The 50 Yard Line
Week 1 NFL Predictions
By Zachary Walter, SA Contributor
We’re almost there. The NFL season will kick off on Thursday, September 9th, at 8:30 pm. We spend a large majority of the spring and pretty much the entire summer awaiting the return of the NFL season. For the past few months, we have also been subject to the buzz about the New Orleans Saints, how great they are for winning the Super Bowl, and how poised they could be for a repeat. We hear it frequently when it comes to previous winners of the big game. Can New Orleans Repeat what they did last season? The journey begins soon.
Thursday, September 9th
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – 8:30 PM, Broadcast on NBC
Ahhh, it feels good. The first game of the 2010 NFL Season will be between the Vikings and the Saints. The wait is officially over. Favre is back. On the flip side, New Orleans is returning most of the same guys that helped win them a title. Overall, we have the same squads in a re-match. We have Favre, but even without him, Minnesota has the swagger against the Saints, and won’t make the same mistake twice.
Minnesota 27 – New Orleans 20
Sunday, September 12th
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
If Miami manages to lose this game, I will have lost all of my respect for a club that has done a very nice job in rebuilding itself. As far as I can tell, their only problem is picking a name for their stadium. Buffalo…well, I have nothing more to say.
Miami 24 – Buffalo 10
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on FOX
The Lions are rebuilding, with a very promising quarterback in Stafford. Cutler looks to bounce back from a 20+ interception season. Lovie Smith is on the chopping block. This season will help to determine whether or not he leaves it in one piece.
Chicago 17 – Detroit 10
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
Jason Campbell looks to help rejuvenate a lackluster Oakland offense, while the Titans are looking to be a force this season. In eight games last season for the Titans, Young passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his completion percentage wasn’t great, he still has his legs. Paired with Chris Johnson, Tennessee is a team to be reckoned with.
Titans 28 – Raiders 13
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
Carson Palmer versus Tom Brady, “TOcho” against Randy Moss and….Julian Edelman? Wes Welker had that…you know…minor knee injury, but has looked good during pre-season play. Still come expecting Brady to be at the top of his game-this team has chances to be better than everyone thinks.
Patriots 28 – Bengals 21
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on FOX
John Fox could be in his last season with the Panthers, although a new QB in Moore could be a good thing. The Giants are coming into this season after a disappointing finish last year. These guys are better than you think, and should handle the Panthers.
Giants 24 – Panthers 14
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on FOX
No Roethlisberger for at least four games. They still have great chances, and hopefully (for them), Leftwich can manage a decent start. The Falcons are returning a lot of the same guys, and Matt Ryan is an improving QB. I like Atlanta to win this one, plain and simple.
Falcons 26 – Steelers 17
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
Cleveland is under a serious period of restructuring. Tampa Bay has also undergone some changes, but they also had a good draft and are returning a solid team, with a promising future in Josh Freeman. Look to Kellen Winslow to be the leading man again on the receiving end, while the Bucs attempt to establish a good running game with Derrick Ward, Carnell Williams, and Earnest Graham.
Buccaneers 23 – Browns 17
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
Elvis Dumervil of the Broncos was the league leader in sacks last year, with 17. He’s injured now, and it’s a big position to fill. Many are also watching what is going to happen at quarterback….will Kyle Orton slip up, allowing Quinn or Tebow to step in? Orton looks to be fine thus far. Jacksonville has gaps to fill, especially on defense. MJD is a top notch running back, and Garrard could be in his final season for the Jags.
Broncos 20 – Jaguars 17
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – 1:00 PM, Broadcast on CBS
The Colts have Manning, “Field General” at their service, while Houston is under the throwing command of Matt Schaub. This guy is good. Indianapolis has history and experience on their side in this one, but Houston is still a tough competitor for the division this year, and possibly a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Manning 1.0 should still have a successful day on the gridiron if history repeats itself. I don’t think it will. This is my “Upset Special” of the week.
Houston 24 – Indianapolis 21
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – 4:15 PM, Broadcast on FOX
The Niners have a talented squad coming into the season, still with some noted questions about the future of their QB situation. Frank Gore will play a big part in this team’s success. Seattle is under a new regime, with Carroll fleeing USC in favor of greener pastures and less restriction.
San Francisco 20 – Seattle 10
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles – 4:15 PM, Broadcast on FOX
Green Bay has a talented squad, led by nouveau-elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Eagles come into the season with Kevin Kolb as their main man, and some good weapons at the wide receiver position. Rodgers has the poise, experience, and consistency to handle Philly.
Green Bay 28 – Philadelphia 17
Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – 4:15 PM, Broadcast on FOX
The Cardinals have notably lost Dansby and Warner, yet still have a very talented squad and a smart coach. Can Matt Leinart be the man that he was at USC, or is he going to lose out on starting in the regular season? The Rams have had a decent preseason...but.…well…throw it against the wall and see if it sticks. I mean…throw Sam Bradford against the wall and see if he sticks. Right.
Arizona 23 – St. Louis 7
Sunday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – 8:20 PM, Broadcast on NBC
The Cowboys looked to strengthen their WR core with Dez Bryant, who recently injured himself in practice. The Redskins have undergone a makeover with new coach Mike Shanahan and new Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett. Santana Moss will garner some attention in this one, and so will the new game plans and schemes implemented. McNabb is in the same division, just on a different team. Expect that to be some serious motivation against “America’s Team.” (America's team has no offense.)
Washington 24 – Dallas 17
Monday, September 13th
MNF DOUBLE HEADER
Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets – 7:00 PM, Broadcast on ESPN
The Ravens bring back a young and talented pairing in Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, as well as some good wide receivers. The Jets bring “The Sanchize,” possibly Revis, and Shonn Greene. LT looks to play a part this season as well. These guys will duke it out to the end, but Baltimore is a serious contender.
Baltimore 20 – New York 14
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – 10:15 PM, Broadcast on ESPN
Eric Berry is good, but he’s not that good. There are doubts about how well Cassel will perform along with the rest of the team. The Chargers come in with an elite quarterback, and an experienced squad. San Diego should take this one easily.
San Diego 31 – Kansas City 10
My record so far: 10-4
Upsets: 1-0
That wraps up my first regular season predictions column. Check back for this column weekly on Thursdays, as well as a weekly power rankings column published on Wednesdays, after the regular season begins. "Op-ed" pieces will be published intermittently. Enjoy your week!
