New season. New start. This year Peyton Manning and the Broncos won't start off slow as they'll get the win against the Ravens. While I do think the Ravens are still a quality team, the Broncos are just too good. Peyton Manning's receiving core is ridiculous with Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, and Wes Welker. And for the second season in his career, Manning will have a strong defense to play opposite of him. Broncos get the opening day win.
Yes, I'm taking the Bills over the Patriots. Tom Brady, husband of Giselle, and his talented team, who I think will have a successful season, will fall to the Bills in Orchard Park. It just feels like a good year for the Bills. It's not the flase optimism Bills fans have every year, but an optimism that will be supported by a bright future. The Bills upgraded on offense will quarterback E.J. Manuel and wide receiver Robert Woods. Manuel will have some nice targets and the Bills defense is underrated. It will be an intense atmosphere in Buffalo and the Bills are always hyped to play the Patriots.
The Titans are slowly improving as a team but the Steelers are simply the better team. Their defense is strong and their offense still has quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller, and receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. CJ2K (Chris Johnson) won't be able to carry his team to victory.
I don't quite understand the hype behind the Saints. They are still the same team as last year. A great offense with NO defense - especially now with Jonathan Vilma out. Atlanta is the NFC Championship team. A great offense loaded with weapons and a good defense. Atlanta over the Saints.
C'mon, they're the New York Jets ... Anyways, the Buccs are positioned for a playoff berth this year. With talented offensive players Josh Freeman, Doug Martin, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson and an up-and-coming defense highlighted by Dashon Goldson, Mark Barron and Darelle Revis, the Buccaneers will win this one.
I don't foresee the Jaguars doing much at all this season, and the same goes for this game. The Chiefs have Alex Smith at quarterback now, and they still have Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe on offense. With the addition of Andy Reid to run the team, the chiefs will be much improved this season and will win this game.
After the impressive showing last season, especially the second half of the season, I expect the Seahawks to win this one. But not easily. The Panthers have Cam Newton at quarterback, a good running back core and a decent defense, but Seattle is talented at every position so I expect them to come out on top.
I expect the Bengals to be a threat to every team this year. With Dalton, Green, Gresham, and promising rookie running back Giovanni Bernard on offense, and Gino Atkins plus a host of other talent on defense, the Bengals should win this one. The Bears are at home, but the Bengals are too good, and the Bears are constantly a disappointment alla their end-of-season breakdown last year.
I'm not buying the hype around the Dolphins. Yes, Tannehill is talented and a quality prospect, but besides him and wide reciever Mike Wallace, who else do they have? Tight end Dustin Keller is out for the year, Daniel Thomas, who I thought is a promising running back isn't even starting for the Dolphins, and they're defense looks atrocious. It's one thing to have a Brees, Brady, Rodgers, or Manning (Peyton) led offense and a lack-luster defense, but to have an avergae at best offense with a bad defense spells disastrous. On the other side, I like Weeden, Richardson and the Browns defense. Plus, this game is in Cleveland. I take the Browns.
The Vikings have AP, and on top of that they have tight end Kyle Rudolph and newly acquired wide receivers Greg Jennings and Cordarelle Patterson. AP will carry the offense while I feel the already mentioned tight ends and receivers can mix it up offensively and be difficult for defenses to handle this year. I expect big things from Patterson this year also. On defense, the Vikings are always strong and they have Chad Greenway and Jared Allen. Detroit's defense will not stack up against the Viking's offense. This one goes to Minnesota.
The Raiders are the Raiders. That should be enough evidence against Oakland (Plus I like the addition of Ahmad Bradshaw to the Colts).
Both teams have great offenses. The big difference is there defenses. The 49ers defense is top two in the league. The Packers on the other hand have an OK defense, their defense has been torn apart the past few seasons and has been their achilles heel. I take the 49ers over the Packers.
The Rams have been improving the past few years. Sam Bradford is solid at quarterback and they just added electrifying rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin. The rams defense has Cortland Finnegan and James Laurenitis highlighting and leading their defense. The Cardinals finally have a quarterback in Carson Palmer but their team as a whole is disappointing. While they cornerback positions will be strong this year, that won't be enough defensively to stop opposing offenses.
The Cowboys have been on the rise while the Giants have been trending down. The Cowboys defense is highlighted by Sean Lee, DeMarcus Ware, and corner Morris Claiborne. The Giants still have Prince Amukamara, Justin Tuck, and Jason Pierre-Paul, but their linebacking core has no veterans (Giants regulars) besides Mark Herzlich who has never been a regular starter. The Giants defense doesn't seem like what it has been in the past 5 seasons. What is the most impressive about either team is the Cowboys offense. Tony Romo is the same as he has always been - very good. He has targets Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten to throw to. And the Cowboys have a healthy DeMarco Murray, who I expect to have a great season. The Giants don't have the winning mentality and or a standout leader. Cowboys over Giants.
Both teams will be better than they were last season. The Eagles are rebuilding and the Redskins get to start off a season knowing the talent they have on their roster. The Redskins won't be wondering what they have, they will carry on the momentum they had at the end of last season. RGIII will stay in the pocket more, find receivers Garcon, Robinson, and Davis, Alfred Morris will run the ball effectively, and Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher and Ryan Kerrigan will rule the defensive side of the ball. The Eagles will show promise with Chip Kelly's new high-octane offense highlighted by playmakers Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Brent Celek. But the Redskins run a great defense. The Redskins have everything figured out while the Eagles will be putting the pieces together in this game. Redskins over the Eagles.
Schaub. Foster. Johnson. Daniels. Watt. Cushing. Reed. Those studs versus ... Rivers, the pick machine? I don't expect Ryan Mathews to carry the Chargers on his back either. Antonio Gates will probably be the only bright spot for the Chargers in this game. I expect the texans to win an easy one over the Chargers. And look for some big plays by J.J. Watt and Ed Reed.