NFL Week 1 Prediction of Every Game

     For many followers of the football world, the season begins Thursday September 5, when the Denver Broncos host the Baltimore Ravens. Although that is true, the real action of the NFL begins on Sunday, September 8. That is when every fantasy football player looks at their smart-phone every 5 minutes to see who's putting up the most stats. There are TEN games at 1:00 and only two at 4:25. Ironically, there There are This year we will have some very interesting match-ups Week 1 and there are players primed to have big days. Let's take a look at which teams "should" win each each game:

Andrew Luck is primed for a big Week against Oakland

Oakland Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck and co should lead the Colts to a big victory in Week 1. Reggie Wayne, TY Hilton, Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener will simply have more chemistry with Luck than Matt Flynn will have with his Oakland receivers. Darren McFadden is starting the season healthy, so don't sleep on the Raiders big-play potential. Oakland still has Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford: two players than can make you pay in the blink of an eye. Regardless, you can forget about an upset. Indianapolis' D should be interesting to see as well with Dwight Freeney off to San Diego. Colts by 9

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars

This game is somewhat of a "what the heck to expect" during the 1st week. Alex Smith is the new QB in Kansas and Andy Reed is the new coach. Other than that, the same players on offense remain for the Chiefs so we will see if they can keep up(or if they even have to) with the Jaguars. If Maurice Jones Drew is healthy, he can't wait to show the wold what they have been missing since he injured his foot last season. All reports are saying that he will be ready for training camp, so I expect the Jags to control the clock more with a balanced attack that features their star running back. Jamaal Charles is a beast in his own right but he is no Maurice Jones Drew.  This game should be close, and if I had to choose between who is better in the 4th quarter (between Blaine Gabbert and Alex Smith) I would have to go with Smith. Chiefs by 3

Houston Texans @ San Diego Chargers

Andre Johnson will have plenty of catches in Week 1

This game should not be close from the start. The Texans have a dominating defense and a potent offense that only got more dangerous with the addition of Nuke Hopkins. San Diego's D is average at best so I expect to see a 21 point 1st quarter from Houston. JJ Watt will show everyone that he is still the best defensive player in the NFL and Brian Cushing will begin to ease his way back into this violent game. Phillip Rivers should get knocked around all day and there is no way Ryan Matthews runs wild on the Texans. It will be interesting to see how competitive Mike McCoy can make this game with his coaching and offensive mastery, because the Chargers are clearly in re-building mode. Texans by 17

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions

Adrian Peterson should run wild on Detroit but Christian Ponder should once again look like an average QB. Detroit's D is going to be healthy in the first game and should get to Ponder early and often. Remember, the Lions went 4-4 during the 1st 8 games of the season last year, so they should at least be competitive. In fact, if Reggie Bush shows up then the Lions should have no problem running up the score in Ford Field. Minnesota is still a border-line playoff team that is capable of scoring points on the road and this is also a division game. This should come down to which QB doesn't make a mistake in the last 4 minutes of the game. Lions by 3


Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers

BJ Raji will have a big impact against the 49ers

Aaahhhh. A mathch-up that ANYONE wants to see. This is one of two 4:25 games in Week 1 and both are broadcasted on Fox. Aaron Rodgers takes on a team that he can't seem to beat. They got him twice last year after he beat the 49ers in 2009 and 2010, once each season. Will Green Bay be able to run the ball against the 49ers? If they can top 100 yards rushing, this game will go in Green Bay's favor. Dom Capers has no reason to lose to the 49ers three times in a row, even if the Colin Kaepernick is the team's opposing QB. Having Anquan Boldin will help the Niners O, but I don't think it will be enough to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers attack. Packers win on a last second Mason Crosby field goal. Packers by 2

Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears

The physicality of Cincinnati's front four could turn this game into an ultra-competitive affair. AJ Green will have 100 yds and a TD, while we will see how the Bengals new running attack will look. If Cincinnati turns the ball over once or twice on the road, it could be a long day in Chicago. Marc Trestman's pass-first offense is great for running back Matt Forte, because he can catch defenses off balance. It also helps to have Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the outside, while Earl Bennett weaves through the middle. Bears by 6

