Week 1 NFL Predictions

Thursday

Game: Baltimore at Denver

Pick: Denver - With the game being held in Denver, NBC giving the Broncos the salt-in-the-wound treatment, and Peyton Manning and company wanting revenge for their postseason loss to the Ravens last year, I like the Broncos in this one.

Result: Denver 49 Baltimore 27

Record: 1-0

Sunday

Game: New England at Buffalo

Pick: New England - I wouldn't be incredibly shocked to see an upset here, but until I see Tom Brady and company show they're not elite anymore in regular season play, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Result: New England 23 Buffalo 21

Record: 2-0 

Game: Cincinnati at Chicago

Pick: Chicago - Under a new offensive coordinator, things seem to be clicking for Chicago on that side of the ball. Even without the oft-injured Brian Urlacher, the defense should still be stingy. This game could go either way, but at home, I like the Bears to prevail.

Result: Chicago 24 Cincinnati 21

Record: 3-0

Game: Miami at Cleveland 

Pick: Miami - I really wanted to go with the Browns in this one, especially with them being at home and coming off a 3-1 preseason record. However, it was just the preseason and until I see the Browns get over the hump in the regular season, I will remain skeptical. Miami's Ryan Tannehill should make significant strides in his second year as the team's starter. It should be close, but Cleveland's kicking problems may get the best of them, as I like Miami here.

Result: Miami 23 Cleveland 10

Record: 4-0

Game: Atlanta at New Orleans

Pick Atlanta - With the addition of Stephen Jackson in the backfield, Atlanta will have one of the most explosive offenses in the league. In conjunction with New Orleans' typically woeful defense, the Falcons should score enough points to offset the seemingly always explosive Saints offense.

Result: New Orleans 23 Atlanta 17

Record: 4-1

Game: Tampa Bay at NY Jets

Pick: Tampa Bay - Tampa is a mystery. I could just as well see them making the playoffs as a Wild Card as I could see them landing a top 10 draft pick. However, for as mysterious as the Bucs are, that's nothing compared to the question marks surrounding the New York Jets and rookie starting quarterback Geno Smith. I like the Bucs.

Result: NY Jets 18 Tampa Bay 17

Record: 4-2

Game: Tennessee at Pittsburgh

Pick: Pittsburgh - Chris Johnson is always a load to handle, but is just one guy, and the Steelers still have enough talent on both sides of the ball to be competitive week in and week out. At home, I like Pittsburgh by at least two scores.

Result: Tennessee 16 Pittsburgh 9

Record: 4-3

Game: Minnesota at Detroit

Pick: Minnesota - Calvin Johnson is a freak of nature, but so is Adrian Peterson, and I like how the Vikings' secondary matches up with Johnson more than the Lions' front seven against Peterson. 

Result: Detroit 34 Minnesota 24

Record: 4-4

Game: Oakland at Indianapolis

Pick: Indianapolis - Andrew Luck should be vastly improved in his second season as the Colts starter. Home or away in this one, I think the Colts would get the best of the hapless Raiders.

Result: Indianapolis 21 Oakland 17 

Record: 5-4

Game: Seattle at Carolina

Pick: Seattle - Even though Carolina won their final four game of the season a year ago, I still don't hold a great deal of faith in Cam Newton getting his team over the hump this season. Seattle, meanwhile, is young, talented, and should continue to improve. I like the Seahawks by a couple of scores.

Result: Seattle 12 Carolina 7

Record: 6-4

Game: Kansas City at Jacksonville

Pick: Kansas City - Regardless of how long it takes for the Chiefs to adjust to Andy Reid's new system, they should be able to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. If that doesn't happen, it could turn into a very long first season for Reid and company.

Result: Kansas City 28 Jacksonville 2

Record: 7-4 

Game: Arizona at St. Louis

Pick: St. Louis - Will this be the year Sam Bradford and company get over the hump? It should be fun to watch speedster Tayvon Austin with this group, especially at home. Whether or not St. Louis makes a playoff run this year, though, they should be able to win this game at home against a team on the decline - the Arizona Cardinals.

Result: St. Louis 27 Arizona 24

Record: 8-4

Game: Green Bay at San Francisco

Pick: San Francisco - While it'd be stupid of me to count Aaron Rodgers out of any game, I'll typically take a great defense against a great offense any day, especially if that great defense is playing at home.

Result: San Francisco 34 Green Bay 28

Record: 9-4

Game: NY Giants at Dallas

Pick: Dallas - I went back and forth on this one for a while. The Giants can tend to struggle some early and Eli Manning wasn't very efficient this preseason. However, the Cowboys have been known to not play up to their potential either. So, I could go either way here, but with the game in Dallas, I'll give the Cowboys a very slight edge.

Result: Dallas 36 NY Giants 31

Record: 10-4

Monday

Game: Philadelphia at Washington

Pick: Philadelphia - I went for the upset here, largely because of to two things: 1) The uncertainty of Robert Griffin III's health and 2) Chip Kelly's new-look offense having an early-season advantage over opposing defenses void of tape. So long as the Eagles stay away from the turnover-bug they've suffered the past couple of seasons, I like them to narrowly win a high-scoring affair.

Result: Philadelphia 33 Washington 27

Record: 11-4

Game: Houston at San Diego

Pick: Houston - San Diego appears to be on the way down and Houston appears to be a regular playoff team. Even on the road, I like the Texans to win fairly handily in this one.

Result: Houston 31 San Diego 28

Record: 12-4

Week 1 Record: 12-4 (.750)

Overall Record: 12-4 (.750)