So here we go. The long off-season, and the seemingly long pre-season are done and we’re ready to rock. There are very few dull games in the NFL (on paper at least!) but this week looks like a great way to start the season: some great divisional matchups and some interesting stories all across the board.

There are no easy games to call, but this week has some tough ones even by NFL standards…

Graham and I give you our brief thoughts and predictions for the week 1 games. Here are Mac Talks NFL, we’ll also have a weekly Guest Predictor Who Knows Nothing About The NFL. Their predictions will be up later.

Thursday 10th
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh
A – The Steelers will be looking to do better than the last time they were defending champions, and the Titans will want to carry on with last season’s form that took them comfortably into the post-season.

Tough game to call for the starter!

G – The bookmakers would have us believe that this is all going the Steelers way.  I think the Steelers will take it, but it will be much closer than they predict.

Sunday 13th
NY Jets @ Houston
A – Mark Sanchez debuts with what is – on paper – one of the easier games the Jets have in the first half of the season. However, the Texans are no pushovers at home and have only lost 4 times in the last two seasons.

G – I do think that the Jets will come good under the rule of the T-Rex, but it is going to take time for the system to work.  The Texans have been quietly getting on with it.  It should be enough to see off the Jets this time.

Minnesota @ Cleveland
A – Offensively, how quickly Favre has gelled with the offense will be key for the Vikings. With their solid running game, he might not have to do much and that would suit them at this point. For the Browns, be it Quinn or Anderson who comes out as starter (and it’s too close to call) they need to improve from their 2008 offensive showing. Doing that, and staying on the field more, will help the defense.

G – Mangini is keeping his cards to his chest on the QB situation in Cleveland and I am viewing that as a sign of weakness.  Favre should be on his best in this game, how long he can last is another matter.

Denver @ Cincinnati
A – I love the look of this game, and will definitely be trying to catch some of it. The Broncos could be exciting when running the ball, and the Bengals when passing. Both teams were disappointing last season and will be looking to get a Win early.

G – How will the Broncos perform without Jay Cutler?  Well, I am going to give them a chance this week.  Pre-season didn’t show us anything to get excited about, but I think they will have the measure of the Bengals in week 1.  It’s going to be close though.

Philadelphia @ Carolina
A – A great NFC matchup, with two teams with serious eyes on the conference clashing in week 1. We think the Panthers are a lock for the South, and the Eagles will surely compete in the East. Another tough game to call.

G – I agree, it’s a coin-toss at this stage.  I am going with the Eagles for week 1, but I wouldn’t have the confidence to put money on it.

Dallas @ Tampa Bay
A – The Bucs go into the season with many changes, including recently on the offense. The Cowboys will be looking to improve on last season’s poor showing. We’re paying attention to the Bucs, as they’re the London home team this year, and on that it’s hard to see them opening the season strongly…

G – I would love to pick the Bucs as we plan to welcome them to London, but I like the look of the Cowboys too much at the moment.

Kansas City @ Baltimore
A – Baltimore are my pick for the AFC North, and I don’t see the Chiefs doing much at all. It’ll be interesting to see how they fair against a top defence, but I suspect they won’t have enough on any side of the ball.

G – The Ravens were great to watch last year, but there have been big changes in the organisation for 2009, however they still seem to have a strong look about them.  Again it is another game I can see going either way.

Detroit @ New Orleans
A – This is a good starter for the new Lions. New Orleans is a challenging, but winnable game for them and regardless of the result it’ll be a good test for how they’re coming on. As a team who played at Wembley, I have a soft spot for the Saints, but even my head says they should take this one.

G – I have to admit, this one is gut feel.  I want to see the Lions win, they need it and Detroit need it.  On paper New Orleans should have it, but I just feel there is going to be some magic for the lions this year.  Stafford has been anounced as starting QB and there seems too be a confidence about the whole team.

Miami @ Atlanta
A – I fancy the Dolphins here. Both teams are set for good seasons, and similar records, but I just think Miami will get off to a better start.

G – I am predicting post-season again for the Dolphins this year. Another team that has just got in with it during the off-season.  They will be looking to open in the style they ended last season.  Ok, so it could have been easier than a trip to the Falcons, but Miami is my choice

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
A – A great AFC South matchup, one of many divisional contests this week. In this fixture last year the Jags won a close game (the Colts returned the favour in Jacksonville later in the year) and these games are always entertaining.

G – The Colts are looking good, I think it will be a decisive home win here.

St. Louis @ Seattle
A – I’ll probably watch this game, as it’s two teams that had disatrous seasons in 2008 and who are both looking to make strides this term. Ranked 28th and 30th on defence last year, and 27th/28th on offence, new coaches Steve Spagnuolo (Rams) and Jim Mora (Seahawks) have got their work cut out.

G – The Rams are for sale and nobody wants to buy them, that kind of says a lot and I can’t imagine it is easy to keep the morale up at the moment.  I think they will find the trip to Seattle a hard one.

Washington @ NY Giants
A – This is a rematch of last year’s opener where despite the 17-6 scoreline, the ‘Skins were comprehensively outplayed by the then defending champions. This year should be closer, though I expect another low scoring match.

G – I have to agree with Andrew here, I don’t see much at the Giants which indicates they have built much on 2008.  I was almost tempted to go for the Redskins, but I don’t quite think they will have enough away from home.

San Francisco @ Arizona
A – Arizona go into a season that’s traditionally difficult – as Superbowl losers. San Francisco had a great second half to last season and will be looking to carry forward that form. This could be a good game, but I can’t look past the Cardinals.

G – San Francisco is another team I am expecting improvement from this year.  This might turn out to be a mad pick, but it is a game I am really looking forward to watching.

Chicago @ Green Bay
A – This looks like a great matchup, and of all the games this week I’ve dwelled the most on this one, swinging from the Bears to the Packers pretty much every day.

G – Green Bay look strong.  While the Bears don’t look bad the home advantage will help here.

Monday 14th
Buffalo @ New England
A – After last year’s great, yet falling short, showing, the Pats will want to blast out of the blocks. The Bills are a solid team though, so I’m expecting a close game here.

G – Two teams that will be playing regular season games out side the US this season.  The Pats in London and the Bills in Toronto.  I think even without the return of the mighty Tom Brady, the Pats woud take this one.

San Diego @ Oakland
A – Oakland don’t look good, but I’m half-expecting a surprise from them. But maybe not this week… San Diego are an excellent team, and I expect them to win this one fairly comfortably.

G – Oh dear, what is going on with the Raiders?  Sadly I think that they might be the Lions of 2009.  I hope they prove me wrong, but early indications are not great.  San Diego will be bringing the lightning!

Fixtures and Scores @ nfl.com: http://www.nfl.com/schedules?seasonType=REG#Week1
Fixtures and Scores @ Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/scoreboard?w=1

A tex version of this table is available at the Guest article.
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