Observations and Predictions... Week 1

Here it is. After months of waiting, the NFL season kicks off tonight. Every team starts off on equal footing and is a contender... at least for one week (OK, maybe not the Bucs, but you get what I'm saying). Without further ado, here are the picks.

Thursday Night
The NFC Championship Game rematch will not disappoint. I think it will be a back and forth game with the Saints puling out a win in the 4th Quarter. Peterson will play inspired football, but the Vikings secondary will have a tough time dealing with Brees and his receiving corps.

Sunday
Oakland at Tennessee will be a tighter game than people expect. The Titans will win on a late TD run by Chris Johnson. The Giants will exact some measure of revenge (in a close defensive battle) on the Panthers for the severe ass-kicking they handed them at the end of last year. The Colts beat the very game Texans. This game will be a shoot-out, but the seasoned Colts put the upstart Texans in their place. Denver behind strong play from Kyle Orton gets the jump on the Jags. My upset of the week, has the Falcons beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh. A healthy Michael Turner, plus the absence of Big Ben will hurt the Steelers. The Dolphins head up to Buffalo and escape with a win, luckily for them it'll be warm and sunny, so weather won't really play a factor.Watch out for that Dolphins offense, its very capable of being a big play offense this season. Chad Henne will have a new best friend (target) in Brandon Marshall. The Bears dominate the not ready yet Lions. Although Jahvid Best will impress, the young Lions still have some work to do. The game of the week pits two playoff teams from a year ago against each other. The Pats should win one at home against the Bengals. Brady and Moss (and Welker and Edelman and Hernandez) will prove to be too much for the Cincy secondary. In the Not Game of the Week (or the Toilet Bowl) the Browns head down to Tampa Bay and come away with a win. The Niners pick up a big division win on the road in whipping the Seahawks. The Packers start the year the right way with a win on the road in Philly. Rodgers is a stud. The Cards beat the young Rams. It will be close, and Bradford will provide thrills, but the Cards veterans shine through.

Sunday Night
Dallas goes on the road to Washington and comes away with a win. Shanahan's team will play tough, but the Boys are stacked.

Monday Night
The Jets get the season started right at home in beating the Ravens. Expect ugly defensive football. In the second game of the night, the Chargers (my lock of the week) take their act on the road and beat the snot out of the Chiefs.

Fantasy Football Players of the Week
QB: Derek Anderson-With his coaches rep on the line, he steps up and lets people know the post-Warner offense will be okay.
WR: Johnny Knox-Big day for the Bears big threat. The Lions secondary resembles swiss cheese.
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew-The lone bright spot in the Jags dreadful performance against the Broncos.
TE: JerMichael Finley: The Eagles struggled against tightends last year. A REturning Stewart Bradley should help, but he'll take a few weeks to round back into form.
DEF: Miami-Will be aggressive against the punchless (save Spiller) Bills.
ST: Titans-Their return game struggled last year. I imagine Fisher wants to set a tone that it won't struggle again this year.

Till next week...