NFL WEEK ONE PREDICTIONS

NFL WEEK ONE: PREDICTIONS

DALLAS @ NEW YORK GIANTS:  The Giants beat Dallas both times in 2011.  The result will be the same Wednesday night.    Dallas’ defense won’t be able to slow down Eli Manning in this showcase game.

NEW YORK   32   DALLAS  23

INDIANAPOLIS @ CHICAGO:  The Colts won’t be ready for the healthy Bears.  The Bears defense will come after Rookie QB Andrew Luck and his Luck will run out.

CHICAGO  27   INDIANAPOLIS  14

PHILADELPHIA @ CLEVELAND:  This one is a no brainer.  The Browns will start a rookie QB and he won’t be ready for that Eagles defense.   

PHILADELPHIA  34    CLEVELAND   10

NEW ENGLAND @ TENNESSEE

The Patriots will show their defense is back after an off season.  The Titans came close to being a playoff team last season but it won’t be enough against the much more talented Patriots

NEW ENGLAND   27    TENNESSEE  13

ATLANTA @ KANSAS CITY

Atlanta made changes in the off season.  Question is, was it enough?   Kansas City won’t be an easy opener for the Falcons.   The Chiefs will be much better than last season.   But for whatever reason, KC struggled at home in 2011.

ATLANTA  23   KANSAS CITY  21

JACKSONVILLE @ MINNESOTA

The Jags got their best player back after a long holdout.  Will it be enough?   Not likely.    Even with Jones-Drew back, the Vikings defense is too good against a Jacksonville team that averaged only 259 yards per game in 2011.

MINNESOTA  27   JACKSONVILLE   13

WASHINGTON @ NEW ORLEANS

RGIII gets his first look at a regular season defense.    The Saints will show everyone if they are in turmoil or if they have their act together.  RGIII will make Washington better, but not against the Saints in New Orleans.  Too much Drew Brees!

NEW ORLEANS    38     WASHINGTON   21

BUFFALO @ NEW YORK JETS

The Bills defense will be much better with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson.  The Jets offense was awful in the pre-season.  I don’t see the Jets getting much better despite it being the regular season.

BUFFALO  28   NY JETS  20

ST. LOUIS @ DETROIT

The Rams are as bad as an NFL team can get.  It will talk Coach Fisher a couple of seasons to get it turned around.  It won’t happen against Detroit Sunday.   The Lions defense will be better and the offense will put up some big points against this Rams defense

DETROIT  40   ST. LOUIS  10

MIAMI @ HOUSTON

The Dolphins will start a rookie QB.  That’s bad news because Miami’s offense is bad no matter who is under center.  Not a great way to start a career by going to Houston to face Arian Foster and that offense.

HOUSTON   34    MIAMI   7

SAN FRANCISCO @ GREEN BAY

Talk about a great opener for NFL fans.   Both have reason to believe they will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  This is an early statement game.  Packers are too good at home this early in the season and emotions will run high.

GREEN BAY  23   SAN FRANCISCO  21

SEATTLE @ ARIZONA

Seattle will start a rookie at QB.  Arizona doesn’t have a starter, that’s a big problem.  Seattle will win on the road and give Pete Carroll a great start to 2012.

SEATTLE   20    ARIZONA   14

CAROLINA @ TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay is still rebuilding and they have too many questions against Carolina QB Cam Newton.

CAROLINA   27   TAMPA BAY  10

PITTSBURGH @ DENVER

This is the debut of Denver QB Peyton Manning.  The problem is he is facing one of the best defenses in the NFL.  I’ll take the Steelers in this early season matchup of playoff potential teams.

PITTSBURGH  24   DENVER   20

CINCINNATI @ BALTIMORE

Great early AFC North matchup.  The Bengals are on the rise, the Ravens are starting to age on defense.  There are still some doubts about the Ravens offense.  The Ravens defense is still very good!

BALTIMORE   20   CINCINNATI  17

SAN DIEGO @ OAKLAND

The Chargers and Raiders both have a lot to prove.  Both missed the playoffs last season in a weak AFC West.  This is another early season statement game and both want to get a division win.  Raiders will struggle!

SAN DIEGO   35    OAKLAND   21