It is a brand new season and time for NFL football! I am once again making picks all season long along with my thoughts on each game. Please note that there will be a Thursday night game every week this year so you fantasy football folk had better plan accordingly, especially when the bye weeks start.
These views are my own and should be taken with a grain of salt. If you use this info to make decision on betting on games and/or stuff like that, legal or otherwise, that is on you. I am not paid to do this (not yet..lol) so keep that in mind. Feel free to follow and comment on my blog here (or my Facebook page for my friends there).
Disclaimer done. Let's talk some football!!!!!
Week One Picks:
Update: Seattle 36 Green Bay 16...Seattle was awesome at home, but the Packers kept turning it over and have lost RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) and a starting OT already. Not good. Got the pick right, but a lot of fantasy football owners are not happy right now. But it is only one game.
Sunday's games:
New Orleans at Atlanta: This is always a fun game (when no one is injured) to watch. Didn't these two open against each other last year? Anyway, this will be a offensive show between two great QBs: (future HOF) Drew Brees of New Orleans and Matt Ryan of Atlanta. Division games are the biggest of games because you see each other twice, home and on the road. Both teams have great passing offenses, and both teams have...shaky running games. But the NFL is (mostly) a passing league now so passing rules the day. Feel bad for the defenses. You know the players. Atlanta getting their all-pro receivers, Roddy White and Julio Jones back healthy is big, especially with future HOF TE Tony Gonzales retiring after last year.
Who wins? It comes down to which defense can adjust to the new rules better and can better slow down the other team's passing game. Whoever can muster a better running game and hence, control the clock, will win. I am taking Brees and the Saints. I do think Atlanta will be better this year...but not in Week 1.
New Orleans 34 Atlanta 31 (OT)
Minnesota at St. Louis: This will be a interesting game. You know about Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. You know about the tough and gritty Rams defense. The problem is everything else. Neither team is settled at QB. The Rams lost starting QB Sam Bradford for the year....so that will hurt. The Rams must draft a QB next year (forget FA unless the player is very young). The Vikings drafted QB Teddy Bridgewater, but he is not ready, hence Christian Ponder (for now) is the starter. Both teams have weapons at WR, but the Rams have the better overall D. But is that enough to stop Peterson?
Who wins? The Rams playing at home helps. But is replacement starting QB Stephen Hill able to run this offense, control the clock, and keep Peterson and the Vikings offense off the field? No idea. To win..the Rams may have to score every time the offense has the ball and hope the defense can stop Peterson and Ponder, who is not the worst QB out there. Minnesota better win this one in the dome..for they are playing home games outdoors for a while. That will factor in...especially after Halloween. Sorry, Rams...I have to take Minnesota in a close one...very close one.
Minnesota 24 St. Louis 21
Cleveland at Pittsburgh: Another division game to start the season. I know Pittsburgh had a down year last year. Are they better in 2014? Not sure. Cleveland is finally starting to build in the right direction, but they need more. Letting young S T.J. Ward leave for free agency (to Denver) may have been dumb. However (and no, that "Draft Day" movie had nothing to do with it), Cleveland did have a good draft including getting a extra 1st round pick for 2015. They will need it. This will get notice, but more for who is NOT starting this game. QB Johnny Manziel, the second Cleveland 1st round pick is not starting for he is NOT ready. Hence QB Bran Hoyer is the starter, as he should be. Hoyer may be the short-term answer, if he can stay healthy and gets help from his team. Pittsburgh doesn't look any better than last year...at RB, at WR, or on D. But they still have Big Ben and that gives them a chance. Either way, this game will be ugly!
Who wins? I am taking Cleveland in a very low-scoring upset....but only if it doesn't come down to a long field goal. PKs have a historically hard time kicking long kicks at Heinz Field. So keep that in mind. If the Steelers control the clock...they win. Good luck with that.
