NFL Week 1

FINALLY!!!!!!!!! The NFL season begins tonight with the defending champs NY Giants taking on the hated Washington Redskins. For every week I will look at the 5 more intriguing games for the upcoming NFL weekend. Let's start with tonights game:







Redskins at Giants







Giants: Im looking forward to seeing the Giants D since Osi Umenyiora is out for the season. That defense had a great season, especially in the playoffs, shutting down a Dallas offense who scored plenty points and the once undefeated Patriots team who has arguably the best offensive season in NFL history. I believe Eli Manning shut up alot of doubters, but he still needs to manage a game. He wont throw up crazy numbers like his brother Peyton, but as long as he can balance his passing, he should be fine. I dont expect him to throw many INTs. The running game should be fine. The WRs dropped alot of balls. If that happsn too often, look for the Giants to run mor often.







Redskins: The Reskins on paper looked like they got better with the newly aquired Jason Taylor. taylor may not play due to a knee injury, but when with Taylor happy, does that make them a better team? No really. The jury is still out on QB Jason Campbell. I like him, not because he has the same last name as me, but because, even though he has had to learn so many offensive systems, he still is a decent QB. His starting receivers arent that tall (Randle El is 5'10, Moss is 5'10 also). They dont seem to use Randle El as good as he was used in Pittsburgh. He was part of the best WR corp in the NFL, but it looks like a case of guy-has-a-breakout-season-signs-with-another-team-for-big-money-and-hasnt-done-well-since syndrome. The defense will be better with a healthy Taylor, but the offense will determine if the Skins have a chance in the tought NFC East.







NY Jets at Dolphins



(Lets get one thing straight before I start: I am NOT picking this game because I am a Dolphins fan.)







Jets- They have one of the biggest, if not the biggest, offseason of any team in the NFL. Before you-know-who was acquired, they spent $ on Kris Jenkins, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody. Jenkinfs will help with the Jets' not-so-great pass defense, while Faneca and Woody will help O-Line standout D'Brickashaw Fergusonprotect that "guy" who made alot of noise inside the Packers front office. Brett Favre can still throw it as hard as anyone on earth. Can he be accurate on a new team? Favre fell off the past few years until last season, where the Packers should have gone on to face the Patriots in the superbowl. Whose fault was it that GB was beaten? Favre. I believe Favre can get the Jets back into the playoffs, as long as the INTs aren't there and the run defense gets better. The run game was in the top 20, but the Jets can't solely rely on Favre to bail them out. I expect a big season from Jericho Cotchery. The pass defense was in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. They will only get better





Dolphins: FINALLY something positive to talk about when it comes to Miami. One teams trash coould be another team's treasure. I was for getting Chad Pennington when the Jets relseased him. He makes the Dolphins WRs look halfway decent. Chad Henne looks to be the future of the Dolphins. IF they dont let him play, does not bother me. Cam Cameron probably wrecked John Beck for sending him too early last season. Ted Ginn still isn't #1 receiver worthy, but he should be getting way more punt/returns for TDs than the 1Td he got. I like Ernest Wilford as a #2 WR, not a #1. The RB situation looks good. Seeing him firsthand, Ricky Williams looks scary good. He has lost weight and can till run the sweep better than anyone on earth. If he stays healthy (if Ronnie Brown can stay healthy too), dont be shocked if you see a 2000+ total years combined by both guys. The defense looks better. Im cool with a 3-4 defense since the LBs are fast and can knock out players (Porter, though injuired, Crowder, still young, Roth, even though changing positions, looks good.) Im excited to see what goes on with the team





Cowboys at Browns





Cowboys: I was very high on Dallas last season. I was shocked when they lost to the Giants. The loss looked to be because of dropped passes and Tony Romo. I am big on Romo, but he has to win a playoff game. And dont tell me the reason why they lost was because of Jessica Simpson. Im still puzzled as to why people think the Eagles will win the NFC East. Hell, Sports Illustrated has them losing in the Superbowl. Um, no. Sorry Philly fans, no superbowl for you. The Cowboys got better with the gamble that, for now, turned in their favor in acquiring Adam Jones. He still has game, so I see him improving a pass defense that has a happy Terrance Newman and a more determied Roy Williams who did not have a great year last year. Terrell Owens will be 35 in December and they aren't any other good WRs left. Sam Hurd is eh. Patrick Crayton is a decent #2. I wont put Philly over Dallas just yet.





Browns: Theres a reasonw hy the Browns are on prometime TV 5 times this season: The are GOOD. They will win the NFC North. Derek Anderson is coming off a concussion in the preseason, but appears to be ok. If not, Brady Quinn looks to be ready. Jamal Lewis still has some game left as hes pusing 30. He can still get the job done for the moment. That offensive line is one of the best in the NFL so Lewis should have no problem gaining 1000+ yards on the ground. I am so excited about the WRs and TEs. I was a Bralyon Edwards fans back when he was at Michigan. With the speedy Donte Stallworth on the other side, the field could be wide open for Cleveland. They balanced offense will lead to many play action situations and many points. The defense could be their downfall. The 3rd worst D in the NFL is puzzling, even with a defensive minded coach in Romeo Crennel.





Carolina at San Diego





Panthers: It just seems like Jake Delhomme cant stay healthy. This time, its the elbow. at 33, his body looks to breaking down. This doesnt helped the league's 29th worst offense. With no Deshaun Foster in the backfield, the PAnthers got explosive with drafting RB standout from Oregon, Jonathan Stewart and the speedy Deangelo Williams. Though Steve Smith will miss the first two games because of a fight, look for him to come out in the third game with a vengeance. The Defense relies on one person: Julius Peppers. He had a down year last year, but looks to be in top form this year.



Chargers: 2 years ago, they should have won the superbowl, but tha Patriots ended that and a 14-2 season where the biggest crybaby in sports, Ladainian Tomlinson, had his best season ever. Last season, they shocked the Colts, but, once again, lost to the Pats. I expect them to still will the weak ass AFC West. Their offense is still good, with Phillip Rivers being healthy after playing with a broken leg. WR Chris Chambers will be in his first full season with the Bolts so expect him to have a solid season. The defense is young, but what the hell is Shawne Merriman doing?! Ending his career at 24? Theres still next year, but maybe he thinks the Chargers' window of opportunity is closing. Antonio Cromarte



Vikings at Packers



Vikings: I am very high on Minnesota. They have the best run defense in the NFL and got better with the adition of Jared Allen. They had the best running game in the NFL with the explosion of Adrian Peterson. His numbers may go down since defenses may be able to figure him out (like Reggie Bush last season, though Peterson is better physicallt at RB). While rushing on both offense and defense is good, their passing offense and defense is not so great. The Vikings had the worst pass D in the NFL. Their passing offense is one of the worst. There is a reason why the Vikings were in the hunt for Brett Favre. Ive seen Tavaris JAcson in preseason and he has looked good. He had a leg injury, but seems fine. They cant soley rely on Peterson to run all game. Jackson has to pass when needed and get the passing game working

Packers: It was very quiet at Packers camp this offseason................well maybe not. I was for getting rid of Favre, but if he still has game, maybe they should have not gotten rid of him. Thats why Packer fans better pray that Aaron Rodgers looks anything like he did in one half of football last year vs the Cowboys. That offense has major talent and was the 2nd best offense in football. Ryan grant can be effective when healthy. Greg Jenings was a standout WR and Donaly Driver can stil play well. The defense cais balanced and the secondary is getting older but still decent.