 NFL Week One Predictions This season, the trio of DJ Boyer, Peter Stein and J J Pesavento will weigh in weekly with their weekly predictions on which teams will come out on top.
Thursday, Sep. 4
Washington at N.Y. Giants -3.5
Peter Stein
Since the defending Superbowl champions started hosting Kickoff Thursday, they are 4-0. The Giants are playing their first game that matters since their Superbowl shocker, they’re home, and they’re the better team, so make it 5-0.
Spread: Giants
Straight: Giants
J J Pesavento
The Giants took some big hits on defense but they have a solid running game, good receivers and still enough defense to keep the Skins in check.
Spread: Giants
Straight: Giants DJ Boyer Ahhhhhhh football is in the air and what a better way to start then in New York City...errr ok New Jersey with the Super Bowl Champions. The Giants have a lot of question son defense but luckily they play a team with even more questions on offense. I expect a low scoring game with the Giants taking this by five or six....we could see a return touchdown for the Giants...you heard it here first. Straight-Giants
Spread-Giants
Sunday, Sep. 7
Seattle Even at Buffalo
Peter Stein
Apparently, even the oddsmakers had trouble picking this one. Seattle is a perennial contender in the NFC; Buffalo has a scrappy team that’s playing at home. The home turf decides it.
Spread: Bills
Straight: Bills
J J Pesavento
This game is about even, but the Bills aren't as good at the quarterback position and even with Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks defense isn't an easy one to move the ball on.
Spread:Seahawks
Straight: Seahawks
DJ Boyer
Seattle should win the NFC West this year because no one wants to want to stay above .500 other than the Seahawks. I have a feeling about this game. The Buffalo defense wants to make a statement and Seattle has been spotty in special teams play, something that will cost them in this game.
Straight: Bills
Spread: Bills Detroit -3 at Atlanta
Peter Stein
Jon Kitna is now the most experienced quarterback in the NFC North; Matt Ryan is the least experienced quarterback in the NFC South or for that matter, the entire NFC. Plus, Calvin Johnson plays his first game in Atlanta since the Ramblin’ Wreck days.
Spread: Lions
Straight: Lions
J J Pesavento
This one is a real coin toss. The Lions have the edge in the passing game. The Birds have the edge in the running game. I think the Birds squeak one out.
Spread: Falcons
Straight: Falcons DJ Boyer Have a feeling we could see a shootout here. I think the Lions pass defense will be better but the run defense is still not where it needs to be. Michael Turner is a great pickup for the Falcons but Jerious Norwood is just as valuable to this team. Time too see Calvin Johnson emerge as one of the NFL’s best. The Lions win a close one.
Straight: Lions
Spread: Falcons
Cincinnati -1 at Baltimore
Peter Stein
The experienced Carson Palmer against the rookie Joe Flacco. Looks like the Ravens get clawed.
Spread: Bengals
Straight: Bengals
J J Pesavento
The Bengals have a little too much firepower on offense for the Ravens.I like the striped cats.
Spread: Bengals
Straight: Bengals DJ Boyer That’s now Chad Ocho Cinco…not Johnson…..for those who are not bi-lingual out there that stands for 85. As in the amount of receiving yards he will have by halftime.
Straight: Bengals
Spread: Bengals
St. Louis at Philadelphia -7
Peter Stein
The Eagles are decent; maybe not a Superbowl contender like some people think, but decent. And they’re home in front of the maniacal Philly fans. Still, the Rams have Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and the newly re-minted Stephen Jackson, so don’t expect a rout.
Spread: Rams
Straight: Eagles
J J Pesavento
Bryan Westbrook and Donovan McNabb will keep the Rams offense on the sidelines where they can't hurt them. Rams don't have the defense to stop Westy all day.
Spread: Eagles
Straight: Eagles
DJ Boyer Chris Long plays his first game as a Ram. He should get some love since his dad like Brian Westbrook played at Villanova. I am mean this is the City of Brotherly Love….duck here comes a battery. Anyway, Philly wins by two touchdowns.
