NFL Schedule Team Descriptions USA Today Odds Troy’s Predictions
BEST BET = Predictions most likely to be correct! Believe it! Bet it!
Carolina Panthers
@
New York
Giants
The Panthers rid themselves of a severely underachieving quarterback (Jake Delhomme) and start the re-building process with a new unproven QB (Matt Moore), two strong veteran running backs (Deangelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart), but the Giants look to prove last year’s disappointing season was a fluke considering how many injuries plagued them. Eli Manning has become a consistent top 10 QB, Antrelle Rolle & Kenny Phillips look to improve the secondary as the Giants pass rush tries to regain elite status.
N.Y. Giants @ home are 6 Point favorites over Carolina Panthers
The beginning of the season always brings the toughest games to pick, seeing as how we have no real previous games to judge how each team plays. However, even if the Giants are only a mediocre team this year, the Panthers are the inferior team with a young QB facing pressure on the road. The N.Y. Giants will beat the Panthers by more than 6 ½ points.
Miami
Dolphins
@
Buffalo
Bills
The NFL is a league full of so much parody and turnover that we never know which teams will come from nowhere to make a post-season run on any given season. Unfortunately there are usually a few teams that everyone can agree are inferior. The Buffalo Bills fall into that category, as they decided to draft the most talented skills position player in the draft in C.J. Spiller, even though running back was the one position they were already set at. The Dolphins have a lot of young talent and potential, this should be a way to evaluate just how talented the Dolphins might be, for when they start playing quality teams.
The Dolphins are 3 Point favorites on the road against the Buffalo Bills
I don’t believe in so much of the mass media’s hype of many NFL teams. The Packers are the one team that is too good to ignore, even if I don’t want to jump on their bandwagon. However, I think I’m in the minority when it comes to considering the Miami Dolphins are not only a playoff contender, but I think they have a legitimate shot to win the division title over the Pats and Jets. BEST BET = The Dolphins will win by more than 3 points against the Bills.
Atlanta
Falcons
@
Pittsburgh
Steelers
Wow. I didn't even realize that yet another matchup of two high caliber playoff wannabes was taking place this weekend. The Falcons are favored even over the Saints in a lot of analyst's minds while the Steelers are still very highly touted and respected even without their superstar Quarterback for the first four games. Pittsburgh is known for their outstanding defense whilst Atlanta has an extremely talented offense. The Steelers line backers are as incredible as usual, lead by James Farrior, but their secondary isn't as exceptional. Troy Polamalu will be back and so will his big play-making ability. The Falcons defense has been underrated for awhile, some experts see them as a top 10 defense this season. Matt Ryan struggled in his second year, Michael Turner has gotten a lot of carries, Tony Gonzalez is getting older, and Roddy White still has to prove his consistency.... a deadly entertaining game here....
The visiting Atlanta Falcons are 1 ½ point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers
Who the hell is Dennis Dixon? That is the question I would be asking if I was a casual NFL fan trying to figure out who had the edge in this one. The fact that the Steelers were all about starting Byron Leftwich, who had just joined the team during training camp, is not a good sign for Steelers fans. Dennis Dixon has a strong arm and tremendously fast feet, escaping the pocket and making something out of nothing is his specialty. However, the Steelers will be asking Dixon to focus on ball security and ask him just to manage the game. Since that doesn't appear to be his strength and he seemed prone to big turnovers during his opportunities in the pre-season, I'm leaning towards predicting a struggling Pittsburgh Steeler offense. I still think the New Orleans Saints are a better team than the Atlanta Falcons, and I think last year showed just how mediocre the Falcons can be at times. With that said, The Atlanta Falcons will win by more than 1 ½ points over the Steelers.