Cleveland 13 Pittsburgh 10 (OT)
Jacksonville at Philadelphia: Hmm. Wow. Philly got the Jags to start the season? Okay..we now the story of the Eagles last year. This offense is dangerous with QB Nick Foles and RB LeSean McCoy. But then they CUT All-Pro WR/KR DeSean Jackson. after a great season....for no good reason. Alleged gang ties? What? 2nd year coach Chip Kelly may just not like him, hence he dumped him. But Jackson is a proven dangerous weapon. Yes, he gets hurt a lot. True, getting WR Jeremy Maclin (missed 2013 due to injury) back will help. But Maclin is no Jackson, straight up. Worse yet, Jackson signed with rival Washington. That choice may help the Eagles cap, but will hurt in the long run. 8 (healthy) games of Jackson beats 16 games of Maclin or WR Riley Cooper or whatever other WR the Eagles have. Period. Dumb move. For this game...such will not matter. The Jaguars drafted QB Blake Bortles 3rd overall, but the plan is let him watch and learn this year. Good plan, for this team is not going to make much noise this year. Build for the future is the Jags' plan. Hope it works.
Who wins? Well, no one really cares much about this game. Philly's defense is better than one thinks and they have McCoy, Foles and up and coming receivers. I have to take the Eagles at home, but if the Jaguars somehow win or tie.....that will be one of the biggest upsets of this century. But that won't happen...barring injury or bad official call(s). Seriously.
Philadelphia 27 Jacksonville 17
Cincinnati at Baltimore: Another big division game to start the year. We know Ravens RB Ray Rice is not playing this game nor next Thursday versus the Steelers and why. Let's skip that for now. The Ravens biggest issues is more with the passing game than with the running game, shaky as it is. QB Joe Flacco wasn't great last year. This year, he must prove that that big contract he got after the Ravens Super Bowl win in 2012 was the right move. However, the Bengals' QB Andy Dalton also just got a big deal and has to do the same. Neither team has a totally solid running game. Both has a good defense. This will be a tight one...not really high scoring, but very close. The loser of this game had better win the rematch, for the weather probably won't be as good as it will be this Sunday.
Who wins? Too close to call. Whoever makes more mistakes/turnovers...loses. I don't see many highlights out of this game..except in the final 10 minutes. But I am taking the home team in a close one. The defenses will win this game.
Baltimore 20 Cincinnati 17
Buffalo at Chicago: Damn. This game would have be fun in December in either city, for it likely would have been a snow game. We all LOVE snow games....lol. Oh, well.We have a young building Bills team traveling to play a veteran Bears squad. It is not easy to win at Soldier Field, but it is easier to do in September than in December. Believe that! The Bills have young QB E.J. Manuel, who may become a good one, but he has to make the right throws AND stay healthy. Good luck with that. They are building a good team, but I am not sure they are ready to contend yet. The Bears had the NFC North won after Detroit gagged their finish, but they choked the division and playoff berth to Rodgers and Green Bay at home in the finale. 2014 will be no easier, so winning the non-conference games, especially at home are even more important. One game...can cost you a playoff berth. The Bears have experience, a good QB (Jay Cutler) who has had injury issues, a great RB (Matt Forte) who cannot win it all alone and a rugged D. They all must play together to win together. Can they? Hard to say.
Who wins? Sorry, Buffalo, your guys are not ready to beat these veteran Bears yet, without a lot of turnovers and the Bears usually do more forcing of turnovers than giving such. I am taking the Bears at home.
Chicago 27 Buffalo 20
Tennessee at Kansas City: The Titans are trying to build a better team, but that will take time. Letting former 2,000 yard rusher Chris Johnson walk (went to the Jets as a FA) could be a bad move. Maybe not. Who is their QB? Jake Locker? Can he stay healthy? Better question. Kansas City shocked the NFL with a 9-0 start, but faded to the finish, including 2 losses to Denver, then blew the wildcard game versus the Colts after having a big lead (injuries was a factor, stupidity cost them the game). Can the Chiefs contend in 2014? Not sure. Other than resigning steady QB Alex Smith, what did the Chiefs do to get better? Nothing that I can see. Who is watching this game? Not many.
Who wins? The Bills are getting better...but I don't see them going into Arrowhead Stadium and stopping RB Jamaal Charles, much less the steady hand of Smith and their receivers. Sorry. This Raiders fan will hope for a upset, but my brain says...Chiefs win.
Kansas City 27 Tennessee 20
New England at Miami: Wow...Miami might have wanted this home game in December..not now. Miami has some good pieces, but QB Ryan Tannehill doesn't impress me. Neither does this D. Miami was in the race to the playoffs till the final week in 2013, but they lost too many games they should have won late. Patriots QB Tom Brady is ready to lead this team back to the AFC title game and beyond. Even if oft-injured TE Rob Gronkowski is not ready to play (he says he will play...we will see), Miami does not have the weapons to stop Brady. Plus, the defense may be better than it was last year. They will contend, IF they can stay healthy. Though Brady is good enough to overcome (most of) that.
