Each week during the NFL season, I will be making a weekly post. In that post I will give a shout out to last week’s winners, breakdown how the Pickem’ standings are shaking out, recap any NFL action I found interesting last week, and make my picks for the upcoming week. If you don’t know much about the NFL, feel free to use my picks ( I can’t win the prize anyway) or reasoning on making my picks to guide you if you want. Just be cautioned: you do so at your own peril. I’m no NFL genius, although I guess I’ll pretend to be. Feel free to respond to these posts in any way you wish. They can serve as a jumping off point for discussing next week’s action.

Now, as these will be my Week 1 picks, here’s something to keep in mind: Week 1 is normally a week where you can either bank or bust. It’s normally a toss up, because no one really knows exactly what to expect going into the season. That means you, me and Vegas. Single out a couple teams that could be potential sleepers for this year. Maybe make a couple of oh-what-the-hell picks, just incase a team turns out to be better/worse than you thought. Odds are this will be a week in which very few people get a significant number of games correct, and very few, if any, don’t miss a game. So feel free to gamble a little. As the season goes on and the contenders/pretenders emerge, it’s going to be a lot easier to handicap games, meaning a lot more people are going to start getting a lot more games correct. So look at these first few weeks as an opportunity to jump out to a good start.

Now onto the picks… (Home team in CAPS)

COLTS over Saints
In what should be a high-scoring affair, look for the reigning Super Bowl Champs to come out guns-blazing. The fact the Indy is at home, has the better D, and doesn’t want to disappoint on ring night should be enough to propel them past Drew Brees and Company. Although, I expect to see New Orleans come February.

Broncos over BILLS
Whoever lines up in the backfield for the Broncos is going to have a big day. Buffalo had one of the worst rushing defenses last year, allowing 4.7 YPR. Look for Denver to pound the ball early and often, opening up play action to Javon Walker. With no Nate Clements in the secondary, this could get out of hand in a hurry.

Steelers over BROWNS
Never bet on a rookie quarterback. Or Charlie Frye. Or the Browns.

PACKERS over Eagles
It’s tough to win in Lambeau. Plus, with McNabb coming off injury, after losing Stallworth to New England, I just don’t know who effective that offense is going to be. I’m not too confident but when in doubt, go with the home team. Especially since it’s Brett Favre’s last year. Hopefully.

RAMS over Carolina
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your 2007 NFC West Division Champs, the St. Louis Rams. Get on the bandwagon now because it’s going to fill up fast.

Falcons over VIKINGS
Enjoy it Falcons fans, because this is probably going to be the last time you are over .500 all year. This game could go either way, as these are probably the two worst teams in all of football, but I expect Joey Harrington to come out and put a good enough game to win and take the minds of Falcons’ fans off of Michael Vick, at least for one day.

Patriots over JETS
My pick to win the Super Bowl, New England has vastly improved this year. After being one half away from winning it all last year, the Pats re-tooled and now look as dominate as ever. With Wes Walker, Donte Stallworth, and Randy Moss, future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady now has one of the NFL most potent receiving corps. The defense didn’t lose anyone and added All-Pro linebacker Adalius Thomas, who has 28 sacks the last two years. Needless to say, the New England will once again be a force to reckon with.

Dolphins over REDSKINS
Two mediocre teams from different conferences. The AFC is vastly superior in talent than the NFC. When in doubt, go with the team from the more talented conference.

JAGUARS over Titans
You won’t find a more admit Vince Young supporter than me, and while I believe the Titans will be good this year, they simply do not match up well against Jacksonville. They also have to play at Jacksonville, where the Jags crushed the Titans 37-7 last year.

Chiefs over TEXANS
Houston’s defense is still lousy, and that’s not good when you have the second most productive running back the past two years coming into town. Whoever the Chiefs end up starting at quarterback just needs to be able to turn around and hand the ball to LJ. That should be enough to get the W.

Lions over RADIERS
I like Detroit as a sleeper this year, and yes, I almost gagged after reading that too. Nevertheless, there is too much talent on the offensive side of the ball for mastermind Mike Martz to not find a way to get the ball in the end zone. The Raiders? I doubt I pick them to win a game all year.

CHARGERS over Bears
If the game was being played in Chi-Town, I might think about taking the Bears. However, I normally don’t bet on a team whose starting quarterback has trouble with the center-quarterback exchange, no matter how good the defense.

SEAHAWKS over Bucs
Seattle is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. The noise is devastating. Jeff Garcia won’t know what hit him and the ‘Hawks will pound Shaun Alexander. And has any coach in football gone from ‘Genius’ to ‘Irrelevant’ faster than John Gruden?

COWBOYS over Giants
I like the Parcells-less Cowboys’ chances this year in the NFC East. We haven’t heard much out of T.O. this off season, which is a good thing.  The two-headed running back monster of Julius Jones and Marion Barber should be tough and Eli Manning has a genetic predisposition to not show up in big games, on a big stage, and I think Sunday night counts.

BENGALS over Ravens
Yes, Baltimore’s D is good, but is it really THAT good? Ray Lewis is a year older and they lost Adalius Thomas. Don’t get me wrong, they are still a top 5 defensive unit in the league, but there going up against one of the leagues premier offenses. I don’t think Baltimore’s offense will score enough to match Palmer-Johnson-Ocho Cinco.

NINERS over Cardinals
I refuse to ever again get on a Cardinals bandwagon. Too much heartache/money loss. And Frank Gore is the truth. Recognize.

Last edited by VA Jon (2007-08-29 16:46:12)