The Ultimate NFL Preview | Thebigtip

With the NFL season starting this week on the weekend of the 10th anniversary of attacks on September 11 2001, the NFL puts behind an off-season of greed, lockouts and labour disputes. This weekend’s opening week of games provides a number of intriguing match ups from fierce divisional rivalries as well as sibling rivalry. Below is a preview of the key match ups of the week along with thoughts on the remaining games.

Enjoy the first weekend of the NFL. Back to Football!

NFL Week 1 – Key game previews
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers
The 2011/12 NFL season opens with a fantastic encounter on Friday Morning Australian Time. The game involves two of the best teams in the NFL today. The game has been billed as the Battle of the Champions as it involves the 2010 Super Bowl champions Packers versus the 2009 Super Bowl Champion Saints. Both these teams had great stories to their Super Bowl runs, with the Saints overcoming the tragedy that engulfed their city with Hurricane Katrina, while the Packers still won the title despite fifteen players suffering season ending injuries.

This game will be played at the hallowed Lambeau Field in Green Bay and will be a battle between two great quarterbacks along with two great defensive co-ordinators. Ultimately this game will be one by whichever teams Quarterback turns up and overcomes the aggressive defensive schemes of both co-ordinators. Will it be Aaron Rodgers (Packers) or Drew Brees (Saints)?

 
My tip is the emotion of the Packers first game at home following their Super Bowl victory will lead them to victory in a high scoring shootout.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Along with the Saints v Packers game, this divisional rivalry is one of the highest anticipated games on the NFL schedule every year. Traditionally, these games are low scoring while being incredibly physical. These two teams possess two of the most feared defensive units in the NFL and there is always something extra these teams have for each other every time they play.

Rest assured this game will be a battle. It will involve a lot of sacks as both teams have had struggles on the offensive line in the pre-season and it will be whoever’s QB can hold up to the punishment that they’ll likely face as well as whoever’s run game is able to make inroads.

The key to this game will be Rashard Mendenhall (RB for the Steelers) and Ray Rice (RB for the Ravens). Whichever running back has the better day will likely be the difference maker in this game.

My tip is the Baltimore Ravens to break their hoodoo over the Steelers and win on opening day. The addition of lead blocker Vonte Leach will really help the Ravens running game and Ray Rice will lead this team to many victories this season on his way to the rushing title.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets
This game is to be played on Sunday Afternoon in New York. It will be played on September 11 and it will be an incredibly emotional encounter as a result. Like the Steelers and Ravens, both teams have fantastic defensive minds leading their organisations. Coincidently what makes this encounter even more intriguing is the fact these minds are in fact brothers.

Rob Ryan (Cowboys DC) and Rex Ryan (Jets HC) are two of the greatest defensive minds in the NFL today and both are able to constantly put in place top 5 defences in the NFL. This season should be no different. Rob Ryan moves from perennial strugglers Cleveland Browns to America’s team, the Cowboys.

Here, he will have at his disposal weapons he has never had before in Demarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff. Rex Ryan is going through somewhat of a transitional period on defence but still has two of the best players in the NFL leading his defence in Linebacker Bart Scott and Cornerback Darrelle Revis.

While the Cowboys offence appears more potent on paper with fantastic, game breaking receiving talent in Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, the Jets coverage ability should negate that advantage.

This is a make or break year for both the Jets and the Cowboys, as well as both their teams quarterbacks who are two of the most scrutinised players in the NFL.

Ultimately, both Mark Sanchez (Jets QB) and Tony Romo (Cowboys QB) will be looking to get off to a great start to avoid the criticism that will likely follow a loss in week 1 in both media markets.

This will be a highly emotionally charged encounter where it will be low scoring and physical. It will be a fitting memorial to the 10 year anniversary of September 11 and what a way to open the season.
 
Philadelphia Eagles @ St. Louis Rams
The Eagles travel to the upstart Rams who improved dramatically last year with #1 draft pick in 2010 Sam Bradford at Quarterback. The Eagles recently locked up, pardon the pun, their star QB Michael Vick with a 6 year, $100m deal that sees him secure as the Franchise QB.

The Eagles were the most active team in the NFL off-season securing a number of prized free agents including blue chip cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and prolific pass rushers Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin.

The Rams were also active in accumulating weapons for their young signal caller and new offensive Guru Josh McDaniels. The acquisition of Mike Sims-Walker, Austin Pettis, Greg Salas and TE Lance Kendricks should take some pressure off Bradford and their Running Back Steven Jackson. This will be a great encounter at St Louis as we’ll be able to see the progression that the Rams have made in the off-season along with how the Eagles “dream team” has gelled despite a high roster turnover.

I think the Eagles jag a win in a tight encounter.

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
The controversy that has surrounded this game is mostly about a player who may not suit up on game day. The Colts franchise QB and NFL poster boy Peyton Manning has been battling a neck injury since the NFL season officially began and he has reportedly not responded well to rehab following surgery on his neck just over a month ago. This injury puts in doubt Manning’s ironman streak where he has not missed a start since he was drafted in 1998.
 
The Texans won the corresponding opening game last year on the back of breakout rusher Arian Foster who accumulated over 200 yards from scrimmage. With the Texans investing in their struggling defence over the off-season by bringing in defensive guru Wade Phillips and bringing in veterans Johnathan Joseph and Daniel Manning they are hoping that the changes will result in them finally making their inaugural play-off appearance.

