Week 1 NFL picks

A new NFL season is finally upon us. It couldnt come soon enough after last years bitter playoff defeat for the Packers at the hands of the New York Giants. But enough about last season, this year promises to be another special season for the green and gold, and in just five short days, Ill be at Lambeau screaming my lungs out, hoping for another 1-0 start to the season for the pack. This post however, is not about the Packers, that comes later. This post is the first of my weekly picks segment, where I pick all the games in this weeks action. These will be straight up picks, not against the spread.

Cowboys at Giants: This is this years NFL kickoff game, and I honestly cant remember a less hyped kickoff game in recent memory, and I understand, because this game isnt all that appealing. Neither team made it to double digit wins last year, and unlike last years opening kickoff game, neither team is a popular pick to make the super bowl this year. Since the NFL started putting defending champions at home on Thursday night for the first game of the season, the defending champ is undefeated. Expect that continue for this year as well. Pick: Giants

Colts at Bears: The NFL schedule makers did the Packers no favors, by giving them a matchup in week one against a very physical team, before matching up against another physical team just four days later in the Bears. Chicago, meanwhile gets a break, as they essentially get a bye in week 1 before their matchup in Green Bay. Indy will be improved this year, and I think Andrew Luck will have a better rookie season than Cam Newton did last year, but it wont be nearly enough to beat the Bears in week 1, unfortunately. Pick: Bears

Eagles at Browns: After last years failure, many people are picking the Eagles to bounce back this year. On the opposite end, many people are again picking the Browns to be a doormat. I dont think the Eagles will make a super bowl run like some do, but I do expect them to start 1-0. pick: Eagles

Rams at Lions: After a sophmore slump last year, Sam Bradford should rebound for a nice season this year. But the Lions are a tough opening test. I pegged detroit to have a 9-7 record this year, a decline, from last year, bu I still think theyll take this one. Pick: Lions

Patriots at Titans: The Patriots have been blessed with an unbelievably easy schedule this year. The titans are no pushover, they may put up a fight, but they wont be able to keep up for a full sixty minutes. Pick: Patriots

Falcons at Chiefs: One of the toughest games of the week to pick, both of these teams are popular picks to win their divisions after dissapointing campaigns in 2011. In a very close call, Im taking the Chiefs, but I think Atlanta ends up with the better record after sixteen games. Pick: Chiefs

Jaguars at Vikings: Another tough game to pick, because no one knows just how bad these teams are. Some are predicitng aanother 3-13 year for the Vikes, and as much as Id love that, I picked them win six, as I think they have the talent to pull off a better season than last. The Jags offense is god awful, which is why I think the Vikes will win, Jacksonville doesnt have the weapons to expose Minnesota weakness, their secondary.

Redskins at Saints; This is the Penn state of NFL openers. After a tumultous offseason, a team starts the year at home with an emotional and angry team and fanbase fueling them. I picked penn state to win and they let me down, but that wont scare me away from picking New Orleans against an inferior oponent. Pick: Saints

Bills at Jets: The Jets were so bad in preseason, I may have to revise my picks and put them in last place behind the Dolphins in their division. The bills meanwhile, look to recapture that magic they had in the first few games of the year in 2011. I expect the Jets will still be a mess, and Buffalo will take advantage. Pick: Bills

Dolphins at Texans: Had it not been for Matt Schaubs injury last year, Houston may have made the super bowl instead of the Pats. They have just as good a shot to make that run this year, with a defense among the leagues best. Meanwhile, the Dolphins, well they are in for another year of rebuilding. Pick: Texans

Seahawks at Cardinals: The Cardinals were second only to the Jets in embarrassingly messy preseasons. Apparently John Skelton will be starting, which is really all you need to know, but well go on because the Seahawks QB situation is the most intriguing thing outside of Green Bay to me this year. Matt flynn was signed to a big contract, but rookie Russel Wilson made such a big impact, he was given the nod in the opener. This could be a good thing for the Seahawks, or an example of the typical cliche, when you have two quarterbacks, you dont have any. Luckily, they have a pushover in week one. Pick: Seahawks

Panthers at Buccanneers: The Buccaneers were a darkhorse pick to make the postseason last year and failed tremendously. This the Panthers are that team being picked by many to sneak into the tourny. This game is a tough call, as the Buccaneers over the past few years have overachieved greatly with low expectaton, and underachieved greatly with high expectations. History says this could be a good year for them, but Ill still Cam for the win. Pick: Panthers

Steelers at Broncos: Peyton Manning makes his return on an NFL field, against one of the powerhouse defenses in the NFL. This should be a great game, but Ill give the sligh nod the Pittsburgh, as Peyton still wil be a tad rusty. Pick: Steelers

Bengals at Ravens: The Benagls surprised everybody by winning ten games and making the playoffs. The Ravens finally got over the hump by winning their division and coming within three points of the superbowl. What no one really like to talk about is how the Bengals didnt have a single quality win last year, they won ten by beating weak teams, and losing to the good ones. Pick: Ravens

Chargers at Raiders: This game is a big yawn for me. Neither of these two teams inspire much excitement in me, but I do expect the Chargers to bounce back a bit this year. Not enough to make a super bowl run, but enough to start the year with a win. Pick: Chargers

Week 1 survivor pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Packers season preview coming tomorrow, week 2 NCAA picks on Thursday, Badger week 2 preview Friday, Packer week 1 preview Saturday. Also on Thursday night, Ill preview the Red Sox three game set over the weekend against the Blue Jays. I cant ignore them forever, though Id love to.