New Orleans at Green Bay

(Green Bay was the pick)

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Baltimore has a new deep threat in Lee Evans and a new left tackle in Bryant McKinnie...but it's the same old result. Pittsburgh in a close one.

Atlanta at Chicago

The general consensus seems to be that the Falcons, a pundit preseason favorite to reach the Super Bowl, will roll. I think Chicago beats them down and brings them back to Earth.

Cincinnati at Cleveland

The Browns are trending up. The Bengals are not only trending down but they are the early front runners to land Andrew Luck first overall in next years draft. Cleveland in an ugly affair.

Indianapolis at Houston

No Peyton? No problem! And then Jim Irasy woke up. If Houston doesn't win the AFC South this year it may never happen.

Tennessee at Jacksonville

Jack Del Rio is back to dumping veteran quarterbacks on the eve of the season. While I think Luke McCown surprises and plays better than most people expect, Tennessee's  Matt Hasselbeck and newly minted Chris Johnson will be too much for the Jags.

Buffalo at Kansas City

Kansas City didn't win a preseason game - which means absolutely nothing. But their quarterback is hurting, their offense is sputtering and their coach is a jerk. Buffalo has an improving defense and enough talent on offense to pull off a mild upset. I think they do.

Philadelphia at St. Louis

Did someone say upset? That's right, the Dream Team comes crashing back to reality this afternoon. While Philadelphia spent the last few months making headlines, St. Louis makes the biggest headline when it matters by knocking off one of the pundits' preseason darlings.

Detroit at Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay surprised the league last year with a scrappy, talented young team that snuck up on a lot of people. While I think Josh Freeman is one of the best young signal callers in the league, Detroit will be too much for the Bucs today.

Carolina at Arizona

Kevin Kolb may throw fewer than 20 passes today. While Arizona is no juggernaut, Carolina has a new coach, a new quarterback and the same old problem on defense - stopping the run. Expect a big game from Beanie Wells and occasional shots to Larry Fitzgerald off of playaction. Going to be a long season in Charlotte.

Minnesota at San Diego

The Leslie Frazier era gets its official kickoff in San Diego. Unfortunately for Vikings fans their team opens against a Super Bowl contender. San Diego seems to have fixed their one bugaboo from last season, their special teams, and are primed for a deep playoff run.

Seattle at San Francisco

This game could be close to unwatchable. San Francisco can't block anyone. Seattle has a complete mish-mash of parts that they desperately need to gel, and gel quickly. Pete Carroll is in year two of his stated three year plan. It's hard to see what the goal is but having a year under their belt as a staff gives them the edge in this ugly game.

N.Y. Giants at Washington

The NFC East is a complete mystery. Any one of its four teams could emerge as division champion and it wouldn't surprise me. Yes, even lowly Washington. But the New York Giants have the quarterback and better recievers which, in today's NFL, helps ring up victories against teams like the Redskins who want to pound the football.

Dallas at N.Y. Jets

Rex Ryan is telling anyone and everyone who will listen that their team is going to win the Super Bowl. (No, really, this time he means it) The feeling here is that he has the defense - but just doesn't have the horses on offense. Dallas has its own issues, most importantly in the secondary, but the Jets don't have the weapons to exploit it.

New England at Miami

Things could (and will) get late real early in Miami this year, and it starts with this visit from division rival New England. The Patriots have a scary defensive front and an improved secondary. Its hard to see Chad Henne having much success. Meanwhile, on the other side, Tom Brady and company keep humming along.

Oakland at Denver

Who chose these Monday night openers? John Fox's outfit will look to pound the ball but they lack the kind of back Fox prefers to do the job. New Oakland head coach Hue Jackson is an underrated upgrade over the departed Tom Cable and will have his guys ready to take control of this game and not look back.