NFL Weekly Matchup (Week 1.)

By: Carrington Caul

Weekly Watch (Week 1.)

Thursday 8:30PM (New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers)

New Orleans: New Orleans pass protection will be under the microscope as they go against a great pass rushing team that likes to apply pressure. The secondary will also be important against a team with a week rushing game but a heavy passing game. If you can get pressure on Rodgers and have good coverage throughout the game then New Orleans could have a chance.

Green Bay: The Packers will need to have an effective rushing game if they want to open up the passing. When teams become one dimensional then it’s easy to take that away from them and right now the rushing attack isn’t going to help the play action and the receivers getting open to catch the big passes that Rodgers is great at delivering.

Outcome: (Saints 28-24) I don’t think this will be a high scoring game both teams have a great defense that can create pressure up front and good covering secondary’s. I think the rushing attack will determine who wins the game.

Sunday 1:00PM (Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears)

Atlanta: Atlanta is one of the teams I picked to play in the Super Bowl they had a great offense when they had Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Michael Turner and then they went out and drafted the best WR in the draft in Julio Jones. Jones is a speed receiver who will be a big compliment to Roddy White and give Matt Ryan a great addition to a very solid offense. BUT; the Falcons didn’t do anything to upgrade their defense from last year. They really wanted Carolina’s DE Charles Johnson but Carolina made sure that no team would offer as much as they did and the Falcons had to settle for Ray Edwards. Don’t get me wrong Edwards is a great player and has been consistent his whole career and recorded 8 sacks last season. I just think the Falcons need to get better on defense.

Chicago: The Bears could potentially be the biggest turn around team this year. You ask what I mean by that. Well last year the Bears went 11-5, this year I think they will go 5-11 maybe. And a big maybe at that, they still don’t have a legitimate number one receiver. I’m not sold on Johnny Knox; they got rid of Greg Olsen who was tied for first with most TD’s with 5. They have gone to a team that’s going to run and in these days the NFL is going to a RBC (Running by Committee) and I don’t think Forte will last 16 games by himself. Jay Cutler is still having nightmares about the sacks he took last season. I think the Bears are giving up a lot just to make an offense one way.

Outcome: (Falcons 42-14) even though the Falcons have a defense that’s suspect as of right now. They shouldn’t have a problem disposing the Bears in an easy route and I think the Falcons get it done.

Sunday 1:00PM (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Brown)

Cincinnati: The Bengals are a team that is really trying to figure out what they are doing. They want to embrace the youth movement but they still are in the middle of the road. This year will be a bumpy road for the Bengals with a rookie quarterback, rookie starting receiver and rookie offensive coordinator. The good thing about the Bengals is their defense should be able to lead them and help them make some games more manageable. I still think the Bengals will be picking in the top 10 once again next year.

Cleveland: The Browns are middle of the road time right now and not just in the NFL but in their conference. They aren’t where the Ravens and Steelers are but they are better than the Bengals. In a few more seasons I think the Browns could be in contention to win the AFC North. They found a solid receiver and future leader in Greg Little and Colt McCoy looks to be something special for the Browns. They still have some things they need to address but this is a potential playoff team in the next 2-4yrs.

Outcome: (Browns 21-10) The Browns should be able to take care of the Bengals they outmatch them on all offense, defense, and special teams. The Bengals will play hard and give everything they have but they’re still a young offense who has to learn the ropes and take its lumps.

Sunday 1:00PM (Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Buffalo: The Bills are another middle of the road type team, they’re not the worst team in the league but they are far from the best. I’m not impressed with none of the quarterbacks they have on their roster and I think that will be a position they will upgrade in the upcoming draft with a lot of talent coming out. Their running game will have to prove it’s self. Last season it was in the bottom half in passing yards and rushing yards in the league but they were third in passing defense and they think that that is something they can build on. They were dead last in rushing defense so they have to get better stopping the run and trying to create something.

Kansas City: Kansas City was number one in rushing yards last season but was 30th in passing yards. This season they have to get better passing the ball and this team could be very deadly on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense look to get better and I think Kansas City could be a sleeper again this season.

Outcome: (Chiefs 35-17) The Chiefs have their running back tandem that finished 1st in rushing yards last season and the Bills finished 32nd in rush defense. Rushing the ball has to be the game plan for the Chiefs and if the Bills can’t stop it the Chiefs will continuously run the ball and everybody knows the running game opens the passing.

Sunday 1:00PM (Philadelphia Eagles vs. St. Louis Rams)

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia “Dream-Team” Eagles have showed this season that money isn’t everything. After going out and picking up some big name players the Eagles still looked like they were struggling in almost every pre-season game. I think you can chalk it up to new coaches, new game plans and new players. The Eagles have a good team that will compete for championships, I don’t think this is the year for them to get a championship but it’s definitely in their future if they can get over the “Curse”. The running game and defense has to step up big this season due to the competition the Eagles will play. Vick should be Vick and have most defenses out of breath and wishing the game was over.