Detroit
Lions
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Chicago
Bears
hmmm....if I was a Chicago Bear fan who lived in Chicago and no one was at the stadium to see the Lions pull off the upset, would it have really occurred? The Bears got their big-armed big time risk taking gun-slinging cowboy Quarterback they've been waiting for. They've been waiting for a great QB since the days of....McM.....Kra.....Bil...... since forever? Jay Cutler was being called the next Brett Farve before Farve was even half-way done with his career, (now of course I wonder how many quarterbacks are grandpas like he is) but is Cutler really any good at all? It's funny how they finally get a qb they believe in, a qb with some talent, and they have YET to get him a receiver than can catch the damn ball. I don't know if Devin Hester is still the best receiver on the team, but the fact that Devin even plays WR shows how little talent they have at the position. The Bears defense has made improvements, Urlacher is back, but Detroit finally has an offense to reckon with. Matthew Stafford is already considered a decent quarterback with almost as much potential as Aaron Rodgers. He has some good wr'sJahvid Best has provided a spark in the running game. I still think the Bears defensive line will dominate the line of scrimmage. Meanwhile Mike Martz and Jay Cutler will air it out to their non existant receivers, wishing they were still trying to decide between Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson (guess it turns out that o-line was the problem) I expect both of these teams to be less than mediocre, so let this intense rivalry resume!
The Homeward bound Chicago Bears are 6 ½ point favorites over the Detroit Lions
The game is in Chicago but The Lions offense has improved immensely over the last few years, and their defense may have progressed a bit too. Yet the less than stellar Bears are not only the favorites in this game, they are nearly favored by a td. The Lions are going to be one of those tough to beat 6-10 teams this season, hanging in a lot of games they shouldn't have the talent to compete in. The Bears haven't been good since their Super Bowl run with Rex Grossman, who would've thought that would be their golden era? The defense might still be great, but they're going to have to prove me wrong. The Bears will win by less than 6 ½ points over the Detroit Lions in Chicago. (so bet on the Lions)
Cincinnati
Bengals
@
New England
Patriots
The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten much attention this pre-season, but not in the same way that the other hyped teams have. The Bengals still had some buzz over their surprisingly terrific season last year, and Ochocinco's big continuously running big mouth (along with his guest appearance on the Squidbillies, and constant tweeting), when they acquired long time locker room destroyer, Terrell Owens. With Ochocinco and T.O. having their own shows on VH1, the Bengals and their gang of misfits have been extremely intriguing. Not enough people know that the Bengals finally played defense last year, not just good, but great Defense. They caused turnovers and they shut teams running games down. Cedric Benson, who had previously struggled for the Bears, became a near elite running back. Now that they can run it down your throat, with the added weapons of Jermaine Grisham and T.O., the Bengals are being overlooked. Experts are still picking the Steelers and even more people have decided the Ravens are now a team to beat, even without Ed Reed or a secondary. The Patriots have a million question marks on defense, Ty Warren seemed to be the best pass rusher they had left before he got injured for the season. Their secondary is filled with a bunch of quick young guys who seem to have talent but lack too much experience. Bill Belichik seems to get his defense to at least step up to mediocrity and we all know that with Tom Brady trusting his knee again, the Patriots offense could be epic, if not as legendary as it was a few years ago. Randy Moss will be playing hard for his last big contract, Edelman will work his way into being a consistent target and the Pats finally have tight ends that can block AND make big plays down the field (see Robin Gronkowski) Flip a coin on this one.
The New England Patriots are favored to beat the Bengals by 4½ points in Cincy.
Gee wilikers Batman, we've got a tough one. I like the Bengals a little more than everyone else seems to. Likewise, I respect the Patriots slightly more than everyone else seems to. If I think the Pats are gonna lose their first game, then there's no way I should pick the Jets to beat the Ravens, that should paint me into a nice corner. Every sports talk and radio show host think the Ravens and Steelers pose a bigger threat as Super Bowl contenders than do the Bengals, while I have them as a possible Super Bowl favorite. I love the Patriots at home, with something to prove, coming off of a year in which they were decimated in the first round of the playoffs. No matter how good the Bengals defense looked last year, their secondary just doesnt seem to have enough talent to stop all of Tom Brady's weapons. The Bengals might look to run the ball more than anyone expects, using T.O. as more of a decoy in the first game, and the Pats defense looks incredibly vulnerable. I like the Patriots but not by 4 ½ points, so I might as well go the other way with it: The Cincinnati Bengals will defeat the Pats in New England.
Cleveland
Browns
@
Tampa Bay
Buccaneers
Woa, who cares? These teams are bad, the bucs are one of the worst teams in the NFL, and the browns are not that far ahead of them. Whoever decided to put together such great matches in the first games of the season didn't realize that would mean the two worst teams in each conference would face off. The Lions are a little better, the Rams are better, but are the Browns any good at all? These Browns faught hard to keep Eric Mangini's job for him at the end of last season, but the lack of talent they posess is overwhelming (or underwhelming if you prefer) Josh Freeman looks like he might be an interesting young qb to keep an eye on but even his health is questionable for the Bucs. If I wasn't researching these games at the moment and you asked me to name more than 3 players on each team, I'm not sure I could do it. Other than quarterbacks, I dont think I can name anyone (besides James Harrison, rb of the Browns from fantasy football) Don't even watch this one.
