NFL Game Predictions – Week One
With the first official NFL game being played on September 6, 2007, it’s time to pick the winners for Week 1. With what is turning out to be a surprisingly good pre-season (filled with drama, the shadows of criminal activity (Vick anyone?) and plenty of great game plays), the unexpected is bound to happen once the NFL main season gets underway.
I find that the hardest games to predict tend to occur during the first few weeks of the season. This does not take away from the fun that is involved in predicting each game. I’m going to try and explain my motivation for choosing each team. Anyone who wants to compete in the NFL prediction game can leave their predictions (with or without explanations) in the comment section. I look forward to seeing what teams everyone else will be predicting to win.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts
While the Colts made it to the Superbowl (and won) last year, the New Orleans Saints were last year’s underdogs turned superstars. This pre-season has shown the Saints still have what it takes to win a football game while the Colts have been nothing more than a disappointment (what gives Peyton?!). While I may be a bit biased in this selection, and I do believe this will be a close game, I have to go with my team on this one.
Winner: New Orleans Saints
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers
The pre-season has garnered similar results for the Eagles and the Packers. While these two teams seem to be evenly matched, I had more luck when choosing the Eagles last season then I did the Packers. In truth, I’m most definitely not a cheese head.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans
This is one of my least favorite matchups of Week 1. The pre-season has the Texans as a better team than the Chiefs, but we all know that the pre-season has little to no effect on the main season. However, the Chiefs haven’t won any games at all so choosing them is a gamble. The Texans, on the other hand, had a pretty bad season last year and I did better when not choosing them. I’m going against my better judgment by choosing the team I have to win.
Winner: Houston Texans
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
The pre-season has these two teams evenly matched. While I like the Bills better than the Broncos, experience would show that the Bills are not likely to win in this matchup. While I would love to pick the Bills to win (and would be happy to be wrong) this is all about who I think is going to win, not who I want to win.
Winner: Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Once again, this is a matchup I’m not fond of, due to the teams involved. I’m from Ohio and I was always more interested in the Bengals then the Browns. I find that you aren’t typically a fan of both, and after the little Ravens debacle some years back, I lost what little respect I had for the Browns. The pre-season shows us that the Steelers are ahead of the Browns by one game. That being said, I’m going to choose who I think will win, regardless of my personal feelings for both teams.
Winner: Cleveland Browns
Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams
The Panthers and the Rams are two teams I don’t mind. I’m neither fond of them nor do I dislike them. Pre-season play has shown that the Rams are a slightly better team than the Panthers. I’m going with my gut on this one, and choosing the team I believe is going to win in this matchup.
Winner: St. Louis Rams
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
Even without Vick, the Falcons seem to be doing okay. The Vikings have had a decent pre-season, but Atlanta has proven that it is teamwork that can lead to a win, not an overpaid, criminal quarterback. In their last meeting, the Falcons beat the Vikings. Somehow, I believe history is going to be repeating itself.
Winner: Atlanta Falcons
New England Patriots at NY Jets
Tom Brady and his Patriots are taking on the first place (pre-season) NY Jets. While Brady’s personal life has been plagued by drama, it hasn’t seemed to carry onto the field. That being said, the NY Jets have a decent chance of winning. Still, the Patriots are, in my opinion, a better team overall.
Winner: New England Patriots
Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins
The Dolphins haven’t had a truly good season in years. Not since the days of Dan Marino. The Redskins, while not my favorite team, seem to be evenly matched with the Dolphins. Still, I’m guessing that the Dolphins will balk under pressure.
Winner: Washington Redskins
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
This matchup is an easy prediction. I’m a Jaguars fan. The two teams have done equally as well during the pre-season. Last year, the Jaguars had a decent season while the Titans were just ok.
Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars
Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers
I’m not a Bears fan. Still they made it to the Superbowl last year thanks to Rex Grossman and his phenomenal teammates. On the other hand, I don’t really mind San Diego. Last year, both teams played exceptionally well so choosing a team for this game, is one of the most difficult choices for Week 1.
Winner: San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
If there is a game I won’t be watching, it is going to be this one. I don’t like the Seahawks. I have no opinion either way on Tampa Bay. The pre-season has both teams evenly matched. A sheer lack of enthusiasm for these two teams has me choosing the team I have by default.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders
The Lions have surprised me this year. While they’re doing okay during the pre-season, the fact they have won any games after their pathetic play the last few years is a miracle unto itself. In Week 1, they are taking on the Raiders, who have matched their record in the pre-season. The Raiders haven’t had a truly good team since the 1990s. This match is a pretty decent one, with the potential to go either way.
Winner: Detroit Lions
NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys
My fiancée knows very little about pro football. When she liked a team, back in the day, it was because she liked their uniforms. This meant her team was the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t think she ever watched a game they played, but she did consider herself a fan! The NY Giants have a decent team, and so do the Cowboys. While I’m not one to choose a team for their uniforms, I think, for once, Ashtyn might have chosen the right team to win this game.
Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Monday, September 10, 2007
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens are my least favorite team in the NFL. I’m glad they haven’t done as well as expected in the pre-season. I’ve heard them called the best team in the NFL this year, and while I disagree with that assessment, my dislike for the team has me choosing the team that was my favorite in childhood, to win.
Winner: The Cincinnati Bengals
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
This matchup is bleh in my opinion. What is good about either of these teams? Arizona was the only team worse than Detroit last season. The 49ers weren’t much better. While this matchup is fair, I think that Arizona still has a lot to learn about how to play football.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Football, NFL, Game Predictions, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints
October 4th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
My Lock of the Week is the Patriots - every week. This team is highly motivated and cohesive, which makes them very tough - even in those 3rd down situations on the road, they are all on the same page. As a Jets fan, I hate to say it, but Belichick has got them so good that he can take his hands off the tiller and steer with his eyes shut now. 16-0 is very real, time to see those aging Dolphins eat crow for a change this year maybe.
October 14th, 2007 at 11:24 am
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