NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 1-preseason Picks late games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 1-preseason Picks - late games

Beat the NFL odds and college football lines with weekly NFL picks and weekly football predictions.

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

Rick Gagliano | Saturday, August 11 - Monday, August 13

All times Eastern - Click here for early games.

Saturday, August 11

Jacksonville at Miami (-1, 32 1/2) 7:30 pm- Wow! Miami a favorite with Trent Green at quarterback and Ronnie Brown or Lorenzo Booker at running back? Hate to tell you Dolphin fans, but the Jaguars are stacked on defense and the offense is supposed to be improved with Leftwich back as the starter. Even after that, David Garrard will be steady as his backup, so the best team in Florida has to be Jacksonville.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 21 Dolphins 6

Green Bay at Pittsburgh(-6, 35 1/2) 7:30 pm - The Steelers already have a game under their belt and looked solid in beating up New Orleans. For the Packers, it's again a question of how long QB Brett Favre will hold on before giving way to backup Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have little in the way of a running game, and that's going to pose a big problem. The line is right; this could be pretty ugly, though extended playing time for Rodgers could produce a score or two.

PREDICTION: Steelers 27 Packers 14

Carolina at N.Y. Giants (even, 34 1/2) 8:00 pm - This should not be rated an even game, and it only is because it's preseason and at the Meadowlands. Carolina is a better team with either Jake Delhomme or David Carr at QB. The Giants will welcome back Amani Toomer, but sorely miss Tiki Barber, a certain Hall of Famer. Also, Michael Strahan's holdout and the NY media circus have been distractions. The Giants are in rebuild mode and lots of marginal players will get long looks. Their draft was uninspired. Big edge to Carolina.

PREDICTION: Panthers 27 Giants 14

Washington at Tennessee (-3, 35 1/2) 8:00 pm - The Redskins have the look of a team in search of an identity, a new owner and maybe some fans who think they might have a shot. They may challenge for the bottom of the league standings this season. Meanwhile, the Titans have plenty upon which to build, following their spectacular 2nd half of last season. Vince Young has plenty to work with and they should prevail without much resistance from Washington's ragtag defense.

PREDICTION: Titans 31 Redskins 14

Chicago (-1, 32 1/2) at Houston 8:00 pm - On paper this is a mismatch. The Bears simply have too much muscle and talent for the Texans to stay in this for long. It should be interesting to see how Houston QBs Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels fare against the tough Chicago defense. Cedric Benson will debut as the Bears' starting running back. No big surprises here. The Bears will be dominant.

PREDICTION: Bears 21 Texans 10

Arizona at Oakland (-2, 35) 10:00 pm - JaMarcus Russell will see playing time in the second half, and possibly lots of it, maybe even some in the first half. Daunte Culpepper will start, but the Raiders aren't very good or very deep at any offensive position, while the Cardinals are loaded and should be able to put up enough points to win easily.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 24 Raiders 10

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Sunday, Aug. 12

Seattle at San Diego (-3 1/2, 37) 8:00 pm (NBC) - Plenty of star power here, though most of the starters will only go one or two series. The Chargers have a decided edge being at home and will likely want to start out on a winning note for new head coach Norv Turner. The Bolts will get good looks at draft selections, Craig Davis (a wideout from LSU), cornerback Eric Weddle from Utah and linebacker Anthony Waters out of Clemson. Better starters, better draft = better team. The Chargers will prevail.

PREDICTION: Chargers 28 Seahawks 17

Monday, Aug. 13

Denver at San Francisco (-2 1/2, 35) 8:00 pm (ESPN) - The team that knocked the Broncos out of the playoffs in the final regular season game is back to inflict more pain. Sadly for the 'Niners, running back Frank Gore is unlikely to be in uniform, having broken a bone in his right hand during practice last week. The rest of this surprising squad will be ready to go, making a rare Monday appearance. Denver may be doing lots of backpedaling this season and may be a lot worse than their fans high expectations.

PREDICTION: 49ers 17 Broncos 7

Philadelphia at Baltimore (-3, 31 1/2) 7:00 pm - - This should be entertaining, to say the least. Philly gets Donovan McNabb back from injury, while the Ravens welcome Willis McGahee to their backfield. Anyone would have been an improvement over Jamal Lewis, and even though Willis has looked a little shaky in his new scheme, he'll adjust. Both of these teams are loaded and physical, especially on defense, and this one may get a little testy at times. It's also a fierce regional rivalry, so expect the fans to be especially rowdy. This one's a coin flip, really, but I'll go with the home team.

PREDICTION: Ravens 19 Eagles 14

All times Eastern - Click here for early games

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