JG's Opening Sunday Selections

Thursday night's game was a fantastic way to kick off the 2009 NFL season. An overtime thriller that featured two top teams, great defense, a blocked field goal, an uncharacteristic fumble, and the Madden curse holding true. (Larry Fitzgerald fantasy owners beware) It's certainly gets the football juices flowing for a great first Sunday of the season. So without further ado, let the picking begin.

Philadelphia (-2.5) @Carolina-In last year's divisional playoff game between the Panthers and Cardinals, Jake Delhomme played about as well as Shane Falco did in the '96 Sugar Bowl. Delhomme and the Panthers have not looked much better this preseason finishing 0-4. Expect the Eagles, who went all the way to the NFC Championship game in 08, to have their way with the Panthers on Sunday.

Philadelphia 31- Carolina 17

Minnesota (-4) @Cleveland- #4's regular season debut in Purple should be a good one. The Browns had the 26th ranked D in 08 and the Browns have yet to have the privilege of trying to stop Adrian Peterson. On the offensive side of the ball it's like the old saying goes "If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback" This especially holds true when neither qb has looked impressive in preseason. Whoever the Browns trot out on Sunday will have to face a defense that just learned that their two pro bowl d-tackles Kevin and Pat Williams will not be suspended this year.

Minnesota 31- Cleveland 14

New York Jets (+4) @ Houston-Although the season didn't end well for the Jets in 08, they were 8-3 at one point and looked like the team to beat in the AFC. Rex Ryan will dramatically improve a defense that ranked 16h last year. Plus, the Jets have never lost to the Texans. Rex Ryan gets a win in his head coaching debut Sunday.

New York Jets 21- Houston 20

Miami (+4) @ Atlanta- The battle of 2008's two biggest surprise teams goes to the Falcons. It is a lot easier to avoid a sophomore slump when you have a future hall of fame tight end to throw to. And that is exactly what former BC Eagle Matt Ryan has in Tony Gonzalez. Chad pennington is coming off his second comeback player of the year award in four years. If he wants to make it three in six, he will need a poor season.

Atlanta 24- Miami 17

Jacksonville (+7) @Indianapolis-Two years ago the Jaguars came close to ending the Patriots perfect season in the divisional round of the playoffs. Jacksoville looked like a different team last year though, as they skidded to a 5-11 finish. Peyton Manning will have a field day and the Colts coast to 1-0 and cover the 7 points.

Indianapolis 35- Jacksonville 21

Denver (+4.5) @Cincinatti- Denver is a mess right now. Rookie Coach Josh McDaniels tarnished relations with his playmaking WR, and has already sent away his franchise QB. No matter who starts at quarterback for the Broncos, the Bengals with Ochocinco(above) and Palmer in the line up will be too much for even a Brian Dawkins improved D to handle.

Cincinnati 27- Denver 17

Kansas City (+12.5) @Baltimore- The Ravens D is arguably the most feared in the league. Although KC unleashes new qb Matt Cassel for the first time, they won't score more than 17 points against Ray Lewis and company. Still I do not have faith in the Raven's offense to cover a two touchdown spread.

Baltimore 21- KC 10

Dallas (-6) @Tampa Bay- The Cowboys have had eventful off season which included, the departure of Terrell Owens, Tony's break up with Jessica, and a billion dollar stadium where the scoreboard is in play. Tampa bay on the other hand has flown under the radar. The Bucs will start former Jag Byron Leftwitch at QB. Dallas will win the battle of Joey Galloway's former teams, but expect the Bucs to put up a good fight at home and cover.

Dallas 24- Tampa Bay 21

Detroit (+13) @New Orleans-The Saints had the number offense last year, but was hindered by there defense and only finished 8-8. This was one reason why almost nobody talked about Drew Brees coming within one pass of breaking Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards. That being said, even the Saint's D will be able to stop woeful Detroit. The Saints win this by a landslide and easily cover the big spread.

