Week 1 NFL Picks

Washington @ New York Giants
The Pick: Giants
Why: When it comes down to it, I think Eli throws a touchdown in the fourth quarter and Campbell throws a costly interception.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore
The Pick: Cincinnati
Why: I think the Bengals offense comes out on fire, and Baltimore just can’t catch up quick enough.

New York Jets @ Miami
The Pick: Miami
Why: Upset special! I think Miami’s talent is underrated and their motivation this week will be off the charts. Pennington would love to beat his old team, and I think Ginn can make two big game-changing plays. If this was midway through the season I would say Favre can pick apart Miami’s secondary, but this is an offense Favre has only been with for a month.

Kansas City @ New England
The Pick: New England
Why: New England is probably the best team in the NFL, and the Cheifs are probably the worst. Tom Brady vs. Brodie Croyle?

Houston @ Pittsburgh
The Pick: Pittsburgh
Why: This is going to be a great game, but unless Mario Williams can be in Roethlisberger’s face the entire game, the balanced Pittsburgh attack will be better than a Houston offense that probably won’t be able to run the ball.

Jacksonville @ Tennessee
The Pick: Tennessee
Why: Tennessee comes into the game hungry, and Albert Haynesworth swallows up the Jaguars’ running backs. In a game that should feature a whole lot of rushing, I think Tennessee grinds it out in the end.

Detroit @ Atlanta
The Pick: Detroit
Why: Detroit is going to be a good football team this year. Calvin Johnson, and Roy Williams will be men playing against boys, and Matt Ryan will have a tough time making his regular season debut against a ferocious Lions defense.

Seattle @ Buffalo
The Pick: Seattle
Why: Seattle is a really good football team. I expect their lightning-fast defense to cause havoc for Buffalo all day long. While Buffalo should have a good season, Seattle’s opening day defense may cause the false impression that the Bills’ offense has regressed.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
The Pick: New Orleans
Why: I think the Saints have learned from last year, and are ready to be an elite team again. If Reggie Bush ever had an opportunity to make a “I swear I’m not a bust” statement, this game would be that chance

St. Louis @ Philadelphia
The Pick: Philadelphia
Why: Offensive line, defensive line, quarterback, special teams, secondary. All of these are areas where the Eagles are superior to the Rams. That should be enough to win the game handily.

Dallas @ Cleveland
The Pick: Dallas
Why: Dallas is ready to rage a tornado of touchdowns and tackling through the NFL. There are only a few teams that stand a chance of overcoming the storm. While they will be able to score some touchdowns on Sunday, the Browns defense cannot stop Romo and friends.

Carolina @ San Diego
The Pick: Carolina
Why: Carolina is going to come out and run the ball- run the ball often and hard. In a game that is definitely an upset, I think Williams and Stewart grind out a combined 160+ yards to wear out a Charger team that will be super-pissed following this game.

Arizona @ San Francisco
The Pick: Arizona
Why: While both teams are on the rise, I think Arizona’s experience on both sides of the ball gives them the edge. The 49ers starters had trouble containing Kyle Orton and Rasheid Davis, and now they face Kurt Warner and Fitzgerald/Boldin.

Chicago @ Indianapolis
The Pick: Indianapolis
Why: The Colts are better at literally every position on the football field, except the linebackers. If Manning is somewhat healthy there is no way the Bears win.

Minnesota @ Green Bay
The Pick: Green Bay
Why: The Packers had an outstanding defense last year, and I expect that to stay this same in 2008. The offense without Favre is the question mark, but Aaron Rodgers has done nothing but play well so far this year. Peterson will get some yards and a touchdown, but in the end this game may be an unexpected blowout.

Denver @ Oakland
The Pick: Oakland
Why: Brandon Marshall is an epic one-week-loss for the Broncos’ offense. Oakland has a defense ready to turn heads, and Darren McFadden just needs one nice hole to take it to the house.