4 Games to Watch
Alright, so in a post I’ll try to make before Sunday on every week for the next 17 weeks, I’ll highlight 4 games (two upset watches, two good games that won’t end in upsets). Here are my 4 Games to Watch for Week 1.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
A lot of people have the Vikings in this one, and reasonably so. They have All-Day Adrian Peterson (reigning ROY) and a new go-to target in Bernard Berrian comfortable with the team. However, the Packers went 13-3 last year and several people that Farve would get another chance to win a SB in the Green & Gold before the Giants rolled in and shocked the world just a few weeks later. This game has a lot of intrigue, as the winner in this week 1 match-up could become favorites to win the division. Both defenses are above average, both running games are above average, however I think the key will lie in the passing game. Aaron Rodgers is an unknown. At times he looked decent in the preseason and at times he looked lost. Tavaris Jackson has looked lost his entire career. With Green Bay having better WR options, I’m going to take the Packers on a late field goal, 27-24.
ST. LOUIS RAMS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Intrigue abound, this will be one of the better week 1 games to watch. Philadelphia is home to one of the most versatile backs in the NFL in Brian Westbrook. St. Louis counters with one of the biggest disappointments in backfield last season in Steven Jackson. Rookie Chris Long looks to help this D-Line that was nothing special last year, and Bulger is looking to bounce back. Philly is hoping to stay healthy this season and McNabb is poised to play a big role in ‘08. Given the uncertainty of the two teams, I think this one is a complete toss-up. For no good reason, I’m taking the Rams in this game, 21-20.
CINCINNATI BENGALS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
No longer Jail-Birds (okay, the did bring Chris Henry back), the Bengals are looking to bounce back with a new name at WR…kind of. Ocho Cinco (whom is obviously oblivious to the Spanish Language) is hoping to have a bounce back year in which his fans actually like him again, and the Ravens look to be relying on Rookie QB Joe Flacco. With the Bengals offense banged up already, and Ray Lewis dancing onto the field for the first time in ‘08, I’ll take the Ravens in this one, 27-21.
DALLAS COWBOYS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. There’s no possible way the NFC Favorites are going to lose their opening game to the Cleveland Browns. But think about it for a second. Cleveland made great strides last season. Kellen Winslow looks to be the elite TE Cleveland thought he would be when they drafted him, and Derek Anderson became the best surprise of the 2007-08 season. Jamal Lewis looks to have rebounded from a rough couple of years in Baltimore. This team may be on the cusp of being one of the better teams in the AFC. All that being said, Tony Romo, TO, and that nasty defense are going to be too much for the Brownies. I’ll take Dallas in this game, 34-20.