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

What a match-up?! We get to see how Steven Jackson looks in the Falcons running game and witness the great Atlanta passing attack. Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Julio Jones will all show up as this game should post the most point of any this week. Drew Brees went 1-1 against the Falcons last year and always knows how to play a divisional opponent. Despite Atlanta's overwhelming amount of offensive talent, the Saints should take care of business at home in a close game. New Orleans by 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Jets

Darrelle Revis gets to play the Jets in Week 1 and Josh Freeman looks to get the monkey off his back. One problem...Rex Ryan always coaches a great defense. Freeman will make more mistakes than the Bucs would like to see, but the offense scores two touchdowns. The Jets don't have much firepower on offense, so it is hard to imagine them outscoring Tampa Bay on any day of the year. Especially now that Santonio Holmes is not dressing up in Week 1. Bucs by 4

Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers

Whoah. The Panthers have Cam Newton, Steve Smith, Mike Tolbert, DeAngelo Williams and Greg Olsen. The Seahawks have Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Sydney Rice, Percy Harvin, Zach Miller, Golden Tate and a MUCH better defense. Seahawks by 9

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins

Shady McCoy will have a huge day against the Skins

This is going to be a good matchup. The Redskins should start RGIII but how much will be run? Washington's top QB averaged more yards per carry than Adrian Peterson last year, which means he is still a dual-threat even coming off an ACL injury. The Skins should put up around 24 points and make the game difficult for Philly. Speaking of the Eagles, no one knows who will start at QB in Week 1 and that includes myself. I thought it would be Michael Vick, but there is no telling who it could be. Regardless, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson are going to make the Redskins sick of their speed all game. Chip Kelly should have an interesting offense installed for this match-up and might even pull out a W. Philadelphia wins by 3

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

In a game that always gets past the point of "physical," you have the New York football Giants taking on the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants always know how to play the Cowboys, but were ousted last year by the 'Boys in Week 1. DeMarco Murray being healthy brings an element to the Cowboys that remains to be untouched. They went undefeated last year when he went over 100 yards...and he should stay healthy for at least one week again. Cowboys win by 3

Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams

Now that Arizona supposedly has Carson Palmer, they are supposed to be future contenders for an AFC West title with Bruce Arians. They lost to the Rams twice last year by 14 points each game, and that was when St. Louis offense was atrocious. The Cardinals have to improve against the Rams in every area of the game this year to leave Edward-Jones Done with a win. Arians is a great coach but unless the Cardinals can control this game on the ground, they don't stand a chance. St. Louis has a lot to prove at the RB and WR position with all of the off-season moves that were made. Their defense looks to be one of the top in the NFC and should actually carry the St. Louis through this game. Arizona makes it interesting, but the Rams win by 4.

Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson is the real deal

Miami is not as good as everyone thinks. Lamar Miller has yet to prove he can be an every-down back in the NFL and his backups lack any explosion. Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson can give you legitimate passing options while Mike Wallace is supposedly the "guy." Miami should score a couple of TDs but no more than 2. The Cleveland Browns have a top 5 rusher in Trent Richardson and he will make the lives of every Dolphins defender miserable all day. Although Brandon Weeden is an average QB, he will make enough plays in the passing game to get a W. Trent Richardson has 150 yards from scrimmage with 2 TDs and the Browns win by 9

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

New England is walking into a trap game at the beginning of the season. Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller are two solid running backs who care capable of eating time off the clock in Buffalo. Although no one expects the Bills to contend for an AFC East title this Fall, they are expected to pull off a season of around 8 wins. EJ Manuel is dinged up so we should see the great Kevin Kolb in Week 1. But I'd bet that since Bill Bellichick is the opposing coach, Kolb and his thin skin will be exposed in Buffalo. The Patriots will score touchdowns no matter who is playing wide receiver because of their legendary QB, Tom Brady. Danny Amendola will be the chains mover should Gronkowski not be ready for Week 1 and the running game should have it's way. Patriots by 6