Week 1 NFL Predictions and Picks (2010)

Week 1 NFL predictions and picks kick off the 2010 season. Week 1 NFL predictions and picks also take into account the opening night game of New Orleans vs. Minnesota on Thursday, and the first two Monday night games of the season on September 13. With the first week of the 2010 NFL season, every team comes back with the hopes that this will be their year. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints return nearly their entire team, and will be trying to repeat as the Super Bowl champions. First they have to deal with the team they beat in the NFC Championship Game though, as Minnesota comes calling on Thursday, September 9.

Divisional match-ups are going to be showcased in week 1 of the NFL schedule, but there are several games that could preview future playoff match-ups this season. The New Orleans vs. Minnesota game is the game of the week, but Cincinnati vs. New England, Indianapolis vs. Houston, and Baltimore vs. New York Jets are also games that will be well worth watching in the opening week. Pay attention, because we could also see a few upsets along the way.

Week 1 NFL Predictions and Picks

Minnesota at New Orleans (5:30 p.m. PST on NBC)

Minnesota is a team in disarray, and until they get it under control, they are going to be taken advantage of on the field. New Orleans will win this game by two touchdowns or more, and it won’t live up to the billing.

Pick: New Orleans Saints

Miami at Buffalo (10 a.m. PST)

Both teams are trying to get back to the playoffs, but the Miami Dolphins are leaps and bounds ahead of the Bills.

Pick: Miami Dolphins

Detroit at Chicago (10 a.m. PST)

Neither team improved as much as they needed to, but Jay Cutler is going to come back much stronger for the Chicago Bears this season. Detroit and Matthew Stafford are still not quite ready.

Pick: Chicago Bears

Oakland at Tennessee (10 a.m. PST)

The Oakland Raiders are simply put, a terrible NFL team. The Tennessee Titans are going to be led by Vince Young to start the season this time around, and with Chris Johnson looking to rush for more than 2,000 yards, this could get ugly very quickly.

Pick: Tennessee Titans

Cincinnati at New England (10 a.m. PST)

Both teams are hoping to win another division title this season, and they need this opening weekend game as a springboard. Prepare for the first upset of the weekend, because Tom Brady and the Patriots are going to fall victim to the return of Carson Palmer.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Carolina at New York Giants (10 a.m. PST)

Carolina wants to believe that they are on the rise again, but this is going to be a big setback to the start of the 2010 season, and this could end up becoming a huge blowout in favor of Eli Manning and his Giants.

Pick: New York Giants

Atlanta at Pittsburgh (10 a.m. PST)

The Steelers are a team in need of a quarterback with Big Ben on the bench still, and his suspension could cost the Steelers a season. Matt Ryan is going to have a great start to his 2010 season on Sunday, and Atlanta will end up looking better than they really are.

Pick: Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland at Tampa Bay (10 a.m. PST)

It will be the least watched game of the weekend, but somebody has to win between these two teams. Look for a breakout game by Jerome Harrison and for Mike Holmgren to have his new team ready to play.

Pick: Cleveland Browns

Denver at Jacksonville (10 a.m. PST)

Denver is a team trying to prove they are among the NFL’s elite, while Jacksonville is simply trying to prove relevancy right now. Sorry Jaguars, you aren’t quite ready.

Pick: Denver Broncos

Indianapolis at Houston (10 a.m. PST)

Peyton Manning takes his Colts into Houston, and Indianapolis is trying to begin another season with a run at being undefeated. Houston returns even stronger, with Andre Johnson ready to lead the league in receiving yards.

Pick: Houston Texans

San Francisco vs. Seattle (1:15 p.m. PST)

Seattle is rebuilding, and trying to stay away from being one of the worst teams in the NFL for the third straight season. San Francisco meanwhile, is trying to win the NFC West, and take over the mantle that Arizona will leave vacant. Week 1 will present a surprise here, but doesn’t mean that Seattle is the better team.

Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Arizona at St. Louis (1:15 p.m. PST)

Arizona is fading and St. Louis is rising, but on Sunday you won’t be able to tell the difference. Neither team is going to be very good this season, but the Cardinals will still prove they are better than the Rams for now.

Pick: Arizona Cardinals

Green Bay at Philadelphia (1:15 p.m. PST)

The Green Bay Packers are going to be a force in the NFC this season, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be racing for the NFL MVP on offense. Look for his stats to be padded beginning with this game, and for the Eagles to struggle at even putting points on the board.

Pick: Green Bay Packers

Dallas at Washington (5:20 p.m. PST)

The Dallas vs. Washington game will be much better than in the past, but Washington isn’t ready to compete yet. Given then a few games, and the Redskins will make a run at the NFL Playoffs, but they aren’t ready to play against the caliber team of Dallas yet.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Baltimore at New York Jets (4 p.m. PST on Monday night) *ESPN*

These are two teams destined to fight for a playoff spot in the AFC this season, and are sure to present a great game on Sunday. If the Jets don’t have Revis though, they are going to be in big trouble. Look for this one to be a close game decided in the second half.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens

San Diego at Kansas City (7:15 p.m. PST on Monday night) *ESPN*

San Diego is still the team to beat in the AFC West, and that won’t change against a weak Chiefs defense on Monday night. Look for Eric Berry to have a flashy interception, but for their highlights to end there.

Pick: San Diego Chargers

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