NFL - Week One predictions

Nitin says: Matt Schaub is not going to cure Houston and Larry Johnson doesn't need the world's best line to dominate. We'll see both in this game.

Pia says: The Texans finally seem to be getting their foot in the game, five years after their entrance into the league. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. The Chiefs did manage to make the playoffs last year while the Texans finished last in their division yet again. A slow start for Houston doesn't rule out flourishing later in the season.

Anshul says: With LJ ending his holdout and ready to play, the Texans with unproven QB Matt Schaub won't be able to compete.

Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins

Nitin says: As usual, the Redskins enter opening week looking star-studded on paper with barely enough chemistry to fill a teacup. Miami still has some kinks to work out on offense, but not nearly as many as Washington has. RB Ronnie Brown will want to prove himself early; new Miami head coach Cam Cameron has dared to suggest his starting job is up for grabs. The last thing the Skins need is for Clinton Portis to get bulldozed by Jason Taylor or Zach Thomas in Week 1. But uh, go Skins!

Pia says: What does a new season mean? Another year where the faithful truly believe that this year is the Redskins' year. So what if I fell in that trap too?

Anshul says: This isn't just home pride speaking here but I truly believe the Redskins can take the Dolphins. Trent Green isn't looking so good in Miami and the Redskins have improved on both sides of the ball.

New England Patriots at NY Jets

Nitin says: If it weren't for Thursday night's matchup, this one would easily be the game of the week. Everyone wants to see the Patriots offense in action, with RB Laurence Maroney entering his second year with the full rein and WRs Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth joining the Tom Brady circus. It's hard not to feel bad for those Jets.

Pia says: The Patriots made a sickening number of acquisitions this offseason and are already the favorite to win this year's Super Bowl. And why not, with Tom Brady heading up the offense and Tedy Bruschi and Adalius Thomas terrorizing on defense. Of course, the rivalry between head coaches Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini isn't going to make this match any prettier.

Anshul says: I just can't wait to see Tom Brady and Randy Moss hook-up on the field. But even if Moss doesn't play in this game, the Pats can walk away with this rematch of last-year's playoff ending for the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers

Nitin says: Brett Favre will start his last season (hopefully) getting it handed to him by a superior defense and offense. Just step aside for Aaron Rodgers, old man.

Pia says: Donovan McNabb is back and healthy. Brett Favre is back and…old. I love the man, but the longer he stays, the more he's dragging his team down.

Anshul says: A healthy McNabb is going to be better than Brett Favre in what should be his last season in the NFL. The Eagles got too explosive of an offense and defense for the Packers to handle. Sorry to break it to any cheeseheads out there.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Nitin says: If Tennessee QB Vince Young gets injured this year I'll become a Madden believer. Cursed or not, his lowly offense has no chance of securing the win.

Pia says: With Byron Leftwich out, David Garrard is the starting quarterback in Jacksonville, but that hardly means this career backup's job is safe. And neither is head coach Jack Del Rio's. But if there's one good thing that job uncertainty brings is motivation to do better. The Titans do have Vince Young, but without his full receiving corps from last year, the inexperienced Young may have trouble adjusting.

Anshul says: The Titans lost Pacman on defense and lost some of their good receivers, but Vince Young is the kind of dynamic player who can make spectacular plays.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Nitin says: Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel has to put in Brady Quinn if he wants his annual NFL failures to have a chance against Pittsburgh. It's still a slim chance though.

Pia says: As if Cleveland needed any more problems, it spent most of its offseason embroiled in a quarterback controversy. Charlie Frye won out, but it doesn't look like he or the acquired Jamal Lewis will help the Browns much against the Steelers D.

Anshul says: With Ben Roethlisberger healthy and the Browns still relying on Charlie Frye, the Steelers and going to march over the Browns.

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders

Nitin says: Each team has ties to a promising rookie, but we'll only get to see Detroit's. WR Calvin Johnson, along with Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, will be plenty for Jon Kitna to work with. Apparently Kitna thinks his Lions can secure an 11-win season, but he probably stopped reading the schedule after Week 1.

Pia says: The key to winning the NFL picks? Rule #1: The Raiders may not have a winning record at any time.

Anshul says: Both of these teams got great players in JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson from the draft. But with Russell likely not playing and Kitna a better QB than an unadjusted Daunte Culpepper, the Lions should be able to fight out a win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks

Nitin says: No doubts here, Seattle is back in full force and Tampa Bay only has Jeff Garcia to look forward to.

Pia says: With Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander both healthy, the Buccaneers don't stand much of a chance. Newly minted Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia did well last year in Philly when McNabb was injured, but one man can't carry the team.

Anshul says: The Bucs may have Jeff Garcia, but a healthy Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck are going to overpower the Bucs and gain Seattle the win.

Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers

Nitin says: Another great game, but not one to build Chicago QB Rex Grossman's flimsy confidence. Poor guy. At least Shawne Merriman decided put the "Light's Out" dance to rest.

Pia says: Chicago snuck into the Super Bowl last year with a strong defense and a terrible offense. Unfortunately, they did nothing to fix that over the offseason. San Diego's defense is pretty strong itself, and it'll tear Rex Grossman apart. As for the Chicago defense? Please, like anyone can contain LaDainian Tomlinson.

Anshul says: One of the best offenses meets one of the best defenses. But Rex Grossman needs to show up and be explosive to match the output of LT and Philip Rivers, and I just don't think he can do it.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Nitin says: If Eli plays half as well as his brother plays, New York has a chance. But he can't and won't, so this one is a no brainer.

Pia says: While Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo probably spent the offseason learning how to hold on to balls, Giants' Eli Manning spent it deflecting criticism on his leadership skills and on his head coach's ability to manage the team. So while not a pleasant offseason for either, this is Dallas's game to lose. With the loss of running back Tiki Barber, the Giants have lost any offensive edge they may have had.

Anshul says: The Giants lost Tiki Barber, the Cowboys are starting Tony Romo, what more do I have to say. Eli Manning doesn't have it in him.

Monday Sept. 10, 2007
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Nitin says: Baltimore isn't the one-sided team of 2006 with Willis McGahee in the backfield now. Carson Palmer and the Johnsons will give the Ravens a run for their money, but nothing more.

Pia says: This battle of AFC North rivals isn't going to be pretty. Don't count out the Bengals because of their mediocre performance last year; quarterback Carson Palmer was still recovering from his major knee surgery, causing Cincy to start off slow. Now the only thing that's slow is Baltimore's aging team. The Ravens defense will be a tough start for Johnson & Johnson, Ocho Cinco and the rest, but it is without LB Adalius Thomas, who skipped off to New England in the offseason.

Anshul says: Tough, tough choice here. But the Ravens defense combined with a decently efficient offense utilizing Willis McGahee should sneak out with a win over Ocho Cinco. There's some home pride there, but whatever.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Nitin says: 'Zona's offense is loaded with talent and Heisman-winner Matt Leinart finally has full control from day one. But this show is rated R for Gore. Viewer discretion is advised.

Pia says: San Francisco's quarterback Alex Smith has more experience than Arizona's Matt Leinart, and SF's running back Frank Gore is more consistent than Arizona's Edgerrin James, who is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2006. Sure Arizona has Larry Fitzgerald, but if Smith can hook up with TE Vernon Davis, it won't even matter.

Anshul says: The Cardinals got a better pass offense in Matt Leinart, but Frank Gore is explosive and should carry the 49ers to victory.