• With the division race being as close as it's been for the last few years, a win here will go a long way for either team. I won't be surprised if they split their series again this year, but at the start of the season, the Ravens still need a little bit of time for all their new pieces to gel, while the Steelers remain relatively unchanged from last year.
  

Falcons over Bears

• Both have great defenses, but Atlanta has a much better offense.
  

Browns over Bengals
Texans over Colts

• Indy's toast without Peyton Manning.
  

Titans over Jaguars

• How will the Jags respond to their sudden change at quarterback? And will CJ2K be fresh enough after his holdout to make an impact for the Titans?
  

Chiefs over Bills
Eagles over Rams

• The first big test for both the Eagles' "Dream Team" defense and the up-and-coming Sam Bradford.
  

Buccaneers over Lions

• Another battle of what looks to be two great defenses this season.
  

Panthers over Cardinals

• This was a tough one , but I like Carolina's defense over Arizona's.
  

Chargers over Vikings
Seahawks over 49ers
Giants over Redskins
Jets over Cowboys

• It's brother against brother as Rob Ryan's defense tries to stop Rex Ryan's Jets.
  

Patriots over Dolphins
Raiders over Broncos

As a final note, I think the NFL really screwed the pooch with this week's schedule. Pittsburgh and the Giants should have been given home games on Sunday, seeing as how it will be the tenth anniversary of September 11. I can understand that the Giants and Jets share a stadium, and at least one New York team has a home game, but Pittsburgh should have been given a chance to pay tribute to those who were killed on United 93. Just sayin'...

Stay frosty, y'all! God bless America, and GO STEELERS!!

B-)