With Manning potentially missing for the Colts, the onus will likely fall on veteran Kerry Collins who was enticed out of retirement by GM Bill Polian. With Manning’s injury it has the potential to blow the division wide open and the Colts long standing run of double-digit victories per year and stranglehold on the AFC South is under threat.

The Texans will want to make a statement in this game to show they are the real deal. I would predict a healthy victory for the Texans at home.

Other Matchups:
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears – The Falcons travel to Solder Field with renewed vigour on Offense. The addition of first round WR Julio Jones, the Falcons are looking to being a more explosive offense. I see that happening against a Bears team that has failed to make any significant strides in the off-season. The Bears suspect O-Line will need to be up to the task if they are to have any chance in this game. Falcons by 10+

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns – The Bengals start a new era under Rookie QB Andy Dalton and Rookie WR A.J.Green by facing Colt McCoy’s Browns in Cleveland. While this is a game between teams who may be middle of the road, it does have two defences who love to go after the opposing QB. Ultimately the Browns will win this match up through relying on their stud RB Peyton Hillis (On the cover of Madden 12), while the Bengals anticipated poor season will start with a significant loss on the road. Browns by 14

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – These two division rivals have long been the underachievers in their division. Last year the Titans had a plethora of issues which ultimately led them to a poor record and the firing of their Head Coach Jeff Fisher along with the release of their QB Vince Young. The demise of both franchises resulted in both teams acquiring new quarterbacks in the draft with the Titans selecting Washington QB Jake Locker while the Jaguars traded up to grab Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert’s opportunity may come sooner than anticipated after the Jaguars released David Garrard. This game will likely be a running focussed game with both teams only capable of that facet through franchise running backs Chris Johnson (Titans) and Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars). After what will be a boring encounter the Titans will win by 14+.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs have looked remarkably bad in the pre-season. Matt Cassell sustained a fractured rib in last week’s game and the offence just hasn’t been the same since OC Charlie Weiss left the organisation. The Bills look to have a revamped defence which last season was ranked 32nd. On the back of drafting Alabama DT Marcell Dareus and re-signing DT Kyle Williams and bringing in veterans Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett and Kirk Morrison look for the Bills defence to make a statement in this game. Look for the Chiefs to begin to slide this season while the Bills will emerge as a team that is better than people think, starting with an upset win this week. Bills by 3

Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – This is a game of last year’s young emerging team versus the “it” team of the pre-season in the Detroit Lions. A battle of two quarterbacks taken in the 2009 draft, only Josh Freeman (Bucs) has proven to be durable at this point. Matthew Stafford (Lions) has been fantastic this pre-season with a near perfect passer rating and with the Lions defensive line monstering teams, the Lions have been creating huge buzz in NFL circles. On the flip side the Buc’s have struggled after surprising every team last year. Josh Freeman has struggled while their defensive unit has struggled. Look for the Lions to begin the season with an impressive victory, continuing their momentum from the pre-season. Lions by 7+

New York Football Giants @ Washington Redskins – The Washington Redskins were one team that had everyone scratching their head this off-season. After Donovan McNabb was traded to the Vikings, everyone anticipated a move at QB for the Skin’s. This move never eventuated and the Redskins will go into season with Rex Grossman as their QB. Look for the Redskins to not let Grossman throw too much and rely on the running game to chew up the clock. The Giants have been the most unlucky team in the pre-season with a staggering eight season ending injuries already registered. However they should have no trouble handing the Redskins through a superior rushing game and a dominant defensive line. Giants by 10

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals – The only thing that is exciting about this match is how many times Cardinals new QB Kevin Kolb, acquired in a trade with the Eagles, will connect with Larry Fitzgerald. Apart from that this will be a boring game. Cardinals by lots

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers – I spoke too soon. This will in fact be the most boring game of the week. These two teams were absolutely terrible in the pre-season. Both teams suffered from suspect O-Line play, bad running games, and horrible QB play. The determining factor in this game is which team will be less awful and have the better punter. 49ers at home.

Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers – This match up will be an intriguing one. Will Donovan McNabb bounce back to form with a new organisation and scheme? Will the Chargers finally get off to a fast start and take the first steps to a Super Bowl berth? Both defences are solid and both offences have a plethora of weapons. This has the making for an exciting game and look for the Chargers to open the season with a shootout victory.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins – This division rivalry on paper looks like a no-contest, and that is the way it will be in reality too. While these divisional encounters more often than not turn out to be close, the Patriots will likely beat the Dolphins comfortably. The Patriots looked great in most of the pre-season games and their recent acquisitions on the offensive line should help solidify one of their only problem areas. Look for recent acquisitions Chad Ochocinco and Albert Hayensworth to have an impact in this game against a Dolphins team who, besides their outstanding defence, leave a lot to be desired. This will be the beginning of Patriots charge to another division title and another season of the axe hovering over Sparano’s head. Patriots by 14+

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos –Both teams have had their share of problems this off-season with the Raiders losing two of their best players in Zach Miller and Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency while the Broncos had a QB controversy involving Kyle Orton and the cult figure Tim Tebow. Last season the Raiders ran all over the Broncos defence and I look for them to do the same. While Elvis Dumervil returns for the Broncos and the addition of Von Miller may help, the Raiders are a running team and the Broncos appear to still be vulnerable in this area failing to attract a quality Defensive Tackle. Raiders in a close game –Raiders by 7.