As mentioned in my preview for the upcoming season (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8364273/2011_nfl_season_preview.html?cat=9), I will be doing a weekly NFL pick ‘em this season. Each season, I participate in a “Lock of the Week” game in which you pick a team that you think will win that week. You cannot use the same team more than once in a season and you are eliminated if the team that you pick loses their game. For fun, I will also include my pick in these weekly picks.
Since the NFL season begins on Thursday, these picks are in early.
Anyways, let’s get to it…
Thursday, September 8
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers – The NFL season opens up with quite possibly a preview of this year’s NFC Championship game. The Saints and Packers are two of the five best teams in the league. Since the game is at Lambeau Field, I’ll take the home team. My pick: Green Bay Packers
Sunday, September 11
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears – Last season’s NFC South and NFC North champions face off in this one. I actually have both teams taking a step back this season and missing the playoffs, to boot. The Falcons are a different team on the road but give me the better team here. My pick: Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans – Peyton Manning will miss the first game of his career this Sunday and may miss more. If the Texans can’t overtake the Colts this season then when are they going to? My pick: Houston Texans (*My “Lock of the Week” pick)
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs – Jamaal Charles will be asked to pound the ball after Matt Cassel hurt his rib the other day. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bills make it or close game or even upset the Chiefs but KC plays so well at home that you need to give them the edge. My pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – With Manning hurt, the AFC South is up in the air so this game is obviously of importance. Although the Jaguars are in a bit of disarray after releasing David Garrard, they’re a better team than the Titans and are playing at home. My pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns – It’s the “Battle of Ohio.” Cleveland is an improving team and could be in the playoff hunt. The Bengals may already be playing for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. My pick: Cleveland Browns
Philadelphia Eagles @ St. Louis Rams – This game may not be a walk in the park for the “Dream Team” because I could see St. Louis’ front seven getting a lot of pressure on Vick. In the end, though, the Eagles have too much firepower for a team like the Rams, who are limited on offense, to overcome. My pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens – Get ready for a game won by a late field goal. The games between these two are always great. I like the Ravens here because I think the Steelers could start off the season a little slow after losing in the Super Bowl. My pick: Baltimore Ravens
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – A game between two young teams on the rise. Both teams could make playoffs this season and may be there for the next 5-10 years. Get ready for a possible shootout. My pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers – In the early season predictions, I have the Chargers going to the Super Bowl and Rivers as this year’s MVP. The Chargers are great at home. My pick: San Diego Chargers
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins – It didn’t really matter who was going to start at quarterback for the Redskins because they may be eating grass throughout the day. Despite their injuries, the Giants are simply still a better team. My pick: New York Giants
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals – It’s time for the Cam Newton era to begin in Carolina. The Panthers improved their roster this offseason but it may take a while for Newton and rookie head coach Ron Rivera to get their first win. My pick: Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers – It’s a battle of the mediocre in the NFC West. The Seahawks are a terrible road team. Although the 49ers still don’t have a quarterback, they’re playing at home and have a good enough defense. My pick: San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets – It’s Ryan vs. Ryan – kind of, anyway. The Cowboys will be without their best corner in Terence Newman and may not have Mike Jenkins either. My pick: New York Jets
Monday, September 12
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins – An AFC East battle on Monday Night Football. The Patriots haven’t lost their first game of the season since 2003. Miami could upset them but they were a terrible team at home last season. My pick: New England Patriots
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos – Oakland was 6-0 against the rest of the AFC West last season but they lost their two best players (Asomugha and Miller) in free agency. Denver’s not any good but they have enough on offense to outlast the Raiders. My pick: Denver Broncos
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
Cheers!