Straight: Eagles
Spread: Eagles Houston at Pittsburgh -6.5
Peter Stein
The Texans are much improved, and Mario Williams should bring some heat at Ben Roethlisberger, especially when Alan Faneca will be doing his blocking for Brett Favre instead of Roethlisberger this week. The Steelers, however, should be able to win by a touchdown or two.
Spread: Steelers
Straight: Steelers
J J Pesavento
I like the Steelers even up against a young and improving Houston team. Mainly because they get the edge on defense.
Spread: Steelers
Straight: Steelers DJ Boyer I think the Texans are a playoff team this year and ther AFC South is the toughest division in the conference. I think the Steelers win this game but it will be close and a Texans win would not be that shocking.
Straight: Steelers
Spread: Texans
Jacksonville -3 at Tennessee
Peter Stein
The Jaguars think they’re legitimate Superbowl contenders. The Titans were happy to make the playoffs last year. This is a good AFC South match-up, with the edge going to the Titans because they’re playing on their Grand Ole home field in Nashville.
Spread: Titans
Straight: Titans
J J Pesavento
The Titans are improving and look for this to be a battle of the running games and defenses. The Jags hold the edge in both.
Spread: Jags
Straight: Jags DJ Boyer Vince Young finds a way and pulls off an upset at home. LenDale White is primed for a big year fantasy wise and will score a lot of touchdowns.
Straight: Titans
Spread: Titans
Tampa Bay at New Orleans -3
Peter Stein
If this game had been moved to Tampa, it would be hard to pick. As it is, Jeff Garcia and the Bucs have a shot at winning in the Superdome. But New Orleans should be able to prevail on the home turf. Step aside, Gustav. Here come Brees, Bush, McAlister and Shockey.
Spread: Saints
Straight: Saints
J J Pesavento
I think the Saints have been reminded time and again how they started the 2007 season and won't allow the same thing to happen in 2008.
Spread: Saints
Straight: Saints DJ Boyer Good thing this is in a dome, enough rain in that area for an ark right now. New Orleans is my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl so I better take them here.
Straight: Saints
Spread: Saints
Kansas City at New England -16.5
Peter Stein
True, New England is way better than KC. But the Chiefs have young turks Derrick Johnson and Glenn Dorsey on defense, while the Pats have a hobbled Tom Brady. And that’s one big, fat spread. A 27-13 or 28-14 New England win is very feasible.
Spread: Chiefs
Straight: Patriots
J J Pesavento
Granted, the Pats are the better team and the Chiefs have a lot of questions at quarterback, but the spread here is ridiculous.
Spread: Chiefs
Straight: Patriots DJ Boyer
16.5 points as a spread for week 1! If I were the Chiefs I would be embarrassed. I would do something about it. Like lose by 28 points because that is what is going to happen as the Patriots make a statement, even with their old and crippled defense.
Straight: Patriots
Spread: Patriots
N.Y. Jets -3 at Miami
Peter Stein
This year, we’ve had Woods vs. Mediate, Federer vs. Nadal and Michael Phelps vs. the world. Now it’s Favre vs. Pennington. Pennington has looked sharp in pre-season, and he’s been in someone’s camp since Day One in July. Favre only reached Jets’ camp in August. Also factor in motivation; which quarterback do you think wants to put a whoopin’ on the other team more? Then top it all off with the South Florida heat.
Spread: Dolphins
Straight: Dolphins
J J Pesavento
Brett Favre vs. Chad Pennington? Maybe not, but the fish lost two of their best defensive players during the offseason in Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. That isn't what you want when facing Brett Favre.
Spread: Jets
Straight: Jets DJ Boyer The Dolphins are running a different scheme with nearly all new personnel. Coming off a season where they were 1-15 how can they compete in week 1. They will do more than compete, they will match their win total from 2007 when this game is over and Brett Favre’s debut goes up in flames.
Straight: Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins
Arizona -3 at San Francisco
Peter Stein
The Cardinals lost twice to the Niners last season. This year, it should be the other way around. Not even the luck ‘o the Irish, as in O’Sullivan, will help San Fran against Kurt Warner and the Cards.
Spread: Cardinals
Straight: Cardinals
J J Pesavento
Will someone please give Kurt Warner his due? Teams keep trying to put him on the bench but he keeps showing them he still have the right stuff. On offense the Niners have Frank Gore and not anything close to what the Cards have at receiver.
