OVER 
(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
Great quarterback matchup here with two top-5 gunslingers; Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub. Manning is 8-2 in season openers since his first career start in 2000. Schaub led the league in passing yards last season with 4,770. Manning has Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Schaub has a questionable Owen Daniels for Sunday, and that guy, Andre Johnson. The Colts safeties will have to aid their fellow cornerbacks in blanketing Johnson.
Colts win in a shootout.
OVER 
(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
Two similarities between two very different teams; both are starting new quarterbacks from the beginning of 2009. For Tennessee it is the former University of Texas standout and the always mobile Vince Young. Young replaces veteran Kerry Collins. On the other side it's Jason Campbell, replacing JaMarcus Russell who, in this past offseason after being cut, admitted to using codeine-syrup. The Raiders have boosted their defense, including first round draftee Rolando McClain from Alabama, but the silver and black have too many holes, and Tennessee looks fierce. Oh yeah, and that have Chris Johnson on their team, a guy who ran for over 2,000 yards last season. This game comes down to Vince Young. Will he succeed in the season opener and set the tone for a tough division, or will he crumble?
I say he succeeds in a sloppy game.
I say he succeeds in a sloppy game.
OVER 
(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
It is hard to dislike Aaron Rodgers considering the transition he made from holding the clipboard for ol' number 4 to filling his shoes and raising eyebrows. Throw out the fact that his offensive line stinks, allowing 50 sacks last year. Rodgers has shown poise and determination in finding his star receivers in Brandon Jennings and Donald Driver, both of whom tallied 1,000+ yards in '09 along with a complementing, Wes Welker-type slot receiver in Jordy Nelson. Add in arguably the two of the most underrated players in tight end Jermichael Finley who caught 55 passes and Ryan Grant who finds the holes, the Packers offense is not to be reckoned with.
Philadelphia has a transition of their own at the quarterback position. Longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb was traded to division-rival Washington for a pair of future draft picks. McNabb guided Philly to four consecutive NFC East division championships, five NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl appearance. Kolb has much to prove, wouldn't you say?
Packers win at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia has a transition of their own at the quarterback position. Longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb was traded to division-rival Washington for a pair of future draft picks. McNabb guided Philly to four consecutive NFC East division championships, five NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl appearance. Kolb has much to prove, wouldn't you say?
Packers win at Lincoln Financial Field.
OVER 
(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
Pete Carroll makes his return to the NFL sidelines Sunday against the 49ers led by well-respected coach Mike Singletary. Carroll coached the New York Jets for one year in 1994, was a defensive coordinator San Francisco the following year, then coached the Patriots for two years before heading to USC. In total Carroll is 33-31 as a head coach in the professional ranks, making the playoffs twice. There is something about a new coach giving players more motivation to get that first win. Why not at home in the loudest stadium for their new coach?
What does San Francisco bring to the table? Try the best middle linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis, a hard-nosed tailback in Frank Gore, a top three tight end in Vernon Davis, and an under-the-radar quarterback in Alex Smith.
In the end, the Seahawks prevail at loud Qwest Field.
What does San Francisco bring to the table? Try the best middle linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis, a hard-nosed tailback in Frank Gore, a top three tight end in Vernon Davis, and an under-the-radar quarterback in Alex Smith.
In the end, the Seahawks prevail at loud Qwest Field.
OVER 
(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
With Matt Leinart gone and Derek Anderson arriving in the offseason, the veteran Anderson will run the show on offense. No Anquan Boldin means more double teams for star receiver Larry Fitzgerald. A solid running game should only improve from last season with Chris "Beanie" Wells and Tim Hightower to punch it in inside the five yard line. Darnell Dockett and newcomer Joey Porter will be huge in the opener.
The Rams are coming off a season in which they won a single game. WIth the number one overall pick St. Louis chose Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams are banking on him, literally, after a whopping contract of $78 million over six years, $50 million of which is guaranteed.
Derek Anderson and company will take care of business with ease.
The Rams are coming off a season in which they won a single game. WIth the number one overall pick St. Louis chose Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams are banking on him, literally, after a whopping contract of $78 million over six years, $50 million of which is guaranteed.
Derek Anderson and company will take care of business with ease.