New Orleans 42- Detroit 21

San Francisco (+6) @Arizona- Don't sleep on the 49ers this year. Frank Gore is still an elite running back in this league and Patrick Willis is an absolute Monster on defense. Even still, Arizona's offense has too many weapons and they will win the game and cover at home.

Arizona 27- San Francisco 20

St Louis (+7.5) @ Seattle- Just a few years ago this would have been a huge game to help determine the NFC West. Seattle was riding high with Sean Alexander and St Louis had one of the best offenses in the league with Bulger, Jackson, and Holt playing great. Fast forward to 2009 and the two teams are coming off a season where they went an embarrassing 6-26 combined. Don't be surprised to see the Marc Bulger put up big numbers against a Seahawks pass defense that finished dead last in the league last year. St Louis not only covers but wins the game straight up.
St Louis 27- Seattle 24

Washington (+6.5) @ New York Giants- The afternoon's national game features a classic matchups of NFC East foes. The Redskins offense looked lost the last 8 games of 2008, and has not looked much better in this years preseason. The Redskins will hold Eli and crew in check, but the Giants D, which includes Osi Umenyiora for the first time in over a year, will manhandle the Skins O.

New York Giants 20- Washington 10

Chicago (+4.5) @Green Bay- The oldest rivaly in the NFL kicks off again in the Sunday nightcap. There is no way the Packers should be favored in this game. The Bears won 3 more times than the Pack last year with Kyle Orton at the helm. Jay Cutler should only improve the Bears offense. Both the Packers and the Bears defenses took steps back last year. That combined with the fact that it won't be too cold yet in Lambeau, means there will be plenty of offense to go around.

Chicago 31- Green Bay 28

There are your week one picks, hopefully as good as John Anthony's, the million dollar man with the billion dollar plan.(Two for the Money) Monday nights picks to come in a later post.

-JG

NFL Week One Picks

Houston's Finest Week One NFL Picks

Tennessee Titans vs Pittsburgh Steelers-Steelers: Loss of Haynesworth and aging of Collins should help the Steelers pull out the opening night win. 

Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons-Dolphins: Miami's run D could limit the Turner-Noorwood Tandem and Matt Ryan has struggled against the Phins pass rush. 

Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens-Ravens: Should be an easy win for B-More. Cassel not being 100% and loss of Tony Gonzo will also be key factors in the game. 

Philadelphia Eagles vs Carolina Panthers-Eagles: McNabb's motivated to get off to a hot start knowing now is his time show he is the sure #1 QB with Vick on suspension.

Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals-Bengals: The Broncos organization is a mess right now under new coach Josh McDaniels.

Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns-Vikings: Vikes are clearly better team here and Quinn and Jamal Lewis will be shut down by Minny's D.

New York Jets vs Houston Texans-Texans: Mark Sanchez first start, and Jets two top pass rushers, Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis, are both suspended for the game. Look for big game from Texans high-powered offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts-Colts: Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Addai-Brown tandem will over power the Jags D. 

Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints-Saints: They are playing the Lions.

Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Cowboys: With Felix Jones back, the Cowboys run game will be one of the tops in the league. Bucs also lost team leader Derrick Brooks.

San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals-Cardinals: Larry, Anquan and Steve will rip apart the 49ers pass D with old man Kurt leading the charge. 

Washington Redskins vs New York Giants-Giants: Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will be able to do enough to pull out a win, look for a low scoring game here. 

St. Louis Rams vs Seattle Seahawks-Seahwaks: With the addition of TJ and emergence of John Carlson, Matt Hassleback should bounce back from a disappointing year. 

Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers-Packers: Packers have a good looking 3-4 D and a group of playmaking DB's who should be able to own the Bears lowly WR's. 

Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots-Patriots: Tom Brady and Randy Moss duo is back.

San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders-Chargers: Darius Heyward-Bey. Tom Cable. Al Davis. etc...

MH

Fantasy Football Week One: Studs and Duds

Each week I will be posting a list of three players who I believe will have giant games, and three players who will certainly flop. The following weeks post will include the results of my previous weeks picks for studs and duds. 