Who wins? Miami has some improving pieces across the team. But the Patriots have too much experience and overall skill to be beat at home. And then you have Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. Checkmate. Patriots win.
New England 28 Miami 18
Carolina at Tampa Bay: Another big division battle. Tampa has some nice pieces and new head coach Lovie Smith can bring them together to make the Buccaneers tough again. Carolina is a great young team, but has a way to go. Winning the crazy NFC South is nice, but a different team wins this division every year. Here is the thing. Carolina QB Cam Newton has hurt ribs...as of today (Friday), he is questionable to play this game. If he does not....Carolina is in trouble. I would have major doubts about Derek Anderson winning this game on the road. If Newton plays...different story. Carolina still has their defense. I am not expecting many points to be scored here.
Who wins? Whoever gets to 21 first. I am not sure that will happen, even with Cam playing. I am taking the Panthers, but only if Newton plays and plays well. Otherwise, I see a Tampa upset.
Carolina 17 Tampa Bay 15
San Francisco at Dallas: This matchup has been a "marquee" matchup for decades, though at times one team or both have been less than stellar. This is one of those cases. Dallas is hosting and is staring at a historically bad season from a defensive standpoint. The defense is decimated and star QB Tony Romo is returning from severe back injuries. The offense still has weapons in WR Dez Bryant RB DeMarco Murray and TE Jason Witten, but can the offense score enough to keep up?
The Niners are strong again but they have lost players to injury and suspension and they are weakened. But they still have QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis and a strong defense overall. This will be a interesting game (more so than having the Giants start the season here...lol!)
Who wins? It would be nice to see Romo do well..for once and he might have a nice year. But having practically NO defense at all....the Cowboys will have to score 30-plus points a game every week to win. That may happen in some games...but the Nners, even without Aldon Smith has a good defense, so I cannot see them allowing 30 points this week! Sorry Dallas, but the Niners win this one.
San Francisco 31 Dallas 24
Washington at Houston: This will be watched closely. Can Washington QB Robert Griffin III play well after a ****** pre-season, though he is now fully healthy? Is Houston top pick DE Javeon Clowney the real deal? How about the overall Washington offense? Can Houston muster a offense with no real QB and HB Arian Foster returning from injury? This game is being played in Houston which may help the Texans...but it may not matter.
Who wins? Too hard to say. Too many variables. Houston still has great defenders in DE J.J Watt and LB Brian Cushing. Washington's offense has RB Alfred Morris, WRs Pierre Garcon. surprise pickup WR/KR DeSean Jackson, and TE Jordan Reed. Both teams have new head coaches. Translation: Anything can happen. I am taking Washington because they have too many weapons on offense and the defense is not that bad, even if LB Brian Orakpo, who is hurting and questionable to play, does not. It will be close unless Houston's defense collapses in the second half.
Washington 24 Houston 20
Oakland at the New York Jets: We all know that Oakland has a 13 game losing streak in East Coast road games. We all saw how they have not had a (outright) winning season or playoffs in 11 years. We also know the Raiders have the schedule from hell and they may not even be in Oakland in 2015 (I will chat on that later in the season). Lastly, they are starting a rookie quarterback (Derek Carr 2nd round pick) on Opening Day for the first time in team history (yes that was a surprise!). Playoffs seem unlikely for this team and maybe for these Jets too. Both teams have been working to improve. Oakland has added some veteran players on both sides of the ball. So have the Jets. Something has to give.
Who wins? Jets coach Rex Ryan runs his mouth a lot. The problem is his teams of late has not been able to cash in. Wild things happen on Opening Day and bad weather won't hurt the West Coast team for once. Most will take New York, but you know who this Raiders fan is taking in a upset special. Oakland with a late score wins this one and will go home to beat Houston in the home opener next week.