Tampa Bay @ home is favored to beat the Cleveland Browns by 3 points.
uhh...I still don't care. The Browns got Colt Mccoy who they won't be using, so Jake Delhomme looks to go for the record for most ints in a season... The Bucs defense has historically been good, and the state of Florida loves its football, so that is the only reason I can come up with to say... The Tampa Buccaneers will win by more than 3 points vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Denver
Broncos
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Jacksonville
Jaguars
In a game between two teams who seem to hover around .500 each and every year for the past few seasons, and also seem to compete to the fullest with each and every opponent. The Broncos fought the Chargers to the final game of the season two years ago, and they got off to an amazing start last year before eventually falling apart. Kyle Orton has been a steady and stable QB by all accounts, and the broncos still boast good offensive and defensive lines along with a veteran secondary. Jacksonville manages to beat the colts once in awhile and comes close to a playoff spot every year despite seemingly having inferior personnel. Mo Jo Drew is still a big time fantasy back who's very fun to watch and their offensive line is still nasty as hell. The Broncos are in such a poor division that if they beat their division rivals they would have a chance to overtake the Chargers. Tim Tebow has been the story, other than the fact that HE is a story, because they have yet to win in these last few season even when the Chargers have struggled mightily. The Jaguars don't have a chance, they don't have any fans, and they're in the toughest division in football (other than the AFC north I suppose), both teams will fight to be average.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are favored to win by 3 points over the Denver Broncos.
Because I personally believe that the AFC west is the second worst division in the NFL (second to the NFC west) and that the AFC south is even tougher than the north...I almost feel like those facts have backed me into a position to pick the Jags out of righteousness. The fans will pack the stadium to get a glimpse of Tim Tebow not even breaking a sweat sitting on the pine. I'm sure there will be times he will be acting like a cheerleader and signing autographs... I've recently re-thought my position on the Jags in general. Just because they're in a great division doesnt mean they're going to be great. I guess they could win but not by MORE than 3 points. The Jacksonville Jags will bury the bucking Broncos by LESS than 3 points. (or the broncos could win?)
Indianapolis
Colts
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Houston
Texans
The Colts were one of, if not, the best team(s) last season....and the season before that...and for a few seasons prior....the year before that they were pretty good....and even six years ago I think they may have won about 12 or 13 games. Oh wait that's right, they are great every season, just like the Patriots are when Tom Brady is healthy (Should I go back and change that pick now?) because teams that have great quarterbacks and great coaches and solid defenses win the Super Bowl every season. It's not Peyton's fault that the Saints were the team of destiny last year, and the Saint's defense was just oppurtune enough to pull out an impressive victory in the Super Bowl. For how good Peyton Manning has been throughout his career (for how beyond greatly good he's been) during the regular season...he seems to be the opposite of his brother, Great every time, and all the time except in the clutchest of moments when the season is on the line. Eli on the other hand, is pretty much just above average and fairly consistent until crunch time, until the 2 minute drill, until the Super Bowl is up for grabs, and that's when he does his best. Anyway the Texans are my team to surprise everyone and win the division. With those great young linebackers, Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson...and a smart coach...this could be their year. The Colts can't run, and Bob Sanders is overrated. So here goes nothing, if the Texans are finally going to at least make it to the post-season this year, they have to prove they can beat the best, and not just come painfully close.
The Indianapolis Colts are 2 point favorites over the Houston Texans in Houston, Texas.
I'm not making it up, it seems as though many people think the Texans are going to be very good this season, or at least they will be betting on the Texans to win this game, otherwise the Colts would normally be favored by at least 4-5 points despite being on the road. The Colts are always so much more efficient early on in the season because the core group of players has been together for so long, but they are missing their pro bowl starting center, Jeff Saturday. Look for the Houston Texans to make a statement in this one, they will finally prove that they have what it takes to win the closest games against the strongest competition. The Houston Texans @ home will defeat the Indianapolis Colts.