OVER 
(8:20 Eastern Time, Sunday)
THE SKINNY:
Division rivals collide Sunday night at FedEx Field where the Redskins host the Cowboys. Each offense has playmaking personnel and will display great duels. Tony Romo vs. Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Marion Barber and Felix Jones vs. Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson at running back. Roy Williams and Miles Austin vs. Santana Moss and Joey Galloway at wide receiver. Jason Witten vs. Chris Cooley at tight end.
So what will separate the two?
Firstly, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has much to prove. He is certainly on the hot seat with a shaky postseason resume. Tony Romo did not look great in the preseason, nor did his offensive line, letting their starter feel the pressure and get sacked five times in limited action.
The $100 million man Albert Haynesworth is still a question mark for Sunday. After a bizarre offseason and preseason with new coach Mike Shanahan and Haynesworth butting heads, Donovan McNabb came over via trade and the Skins let Jason Campbell go. McNabb, a proven leader in Philadelphia, has said they need Haynesworth. It is still uncertain if Albert will be in the game on Sunday.
Bank on the Cowboys to win Sunday.
So what will separate the two?
Firstly, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has much to prove. He is certainly on the hot seat with a shaky postseason resume. Tony Romo did not look great in the preseason, nor did his offensive line, letting their starter feel the pressure and get sacked five times in limited action.
The $100 million man Albert Haynesworth is still a question mark for Sunday. After a bizarre offseason and preseason with new coach Mike Shanahan and Haynesworth butting heads, Donovan McNabb came over via trade and the Skins let Jason Campbell go. McNabb, a proven leader in Philadelphia, has said they need Haynesworth. It is still uncertain if Albert will be in the game on Sunday.
Bank on the Cowboys to win Sunday.
OVER 
(7:00 Eastern Time, MONDAY)
THE SKINNY:
Two revamped teams square off at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The New York Jets, who now seem like a soap opera than a football team with cameras rolling on HBO's "Hard Knocks," had an offseason that featured their best defensive player, shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis, holding out for over a month awaiting a new contract. Factor in Thomas Jones exiting and LaDainian Tomlinson entering as the number two running back behind second-year player Shonn Greene, and a team incredibly upset and displaying its displeasure with the release of well-respected veteran fullback Tony Richardson. The team has been full of drama to say the least.
The Jets would later re-sign Richardson.
Baltimore is a sure bet for the postseason with a solid quarterback in Joe Flacco and newcomer Anquan Boldin. Boldin represents something the Ravens have never had; a true number one receiver. Boldin brings speed, athletic ability and great route running to the table and will complement Derrick Mason. The Ravens also added T.J. Houshmandzadeh. This offense should be fun to watch.
Jets escape with a win.
The Jets would later re-sign Richardson.
Baltimore is a sure bet for the postseason with a solid quarterback in Joe Flacco and newcomer Anquan Boldin. Boldin represents something the Ravens have never had; a true number one receiver. Boldin brings speed, athletic ability and great route running to the table and will complement Derrick Mason. The Ravens also added T.J. Houshmandzadeh. This offense should be fun to watch.
Jets escape with a win.
OVER 
(10:15 Eastern Time, MONDAY)
THE SKINNY:
San Diego may not have franchise favorite LT, but they do have little Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews to receive the handoffs. The always energetic Philip Rivers is looking for his seventh straight win against Kansas City and a win to start the season off right. Even with receiver Vincent Jackson out for the first three games violating the substance abuse policy, the Chargers added veteran Patrick Crayton as a number three receiver.
Kansas City on the other hand are coming off an abysmal 4-win season. The two big offseason moves were not on the field, but on the sidelines. Romeo Crennel, a disapointment leading the Browns, was hired to revamp the Chiefs defense. Charlie Weis, an even bigger disappointment at Notre Dame, was hired to improve the offense. Jamaal Charles represents a solid running back on a poor team. Charles will carry the load this season for Kansas City.
Kansas City on the other hand are coming off an abysmal 4-win season. The two big offseason moves were not on the field, but on the sidelines. Romeo Crennel, a disapointment leading the Browns, was hired to revamp the Chiefs defense. Charlie Weis, an even bigger disappointment at Notre Dame, was hired to improve the offense. Jamaal Charles represents a solid running back on a poor team. Charles will carry the load this season for Kansas City.
Chargers roll big on Monday night.
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