Oakland 27 New York Jets 23
Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis at Denver: The AFC champion Broncos were embarrassed in the Super Bowl. For future HOF QB Peyton Manning, the road begins to try to redeem themselves. But that road is long and hard. It starts with the upstart Colts and the QB who replaced him in Indianapolis and has a win over him already, QB Andrew Luck. The Colts are mostly intact and get great WR Reggie Wayne back, but the running game and defense is still shaky. Worse yet DE Robert Mathis is out for a drug suspension, but so is Denver PK (and new longest FG record-holder) Matt Prater and WR Wes Welker (WTF?). Welker's 4 game suspension may help him recover from a concussion he suffered a couple of weeks ago (3rd in less than a calendar year, not good), but we will never know now if he could have played Sunday night.
Who wins? Even without Welker, Manning has too many weapons (WR D. Thomas, TE J. Thomas and so on) for the Colts to stop all night, even with a shaky running game. As long as Manning stays upright and/or does NOT have turnovers they should win since the defense is a bit better with multiple free agent additions, (S T.J. Ward and so on). But Luck has a ability to win games and his team follows him and the return of Wayne and TE Dwayne Allen (and also TE Coby Fleener) can help. If the Colts can get any kind of running game from former Brown RB Trent Richardson or somebody, who knows. I am taking the Colts in a upset, for I just don't think Manning will throw 7 TDs in the opener again. Colts steal one in OT.
Indianapolis 34 Denver 31 (OT)
Monday Night Football: New York Giants at Detroit: New York QB Eli Manning had a bad year last year as did the Giants. Detroit started strong but faded late (again) and choked a division title. The Giants did not get much to help their team, and lost RB David Wilson to early retirement (neck damage) as well. Then again, Detroit did not seem to help themselves much either. Adding toughness and heart is not easy to do, and the Lions' final two road games (at Chicago at Green Bay) may kill playoff hopes again unless the Lions can earn that berth with their record in the first 14 games. But having QB Matthew Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson, RB Reggie Bush, and DT N. Suh does give you a chance.
Who wins? I just think the Giants lost too much and added to little on both sides of the ball to stop Detroit at Ford Field. Turnovers and penalties may change this, but I am taking the Lions. Too much to overcome in Week One. Sorry.
Detroit 28 New York Giants 17
Monday Night Football: San Diego at Arizona: This will be a interesting final game of Week 1. The Chargers, led by QB Philip Rivers, slipped into the playoffs (with some help) but they stunned Cincinnati on the road and nearly stopped the Broncos in the divisional round after upsetting them in Denver mere weeks earlier. Is this team better? I am not seeing it. Arizona had a good season but could not keep up in the very competitive NFC West. Are they better? They tried to add pieces, but have lost some, too. Still, with veteran QB Carson Palmer, WR Larry Fitzgerald and coach Bruce Arians, the very hard schedule the entire division will face may favor Arizona if a few things fall their way.
Who wins? The Chargers are dangerous, but so can the Cardinals and they have to be motivated by winning 10 games and still not making the playoffs. For this night, having home field at the site of this year's Super Bowl will get them through. Can such help them get to the playoffs? Time will tell.
I am taking the Cardinals in a tight one.
Arizona 27 San Diego 24
Final results: 7 correct, 9 wrong. Not a great start.
These views are my own and should be taken with a grain of salt. If you use this info to make decision on betting on games and/or stuff like that, legal or otherwise, that is on you. I am not paid to do this (not yet..lol) so keep that in mind. Feel free to follow and comment on my blog here (or my Facebook page for my friends there).
Disclaimer done. Let's talk some football!!!!!
Week One Picks:
Thursday Night Football (NBC): Green Bay at Seattle: I have to take Seattle in a close game.This will be a great game, possibly the best Thursday
night game of the year (and it won’t be on NFL Network/CBS)! Seattle is hosting
and is the defending Super Bowl champions who now embark on the hard journey of
successfully defending their crown, which has not been done in a decade. Green
Bay, world champs just a few years ago is expected to be one of their biggest
obstacles to getting back to the Super Bowl. It is seemingly unfair to call the
first game of the year a must-win, for it really isn’t. But the loser of this
game may rue this loss if such causes them to either get a lower playoff seed
or miss the playoffs (as a wild-card) entirely due to the head-to-head
tiebreaker. Next to division games, conferences games are always important.