St. Louis: The Rams are a team that is looking to make a big splash this year. Sam Bradford is in his sophomore season and looking to improve his numbers and playing. The Rams can and should easily win their division this season. The Rams could be a underdog this season playing tougher opponents but Bradford and Jackson can probably lead this offense to a couple of upset victories.

Outcome: (Rams 35-32) this game isn’t an indication of who is the better team just whose the most prepared team. I think the Eagles are still learning and ironing out wrinkles and I think the Rams are more in tune with what they want to do and where they are at.

Sunday 1:00PM (Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Detroit: The Lions are a team that are on the brink of being something special and I think this season could be a year where they really show what they can do but they will miss the playoffs by a game or two. Matthew Stafford is the better quarterback in this game and I think he will have a good game but the running attack has to be effective for the Lions to win.

Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers this season are what the Cowboys were to me last season. They are coming off a 10 win season and played very well but you have to look at the competition they were up against. Their only wins against teams with a winning record were New Orleans, Seattle, and St. Louis. I don’t think this team is as good as they were on paper last season and will probably struggle against the tougher competition this year. Josh Freeman will do good things for them this season and they will be a good team just not great.

Outcome: (Lions 21-17) In a close game between two teams that are evenly matched the Lions pull away due to the ability to stop the run and forcing Freeman to win the game with his receivers.

Sunday 1:00PM (Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Tennessee: The Titans are starting with a new QB, a new head coach but the same dominate running game and that’s what their strength is. Give Chris Johnson the ball and let him do what he does best they also have some WR’s who can make big plays. They can only go as far as their defense allows them to go. Once Jake Locker gets control of this team they can be a very deadly and great offense.

Jacksonville: The Jaguars are another middle of the road team that competes week in and week out but still are missing some players who can make them a great team. They finished last season 3rd in rushing yards but was 27th in passing yards and 28th and 22nd in passing yards and rushing yards allowed. That is something that will keep them in the middle of the pack. Once their defense can step up and become better I think this is a serious playoff team. Blaine Gabbert will inherit a good team when he steps in probably next year. This game is a game of the future because both teams 2nd string QB’s will probably be starters next season.

Outcome: (Titans 28-24) The Titans have Chris Johnson and him running against a week defense is going to keep the Jags on their heels most of the game.

Sunday 1:00PM (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Pittsburgh: The Steelers are a great team and I think that showed when they made it to the Super Bowl last season. They have top 5 QB and a great rushing game and an even better defense. The key to them winning this game is playing Steelers ball which means hard nose, physical football and rush the ball well.

Baltimore: The Ravens are the second team I picked to play in the Super Bowl this season. Joe Flacco is a great quarterback while they have a solid rushing attack and a great defense. For the Ravens it’s just about getting over the hump they been have a problem with during the post season and I think this season is the year they learn how.

Outcome: (Ravens 42-38) this will be a great game and both teams have a great defense which would make you think it will be a low scoring game but both teams offense is too electric that they have to get in the end zone a few times a piece. This game is an important game especially for the lead in the division. I picked the Ravens to finish 12-4 and the Steelers to finish 11-5 so this is a good start for which team wants the conference title the most.

Sunday 1:00PM (Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans)

Indianapolis: The Colts best player is Peyton Manning and they will be without him this week and that will hurt their offense. Not because of what he does when he makes his decisions with the ball but his ability to read defenses the way he steps to the line of scrimmage and starts calling an audible and picking out who’s the mike and who’s blitzing. The Colts are still a talented team with Manning on the sideline they just have to play 10 times harder to show it.

Houston: The Texans are a team where every year we say this is their year they are going to do big things. Well this year I don’t think it is they have a new defensive coordinator in Wade Phillips and are running a new defensive scheme and I think it will take a full season to get acclimated with it due to the lockout. Matt Schuab and Andre Johnson will still put on circus performances week in and out.

Outcome: (Texans 27-20) The Colts will play hard and show they can play without Manning but at the end of the day they don’t have Manning and it will show at the end of the game.

Sunday 4:15PM (New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins)

New York: Funny how a few things can change everything about a team, I thought the Giants were a team that could possibly have a Super Bowl run and then their 1st and 2nd rd draft picks got injured. Eli Manning’s two safety receivers walked away while one went to divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles and then the top CB tore his ACL about 20 seconds away from when the starters were getting pulled from the game. And now this is a team that is very thin at certain positions but they are still a great team that can be a 10 win team and reach the playoffs. The Giants will lean heavily on the run this season which means Bradshaw and Jacobs have to be very good and remain healthy. Eli has to be better with his receivers and cut down on the mistakes.

Washington: The Redskins are a team that are used to winning games and championships and being competitive week in and week out and they haven’t been too competitive in the past few seasons. They are looking to get back where they were a few years ago but it will take a few seasons before the Redskins become a legitimate threat in the NFC or even NFL

Outcome: (Giants 42-20) This Giants team is still very good without Boss and Smith, they will run the ball effectively and Manningham, and Nicks shall have good games. The defense shall be able to stop the run and hopefully the pass.