Spread: Cardinals
Straight: Cardinals DJ Boyer Another home dog gets the win. San Francisco just doesn’t lose to Arizona no matter how bad they are, or who is quarterbacking them.
Straight: 49ers
Spread: 49ers
Carolina at San Diego -9.5
Peter Stein
The Chargers opened last season against the tough defense of the Chicago Bears and struggled to score 14 points. The Bears only managed three points because they were quarterbacked by Rex Grossman. Carolina has Jake Delhomme and a solid defense to keep LaDainian Tomlinson from running all over the place.
Spread: Panthers
Straight: Chargers
J J Pesavento
L.T. and the guys may start slow, but they're the better team on both sides of the ball. And the Panthers don't have Steve Smith, their best weapon. Spread: Chargers
Straight: Chargers DJ Boyer The Chargers are my pick to go all the way, with or without Shawne Merriman. I have the feeling they are ahead comfortably and Carolina gets some points in garbage time to cover.
Straight: Chargers
Spread: Panthers
Dallas -5 at Cleveland
Peter Stein
The Dallas Head Cases mosey up to Cleveland. Some think this will be the start of the Cowboys’ Superbowl drive. In a word, nope.
Spread: Browns
Straight: Browns
J J Pesavento
Just my opinion but this should be one of the better games this weekend. But the Boys have more on defense and in the end that will help them win.
Spread: Cowboys
Straight: Cowboys DJ Boyer This could be one of the better games we see this weekend. Cleveland has been touting their new and improved defense. They test it out against the highest scoring NFC team from a season ago. Advantage Dallas.
Straight: Cowboys
Spread: Cowboys
Chicago at Indianapolis -9.5
Peter Stein
Peyton Manning is healthy. Kinda. OK, let’s just say he’ll be out there. But that should be good enough to outduel Kyle Orton.
Spread: Colts
Straight: Colts
J J Pesavento
This one isn't too hard. A Peyton Manning at 80 percent is better than both Chicago quarterbacks. Then add the grand opening of Lucas Field in primetime. Almost unfair the Bears have to walk into that. Straight: Colts Spread: Colts DJ Boyer Peyton could beat this Bears squad with his bursa sac hanging outside his leg and ruptured.
Straight: Colts
Spread: Colts
Monday, Sep. 8
Minnesota at Green Bay -2.5
Peter Stein
Aaron Rodgers will begin the first game of the Brett Who era on national television. But Rodgers was in a similar situation last year, when he replaced Favre in a huge regular-season game against the Cowboys as a national audience watched. And Rodgers completed 69 percent of his passes in that appearance.
Now the job is his. The division-rival Minnesota Vikings are coming to Lambeau, and everyone is tuning in again. Watch Rodgers thrive under the pressure, not wilt under it.
Spread: Packers
Straight: Packers
J J Pesavento
If Brett Favre was still with the Packers, this would be a whale of a game. But now it's Aaron Rodgers leading the offense against a very good Vikes defense. Hard to pick against the Pack in Lambeau but I will.
Spread: Vikings
Straight: Vikings DJ Boyer Minnesota hates playing in cold weather Green Bay….ahhh the schedule maker gives them the opener this season there in September. Who in the Minnesota front office paid for this to happen? Well it’s gonna work.
Straight: Vikings
Spread: Vikings
Denver -3 at Oakland
Peter Stein
So far, Jay Cutler isn’t making anyone forget about John Elway, but he's not bad.
The Raiders are home, and feature two of the league’s most heralded young players – JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. Expect Oakland to do more than ‘just cover, baby.’
Spread: Raiders
Straight: Raiders
J J Pesavento
The Raiders will have their home field advantage, but that's about all. Too many questions on both sides of the ball for me to pick Oakland.
Spread: Broncos
Straight: Broncos DJ Boyer It wouldn’t be Monday Night Football without the Raiders would it. Kudos for a pair of division games to start the season with teams that have a general dislike for one another. The other thing these games have in common on Monday…the road team is winning them both.
Straight: Broncos
Spread: Broncos
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