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NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 1 Picks - late games
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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 1 Picks - Late Games
Rick Gagliano | Sept. 9
All times Eastern - Click here for early games.
Tennessee at Jacksonville (-6 1/2, 37 1/2) 1:00 pm - On the surface, this is a tough one to figure, but a little analysis reveals what is likely to occur. Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio released starting QB Byron Leftwich after the final preseason game and named David Garrard as the permanent starter. For the coach's sake, he'd better have made the right move. Garrard led the team to a series of wins when Leftwich went down with injuries both last season and in 2005, so he has experience as well as a great set of wheels.
The point made by the line is that the Titans' defense will crumble under the punishing rushing offense of the Jags. Garrard, along with Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew and fullback Greg Jones, will just keep coming at them. The Titans ranked dead last in defense last season, including allowing 144.6 yards rushing per game. Only the Colts were less effective at stopping the run, so Jacksonville's game plan is no secret here.
When the Titans have the ball, Vince Young will try to decipher one of the league's best defenses. The Jags were second overall in 2006. It's going to be a very long day for big Vince, but an even longer one for the Tennessee defense.
Prediction: Jaguars 31 Titans 10
Chicago at San Diego (-6, 42 1/2) 4:15 pm - The Bears will be undaunted by the Chargers offense and maybe a little motivated by the generous point spread. Sure, the Chargers can move the ball up and down the field, but the Bears will provide ample resistance. What will be interesting to watch is how well Rex Grossman plays without Thomas Jones in the backfield. Cedric Benson takes over the role as starting running back and he'll want to impress. Another interesting angle will be the play-calling of Norv Turner in the Chargers' opener.
One gets the feeling that the Bears are not going to allow LaDainian Tomlinson to run wild, not will Rex Grossman flame out. A close one will go to the Chargers.
Prediction: Chargers 20 Bears 17
Detroit at Oakland (-2, 39 1/2) 4:15 pm - Pit an up-and-coming offense against one of the best defenses in the league and what happens. Usually, the offense learns a few things about route-running and the defense picks off a couple of passes, registers a few sacks and gets a win.
That's roughly the scenario in Oakland, as the Lions put Jon Kitna on the field with a bevy of talented receivers. Kitna's going to be harassed all day and the Raiders will likely pick off a couple of balls. If the Raider offense can get more then 10 points on the board, they're winners. They should be set up with good field position more than a couple of times.
Prediction: Raiders 20 Lions 9
Tampa Bay at Seattle (-6, 41) 4:15 pm - Could there be a tougher place to open the season for the Bucs? The Seattle crowd is very loud and Tampa Bay is still trying to find their way on offense. Meanwhile, everyone's healthy for the Seahawks and they're hungry for the post-season. A mammoth blowout is in store.
Prediction: Seahawks 35 Buccaneers 17
N.Y. Giants at Dallas (-5 1/2, 44) 8:15 pm - A fun one in the NFC East. Both teams are eying the playoffs this season, though the Cowboys appear to have an improved defense that can handle Eli Manning. The game boils down to how well Tony Romo plays at QB for Dallas and whether the Giants can stop him, Terrell Owens and running back Julius Jones, who is on the verge of a breakout year.
Romo will probably be OK against the suspect Giants' secondary and Jones will rush for over 100 yards. We'll find out if Dallas' defense is as good as many believe.
Prediction: Cowboys 31 Giants 21
Baltimore at Cincinnati (-2 1/2, 40 1/2) 7:00 pm - These two will meet again in November with much more on the line, but the Bengals hope to set the tone with a big offensive display. The Ravens want to find out who's going to produce on offense as well, especially running back Willis McGahee, acquired from Buffalo in the off-season. He'll likely have some big holes to run through.
The deal is whether Carson Palmer and his talented offense can produce sufficient points against the Ravens, who know them very well. In a new season, the Bengals may show some different formations designed to confuse the defense and that may work well enough to squeeze by on a late score.
Prediction: Bengals 27 Ravens 24
Arizona at San Francisco (-3, 45) 10:15 pm - Two improving squads who will meet again in Arizona later in the year square off in an intriguing matchup. Arizona has a superior offense, but the 49ers can play a little defense as well. A shootout looms, with the Cardinals getting the better of it.
Prediction: Cardinals 34 49ers 31
All times Eastern - Click here for early games
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