Week One: Studs

1. Reggie Bush RB-N.O. - Reggie Bush needs to start living up to the expectations of being the number two pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and what a great opportunity he has has week one to do just that. He is playing the Lions... Bush has a lot of pressure on him due to the solid play of runningback Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell throughout the preseason. I believe Bush will use this pressure as motivation to prove he is worthy of the starting job and the number two pick. Plus he also just broke up with Kim Kardashian so he has to make her jealous.  

2. Carson Palmer QB-CIN - Carson is coming off of a major knee injury and the loss of his number one receiver (TJ Whosyourmama) so why would he be a Stud pick? Ochocinco. When you have a dual threat such as 85 is (dual threat as receiver or kicker) you are bound to put up some big numbers. The Broncos D is also going down in flames as Champ only gets older, the Broncos are clearly in a rebuilding year and Carson is going to make sure they know that. 

3. Eddie Royal WR-DEN - Eddie is looking to build of his breakout rookie campaign last year, and playing against the Bengals D should lock up a good start for him. Yes the Bengals got Roy Williams in the off-season, but when has that guy covered a passing play well? If Big Brandon does decide not to wear Pj's to the game then Royal should see some great match-ups and in all honesty, Kyle Orton is not thaaaat bad. Should be a huge game for the second year man out of Virginia Tech. 

Week One: Duds

1. Chris Johnson RB-TEN - Chris Johnson is coming off of a fantastic rookie year, but his sophomore debut will not be a pretty one. Johnson has to go up against the Steelers week one, and no running back is going to have fun playing against the Steelers. After one shot in the backfield from James Harrison, Chris is going to be calling for Big Fat LenDale to carry the ball. Dont expect Johnson to come near the 100 yard mark on the game. 

2. David Garrard QB-JAC - Garrard is coming off a big let down year throwing 13 picks while only throwing 3 the year before. His start against the new look Colts (No Dungy No Marvin) could be a tough one to get back on track. I see Dwight Freeney shooting past rookie Eugene Monroe and putting tons of pressure on Garrard. If the Jags are smart they will turn to MJD for much of their offense. With Bob He's Everywhere Sanders back and healthy as well it could be a long game for poor Davey. 

3. Jason Campbell QB-WAS - Tuck, Kiwanuka, Robbins, Cofield, Canty, Bernard, oh and that guy Osi. Yes that was the entire D-Line for the Giants, and that is about all I need to say as to why Campbell is going to struggle. He will be lucky to come out of this game with his head intact. 

      ^^^Wont Be Cheesin For Long^^^

Those are my Studs and Duds for week one. Let the tailgating begin!

MH

The NFL is Back

After seven months of an off-season that featured 11 coaching changes, a late start to the draft, a crybaby quarterback and his stubborn coach, holdouts, and the return of #4, the National Football League returns tomorrow night. The Super Bowl Champion Steelers host the team that held homefield advantage in the AFC last year, the Tennessee Titans. The two teams met in week 16 of 2008 with home field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line. In what was thought to be a closely contested game, the Titans had a field day, winning the game 31-14. Kerry Collins, cane and walker in hand, had arguably his best game of the season, completing 20 of 29 passes for 215 yards and a TD. Once Tennessee had secured the game, some Titans began disrespecting the Steelers sacred Terrible Towel.

Noteworty Titans who were making a mockery of the towel were defensive end Jevon Kearse(above) and former USC running back Lendale White. The Steelers have printed new towels this year picturing them stomping on the numbers of the Titans who were disrespecting the yellow coth. Clearly the act of disregard for the Steelers organiation has resonated in the Steelers minds.

My official prediction for the game is a Steelers 24-14 victory in a defensive struggle that will see at least one defensive TD. Although last year Kerry Collins had a fantastic game against Pittsburgh's tough D, that game was at LP Field in Nashville. It will be much tougher for Kerry (who is one year older) and the Titans to come into Heinz field and "steel" a game from the defending World Champions. Plus, since the Super Bowl champions began hosting the opening Thursday night game, they are an undefeated 5-0. So its time to kick back and enjoy some great football to start the season.

JG