NFL Week One Predictions

With Thursday's season opener between the last two teams to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, I thought I'd hazard my predictions for this weeks games.

New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers: Both teams seem equally matched in talent on offense. This game won't be nearly as high scoring as it would be were the matchup later in the season. I give the edge to Green Bay, as they have two healthy returning starters on offense in TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant. Prediction: Packers 24, Saints 20.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens: Two of the elite defensive teams in the league battling Week One. I like the addition of FB Vonta Leach to Baltimore to open holes for Ray Rice, as well as the addition of deep threat WR Lee Evans from Buffalo. Could this be a sign of the balance of power in the AFC North? Prediction: Baltimore 20, Pittsburgh 17.
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears: Another premiere matchup here. I just trust "Matty Ice" more than I do Jay Cutler in a tight game to not make the big mistake. Prediction: Atlanta 21, Chicago 16.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns: Rookie QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green are no doubt talented, but it'll take time to adjust to the NFL game. Prediction: Cleveland 28, Cincinnati 10.
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans: No doubt the biggest storyline heading into the weekend is the health of the two teams' stars. Peyton Manning (neck) will miss at least this game, and Arian Foster (hamstring) will likely be a game-time decision. Kerry Collins is a serviceable veteran, but Indy's offense will lack punch. Prediction: Houston 31, Indianapolis 17.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars: CJ2K, with new contract in tow, will be looking to prove he's worth his lofty new 4 year, $53 million deal. The Jaguars recently released veteran starting QB David Garrard five days before the first game, so this game is a no-brainer, right? This will be closer than people think. Prediction: Titans 21, Jaguars 20.
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs: Full disclosure, I'm a die hard Bills fan. Buffalo focused almost entirely on defense in the draft, nabbing DL Marcell Dareus, CB Aaron Williams and LB Kelvin Sheppard. Shawne Merriman will make his first regular season as a Bill, hoping to regain his "Lights Out" form from a few years ago, and LB Nick Barnett adds athleticism and playmaking in the middle. The Bills aren't going to be an easy out this year. Prediction: Kansas City 24, Buffalo 21.
Philadelphia Eagles @ St. Louis Rams: The off-season acquisitions of the self-titled "Dream Team" are well known. If the Eagles are serious about winning a Super Bowl this year, they need to make an example of a young, up and coming Rams club. The Eagles will win, but St. Louis will keep it close. Prediction: Philadelphia 27, St. Louis 17.
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay came out of seemingly nowhere last year to win ten games. Detroit similarly made strides last year under Jim Schwartz, and is hoping to take another step towards a postseason berth this year. A lot of that will ride on the shoulder of QB Matthew Stafford (no pun intended...well, maybe a little bit). Prediction: Detroit 24, Tampa Bay 23.
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals: Each team has a new QB under center this year. Cam Newton has all the physical tools you could look for in a quarterback, but questions remain about his readiness to contribute immediately. However, he'll have a healthy RB stable behind him in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, as well as two new tight ends to throw to in Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey. UPSET OF THE WEEK! Prediction: Carolina 17, Arizona 13.
Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers: How can a team that had the #1 offense AND #1 defense in the league miss the playoffs? Yeah, I have no idea either. Any team that has Adrian Peterson is a dangerous team, and McNabb won't be nearly as bad as Brett Favre was last year, which can only help the Vikings in their quest to return to the postseason. Prediction: San Diego 30, Minnesota 20.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers: Both teams have aspirations to win the NFC West this year. Reigning division champion Seahawks (7-9) will try to build on their wild Wild Card win against then reigning Super Bowl champion Saints. The Niners have a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh who is more quarterback friendly than previous head coaches Jim Nolan and Mike Singletary. Expect almost all NFC West divisional matchups to be competitive. Prediction: San Francisco 14, Seattle 13.
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins: Rex Grossman is the starting QB in Washington, and Mike Shanahan will surely do his merry-go-round of running backs this year. The Giants have playoff-caliber talent at the skill positions, but I have questions about their O-line's ability to protect Eli in light of the release of veteran C Shaun O'Hara and G Rich Seubert. Prediction: New York (N) 24, Washington 22.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets: Rex Ryan seemingly always has his players ready to compete, and this game will be no different. The Cowboys have a ton of talent, and are similar to San Diego in that you wonder if they will be able to put it all together and make noise in the postseason. Prediction: New York (A) 21, Dallas, 17.
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins: Miami have two new RB's in rookie Daniel Thomas and former #2 overall pick Reggie Bush in tow, but the same mistake-prone QB (Chad Henne). The 'Fins will have their moments this season, but not in this one. Prediction: New England 34, Miami 16.
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders: Two new head coaches will square off in the nightcap of Monday Night Football's 2011 debut. Denver's defense was bad last year, something John Fox can't and won't stand for this season. The healthy return of Elvis Dumervil will help, as will fellow pash-rushing specialist Von Miller. Darren McFadden had a breakout year for Oakland last year, and they have a good game managing quarterback in Jason Campbell. Prediction: Oakland 24, Denver 17.