Week 1 Preview
By Scott Allen
Washington at New York Giants (Thurs 4:00pm/NBC): The Giants should feel lucky to start the season at home. Maybe they can talk Lawrence Taylor out of retirement since Michael Strahan declined? It’ll be close, however Giants win 24-20.
Detroit at Atlanta (Sun 10:00am/FOX): The battle of attrition? Jon Kitna goes into Atlanta and shows the rookie Matt Ryan a thing or two. Detroit 31-13.
Cincinnati at Baltimore (Sun 10:00am/CBS): Carson Palmer should have his way, even with a banged up receiver core. Baltimore’s Kyle Boller is out for the season, and he was the best option available. Ouch. Cincinnati 30-14.
Seattle at Buffalo (Sun 10:00am/CBS): Well, I’m sure Seattle is glad this game is in September and not Buffalo, although I still like their chances in December in Buffalo. Seattle in a romp 35-17.
New York Jets at Miami (Sun 10:00am/CBS): If Brett Favre wasn’t making his first regular season start for the Jets, this might be the least watched game of the day. Favre probably makes it the most watched, or at least one of the most compelling stories of week one. Jets 27-13
Kansas City at New England (Sun 10:00am/CBS): New England could put their entire starting lineup on the injury list for the week and they’d still win in a cakewalk. Patriots 45-9
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (Sun 10:00am/FOX): First of all, let me say how thankful I am that New Orleans was pretty much spared most of the wrath of Hurricane Gustav. The people of New Orleans are strong and the leadership of the city should be commended for getting this city ready for what should be a great game. New Orleans in a close one 20-19.
St. Louis at Philadelphia (Sun 10:00am/FOX): Steven Jackson will get a lot of work in the first half. Marc Bulger may need to take over in the second half to attempt a comeback. McNabb and his delegation cruise to a 34-20.
Houston at Pittsburgh (Sun 10:00am/CBS): Houston is starting to get better. They have some great offensive weapons. Pittsburgh has more, and home field. Pittsburgh 23-16
Jacksonville at Tennessee (Sun 10:00am/CBS): Jacksonville goes in with heavy hearts since one of their own is fighting for his life in a Jacksonville hospital. Tennessee still lacks offense. Tennessee 16-13
Dallas at Cleveland (Sun 1:15pm/CBS): The possible game of the day. Both teams have high powered offenses. Which one will score more points. I want to take Cleveland cause they will give Dallas a game, however Cleveland will most likely make one more mistake than the Cowboys. Dallas 31-30
Carolina at San Diego (Sun 1:15pm/FOX): San Diego starts its run towards Tampa. Tomlinson has a great day. San Diego 28-10
ARIZONA at SAN FRANCISCO (Sun 1:15pm/FOX): The Cardinals come in with Kurt Warner as the starter. San Francisco counters with J.T. O’Sullivan. No doubt Arizona’s offense overall is better. Question is, will Arizona repeat the mistakes that have cost them the past two games against the 49ers? I think they learn from their mistakes. Arizona 24-23
Chicago at Indianapolis (Sun 5:15pm/NBC): I don’t care if Peyton Manning plays in wheelchair, Kyle Orton and the Bears still can’t win. It’s a new stadium, but it will be the same old result. Indianapolis 27-6
Minnesota at Green Bay (Mon 4:00pm/ESPN): Aaron Rodgers makes his first official start in place of Brett Favre. Adrian Peterson starts his second season in Minnesota. Game is in Green Bay. Rodgers won’t exactly make Titletown forget Favre, but he does enough to beat Minnesota. Green Bay 21-19
Denver at Oakland (Mon 7:15pm/ESPN): Oakland will be good – someday. Not this someday. Denver is too strong and too talented. Anything usually goes in this rivalry. The only thing that is going here is the Denver scoring. Denver 35-14
Enjoy! Go Cards!
Scott Allen
AZScott