Seattle is mostly
intact from last year’s title team and now gets back dangerous WR/KR Percy
Harvin healthy (hopefully for the whole year) to add to a dangerous offense led
by QB Russell Wilson and power RB Marshawn Lynch. But more of the talk of this team
goes to the defense, led by opinionated and talented CB Richard Sherman, the
leader of the talented secondary known as the Legion of Boom. This team has the
talent to become a dynasty, but they have to avoid injury and the very tough
schedule they must endure from start to end. No team on their schedule, even
Oakland or maybe the home (or either) game versus St. Louis can be considered an
easy win….at least not right now.
Green Bay has
talent of their own, led by top-tier (and possibly future Hall of Fame) QB Aaron Rodgers. This team goes as far as
he can lead them, hence protecting him is paramount. We all saw last year what
happens when he is out of the lineup. Their offense has many weapons at WR and a
(finally) young and improving RB group, but Rodgers and his pinpoint passing
and command of the offense is the key. Their defense, like the entire team, is strong,
gritty and experienced. The addition of DE Julius Peppers will help the pass
rush, but the season ending injury to massive veteran DL B.J. Raji put pressure
on his younger and lighter replacements on the defensive line, but having experienced
All-Pro LBs A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews does help. Minimizing injuries is an
important key for any team, but especially for these Packers. However, this
team keeps finding people to step up and overcoming such, including on their
title team. In any case, the less this team has to do that, the better.
Who wins? Green Bay
has the experience, skill and grit to "steal" win in raucous Seattle and ignore their loud
(record-breaking) crowd, known as the 12th Man. They also have the motivation to get revenge after the controversial loss to Seattle due to the replacement officials in the end zone. That loss (that should have been a win) could have (but didn't) cost Green Bay a playoff spot! We all know about that.
But Seattle has a
great team and makes few mistakes. The addition of Harvin and the home
advantage should be enough for a win, but it will be very close. One error can swing
this game either way. The new rules that are in place this year may hamper the very
physical LOB. But if they adjust well, they could also be the difference. But
finishing the first game intact and getting the extra few days off, especially
for Seattle with their early bye week, may be just as important as a win.
Seahawks win, but just barely.
Seattle 31 Green Bay 30
Update: Seattle 36 Green Bay 16...Seattle was awesome at home, but the Packers kept turning it over and have lost RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) and a starting OT already. Not good. Got the pick right, but a lot of fantasy football owners are not happy right now. But it is only one game.
Sunday's games:
New Orleans at Atlanta: This is always a fun game (when no one is injured) to watch. Didn't these two open against each other last year? Anyway, this will be a offensive show between two great QBs: (future HOF) Drew Brees of New Orleans and Matt Ryan of Atlanta. Division games are the biggest of games because you see each other twice, home and on the road. Both teams have great passing offenses, and both teams have...shaky running games. But the NFL is (mostly) a passing league now so passing rules the day. Feel bad for the defenses. You know the players. Atlanta getting their all-pro receivers, Roddy White and Julio Jones back healthy is big, especially with future HOF TE Tony Gonzales retiring after last year.
Who wins? It comes down to which defense can adjust to the new rules better and can better slow down the other team's passing game. Whoever can muster a better running game and hence, control the clock, will win. I am taking Brees and the Saints. I do think Atlanta will be better this year...but not in Week 1.
New Orleans 34 Atlanta 31 (OT)
Minnesota at St. Louis: This will be a interesting game. You know about Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. You know about the tough and gritty Rams defense. The problem is everything else. Neither team is settled at QB. The Rams lost starting QB Sam Bradford for the year....so that will hurt. The Rams must draft a QB next year (forget FA unless the player is very young). The Vikings drafted QB Teddy Bridgewater, but he is not ready, hence Christian Ponder (for now) is the starter. Both teams have weapons at WR, but the Rams have the better overall D. But is that enough to stop Peterson?
Who wins? The Rams playing at home helps. But is replacement starting QB Stephen Hill able to run this offense, control the clock, and keep Peterson and the Vikings offense off the field? No idea. To win..the Rams may have to score every time the offense has the ball and hope the defense can stop Peterson and Ponder, who is not the worst QB out there. Minnesota better win this one in the dome..for they are playing home games outdoors for a while. That will factor in...especially after Halloween. Sorry, Rams...I have to take Minnesota in a close one...very close one.
