DTTWSB Week 1 NFL Picks

This is the moment we have all been waiting for. NFL football is officially back ladies and gentleman. We are about five and a half hours away from the kickoff of the Vikings and Saints game. This year on the Down To The Wire Sports Blog, I will be picking every single game this NFL season. Every week I will give slight analysis and pick four marquee games and one upset special. The remainder of the games will be picked without any explanation. So here are my Week 1 selections.

Vikings at Saints: Saints

Let's start off with the opening game of the season. I don't see how the Minnesota Vikings can go back to the "scene of the crime" 8 months later and pull out a win. Especially without their number one wide receiver Sidney Rice. If Favre would have gotten into training camp earlier, they might have a chance but I think Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to be dialing up too many blitzes for Favre to handle. That Superdome will be absolutely electric when they raise the Super Bowl banner from a year ago. This game may end up turning into a Bayou Beatdown.

Colts at Texans: Colts

This game is the single most important game in Houston Texans history. They have an opportunity to get a jump on the Colts this season by beating them. Their fans will be pumped up and ready to go, but there is no opposing quarterback that is better prepared for this situation than Peyton Manning. I think the Colts have a little too much fire power for the Texans to handle. The Colts are also getting Bob Sanders back which should be a great addition to their defense. Overall, I think the Colts still reign supreme over the AFC South, especially the Texans.

Packers at Eagles: Packers

Look for a lot of points to be put up on the board in this game. If you're in love with football being a passing game, this is the perfect matchup for you. Aaron Rodgers I think will be put his stamp on this game and on the league this season. What I'm most looking forward to in this game is the debut of Kevin Kolb as the definitive starting quarterback of the Eagles. I think he will play well in this game but Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers' 3-4 defense may confuse him on Sunday. I like the Packers to win but I think this game will definitely be decided in the 4th quarter.

Ravens at Jets: Jets

In my opinion, this is the game of the week and the fact that it's on Monday Night Football makes it that much better. These two franchises have aspirations to be playing in Dallas this February in the Super Bowl. Both teams have two young and upcomong quarterbacks and great defenses. This will be a very physical football game. I think Rex Ryan's defense will be too confusing for Joe Flacco. I see this as a bad matchup for the Ravens. Newly acquired wide receiver Anquan Boldin will be shut down by cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Ultimately, the Jets will be able to move the ball on the Ravens because free safety Ed Reed will not be playing and two other DB's will be missing in action. I like the Jets in a close one.

***Upset Special***
Bengals at Patriots: Bengals

According to Vegas, the Bengals are the underdog in this game. In my opinion they should be the favorites so I will happily take this upset pick to the bank. The Patriots have a very depleted secondary and defense in general. I don't think they will be able to generate enough pass rush to frustrate Carson Palmer. Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocino, Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley will be running wild on the Patriots secondary. I will be shocked if the Bengals don't put 28 points or more. Although the Bengals will be putting up points, the Patriots have a lot fire power as well. Brady, Moss and Welker will move the ball effectively as well, but ultimately their defense will be the achilles heel in this game and throughout the season.

The rest of the weeks picks:

Dolphins at Bills: Dolphins
Lions at Bears: Bears
Raiders at Titans: Titans
Panthers at Giants: Giants
Falcons at Steelers: Steelers
Browns at Buccaneers: Buccaneers
Broncos at Jaguars: Jaguars
Cardinals at Rams: Cardinals
49ers at Seahawks: 49ers
Cowboys at Redskins: Cowboys
Chargers at Chiefs: Chargers