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NEWS | Sept. 11, 2009

National Football League: Week 1 Predictions

By Airman 1st Class Patrick McKenna Capital Flyer sports writer

Are you ready for some football? Week 1 is almost here folks so here's what the plan is for this column moving forward. Each week I'll give a brief preview of every game. I'll make my picks and keep a running tally as the season progresses to see how well(or terrible) I'm doing. Anyone who would like to email me their picks is more than welcome as long as they're sent by noon each Sunday.

Miami @ Atlanta:

While Ronnie Brown is due for a breakout season, the rest of the Dolphins offense isn't strong enough to hang with Atlanta's Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez; especially in the Georgia Dome.
Pick: Atlanta Falcons

Denver @ Cincinnati:
Both teams have plenty of question marks heading into this season. Can the Broncos new head coach Josh McDaniels bring some of his offensive magic to Denver? Will the Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer stay healthy all season?
Denver needs to show some cohesiveness on offense before they're worthy of your trust. Go with the Bengals at home.
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Minnesota @ Cleveland:
The Vikings signed Brett Favre (finally) showing the entire league they are pushing all in this season in search for a Super Bowl berth.
Minnesota will pound Adrian Peterson down the Browns throats early and often and Favre will make enough timely throws to keep the chains moving on third downs.
Pick: Minnesota Vikings

Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis:
Indianapolis is not the AFC powerhouse that they were two years ago, but they are still a very solid team.
Jacksonville will not be successful on the road against the Colts' aerial attack.
Pick: Indianapolis


Detroit @ New Orleans:
While the Detroit Lions won't go winless again, they are still a couple years away from being a playoff contender.
The Saints have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. The main question marks for them circle around the health of Reggie Bush and whether the defense can keep teams under 30 points.
The Saints at home won't have much trouble taking care of the Lions.
Pick: New Orleans

Dallas @ Tampa Bay:
While the Cowboys will face stiff competition this season in their quest to get over the hump, that competition will not come Week 1 versus Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay has some decent talent, but they don't have the skill players to stay with Dallas.
Pick: Dallas

Philadelphia @ Carolina:
While Philadelphia will end the season with a better record than Carolina, the Panthers have the dominant running game to keep McNabb and company off the field and sneak a win at home.
Pick: Carolina

Kansas City @ Baltimore:
For Baltimore, it will be interesting to see how they're defense performs without linebacker Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. For Kansas City, their offense has struggled all pre season to find any sort of rhythm. Baltimore couldn't have asked for a better team to work out their kinks against.
Pick: Baltimore

Washington @ New York Giants:
This game should be a close one. The Redskins, on paper, appear to have one of the best defenses in football.
The Giants have a solid defense and running game but no consistent threat at wide receiver.
I like the Redskins to stop the Giants rushing attack and sneak out a tough win on the road.
Pick: Washington

San Francisco @ Arizona:
Arizona is under a lot of people's microscopes this year. Nobody thinks they can possibly repeat the success they had last year. Maybe that's true. But they are certainly good enough to take care of San Francisco, a team who's in the middle of a rebuilding process.
Pick: Arizona


St. Louis @ Seattle:
As long as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, Seattle will challenge Arizona for the division crown.
The only thing St. Louis will be fighting for this season is the #1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Pick: Seattle

Chicago @ Green Bay:
Chicago made a great move bringing in quarterback Jay Cutler this offseason and while he does have talent around him (Matt Forte, Devin Hester and Greg Olsen) the offense can't keep up with Green Bay at home.
Pick: Green Bay

New York Jets @ Houston:
While the Jets should have a very good defense this year, quarterback Mark Sanchez won't have the same first year success Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco enjoyed last season.
Houston has the potential (most overused word in sports?) to finally to have a very good offense with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton. Go with the home team.
Pick: Houston

Buffalo @ New England:
The Patriots will come out of the gate firing on all cylinders in their quest to get back to the playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills will have a nice offense this season (once Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension after week 3) but they are no match for the Patriots.
Pick: New England


San Diego @ Oakland:
As has been mentioned in this column before, the Oakland Raiders are not going to be the joke of the AFC much longer.
Unfortunately, they just so happen to play one of the most complete teams in the AFC in Week 1; maybe next week Oakland fans.
Pick: San Diego

For all those interested in submitting their picks, please email patrick.mckenna@afncr.af.mil by Sunday at noon