Minnesota 24 St. Louis 21
Cleveland at Pittsburgh: Another division game to start the season. I know Pittsburgh had a down year last year. Are they better in 2014? Not sure. Cleveland is finally starting to build in the right direction, but they need more. Letting young S T.J. Ward leave for free agency (to Denver) may have been dumb. However (and no, that "Draft Day" movie had nothing to do with it), Cleveland did have a good draft including getting a extra 1st round pick for 2015. They will need it. This will get notice, but more for who is NOT starting this game. QB Johnny Manziel, the second Cleveland 1st round pick is not starting for he is NOT ready. Hence QB Bran Hoyer is the starter, as he should be. Hoyer may be the short-term answer, if he can stay healthy and gets help from his team. Pittsburgh doesn't look any better than last year...at RB, at WR, or on D. But they still have Big Ben and that gives them a chance. Either way, this game will be ugly!
Who wins? I am taking Cleveland in a very low-scoring upset....but only if it doesn't come down to a long field goal. PKs have a historically hard time kicking long kicks at Heinz Field. So keep that in mind. If the Steelers control the clock...they win. Good luck with that.
Cleveland 13 Pittsburgh 10 (OT)
Jacksonville at Philadelphia: Hmm. Wow. Philly got the Jags to start the season? Okay..we now the story of the Eagles last year. This offense is dangerous with QB Nick Foles and RB LeSean McCoy. But then they CUT All-Pro WR/KR DeSean Jackson. after a great season....for no good reason. Alleged gang ties? What? 2nd year coach Chip Kelly may just not like him, hence he dumped him. But Jackson is a proven dangerous weapon. Yes, he gets hurt a lot. True, getting WR Jeremy Maclin (missed 2013 due to injury) back will help. But Maclin is no Jackson, straight up. Worse yet, Jackson signed with rival Washington. That choice may help the Eagles cap, but will hurt in the long run. 8 (healthy) games of Jackson beats 16 games of Maclin or WR Riley Cooper or whatever other WR the Eagles have. Period. Dumb move. For this game...such will not matter. The Jaguars drafted QB Blake Bortles 3rd overall, but the plan is let him watch and learn this year. Good plan, for this team is not going to make much noise this year. Build for the future is the Jags' plan. Hope it works.
Who wins? Well, no one really cares much about this game. Philly's defense is better than one thinks and they have McCoy, Foles and up and coming receivers. I have to take the Eagles at home, but if the Jaguars somehow win or tie.....that will be one of the biggest upsets of this century. But that won't happen...barring injury or bad official call(s). Seriously.
Philadelphia 27 Jacksonville 17
Cincinnati at Baltimore: Another big division game to start the year. We know Ravens RB Ray Rice is not playing this game nor next Thursday versus the Steelers and why. Let's skip that for now. The Ravens biggest issues is more with the passing game than with the running game, shaky as it is. QB Joe Flacco wasn't great last year. This year, he must prove that that big contract he got after the Ravens Super Bowl win in 2012 was the right move. However, the Bengals' QB Andy Dalton also just got a big deal and has to do the same. Neither team has a totally solid running game. Both has a good defense. This will be a tight one...not really high scoring, but very close. The loser of this game had better win the rematch, for the weather probably won't be as good as it will be this Sunday.
Who wins? Too close to call. Whoever makes more mistakes/turnovers...loses. I don't see many highlights out of this game..except in the final 10 minutes. But I am taking the home team in a close one. The defenses will win this game.
Baltimore 20 Cincinnati 17
Buffalo at Chicago: Damn. This game would have be fun in December in either city, for it likely would have been a snow game. We all LOVE snow games....lol. Oh, well.We have a young building Bills team traveling to play a veteran Bears squad. It is not easy to win at Soldier Field, but it is easier to do in September than in December. Believe that! The Bills have young QB E.J. Manuel, who may become a good one, but he has to make the right throws AND stay healthy. Good luck with that. They are building a good team, but I am not sure they are ready to contend yet. The Bears had the NFC North won after Detroit gagged their finish, but they choked the division and playoff berth to Rodgers and Green Bay at home in the finale. 2014 will be no easier, so winning the non-conference games, especially at home are even more important. One game...can cost you a playoff berth. The Bears have experience, a good QB (Jay Cutler) who has had injury issues, a great RB (Matt Forte) who cannot win it all alone and a rugged D. They all must play together to win together. Can they? Hard to say.
Who wins? Sorry, Buffalo, your guys are not ready to beat these veteran Bears yet, without a lot of turnovers and the Bears usually do more forcing of turnovers than giving such. I am taking the Bears at home.
