1st Week Picks; NFL, PART 1

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

The New York football Giants come into 2010 with a new stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and a hunger for postseason play. The G-Men failed to get in the playoffs last season since 2004 and finished .500 for the first time since 2006. 

On the other sideline is Carolina, a club that has penciled in Matt Moore, a 26-year old undrafted quarterback out of Oregon State, to start. Moore has played in fifteen games since he came into the NFL in 2006. 

Giants win this one big and start the season off right in their home opener.

OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Chad Henne and the Dolphins may have disappointed last season, but with a fresh face and impact player in Brandon Marshall at receiver, along with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the team from Miami has potential to turn some heads. 

Buffalo's big newcomer is C.J. Spiller, a first round draft pick out of Clemson, recorded three Touchdowns in three games, including a sweet 31-yard TD run. But how much can the Bills depend on the running game with a shaky core of quarterbacks in Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Dolphins win this one and the Chad Henne-Brandon Marshall marriage begins. 

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
The Falcons travel to Pittsburgh following a 9-7 season. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White are the big 3 on offense for Atlanta and creates a nice mix of the run and the pass.
With no Ben Roethlisberger and Dennis Dixon taking snaps for Pittsburgh, don't expect much for the first four games.
Atlanta takes care of business at Heinz Field.

 OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
A first game for the Bears that many would circle in as a 'W," but can you be so sure? The offensive line is still shaky, the defense has shown lapses and has suffered this preseason with run defense, and Matt Forte is coming off a horrendous sophomore year. New coordinator Mike Martz, who is credited with "The Greatest Show on Turf," came into Halas Hall in the offseason to try and turn around the Bears' 23rd ranked offense from just a year ago.
The Lions are looking for solid play from their second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford, the number-one overall pick in 2009. Rookies Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best will look to make a splash this season in Detroit.
Bears win by a slim margin.

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
Tom Brady is not only the wealthiest player in the NFL, but well deserving. A top 5, dependable quarterback and the franchise of the Patriots, Brady is valuable on every level, and will prove it Sunday.
The Bengals may have two hotheads on each end of the field on offense, however, all feelings aside, T.O. was a great sign for the Bengals. Less double teams on Chad Johnson means more open room to burn his defenders.
The Pats edge the Bengals in a shootout.

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Josh Freeman looks to rebound frosh a so-so rookie season at quarterback for the Bucs. Kellen Winslow put up his second most receiving yards last season with 884 and tailback Cadillac Williams had a nice 2009, just getting beat out by Tom Brady for AP Player of the Year.
The Browns face ex-teammate Winslow and have had a busy offseason. Star nose tackle Shaun Rogers was found carrying a loaded gun into an airport. Moved two quarterbacks in Derek Anderson and first round draft pick Brady Quinn; Quinn being dealt to Denver for running back Peyton Hillis, a sixth round pick. The Browns brought in former coach and football guru Mike Holmgren as president of the club, along with adding veteran Jake Delhomme.
Bucs just get past the Browns.

OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

The Broncos' quarterback position may belong to Kyle Orton, but the position is certainly not set in stone. Orton has pressure to perform well with former first rounder Brady Quinn and Heisman Trophy winner and Southeastern Conference record breaker Tim Tebow. The loss of Brandon Marshall hurts and it showed in preseason play as Denver went 1-3. Running back Knowshon Moreno is still a question mark for the opener, and, to add to injury, star D-lineman Elvis Dumervil is out for the season with a torn chest muscle. Dumervil led the league with 17 sacks in 2009. Too many question marks for the team from Mile High.

According to the Associated Press, Jacksonville suffered from 20 blackouts last season. 20. The team is apparently in limbo and has a lack of lack support at Everbank Field. Maurice Jones-Drew is still a top 3 back in the league, and as long as the Jaguars have him, the team always has a chance. 

David Garrard should run-and-gun all over Denver's poor defense.