The Hail Mary - Week 1

I am giddy as a school girl right now. The reason for my giddiness is because the NFL season is finally upon us. After six long months, the greatest league in the history of EVAR is back. The return of the NFL also means it is the return of my weekly Hail Mary. I have decided to add a little wrinkle to The Hail Mary this year. In addition to picking the games straight up, I will also pick against the spread. Let it be known that I don't condone gambling in any way (unless you are really good at it).

Games That I Will Be Watching

Tennessee at Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh favored by 6

The NFL continues its newest tradition of having the defending Super Bowl champions open up the season at home. These two teams were the best the AFC had to offer last year. Their is some bad blood between the two, stemming from the Titans stomping on some Terrible Towels after defeating the Steelers in Tennessee last year. I think the Titans are in for a down year. QB Kerry Collins is going to struggle with the tough early schedule, and I think we could see Vince Young starting by Week 7.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 10

Dallas at Tampa Bay, Dallas favored by 6

The Metro area gets some really crappy 1:00 games. I would much rather be able to see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Carolina Panthers than this crap. The Buccaneers should be awful this year, no matter how good Byron Leftwich was for a half last year. I expect the Cowboys to also struggle. Partially, due to the loss of WR Terrell Owens, but mostly due to the ineptness of coach Wade Phillips.

Prediction: Dallas 28, Tampa Bay 17

Kansas City at Baltimore, Baltimore favored by 13

I am sick of getting boring Baltimore Ravens games. It is almost enough to make me move from Virginia. The Ravens defense will be beasts yet again this year, while QB Joe Flacco needs to just be average like he was last season. For the Chiefs, it is expected that QB Matt Cassel will start but he could be gone in a hurry facing the pressure the Ravens will put on him.

Prediction: Baltimore 24, Kansas City 7

Washington at New York Giants, Giants favored by 6 1/2

For the second straight season these two NFC East rivals kick off the season in New York, er I mean New Jersey. The story all year for the Skins will be Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn. They are essentially married to each other, and will either succeed or fail together. This will be our first chance to see if the Giants offense can actually have a passing game with no proven wide receivers. For Redskins fans, will Albert Haynesworth's presence have an immediate impact on the defense's ability to create turnovers? This should be a very good game, and a closer game than Vegas thinks. I think the running power of Giants RB Brandon Jacobs carries them to victory.

Prediction: New York Giants 20, Washington Redskins 17

Chicago at Green Bay, Green Bay favored by 3 1/2

One of the longest, most storied rivalries in the NFL takes center stage on Sunday night. It will be the regular season debut of new Bears QB Jay Cutler, seen as the savior of the franchise. The Packers are expected to make a huge leap from last year's 6-10 campaign. The defense is expected to be improved, and the offense is thought by many to potentially be the best in the league.

Prediction: Green Bay 27, Chicago 17

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, New England favored by 11

With the Bills signing WR Terrell Owens in the off season, and the return of Patriots QB Tom Brady, this game seemed worthy of a Monday Night slot. However, the Bills have been in complete turmoil for the last week, firing their Offensive Coordinator and releasing a starting offensive lineman. I don't think Brady will miss a beat this year, and he and WR Randy Moss will make sweet music together. I thought TO could stay happy this year but the Bills are a mess and I think things will get ugly sooner rather than later.

Prediction: New England 41, Buffalo 13

San Diego at Oakland, San Diego favored by 9 1/2

There are two things about ESPN that befuddle me. First, their insistence on airing a Monday Night San Francisco/Arizona game every year, and second, their insistence on having the Raiders on Monday Night Football. This will be like almost every other time the Raiders have been on Monday Night to open the season, an embarrassing, pitiful loss.

Prediction: San Diego 38, Oakland 17

Rest of Week 1

Miami at Atlanta, Atlanta favored by 4

Two surprise teams from last year do battle in Week One. It seems that most think the Dolphins will take a step back, while Falcons QB Matt Ryan's hype continues to grow. Considering that the Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history, I think they are the best bet to have a precipitous fall this year.

Prediction: Miami 24, Atlanta 21

Denver at Cincinnati, Cincinnati favored by 4 1/2

These two teams are seemingly headed in opposite directions. The Broncos had a tumultuous off-season, that has spilled into the season with the pouting of WR Brandon Marshall. The Bengals had a relatively quiet off-season in that they weren't making daily headlines for having someone arrested. QB Carson Palmer will be making his return and seemingly has a highly motivated Chad Ochocinco to throw to this year.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Denver 20

Minnesota at Cleveland, Minnesota favored by 4

The Brett Favre era continues for a 19th season. This time Favre is playing for one of the Packers biggest rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. Favre couldn't have asked for a better first opponent, the stinky, smelly Browns.

Prediction: Minnesota 26, Cleveland 6

Jacksonville at Indianapolis, Indianapolis favored by 7

The Jaguars always seem to play the Colts tough, including last season when they won at Indianapolis. This will be a new era for the Colts, as it is their first game without longtime coach Tony Dungy and WR Marvin Harrison. I think the Colts get the win but it will be closer than the experts think.

Prediction: Indianapolis 28, Jacksonville 25

Detroit at New Orleans, New Orleans favored by 13

So how long will it take the Lions to get their first victory of the 2009 season? Orbetter yet, will they win a game in 2009? I don't think Lions fans have to fear, with a new regime in town I think the Lions will be better. By better I mean, when they lose at least it might be kinda close.

Prediction: New Orleans 34, Detroit 27

Philadelphia at Carolina, Philadelphia favored by 1

The Mike Vick era won't start until Week 3, but this is still an intriguing game. The Panthers looked absolutely dreadful in the pre-season. While usually I don't take much stock in pre-season, it would have helped the Panthers to feel a little momentum after the way their season ended with such a dud last year. The Eagles have a lot of question marks on defense. The Panthers rushing attack could have a field day, but I think QB Jake Delhomme makes one mistake too many.

Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Carolina 23

New York Jets at Houston Texans, Houston favored by 4 1/2

Mark Sanchez makes his debut for the Jets, while the Texans still aren't sure if they will have to turn to Rex Grossman to start in place of the (always) hobbled Matt Schaub. If the Texans can't beat Sanchez and the Jets at home to start their season, Texans coach Gary Kubiak might want to start updating his resume.

Prediction: Houston 20, New York Jets 13

San Francisco at Arizona, Arizona favored by 6 1/2

This is a great first test for the 49ers. There were signs of promise at the end of last year under coach Mike Singletary, now its time to see how he can do over a full season. He made the right choice going with QB Shaun Hill, and it looks like draft pick RB Glen Coffee could be a tremendous complement to RB Frank Gore. The Cardinals are getting very little publicity for a team that made the Super Bowl last year. I don't think anyone knows what to expect out of the Cardinals. When the Niners lose late on a batted down pass, I hope Michael Crabtree hangs his head in shame.

Prediction: Arizona 29, San Francisco 24

St. Louis at Seattle, Seattle favored by 8 1/2

This game wins the title of the "Who gives a crap" game of the week.

Prediction: Seattle 28, St. Louis 7