NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 1-preseason Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 1-preseason Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 1-preseason Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | Sunday, August 5 - Monday, August 13

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games.

HALL OF FAME GAME, Sunday, Aug. 5

New Orleans vs. Pittsburgh (-3, 34 1/2) (Canton, Ohio) 8:00 pm (NFLN) - I'll begin this season with one word of advice: I've never picked preseason games - for obvious reasons - though I'm going to give it a go this year. This game shapes up to be a stinker. It's only out here as a way for the NFL to tell us that the real deal is just a month away.

Heck, I'm still enjoying summer. There will be a Reggie Bush sighting and there won't be any questions about the health of Saints' QB Drew Brees. He's fine and will probably only be in for a few series. There will be balls thrown to top draft pick Robert Meachem out of Tennessee and the Saints will likely be a little better on defense than they were last year.

All of that adds up to a rough start for rookie coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. It's rebuilding time in the Steel City and this line is a total sucker's bet. Take the points and enjoy a N'alens wipeout.

PREDICTION: Saints 31 Steelers 14

Thursday, Aug. 9

Indianapolis at Dallas (-4 1/2, 34) 8:00 pm (FOX) - In their last meeting, Nov. 19, 2006, the Cowboys came away with a 21-14 home win. Notwithstanding that result, the Cowboys have much to prove and plenty to work on. Bill Parcells is gone, replaced by Wade Phillips as head coach. Phillips puts a lot of emphasis on defense, at which Dallas can excel.

While Terrell Owens is expected to start and play at least one series, starting offensive tackles Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo will be held out of the preseason opener. That could spell trouble for Tony Romo and his somewhat statuesque backup, Brad Johnson.

The Colts will debut Arkansas offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, who will start on the left - Manning's blind - side. With all the audibles and shouting Manning does, it may be difficult for Ugoh to adjust and he'll get pressure from Dallas' front line and stunts from linebackers in Phillips' new 3-4 defense. He'll also have to deal - at times - with 3rd year pro Chris Canty, who's been tearing up teammates in practice.

Indy's free safety Bob Sanders will not play. He's recovering from shoulder surgery. Coach Tony Dungy will severely limit his starters in this one and backups are not likely to do much of anything. Backup QB Jim Sorgi will test out the 2nd string receivers, Anthony Gonzalez and Aaron Moorehead. Third stringer John Navarre will get a long look behind center.

The Cowboys should be able to dictate play against Indy's notoriously porous defense, even though their offense isn't world class. The best bet on this game would probably be the under, and if forced to choose, take the Cowboys at home. Indy has nothing to prove here.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 17 Colts 10

Cincinnati at Detroit (-1 1/2, 35) 7:30 pm - Both of these teams missed the playoffs last season, and in Detroit's case, they missed by a bunch. The Lions do, however, have possibly the best tandem of young wide receivers in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, the giant stud out of Georgia Tech. Whether or not Jon Kitna can get the ball to them is another matter altogether.

What would be interesting would to see former Michigan State QB at the helm with both Johnson and Williams on the wings. That's the trio expected to be in action for most of the regular season, though it's unlikely they'll be teamed up in this game.

Cincy has to overcome the embarrassment of last season, which was marred by a slew of arrests and bad behavior by players. Carson Palmer, Chad and Rudi Johnson should see opening series action, and first-year players, CB Leon Hall, out of Michigan, and Marvin White, a safety from TCU, should have their hands full in the defensive backfield.

This could become an interesting contest with plenty of offense, depending on which starters are motivated and how well the rookies perform.

PREDICTION: Lions 23 Bengals 17

Friday, Aug. 10

Buffalo at New Orleans (-6, 37) 8:00 pm (CBS) - This scheduling really isn't fair to the Saints. They just played on August 5th, and looked terrible against the motivated Steelers. There's a good probability that some of the New Orleans' players will be a little worn out after the Hall of Fame ceremonies, game and travel.

Meanwhile, in Buffalo, training camp has been relatively quiet except for the arrest of backup defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who got into a scuffle outside a Rochester, NY bar and allegedly shoved a police officer, breaking his glasses. Hargrove entered a not guilty plea and apologized publicly to teammates and fans, though the coaching staff has been fairly mum on the subject, clearly displeased.

Otherwise, the Bills are one of a number of teams with considerable upside. QB J.P. Losman proved himself a capable starter last season and the team drafted well, snagging running back Marshawn Lynch out of Cal and outside linebacker Paul Posluszny from Penn State.

Considering the shabby play of New Orleans' defense last weekend and the motivation the Bills have in knocking off a contender, this one looks like a lock for Buffalo fans. They may not win the game, but a cover is pretty certain for the upstart Bills.

PREDICTION: Bills 17 Saints 14

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Atlanta at N.Y. Jets (-3 1/2, 32 1/2) 7:00 pm - I'll save everyone the trouble of explaining how distracted Falcons' camp has been with all the Michael Vick controversy and just say that the Jets are a better team overall. Coach Mangini got them to the playoffs in his first season, and that's enough to believe that the Jets will take no prisoners here. Losing to the Falcons would be a considerable embarassment. The coaches and players will ensure that doesn't happen.

PREDICTION: Jets 31 Falcons 10

New England at Tampa Bay (-1/2, 33 1/2) 7:30 pm - Will anybody actually lay down real money on the Bucs against New England? Doubtful. With Randy Moss on the field at the same time as Tom Brady, you can bet that coach Belichick will instruct his QB to air it out. On the Tampa Bay side of the ball, few changes on offense, meaning Jeff Garcia and Chris Simms will be battling for the starting role. This game should turn out to be the defensive struggle of the week.

PREDICTION: Patriots 13 Buccaneers 9

St. Louis at Minnesota (-2, 35 1/2) 8:00 pm - This will be a coming out party for Adrian Peterson, Minnesota's top draft pick, against one of the worst run defenses in the league. The Rams were 2nd last against the run, at 145.4 yards allowed per game in 2006. Additionally, the Vikes have three QBs with lots of potential - Tarvaris Jackson, Brooks Bollinger and Drew Henson. Too much for the Rams' defense to handle so early. Looks like a blowout.

PREDICTION: Vikings 30 Rams 10

Saturday, Aug. 11

Kansas City at Cleveland 7:30 pm - Now that glamor boy Brady Quinn has signed on, the three-way QB controversy can begin. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson have been going at it for more than a week and Quinn will have plenty of catching up to do. He'll see limited action in this game, but he may produce a late score against KCs 2nd and 3rd defensive squad.

The Chiefs will be testing out kicker Justin Medlock, an accurate specialist from UCLA, and a pair of QBs - Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle. They'll also be interested to see how well Michael Bennett carries the ball in live action. He's been impressive in practices, and will get the start since Larry Johnson is still holding out and Priest Holmes isn't yet ready.

With plenty on the line, look for both teams to go at it hot and heavy. Take the Browns as a rare favorite.

PREDICTION: Browns 20 Chiefs 13

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games

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