Oakland
Raiders
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Tennessee
Titans
Many experts have decided to go out on the same limb and pick the Raiders to improve dramatically this season. Some have them at 6-10, others at 8-8, and of course the craziest, yet most listened to of sports analysts have them making it to the post-season (does that mean the Chargers aren't going to make it?)....for that matter....(did Chris Berman actually pick the Chargers to make the Super Bowl....this year?) Anyway, when everyone goes out on the same tree limb...that gosh darn tree limb breaks and all those predictions go down like a falling branch. Jason Campbell is like the better version of Jamarcus Russell, Jamarus Russell was the worst version of an NFL Quarterback anyone has ever seen. He had all of the physical tools and none of mental capacity. Campbell is kind of the opposite, he's a smart qb, accurate on short throws, but with only mediocre talent. The Titans are going to continue to surprise as they have at the end of the last few seasons. All Vince Young does is win, and Chris Johnson will get at least another 1800 yards barring injury. The Titans don't have anymore big names on their defense but Jeff Fisher is such a good strategical coach.
The Tennessee Titans are favored to beat the Oakland Raiders by 6 points in TeNeSsEe.
Well, I still feel like praising the AFC south, I even said the jags would win by less than 3 points, those close games are even harder to pull out. It's not that I think the Raiders are going to be horrible, they have a great corner back, linebacker, D-lineman, they look stronger, especially on defense. Now that they have a competent Quarterback, they hopefully have enough of an o-line for Darren Mcfadden to finally accumulate some yards. The Titans are young, fast, brash with a bit of attitude, I dont know how good they are yet, but this game should give everyone an initial idea. The Titans will destroy the Oakland Raiders by way more than 6 points.
Green Bay
Packers
@
Philadelphia
Eagles
The Packers are the sexy pick to be Super Bowl bound. The cheeseheads have never been more excited, except for maybe right before Brett Farve blew another big playoff game in so many games over the last decade. I'm not even sure that during the Farve era, unless we're talking after Farve's only Super Bowl winning team, that Packers fans have been this ecstatic about an upcoming season. Everyone is on board now it's time for this team to put up or shut up. Despite the insane hype of Green Bay's chances in the NFC, along with many predictions of Post-season or even Super Bowl Glory, now that the first game is upon us, everyone seems very hesistant about the Pack. Aaron Rodgers is the real deal, let me assure you, working with a limited o-line and an overrated recieving corps, he's put up numbers comparable to those of a young...Joe Montana? Its been a long time since someone looked this good, this soon, its possible all those years studying under Farve were helpful afterall. The Eagles got rid of Mcnabb and Westbrook because they went from a playoff team every season, to an average - slightly above average team the last couple season. It was time to move on, even on defense, from the likes of Dawkins, as Lito Shephard has gotten older. Kevin Kolb is the first link in re-building the chain of post-season runs the Eagles are used to, the NFC east is still one of the best divisions and the Eagles are still pretty talented. They have two explosive young receivers and a veteran tight end in Brett Celek. A great week one match.
The Green Bay Packers are favored to beat the Philadelphia Eagles by 3 points in Philly.
Here's the deal, I'm part of the in-crowd on this one, The Packers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL. I have no idea if they're ready to be successful in the most meaningful games but I know how good they can be in this one. The Eagles offense is too young and their defense isn't as talented as it once was. BEST BET = The Green Bay Packers will defeat the inexperienced Eagles in Philadelphia by more than 3 points. .... ... ... ... by more than 7 points, for that matter.
San Francisco
49ers
@
Seattle
Seahawks
This is one of the few games this week that I could care less about. I'm excited about the 49ers return to prominence and support their new found reign as the NFC west division champions starting this season. I know we've gone over how bad the Bucs and Browns may be, but the Seahawks astound me with awful. They're still holding onto their old and fading and injury plagued inconsistent veteran QB in Matt Hasselback. They got rid of T.J. Houshmanzadeh, their only decent offensive weapon, Leon Washington is coming off serious injury and Pete Carroll has already show how crappy he can be as an NFL head coach on the N.E. Patriots before the great USC job fell in his lap. Alex Smith is finally showing up and acting as if he belongs in the league, Frank Gore has been a good running back for a few seasons now, and Vernon Davis may be the beginning of the new wave of great recieving tight ends in the NFL. The 49ers defense plays incredibly with the intensity of a brilliant new head coach in Mike Singletary, and Patrick Willis may very well be the best defensive player in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers are 3 point favorites over the Seahawks in Seattle.
