The Redskins finished at the bottom of the NFC East last season. The defense was pretty bad in 2006, but it should be improved this year with the additions of London Fletcher-Baker and rookie Dallas Sartz at LB, and rookie LaRon Landry at safety. The ground attack should be strong, with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts at RB, but the passing game is a big question mark.
PICK: The Dolphins defense should be able to contain the Redskins running game just enough to win. MIAMI BY 1.
Tennessee (8-8) at Jacksonville (8-8) - 1:00 PM
The Titans started off the 2006 season by losing their first five games. With seven games left in the season, they were 2-7. Then, out of nowhere, they won six games in a row (three of those games against teams that eventually made the playoffs, including the Super Bowl-winning Colts). On the cusp of one of the most incredible mid-season turnarounds in NFL history, finishing with a winning record, and possibly even earning Wild Card playoff spot, they... got whipped by the Patriots in Week 17. Oh well. But it was a fun ride while it lasted. QB Vince Young won the Rookie of the Year award for his efforts last season, and it was much-deserved. Unfortunately for him, he also won the cover of Madden NFL, so expect a serious, season-ending injury by Week Three. And without Young, this team all-around stinks.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also finished at .500 last season. Of course, they scored almost 50 more points and gave up 126 fewer points than the Titans, but they still ended up with the same record. They were not helped by a three-game losing streak at the end of the season. The defense was outstanding in 2006, and there is no reason to believe that it won't be again this year. The running game should be superior, although there is always the possibility of Fred Taylor suffering a serious injury (and that's just while he's dressing for practice). The air attack is definitely this team's weak spot. Overall, I would be surprised if they don't make a serious playoff run in 2007.
PICK: A team with almost nothing going for it except a (cursed, and therefore doomed) quarterback, versus a team with just about everything except a decent quarterback. Ironic, dontcha think? JAGUARS BY 12.
Chicago (13-3) at San Diego (14-2) - 4:15 PM
The Chicago Bears had the best defense in the NFC last season, by a mile. And that defense took them all the way to Super Bowl XLI, where they met their Kryptonite: A team that wasn't in the NFC. Think that's too simplistic? Just take a look at the stats. The Bears were 13-3 during the regular season. That breaks down to 2-2 vs. the AFC, and 11-1 vs. the NFC (and that single loss was in a meaningless game in Week 17 after they had already clinched home field advantage). If you include the playoffs, the Bears were 13-1 vs. the NFC and 2-3 vs. the AFC. In other words, the Miami Dolphins could have disguised themselves as the Indianapolis Colts and the Bears still would have struggled in the Super Bowl. (In fact, the Dolphins actually beat the Bears during the regular season.) My point is this: The Bears were far-and-away the best team in the NFC last season, and they probably are again this season. But any superiority they enjoy while playing in the NFC will be moot come February (if they even make it that far again, which is questionable considering Rex Grossman is still their starting QB).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DOM @ HSU
Hey man whats up good to see ur doing this again, sry I died off after the regular season last year, but i'll be with you the whole season this year. Im going to school at Humboldt State University in Northern California.
anyways been busy with school so don't know too much about the teams yet but its the first week I mean can anyone really predict with any type of precision?
INDY - would be very surprising if NO could pull off the w. should be a good game none the less. right?
HOUSTON - Tough call but I really think HOU has there s*** together more than KC
DENVER - I like BUF but Denver owns them.
PITTSBURGH - This is a tough call for me, it all depends on how a few key players will show up. CLEV should come out firing. but will it be enough?
JACKSONVILLE - Tell me how TEN will pull this one off?
ST. LOUIS - is CAR any good this year? and STL looks like they have a decent team? (as much as i dislike them) still stats showing coin flip game.
PHILADELPHIA - at first i had GB.. but then i remebered how they stunk it up last year at home the first few. plus Farve is now taking Viagra.
MINNESOTA - you tell me who will win i have no idea..
WASHINGTON - Both teams have lots of "ifs". flip a coin
TAMPA BAY - here's my big upset.. i really like TB this year from what i have read. and i dislike SEA.. if TB does win.. it will be in the last few minutes.
SAN DIEGO - be very surprised if CHI pulls a W here.
DETROIT - Being from Stockton CA (almost a sister city to Oakland about 1.5 hours east) i have a right to hate the Raiders due to the ignorant fans concentrated in Stockton. I think they have a great chance to win here, but i don't want to root for them.
DALLAS - another upset if NY could pull of a W.
CINCINNATI - these two teams always play each other hard.. I take CIN cuz home.
SF - Born and raised fan.. Dad is a die hard.. grew up in SF... greatest thing in the world would be for SF to take the NFC WEST.
2 - REMF
Steelers and Bears.
- Max Cleland
3 - RJ
You missed a game, DOM.
What about NE vs. the Jets?
4 - RJ
Thanks for the picks, Max! How's the PTSD going?
5 - alessandro nicolo
Ok, I'll bite. I say the Browns will take the Steelers and the Raiders defense will do bobo to the She-Lions.
6 - alessandro nicolo
I will also argue that the Eagles will challenge the Bears in the NFC.
7 - DOM @ HSU
NE - although the jets usually play the pats a tough dnt they? on a side note i say jets cover the 6 1/2..
8 - alessandro nicolo
um, how does google figure a cfl ad on this post? not that i'm complaining. we have bigger balls...