Sunday 4:15PM (Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49’ers)

Seattle: The Seahawks are a team that can either be really good this year or they can be really bad. If they can get the running game going then they will be a good team. Their defense should be able to hold most teams off and be competitive week in and week out it will fall on Tavaris Jackson or whoever is under center this season to make them a legitimate team.

San Francisco: The 49’ers were a team a few seasons ago I thought were going to be serious playoff contenders fast forward to where we are now and they are in a rebuilding phase. They don’t have a franchise quarterback nor do they have a solid rushing attack or number one receiver. Their defense has some questions to it and they are trying to find a personality.

Outcome: (49’ers 17-14) the 49’ers will when this game because of the rushing attack from Frank Gore. They this will probably be a sloppy defensive game that can go either way but the 49’ers should be able to walk away with this one.

Sunday 4:15PM (Minnesota Vikings vs. San Diego Chargers)

Minnesota: The Vikings are a solid team and are very good rushing the ball with Adrian Peterson and are ok defensively. Adding Donovan McNabb could make this team very deadly when you can run the ball effectively and then have a QB who is a great passer and a great runner. If the defense can play well this team should be very good.

San Diego: The Chargers are a team that have been Super Bowl contenders for the past few seasons mainly because they have a solid defense and one of the best passing offense in the NFL. Phillip Rivers is among the best of the QB’s and he shows it week in and week out. The only thing that stops the Chargers from being Super Bowl champions is their rushing attack and they are hoping they can have an effective one this season.

Outcome: (Chargers 32-24) The Chargers should be able to win this one because Phillip Rivers has more weapons to throw to than McNabb. Adrian Peterson should be able to keep this one close most of the game but the Chargers should walk away with this one.

Sunday 4:15PM (Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Carolina: The Panthers are coming off of a 2-14 season but they are clearly not a 2-14 team. The Panthers have a great rushing attack with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and one of the best WR’s in Steve Smith. They helped themselves by picking up TE’s Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen. They have a solid defense with Charles Johnson on the end and one of the best if not the best linebacker’s corps in the NFL. Oh and they just drafted a National Championship and Heisman winning QB by the name of Cam Newton. The Panthers have all the weapons they need to be successful they just have to have the attitude and play aggressively. They’re not close to the Super Bowl or even the playoffs so they have a few seasons to continue to build and make them successful.

Arizona: The Cardinals were just in the Super Bowl not to many seasons ago but they have lost some key players but have been trying to rebuild. They felt like they were a QB away from being a serious contending team so they went out and picked up Kevin Kolb from the Eagles. They also picked up some other weapons they believe can help them. They have to get better rushing the ball and on defense and they felt they did both of those during the off season.

Outcome: (Panthers 24-13) The Panthers should be able to take care of a Cardinals team that has a defensive problem. They will use Williams and Stewart to get the offensive going and then try and get Cam Newton and the receivers and tight ends going.

Sunday 8:20PM (Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets)

Dallas: Dallas is coming off of a season that was embarrassing for them they went out and got some players who should be able to help immediately but they didn’t really improve on defense especially in their secondary where they got continuously blown on coverage’s. They will look to their offense to lead them and for the defense to clean up.

New York: The Jets are trying to reach the Super Bowl after trying and coming close for two seasons they feel like this is the season where they win it all. They brought in some players who they felt like could help them achieve their goal. The passing offense is still in question but they will look for their defense to lead them this season and get their rushing attack going.

Outcome: (Jets 49-21) The Jets should have no problem getting rid of the Cowboys because their defense and secondary probably won’t be able to cover the receivers or stop the running game.

Monday 7:00PM (New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins)

New England: The Patriots are one of the best teams offensively their problem is their defense they have been getting exposed in the playoffs recently on the defensive side so this season they will have to show that they can get physical defensively and make some stops and get better defensively.

Miami: The Dolphins are a team that aren’t close to the playoffs no time soon but they have a capable quarterback, a solid number one receiver and they just received Reggie Bush who should help them in the rushing game, receiving and in special teams. Their defense is in question though and probably need a new coach and new scheme that can energize the team and the fan base.

Outcome: (Patriots 49-13) The Patriots should be able to easily get rid of the Dolphins they are superior on all phases of the game and should be able to get the job done.

Monday 10:15PM (Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos)

Oakland: The Raiders took some hard hits this off season when they lost Nnamdi Asomugha and Zach Miller but was able to get Kevin Boss from the Giants and feel they have a team that can compete for a playoff spot this season. The Rushing game and defense will be the deciding factors of how far they will be able to go. Jason Campbell should be and effective quarterback and possibly have a career season this year.

Denver: The Broncos have being the topic of headlines with what they are going to do at quarterback and they decided that Kyle Orton will be the leader for their offense. Head Coach John Fox philosophy is having a great defense and just uses a quarterback that can manage the game and a rushing attack that can control the clock which will make them more conservative.

Outcome: (Oakland 20-17) The Raiders are a more talented team and should be able to come pull the victory out by being a more aggressive and physical team. Jason Campbell should be able to find his weapons and the defense should make some good stops.