Week 1 Preview and Picks

The biggest preview of the year will be DirecTV's Sunday Ticket Superfan. I have not yet signed up for the Superfan part. I'm going to use my free preview first to see what it's like.

Best Games to Watch:
1. Colts at Ravens - Coach Billick is playing up the Colts leaving Baltimore angle to get the crowd involved, and Ray Lewis is saying all the right things. Manning still has to prove he can beat a good defense.
2. Eagles at Falcons - Rematch of the NFC title game. Neither team has changed too much, so this will be a fun game to watch. And the TO Show (aka Debacle, Distraction, Disaster) will add to the atmosphere. Owens says he has cleared the air with McNabb. No word yet from McNabb.
3. Saints at Panthers - I'm interested to see how the Saints respond to everything that has happened recently. Panthers are starting healthy. This should be a great game.
4. Cowboys at Chargers - Parcells has his running game and an improved pass attack. The Chargers need to show that last season was no fluke.
5. Broncos at Dolphins - Denver needs to take step to next level, and the Dolphins are starting over, kind of. This one will be fun because of the unknowns.

Best Fantasy Games (Highest Scoring Games)
Bengals at Browns - These teams have really aired it out in the past. Palmer could have a huge day.
Jets at Chiefs - Chiefs can score at will, but still can't stop anyone. Holmes and Pennington will have big games here.
Rams at 49ers - This could be one-sided, but don't bet on it. Jackson, Bulger, and Holt should be big, but a couple of 49ers could break out, too.
Bucs at Vikings - Tampa Bay can't stop this offense. The question is, can the Vikings' defense stop anyone this year. Culpepper, Burleson, and Bennett could be big.
Seahawks at Jaguars - The Jags are supposed to be opening up the offense, and Seattle might have some receivers who can catch. Watch this one for fantasy prospects.

My Picks:
Bears at Redskins - Redskins in low-scoring game
Bengals at Browns - Bengals
Broncos at Dolphins - Broncos running game wins this one
Texans at Bills - Bills in a blowout
Saints at Panthers - Panthers, but it's close
Jets at Chiefs - Chiefs, they need the fast start
Seahawks at Jaguars - Jaguars
Bucs at Vikings - Vikings, big
Cardinals at Giants - Cards in upset, Warner and Arrington star
Packers at Lions - Packers, Favre makes the difference here
Rams at 49ers - Rams in a shootout
Colts at Ravens - Ravens, Manning will struggle
Eagles at Falcons - Eagles

Upsets of the Week
Titans at Steelers - Roethlisberger is struggling and McNair is hungry. The Titans have more weapons than people think. It will be low scoring, like 10-7, Titans win.
Cowboys at Chargers - The Cowboys could be the big surprise of the year. Their defense will turn the tide at some point. Cowboys, 27-24.