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'm tellin' you what I told everyone else:
Colts d. Saints
Steelers d. Browns
Redskins d. Dolphins
Eagles d. Packers
Broncos d. Bills
Texans d. Chiefs
Jaguars d. Titans
Patriots d. Jets
Rams d. Panthers
Vikings d. Falcons
Chargers d. Bears
Seahawks d. Buccaneers
Lions d. Raiders
Cowboys d. Giants
Bengals d. Ravens
49ers d. Cardinals
10 - RJ
Final Score:
Indy 41(!) - NO 10
RJ - 1-0
Suss - 1-0
DOM - 1-0
Cleland - 1 arm - 0 legs
11 - Alessandro
I want to add a couple. In addition to the Browns and Raiders. I will take the Eagles and Falcons.
12 - The Theory
Looks like I missed out on the Thursday game (what kind of sport kicks the season off on a THURSDAY for cryin' out loud??) but I'm here for everything else! Anyway, I don't know anything yet. I don't pay attention to football in the offseason, so I don't know who has who anymore. But I'll give it a try,..
Philadelphia (10-6) at Green Bay (8-8).. Philadelphia. If we lose this game, there will be no season.
Kansas City (9-7) at Houston (6-10) I love Houston. I want them to do well. But I have to be realistic. KC is going to destroy them.
Denver (9-7) at Buffalo (7-9)... I haven't the foggiest idea. I'll eenie-meenie-miney-moe for it... resulting in a nod toward Denver.
Pittsburgh (8-8) at Cleveland (4-12)... I think Pittsburgh's new coach is going to get really good results. Cleveland always plays Pittsburgh close but I can't see anyone but Pitts winning this.
Carolina (8-8) at St. Louis (8-8)... Coin-flip in favor of Carolina.
Atlanta (7-9) at Minnesota (6-10)... Minnesota was a disaster last year. Atlanta has had a hellish off season. But I think Minnesota, a year further removed from their troubles than Atlanta will be in a better state to take this game.
New England (12-4) at New York Jets (10-6)... I see the NY Jets winning this one, ending once and for all the "Will the Patriots go undefeated this season?" talks.
Miami (6-10) at Washington (5-11)... I really, really, really want Washington to lose. I don't think they will, though.
Tennessee (8-8) at Jacksonville (8-8)... I'm not voting against Vince Young. Tennessee.
Chicago (13-3) at San Diego (14-2)... This right here is a stellar matchup. I really want Chicago to get the year started off with a win... but they won't.
Tampa Bay (4-12) at Seattle (9-7)... Always go with Garcia. Tampa Bay.
Detroit (3-13) at Oakland (2-14)... Neither. Seriously. Actually, I'll go with Detroit. For the only time this year....
New York Giants (8-8) at Dallas (9-7)... They're both gonna suck this year. But it'll be an uphill battle for NYG in Dallas. Cowboys.
Baltimore (13-3) at Cincinnati (8-8)... Baltimore.
Arizona (5-11) at San Francisco (7-9)... I think San Fransico will be a lot better this year. They'll take the win here.
13 - RJ
Welcome back, Theory!
14 - RJ
Why dontcha just pick the rest, Alessandro? ;-)
15 - RJ
Final Score: Pats 38, Jets 14 - RJ 2-0
Broncos 15, Bills 14 - RJ 3-0
Titans 13, Jags 10 - RJ 3-1
Packers 16, Eagles 13 - RJ 3-2
Texans 20, Chiefs 3 - RJ 3-3
Carolina 27, Rams 13 - RJ 3-4
Redskins 16, Miami 13 (in OT) - RJ 3-5(!)
Vikings 24, Falcons 3 - RJ 4-5
Steelers 34, Browns 7 - RJ 5-5
Lions 36, Raiders 21(!) - RJ 6-5
Seattle 20, TB 6 - RJ 7-5
SD 14, Bears 3 - RJ 8-5
16 - RJ
NFL "Experts" -
Theismann 10-3
Salisbury 9-4
Hoge 9-4
Jaworski 10-3
Schlereth 8-5
Allen 4-9
Mortensen 7-6
Golic 8-5
Accuscore 7-6
17 - RJ
Final Score:
Dallas 45, Giants 35 - RJ 9-5
18 - DOM @ HSU
DOM 10-4.... KC Jags and Browns.. wow
19 - Matthew T. Sussman
13-3. Respect me.
20 - Matthew T. Sussman
Er, 11-3.
I should lose a win for that.
21 - The Theory
9-4 at the moment... Could definitely be worse.
22 - Alessandro
RJ,
0-4
Now you know why. I don't deserve to buy fruit of the loom.
23 - Alessandro
...but since I am such a sadist...
Cinci over Balti: In the immortal words of Diane Chambers: A Bengal versus a Raven? That's not a fair fight.
'Niners over the Diamond, er, Cardinals.
24 - RJ
"If (more like, "when") Steve McNair struggles at QB and/or suffers an injury, expect Kyle Boller to do a fine job as his replacement."
Boy, did I ever call that one...
25 - RJ
Final Score:
Bengals 27, Ravens 20 - RJ 10-5
Boller has a TD pass taken away from him by a bad call in the final minutes. Then Todd Heap misplays another would-be Boller TD pass, which turns into an INT and essentially ends the game.
Whatever. I still picked the winner. :-/