NFL Pro Football 2012 Week 1 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2012 Week 1 Preseason Picks

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

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Rick Gagliano | August 5, August 9-13

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

HALL OF FAME GAME AUGUST 5

Arizona vs. New Orleans (-3, 34 1/2) - Somewhat strange to see the Saints in the preseason opener, being that they're the designated "bad boys" of the league, but it will be interesting to see how much playing time Drew Brees gets and how in sync with the sideline the New Orleans offense is.

Arizona will be showcasing the arm of Kevin Kolb early and often, and there should be some success in the early going and possibly a couple of surprise scores.

No doubt, the stars will mostly be absent after the first quarter, leaving a plethora of subs - many of whom won't make the team - so the question is which squad is more prepared and wanting of a win in an otherwise meaningless game. Arizona is probably better prepped for the game, even though the Saints have better athletes, though not enough of them in a very questionable and being-rebuilt secondary. Cardinal QBs should have a field day.

PREDICITON: Cardinals 24 Saints 17

Thursday, August 9

7:00 pm Washington (-2, 35) at Buffalo - The Bills receive the distinction of being the first team to try to stop Robert Griffin III (RG3) in the first game of preseason. Buffalo was challenged on defense last year, ranked 30th overall, but the Redskins weren't much better.

Griffin will likely get his team into the end zone once or twice before he is pulled - ostensibly in the early minutes of the second quarter - but the Bills are not likely to be embarrassed at home. Look for Vince Young - Buffalo's backup - to engineer at least one drive and the Bills' defense to hold strong in the late stages.

Prediction: Bills 20 Redskins 17

7:30 pm Baltimore at Atlanta (-1 1/2, 34) - Two teams with playoffs on their minds in 2012 get to test each other's mettle in what should be a hot contest early. Atlanta's Matt Ryan may not have much success against the Ravens defense, which was fourth against the pass last season and third overall.

The Ravens need to find ways to score (12th last season) and will be testing some of their draft choices early in this one. Atlanta's defense may prove better than advertised.

Prediction: Falcons 17 Ravens 13

7:30 pm New Orleans at New England (-3 1/2, 38) - The Saints are probably none too happy to have to travel from Canton to New Orleans and back up to Foxboro with just three days rest, and, if there's anything such as fatigue as early in the season as this, it will show, especially in the secondary.

Tom Brady won't waste any time getting his troops up to speed. Expect two first quarter TDs for the Pats before the Saints know what area code they're in.

Prediction: Patriots 27 Saints 17

7:30 pm Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (even, 35) - Last year was supposed to be Philly's breakthrough season, but it seems we've heard that song before, over many years with Donovan McNabb at QB. Now, it's Michael Vick's turn to make up for last season's flop and prove the Eagles are as good as many say.

It's a short hop to Philly for the Steelers and they probably aren't going to show their Pennsylvania brothers any love, especially on defense. Plus, Ben Roethlisberger is completely healthy (we think) for the first time in a long time.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Eagles 13

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8:00 pm Green Bay at San Diego (-1, 38) - The Chargers are only favored in this contest because they haven't started losing yet and are at home. The likely outcome of this game - were it a regular season affair - would be a walloping by the Packers and it's probably going to turn out that way. The Packers have too much speed and depth on offense for the ragged San Deigo defense to handle.

Besides, Green Bay has all their backs healthy for a change and that should prove too much for the Chargers.

Prediction: Packers 34 Chargers 13

8:30 pm Denver at Chicago (-3, 35) - The debut of Peyton Manning after a one year absence is a highly-anticipated event that even a solid Chicago defense won't deflect.

Manning will be throwing to a fresh group of receivers and figures to be a little rusty, but the competitive fire may keep him moving his guys downfield to the dismay of the Chicago faithful.

The Bears have a solid team, but depth is an issue. Should be one of the more entertaining games of the week.

Prediction: Broncos 23 Bears 20

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Friday, August 10

7:30 pm Tampa Bay at Miami (-3, 33 1/2) - Both teams are rebounding from dismal 2011 campaigns and will be sporting many new looks on both sides of the ball, but Miami probably has a bit more cohesion, especially on defense, and should prevail.

Prediction: Dolphns 21 Buccaneers 10

7:30 pm Cleveland at Detroit (-3, 36 1/2) - As shocking as this may sound, the Lions aren't sneaking up on anybody this season and really don't have much in the way of defense.

Cleveland has newness all over the field and in the coaching ranks and may try some plays that the Lions - or the rest of the league, for that matter - hasn't seen before.

Prediction: Browns 24 Lions 23

7:30 pm NY Giants at Jacksonville (-1 1/2, 35) - The world champs look better than ever while the Jags look like another rebuilding team, though they have some talent on defense.

Since Eli Manning will likely play no more than three series and the Giants don't really care whether they win this game or not, the Jags look like a solid pick here.

Prediction: Jaguars 18 Giants 14

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2012, 2013, 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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