This is the biggest joke of all the odds the oddsmakers have made in terms of oddsmaking odds for this entire first week of games. I dont care if they play on the former planet Pluto or in a galaxy roller rink arena....or in Thailand... The niners are far and away superior. The only thing that could prevent this from being a complete blowout is rust and anxiety on the part of the 49ers which can't be expected with a coach so strong-willed. The Seahawks existance at the moment makes me sick to my Seattle coffee cup core, and as depressed as the sunniest rainy day in the Northwest. Bestest Best Bet = The Niners will defeat Seattle's 'Hawks by a gigantic margin. 49ers over Seahawks by more than 3 points.
Arizona
Cardinals
@
St.Louis
Rams
The Cardinals took on the identity of their hall of fame quarterback, Kurt Warner. Even people who had lost respect for Warner's ability over the years since his days with the Rams were astounded at his remarkable turnaround, taking an inferior Cardinals team to the Super Bowl. Not only did the Cardinals lose their best player in Kurt Warner, not only did they trade away their second best receiver in Anquan Boldin, Not only did they lose a great safety in Antrell Rolle, but they also lost the leading tackler and best linebacker on their defense in Karlos Dansby. Sam Bradford is going to be pretty good, just not this quickly. The Rams have acquired some defensive talent over the last few drafts, but their secondary is still pretty weak and they need more of a pass rush. Stephen Jackson will take some of the pressure off of the offensive line...but losing Donnie Avery, I think Bradford doesnt have many options to throw to. I hate both these teams, I know I've said that a few times, but for every new good team, there needs to be some teams that fall off and having disturbingly bad records... Ultimately, I think the Rams might be better off and will finish ahead of the Cardinals and they are playing this one in St. louis
The Arizona Cardinals are favored to win this game by 3 points over the Rams in the lou.
I have wished and washed, not sure where to go with this pick. Finally, vegas and USA today's Danny Sheridan have stumped me. They've put a number in between these teams that I can't decide which side to go with. Larry Fitzgerald has had some nagging injury problems, like he seems to have had the last few seasons. I dont like the Rams but I like the Cardinals much less and so I've finally convinced myself to go with my gut. The St. louis Rams @ home will defeat the Arizona Cardinals. Straight-up
Dallas
Cowboys
@
Washington
Redskins
A good ol' fashioned NFC east battle of the roughest, toughest, rootinest, tootinest.... Cowboys and Native Americans just like when our parents were kids. A battle of blood and guts and raw emotion spilling over into angry penalty-induced outbursts on the field. The Cowboys and Donovan Mcnabb never got along before, but the rivalry will never be more intense than when these two teams begin the season in D.C. The Redskins with a good-great coach trying to prove he can win without Elway, and a good quarterback trying to prove he can win in the biggest games. The expectations only get higher each year that Dallas only seems to get better. They've kept their playoff caliber roster together while adding the most talented receiver in the draft, Dez Bryant. They have three solid running backs who can make explosive plays happen and they don't even like to run the ball. Their O-line has been overrated in recent years but they've injected it with youth. The Redskins defense has been better than good despite the team's problems on offense. Haynesworth is a problem with his attitude but when he decides to play, he can make a huge difference on the field. This game is always competitive even when both teams are bad, or one is far superior than the other. The Cowboys still put forth a solid defensive effort to go along with a tremendous offense.
The Dallas Cowboys are visiting Washington and 3½ point favorites over the 'Skins.
These games tend to be close so I'm not too sure about the final score, but I am certain that the Dallas Cowboys are not going to want to dissapoint their fans early on this season. Washington should get it together for the second half, when their chemistry is better but look for me to pick against them until then, eventually making them an 8-8 or 9-7 type of team. D-mcnabb has ankle concerns, fat Albert has endurance concerns and Clinton Portis is too old to be as productive as he was under Shanahan for the Broncos. I foresee the Dallas Cowboys beating their arch rival Washington Redskins by more than 3½ points
Those are sunday's NFL season opening games... Look for prediction results, game overviews/analysis and Monday Night NFL matchup previews Sunday evening into Monday Morning. Have a good day in Fantasy Football everyone!!
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