Welcome back, football fans. This is now the seventh year in which I have committed myself to picking the winner of every single NFL regular season game.
As a reminder, I pick the winners straight-up, although I do offer my best guess as to what the margin of victory will be. My goal, as always, is to beat ESPN's NFL experts: Eric Allen, Mike Golic, Merril Hoge, Ron Jaworski, Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter, Mark Schlereth, Seth Wickersham, Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka, Cris Carter, and Keyshawn Johnson, as well as the "Accuscore" and "Pick 'em" predictions.
Writing these columns is much more fun when my readers get involved, so please offer your own predictions in the comments section below.
Now it's time for my picks for the NFL's first week of the 2012 season.
*Wednesday, September 5, 2012*
Dallas at New York Giants 8:30 p.m. [Line: Giants by 3.5]
Dallas last season: 8-8, no playoffs. New York Giants last season: 9-7, won NFC East, won Super Bowl.
The Cowboys upgraded their offensive line with Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings at guard. At cornerback, they brought in Brandon Carr and drafted Morris Claiborne. QB Tony Romo should have a big year. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 3rd in the NFC East this season.
The Giants released Brandon Jacobs in the offseason, so Ahmad Bradshaw is now their top RB. They have three of the best defensive ends in the league (Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Osi Umenyiora). Don't be surprised if Eli Manning struggles a bit this year. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 1st in the NFC East this season.
-RJ's Pick: Cowboys by 4
*Sunday, September 9, 2012*
Indianapolis at Chicago 1:00 p.m. [Line: Bears by 9.5]
The Colts finished 2-14 last season, no playoffs. The Bears were 8-8 last season, no playoffs.
Indianapolis drafted QB Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Expectations are for Luck to quickly become an elite NFL quarterback, but the roster around him is currently not very impressive on either side of the ball. New head coach Chuck Pagano is known for his innovative defenses. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 4th in the AFC South this season.
Chicago added Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery (rookie) at wide receiver. Linebacker Brian Urlacher's health is a big concern. ESPN's NFL experts pick them to finish 2nd in the NFC North this season.
-RJ's Pick: Bears by 3
Philadelphia at Cleveland 1:00 p.m. [Line: Eagles by 7.5]
Article comments
1 - RJ
I forgot to pick my "Lame Game of the Week." That would be Jacksonville at Minnesota.
2 - RJ
Also, I might as well post my predictions for the final regular season standings.
AFC East - NE, Bills, Jets, Miami
AFC North - Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns
AFC South - Texans, Titans, Jags, Colts
AFC West - Denver, SD, KC, Oakland
NFC East - Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Redskins
NFC North - Packers, Lions, Bears, Vikes
NFC South - Falcons, NO, Panthers, TB
NFC West - Seattle, SF, Rams, Arizona
AFC playoff seeds: NE 1, Houston 2, Denver 3, Steelers 4, Bengals 5, Bills 6
NFC playoff seeds: GB 1, Atlanta 2, Dallas 3, Seattle 4, NO 5, Lions 6
AFC Championship Game: Houston over NE
NFC Championship Game: Packers over Falcons
Super Bowl: Texans over Packers
3 - Bilbo
So did you beat all the insiders last year?
4 - RJ
Bilbo:
Read Comment #10.
5 - C2E
Picking the Texans to win it all! Warms my Houston Heart! Been too long since the 1994-95 Rockets!
Here are my picks, as they are. First week is always tough. See you picked the Cowboys...even Julie, my wife and (mostly) life-long Cowboy supporter, picked the Giants tonight.
Giants over Cowboys
Falcons over Chiefs
Saints over Redskins
Eagles over Browns
Lions over Rams
Patriots over Titans
Texans over Dolphins
Bills over Jets
Bears over Colts
Vikings over Jaguars
Packers over 49ers
Panthers over Buccaneers
Seahawks over Cardinals
Broncos over Steelers
Ravens over Bengals
Raiders over Chargers
Not real confident in several of those...but that's what makes the season interesting!
Will be following you all season. When you have time, insert your infamous snarky comments...love to read those!
Chris
6 - RJ
Welcome back, C2E.
Final Score:
Dallas 24, Giants 17 - RJ 1-0 (1-0 ATS)
7 - RJ
Final Scores:
CHI 41, IND 21 - RJ 2-0 (1-1 ATS)
Philly 17, Cleveland 16 - RJ 3-0 (2-1 ATS)
NE 34, Titans 13 - RJ 4-0 (3-1 ATS)
Falcons 40, KC 24 - RJ 4-1 (3-2 ATS)
Vikes 26, Jags 23 (in OT) - RJ 5-1 (4-2 ATS)
8 - RJ
Final Scores:
WASHINGTON 40, NO 32 - RJ 5-2 (4-3 ATS)
Jets 48, Bills 28 - RJ 5-3 (4-4 ATS)
Lions 27, Rams 23 - RJ 6-3 (4-5 ATS)
HOU 30, Miami 10 - RJ 7-3 (5-5 ATS)
9 - RJ
Final Scores:
SF 30, GB 22 - RJ 7-4 (5-6 ATS)
Arizona 20, Seattle 16 - RJ 7-5 (5-7 ATS)
TB 16, Carolina 10 - RJ 7-6 (5-8 ATS)
10 - RJ
Final Score:
Denver 31, Steelers 19 - RJ 8-6 (6-8 ATS)
11 - RJ
Final Score:
BALT 44, CIN 13 - RJ 8-7 (6-9 ATS)
12 - RJ
Final Score:
SD 22, OAK 14 - RJ 9-7 (7-9 ATS)
13 - RJ
ESPN's NFL experts:
Allen
10-6
Golic
9-7
Hoge
9-7
Jaworski
10-6
Mortensen
9-7
Schefter
11-5
Schlereth
9-7
Wickersham
12-4
Jackson
8-8
Johnson
7-9
Ditka
10-6
Carter
7-9
Accuscore
11-5
Pick 'em
10-6