These are my early week 1 predicitions. I might change my mind a few days before the games happen but here is my picks without point spreas so they are all pick ems.
Colts over the Patriots at N.E.
I feel New England will come in cocky, and will have a tough game with Indy. Manning will play well and defeat New England in an upset. The weather has no factor. Peyton plays well, Colts win and Patriots learn from this mistake and play better.
Rams over Cardinals at St. Louis
This game is very obvious enough said. The blowout of the week will see the Rams crush the Cardinals.
Jets over the Bengals at East Rutherford
This one is tough to call as the Jets constantly get off to rough starts and are bad at home. I feel if they stay healthy in preseason, they should be able to defeat Cincy. I don't see Marvin Lewis helping this team anymore. Its a miracle they were 8-8 last year. I still feel this team is pretty good and will be able to go 7-9 or 8-8 again this year. Both teams get off to bad starts. For now lets go with the J-E-T-S.
Jaguars over the Bill at Buffalo
See Byron Leftwich play decent and the Jaguars pull a minor upset in Buffalo.
Texans over Chargers at Houston
Look for San Diego to keep this game close, but Houston will show you why they love to win on opening day. I think this team will improve significantly this year. Last year they may have been 5-11 but they lost really close games to some great teams like Tenn., Ind. and N.E. If they can win those close ones, they will be above .500 and maybe a playoff team. Lets see what happens in this make or brake season for Capers.
Bucs. over Redskins at Washington
Joe Gibbs is back and will help, but not enough for opening day. Gruden is mad, and he will help Tampa rebuild this year, and in a defensive game I see the Bucs. coming out on top.
Falcons over 49ers at San Francisco
The 49ers lost practically everyone. See Mike Vick throw many touch downs in this blow out. Poor 49ers as 7-9 seems like an excellent season at this moment.
Eagles over Giants at Philadelphia
My fav. team, against my least fav. team. I know the Eagles lose a lot on opening day, and the Giants win a lot. However the Giants tonight looked weak as the starters trailed 14-0 vs the Chiefs. If you can';t score against the Chiefs defense, the Eagles defense is tougher. Look for an ugly game played by both teams like always. Hopefully my Eagles win this one by punishing the starter is it Warner or Manning??
Ravens over Browns at Cleveland
I hate the Ravens, they are such a boring team. This boring team seems to play well together although most of the players are young and unknown. Browns have struggled last few seasons, and the Ravens defense will force a lot of turnovers hurting the Brownies. Browns plez prove me wrong though.
Bears over Lions at Chicago
Home team almost always wins this battle. And with the Bears looking impressive vs the Rams in preseason, I think Detroit will continue its on the road struggle.
Steelers over the Raiders at Pittsburgh
Tommy Madox will not play well, but the running game and special teams will help. Maybe Plaxico will wake up. Steelers should win a tough one at home, between two rebuilding teams.
Seahawks over Saints at New Orleans
Another toughy to pick. I am going with Seattle because they have a good offense and usually get off to good starts, before blowing it late in the year. Should be no exception here.
Dolphins over Titans at Miami
Ehh...... I might regret this one. I think Miami wants to win for Wanstad. They want revenge from an embarassing opening day loss to Houston last year. They win at home a lot, and opening day a lot. Although Feeley is backup, I still feel somehow Miami can play some good balanced football and win a 16-13 OT game or something. But McNair is awesome.
Vikings over Cowboys at Minneapolis
Look for the Vikings high power offense do some damage and the defense make Vinny turn the ball over helping the Vikings defeat the Cowboys. Sorry Parcells you will either stay 10-6 or be worse. No improvement this time.
Broncos over Chiefs at Denver
Two high scoring teams. The Broncos should win this ESPN Sunday Night game. Home team wins this match a lot. Look for some high scoring game. Maybe 34-31 Denver. I like the Broncos, good coaching by Shannahan and he knows how to turn a team around even when people leave. Broncos will play better and win this time around. But look for the Chiefs to win the rematch.
Panthers over Packers at Charolette
Favre is old. I am a little iffy on this one, but I feel "He hate me" will make the Packers make dumb mistakes. See the Panthers win this game, but I don't think they will be Superbowl contendors again. They certainly surprised everyone last year, so prove me wrong.
E.S. and others please post your early predicitons when you have time. Thankyou[B][/B]
OG-- Please Do Not Feed the WrestleVessel. Or Bait Him..
The funny thing is, this post is a carbon copy of those "analysis" columns from publications like "Street & Smith's" or "Athlon's". There's really nothing unique, insightful, accurate or remotely humorous in it. I mean, WHY will "Tommy Maddox not play well"? The Browns are in disarray and the entire town wants to lynch Jeff Garcia already...but because you said "please", they MIGHT win? I'm not saying you can't post this stuff... just try to put a unique spin on it and make it something worth discussing. Otherwise, it's just "Wrestlevessel Reads Yahoo's NFL Capsules"
My opinion is that seasons vary greatly from one year to the next. Such "previews"might be significant if last year was still going (or they may hold up in your new copy of Madden 2004).... but it's a new year and it takes until roughly week 4 before you can get a feel for a team. I remember being insanely into football in 1991, when all the preseason "predictions" had the Giants rolling over everybody to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Or 1992, when several preseason "predictions" picked the Broncos to make or win the Super Bowl. Or MLB in 1992 when EVERYONE predicted Bobby Bonilla to power the Mets to the World Series.
O.G. Please do not start trouble.
E.S. I will take your suggestion into consideration.