Chicago 27 Buffalo 20
Tennessee at Kansas City: The Titans are trying to build a better team, but that will take time. Letting former 2,000 yard rusher Chris Johnson walk (went to the Jets as a FA) could be a bad move. Maybe not. Who is their QB? Jake Locker? Can he stay healthy? Better question. Kansas City shocked the NFL with a 9-0 start, but faded to the finish, including 2 losses to Denver, then blew the wildcard game versus the Colts after having a big lead (injuries was a factor, stupidity cost them the game). Can the Chiefs contend in 2014? Not sure. Other than resigning steady QB Alex Smith, what did the Chiefs do to get better? Nothing that I can see. Who is watching this game? Not many.
Who wins? The Bills are getting better...but I don't see them going into Arrowhead Stadium and stopping RB Jamaal Charles, much less the steady hand of Smith and their receivers. Sorry. This Raiders fan will hope for a upset, but my brain says...Chiefs win.
Kansas City 27 Tennessee 20
New England at Miami: Wow...Miami might have wanted this home game in December..not now. Miami has some good pieces, but QB Ryan Tannehill doesn't impress me. Neither does this D. Miami was in the race to the playoffs till the final week in 2013, but they lost too many games they should have won late. Patriots QB Tom Brady is ready to lead this team back to the AFC title game and beyond. Even if oft-injured TE Rob Gronkowski is not ready to play (he says he will play...we will see), Miami does not have the weapons to stop Brady. Plus, the defense may be better than it was last year. They will contend, IF they can stay healthy. Though Brady is good enough to overcome (most of) that.
Who wins? Miami has some improving pieces across the team. But the Patriots have too much experience and overall skill to be beat at home. And then you have Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. Checkmate. Patriots win.
New England 28 Miami 18
Carolina at Tampa Bay: Another big division battle. Tampa has some nice pieces and new head coach Lovie Smith can bring them together to make the Buccaneers tough again. Carolina is a great young team, but has a way to go. Winning the crazy NFC South is nice, but a different team wins this division every year. Here is the thing. Carolina QB Cam Newton has hurt ribs...as of today (Friday), he is questionable to play this game. If he does not....Carolina is in trouble. I would have major doubts about Derek Anderson winning this game on the road. If Newton plays...different story. Carolina still has their defense. I am not expecting many points to be scored here.
Who wins? Whoever gets to 21 first. I am not sure that will happen, even with Cam playing. I am taking the Panthers, but only if Newton plays and plays well. Otherwise, I see a Tampa upset.
Carolina 17 Tampa Bay 15
San Francisco at Dallas: This matchup has been a "marquee" matchup for decades, though at times one team or both have been less than stellar. This is one of those cases. Dallas is hosting and is staring at a historically bad season from a defensive standpoint. The defense is decimated and star QB Tony Romo is returning from severe back injuries. The offense still has weapons in WR Dez Bryant RB DeMarco Murray and TE Jason Witten, but can the offense score enough to keep up?
The Niners are strong again but they have lost players to injury and suspension and they are weakened. But they still have QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis and a strong defense overall. This will be a interesting game (more so than having the Giants start the season here...lol!)
Who wins? It would be nice to see Romo do well..for once and he might have a nice year. But having practically NO defense at all....the Cowboys will have to score 30-plus points a game every week to win. That may happen in some games...but the Nners, even without Aldon Smith has a good defense, so I cannot see them allowing 30 points this week! Sorry Dallas, but the Niners win this one.
San Francisco 31 Dallas 24
Washington at Houston: This will be watched closely. Can Washington QB Robert Griffin III play well after a ****** pre-season, though he is now fully healthy? Is Houston top pick DE Javeon Clowney the real deal? How about the overall Washington offense? Can Houston muster a offense with no real QB and HB Arian Foster returning from injury? This game is being played in Houston which may help the Texans...but it may not matter.
Who wins? Too hard to say. Too many variables. Houston still has great defenders in DE J.J Watt and LB Brian Cushing. Washington's offense has RB Alfred Morris, WRs Pierre Garcon. surprise pickup WR/KR DeSean Jackson, and TE Jordan Reed. Both teams have new head coaches. Translation: Anything can happen. I am taking Washington because they have too many weapons on offense and the defense is not that bad, even if LB Brian Orakpo, who is hurting and questionable to play, does not. It will be close unless Houston's defense collapses in the second half.
