NFL Pro Football 2008 Preseason Week 1 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Preseason Week 1 Picks

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

Rick Gagliano | August 3-11

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

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

SUN, AUG 3

Indianapolis at Washington (-6, 31 1/2) 8:00 PM NBC Fawcett Stadium - The Colts will start second stringer Jim Sorgi against the Redskins while Peyton Manning rehabs and readies for the regular season. With Sorgi at the helm, the Colts won't be very explosive, though they will be well-prepared and run a vanilla offense. Don't expect to see many starters past the first quarter for either team, but especially the Colts, who have a slew of players injured, thus the 6-point underdog tag.

The Redskins are installing a new offense, and that will lead to a good share of unforced errors on their part. The Colts may get a score or at least good field position off turnovers, but the Redskins may also get a break or two of their own if the Colts' defense is confused.

This game is probably not an excellent betting proposition, but the play would definitely be on the under side of the ledger. Jason Campbell, the Redskins QB, will have some new targets and a new scheme, but will be without the services of Clinton Portis in the backfield. The Colts will be without many starters, though that's not a problem since they - Manning, Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, others - wouldn't see much playing time anyway.

This won't likely be a memorable game, but it should be closer than the 6-points the Vegas guys would like us all to throw at the Colts. The Redskins may win, but not by much.

Prediction: Redskins 13 Colts 10

THU, AUG 7

NY Giants at Detroit (-3, 33) 7:00 PM Ford Field - Hate to see the Super Bowl champs as underdogs, but one wonders how much emphasis the Giants are putting on this game. Coach Coughlin will play starters for only a couple of series, and, considering Detroit's defense, they should put up points. My take-away on this is to take the first half OVER, and bet the Lions minus the field goal.

Prediction: Lions 27 Giants 20

NY Jets at Cleveland (-3, 35) 7:30 PM Cleveland Browns Stadium - With the Jets still (as of this writing) tied into the Brett Favre melodrama, there may be a lack of focus by the Gotham invaders. Besides, there's plenty of tension surrounding the QB position as it is. Pennington is NOT a long term solution, no matter what, so expect to see lots and lots of passing from the NY formations. I like the Jets in the first half, but the Browns overall.

Prediction: Browns 31 Jets 21

Baltimore at New England (-4, 35) 7:30 PM Gillette Stadium - The Patriots are simply heads and shoulders better than the rest of the league, except for Indy, Jacksonville and these Ravens. While NE coach Belichick gets plenty of press and praise, Baltimore's Brian Billick is his equal on many levels. There is a hidden grudge match here, one Billick would like to win, so the Ravens may be trying to make a little statement.

Surely, this is an out-on-a-limb prediction, but I like the Ravens to be ready to roll here. While Kyle Boller will start, expect to see a heavy dose of Joe Flacco and Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner.

On the Pats' side, Tom Brady and Randy Moss may be in for just a couple of series before giving way to the back-ups. The Pats may take an early lead, but the Ravens' D will shut things down in the second half.

Prediction: Ravens 17 Patriots 16

Kansas City at Chicago (-3, 33) 8:00 PM Soldier Field - Oh, man, so early and yet, so ugly. The rumor mill says Kyle Orton will start for the Bears, not Rex Grossman. In either case, we're willing to bet on a couple of INTs on both sides, because the KC QBs aren't very good either. Play this one under, as both offenses are inept and the Bears' D is still pretty darn good.

Prediction: Bears 17 Chiefs 9

New Orleans at Arizona (-3, 36) 8:00 PM ESPN U. of Phoenix Stadium - This should actually be somewhat of a treat. While neither team is probably willing to tip their hand on offense with different sets, both are projected playoff teams with big expectations in 2008. Play the 1st half and the game OVER, as the offenses will probably be cooking, while both defenses have some work to do. Arizona, being at home, should put on a show in the second half with a couple of rookies: wideout Early Doucet (LSU) and running back Tim Hightower (Richmond).

Prediction: Cardinals 34 Saints 27

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FRI, AUG 8

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (-3, 33 1/2) 7:30 PM Heinz Field - In the battle for Pennsylvania bragging rights, this one goes to the Steelers, hands down. Of the two teams, the Steelers have the most recent playoff success, being two-plus years out from the Super Bowl. Plus, Pittsburgh had a productive draft for the offense picking Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois in the first round and Limas Sweed from Texas in the second. These two should get some valuable experience here.

The Eagles will trot out Donovan McNabb once again, but there's plenty of rust on the old arm there and not much behind him. The Steelers should put up a fat number on their cross-state rivals here.

Prediction: Steelers 31 Eagles 17

Seattle at Minnesota (-3, 34) 8:00 PM Metrodome - Just on a hunch, I'd say the Vikings are the better team here, and they'll make a nice impression on the home town folks. Take the Vikes in the first half and the game and leave the O/U alone. Minnesota could really roll, or the game could devolve into a second half stalemate.

Prediction: Vikings 24 Seahawks 13

San Francisco at Oakland (-3, 33 1/2) 10:00 PM - Hey, ugly game, part two here. Fans will be looking at some future stars, but you'll need a program to find out who they are. Best to stay away from this contest, unless you have dough to burn and nothing better to do on a Saturday night.

The Bay area is now home to some of the most lame sports franchises in the business - the baseball Giants and A's, and these two. There's probably more action in the stands than you'll see on the field between these two patsies. Under, under, and under.

Prediction: Raiders 16 49ers 7 (A's 4, Giants 2 ;-)

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

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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