Week 1 Picks

1. Minnesota @ New Orleans - I love that the NFL scheduled this as the first game of the year! However, it would have been great if the Vikings were at the same level they were when these two teams faced off in NFC Championship game last year. This match-up will still please the viewers at home and should finally give us a look into how Favre's ankle has healed. With questions about Favre's ankle and the absence of  Sidney Rice, I'm picking the Saints to take this one at home.

2. Denver @ Jacksonville - I don't like west coast teams playing 1pm east coast games, there's a bad history there...but I like Jacksonville even less. I'm taking the Broncos.

3. Miami @ Buffalo - Besides CJ Spillers, name one player on Buffalo? {Lee Evans} Exactly! Which is why I'm going with the Dolphins. This is a great warm up game for Henne, he might not even need to play the 4th quarter.

4. Detroit @ Chicago - Chicago, enough said, right? While the Lions aren't the worst team in the league anymore, I can't pick them on the road in Chicago.

5. Indianapolis @ Houston - I so badly want to pick Houston but no. It's week 1 and I'm playing it safe with this pick.

6. Atlanta @ Pittsburgh - Gotta go with Atlanta here. I know the Steelers have their defense ready and healthy but the offense behind Dennis Dixon is unproven at best. As long as the Falcons can stop the run they should be fine, there's just so many more offensive weapons with Atlanta.

7. Oakland @ Tennessee - I'll take the Titans with zero hesitation. CJ2K!

8. Cleveland @ Tampa Bay - You gotta love picking a week 1 match-up between two teams that combined for 8 wins last year. I'll go with the Bucs at home. I can't go with the Browns until I see that Jake Delhomme is done throwing interceptions at a jaw-dropping rate.

9. Cincinnati @ New England - I'm not falling into the trap of picking the Bengals. They look improved on paper, but they faded towards the end of last season. I'll take the Patriots at home.

10. Carolina @ NY Giants - Giants please, this is one of the easier picks.

11. San Francisco @ Seattle - Frank Gore should run all over the Seahawks. In nine career games vs. Seattle he averages 100 yards per rushing contest. Combine that with the 49ers defense and a Seattle team that is rebuilding and this one could get ugly. I'll take SF.

12. Green Bay @ Philadelphia - Hate to do this but I'm going with the Packers. Green Bay's offense is going to be very difficult to stop for 4 quarters. I'll get you next week Eagles.

13. Arizona @ St. Louis - Even though the Cardinals have lost some key players on both sides of the ball they are still a better team than the Rams.

14. Dallas @ Washington - I'll take the Cowboys. They look to be a strong team this year, they have a lot to play for with the Super Bowl being a potential home game this year if they make it. The Redskins have a new coach and QB, I can't imagine that they'll have everything clicking by Sunday, at least enough to beat Dallas.

15. Baltimore @ NY Jets - I was back and forth with this one but since Revis is playing I'm going with the Jets. Should be the game of the week, hands down. Two great defenses and a pair of excellent running attacks. Can I still change my mind before Monday night?

16. San Diego @ Kansas City - This feels like an easy pick too, I'm going with the Chargers. While the Chiefs look to be an improved team, they're not ready for a Charger team that should have been in the Super Bowl last year.

*Share your thoughts with me on my picks. I'd love to know if you agree or disagree.