Washington 24 Houston 20
Oakland at the New York Jets: We all know that Oakland has a 13 game losing streak in East Coast road games. We all saw how they have not had a (outright) winning season or playoffs in 11 years. We also know the Raiders have the schedule from hell and they may not even be in Oakland in 2015 (I will chat on that later in the season). Lastly, they are starting a rookie quarterback (Derek Carr 2nd round pick) on Opening Day for the first time in team history (yes that was a surprise!). Playoffs seem unlikely for this team and maybe for these Jets too. Both teams have been working to improve. Oakland has added some veteran players on both sides of the ball. So have the Jets. Something has to give.
Who wins? Jets coach Rex Ryan runs his mouth a lot. The problem is his teams of late has not been able to cash in. Wild things happen on Opening Day and bad weather won't hurt the West Coast team for once. Most will take New York, but you know who this Raiders fan is taking in a upset special. Oakland with a late score wins this one and will go home to beat Houston in the home opener next week.
Oakland 27 New York Jets 23
Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis at Denver: The AFC champion Broncos were embarrassed in the Super Bowl. For future HOF QB Peyton Manning, the road begins to try to redeem themselves. But that road is long and hard. It starts with the upstart Colts and the QB who replaced him in Indianapolis and has a win over him already, QB Andrew Luck. The Colts are mostly intact and get great WR Reggie Wayne back, but the running game and defense is still shaky. Worse yet DE Robert Mathis is out for a drug suspension, but so is Denver PK (and new longest FG record-holder) Matt Prater and WR Wes Welker (WTF?). Welker's 4 game suspension may help him recover from a concussion he suffered a couple of weeks ago (3rd in less than a calendar year, not good), but we will never know now if he could have played Sunday night.
Who wins? Even without Welker, Manning has too many weapons (WR D. Thomas, TE J. Thomas and so on) for the Colts to stop all night, even with a shaky running game. As long as Manning stays upright and/or does NOT have turnovers they should win since the defense is a bit better with multiple free agent additions, (S T.J. Ward and so on). But Luck has a ability to win games and his team follows him and the return of Wayne and TE Dwayne Allen (and also TE Coby Fleener) can help. If the Colts can get any kind of running game from former Brown RB Trent Richardson or somebody, who knows. I am taking the Colts in a upset, for I just don't think Manning will throw 7 TDs in the opener again. Colts steal one in OT.
Indianapolis 34 Denver 31 (OT)
Monday Night Football: New York Giants at Detroit: New York QB Eli Manning had a bad year last year as did the Giants. Detroit started strong but faded late (again) and choked a division title. The Giants did not get much to help their team, and lost RB David Wilson to early retirement (neck damage) as well. Then again, Detroit did not seem to help themselves much either. Adding toughness and heart is not easy to do, and the Lions' final two road games (at Chicago at Green Bay) may kill playoff hopes again unless the Lions can earn that berth with their record in the first 14 games. But having QB Matthew Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson, RB Reggie Bush, and DT N. Suh does give you a chance.
Who wins? I just think the Giants lost too much and added to little on both sides of the ball to stop Detroit at Ford Field. Turnovers and penalties may change this, but I am taking the Lions. Too much to overcome in Week One. Sorry.
Detroit 28 New York Giants 17
Monday Night Football: San Diego at Arizona: This will be a interesting final game of Week 1. The Chargers, led by QB Philip Rivers, slipped into the playoffs (with some help) but they stunned Cincinnati on the road and nearly stopped the Broncos in the divisional round after upsetting them in Denver mere weeks earlier. Is this team better? I am not seeing it. Arizona had a good season but could not keep up in the very competitive NFC West. Are they better? They tried to add pieces, but have lost some, too. Still, with veteran QB Carson Palmer, WR Larry Fitzgerald and coach Bruce Arians, the very hard schedule the entire division will face may favor Arizona if a few things fall their way.
Who wins? The Chargers are dangerous, but so can the Cardinals and they have to be motivated by winning 10 games and still not making the playoffs. For this night, having home field at the site of this year's Super Bowl will get them through. Can such help them get to the playoffs? Time will tell.
I am taking the Cardinals in a tight one.
Arizona 27 San Diego 24
Final results: 7 correct, 9 wrong. Not a great start.
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