NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 1 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2009 Week 1 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 1 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 10-14

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Thursday, Sept. 10

Tennessee at Pittsburgh (-6, 34 1/2), 8:30 pm - Not much has changed on either of these teams since last season, except that d-lineman Albert Haynesworth is no longer with the Titans, so expect a hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners type of game right out of the gate. Both coaches will have their teams ready, without a doubt, though the line looks a little rich for an opener, especially considering that the Titans crushed the Steelers, 31-14, last season in week 17, clinching the #1 seed in the playoffs. Of course, it didn't do them any good, as they were bounced by Baltimore in their first post-season game. That left the field open for the Steelers, who romped all the way to their Super Bowl win.

All of that is now ancient history, and even though last year's meeting was in Tennessee, the Titans are going to be trouble again. Six points is pretty generous and geared for the amateur who will get suckered into betting the champs.

PREDICTION: Titans 16 Steelers 14

Sunday, Sept. 13

Miami at Atlanta (-4, 43 1/2), 1:00 pm - As important a season opener as can be found, both teams made the playoffs last season and are looking for a repeat of that success. Offensively, the Falcons stack up as slightly better, though Miami's wildcat can wreak havoc, especially if rookie Pat White gets into the action. white was used sparingly in the preseason, suggesting that the Miami brass is saving his versatility for the regular campaign. How much they'll show in this opener is unknown.

Both teams may be vulnerable to the pass, as there are multiple changes from last year's roster in both secondaries. Rookies will be tested short and long, but the Falcons should get the best of it, having more playmakers on offense. The line is tough, however, as this one figures to be close.

PREDICTION: Falcons 27 Dolphins 21

Kansas City at Baltimore (-13, 36), 1:00 pm - KC has serious quarterback issues, as Matt Cassell is still doubtful. The starter may not matter much against the Ravens' ravenous defense, though. And with Baltimore looking for more offensively, especially with a healthy Todd Heap, this looks every bit to be the slaughter the line is suggesting. Baltimore could turn this into a rout of mammoth proportion.

KC was near the bottom on defense last season and there hasn't been that much of an improvement.

PREDICTION: Ravens 41 Chiefs 13

Philadelphia (-2, 43 1/2) at Carolina, 1:00 pm - Underdogs at home, the Vegas boys are giving everyone a clue to just what they think of the 2009 version of the Panthers. The Carolina defense will have to step up against a fairly potent Philadelphia attack. Expect the usual strong performance from Philly veterans on defense, and a fairly confident win.

PREDICTION: Eagles 24 Panthers 17

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Denver at Cincinnati (-4, 43 1/2), 1:00 pm - Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco should hook up regularly against the youthful Denver secondary. The Broncos are in serious rebuilding mode, and even the late addition of Brandon Marshall won't help the offense much. Denver went 8-8 last year, but of course, that was with Jay Cutler at QB and Mike Shanahan coaching. Now, Kyle Orton - injured fingers and all - is behind center and Josh McDaniels takes over as head coach. Cincy seems like a team ready to make some noise after a disastrous 2008 campaign. Whether Palmer will show his best is at present not certain, but if he's ready, the Bengals could win this one rather easily.

PREDICTION: Bengals 30 Broncos 13

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Minnesota (-4, 40) at Cleveland, 1:00 pm - The secret is out: Brady Quinn will start for the Browns over Derek Anderson. All that may be a big deal in Cleveland, but with the Vikings coming to town, the Browns' focus has to be on stopping the Minnesota offense, especially running back Adrian Peterson. Add to Cleveland's defensive responsibilities having to deal with Brett Favre and it looks like a long day for the Browns' safties and corners. Let's not forget how good the Vikes are on defense, either. Quinn will be lucky to survive.

PREDICTION: Vikings 28 Browns 17

NY Jets at Houston (-4 1/2, 43 1/2), 1:00 pm - The first test for Jets QB Mark Sanchez is likely to be a good one if his offensive line can provide solid protection. The Jets' future rides on him staying healthy and blocking schemes are likely to prevent the Texans (only 25 sacks last season) to get much pressure. The Texans will be able to throw against the Jets' defense, though their ground game is still suspect. They too have to protect their QB, Matt Schaub, who is coming off a preseason injury but is expected to start.

Sanchez will be hyped for this game and there's every indication that he will prove to be a solid player. If his receivers continue to overachieve - especially wideout David Clowney and tight end Ben Hartsock - the Jets could pull off a week 1 upset and stamp themselves as a contender in the AFC East.

PREDICTION: Jets 24 Texans 21

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-7, 44), 1:00 pm - This will be an interesting contest as Peyton Manning starts his first campaign without go-to receiver Marvin Harrison, though he's won without him before. The Colts will have their usual pass-first offense, and will test the Jacksonville secondary, a unit which didn't defend well in 2008, allowing plenty of deep strikes and 224 yards per game.

These are usually close games, with the teams trading home losses last season. Indy was not fully cranked up, however, in their week 3, 23-21 home loss in 2008, but they will be ready to rock this time around. There are too many unanswered questions in Jacksonville surrounding starter David Garrard, but the Jags are up against it here.

PREDICTION: Colts 34 Jaguars 24

Detroit at New Orleans (-13, 49), 1:00 pm - The Lions were 3-1 preseason, but those games don't count. Opening against one of the best offenses in the league is a daunting task, and the Lions may only be able to keep this close until halftime. If Drew Brees gets into a rhythm - and there's no reason to believe that he won't - his exploits will likely overshadow the unveiling of Detroit's new QB, Matt Stafford.

Stafford is an accurate thrower with a strong arm, who can get the ball to his receivers. While the Saints' defense looked pretty good preseason, this is now for real, and they are likely to revert somewhat to their 2008 form, when they allowed 24.6 ppg, 27th in the league. The Lions were, however, the worst defensive unit in the NFL last season, giving up a whopping 517 points (32.3 per game). This should be a wild one, and the Lions, while they have little chance of winning, may cover that fat line.

PREDICTION: Saints 34 Lions 27

Dallas (-6, 39) at Tampa Bay, 1:00 pm - OK, the Bucs are at home, but Dallas has the look of a team hungry for an opening-day win. The matchups all favor Dallas as they are about as solid a team as will take the field this season, while the Buccaneers will be making random roster changes game to game. Byron Leftwich will start for the Bucs, and the chances that he tosses at least two interceptions are very high.

Dallas will slice through the aging Tampa defense with ease and come away with a convincing win.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 31 Buccaneers 20

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2009, 2010, 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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