Christopher Kay’s Weekly Picks
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Week #1
Thursday
 Miami Dolphins at  Pittsburgh Steelers
Culpepper will showcase his abilities and beat the Charlie Batch led Steelers. Even if Roethlisberger was starting the Dolphins would win. Culpepper has a history of bouncing back after poor seasons such as the one he had last year. This is why I took him in my fantasy league. Of course, if the refs favour the Steelers like they did in the Superbowl… then we may have a different outcome.
Dolphins over Steelers 32-10
Sunday
 Atlanta Falcons at  Carolina Panthers
The Panthers will put 8 men in the box and neutralize Dunn as well as Vick’s legs. This will leave it up to Vick’s arm to win the game. Vick still can’t win games with his passing (contrary to his deluded beliefs).
Panthers over Falcons 24-20
 Baltimore Ravens at  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even though McNair is a veteran, this is only his second team and head coach in the NFL ever and it will take time for him to learn the offense. Even though Simms is young, he has more experience with his offense than McNair has with his.
Buccaneers over Ravens 13-7
 Buffalo Bills at  New England Patriots
Upset special. Last year McGahee and the Bills outplayed the Patriots but somehow managed to lose. This year new head coach Jauron is planning on using McGahee more and wants to get him into space to enable him to use his speed and vision. Last year’s head coach Mularkey tried to use McGahee as a power RB, which he is not and this ruined any hope of a decent season for the Bills.
Bills over Patriots 23-21
 Cincinnati Bengals at  Kansas City Chiefs
Larry Johnson thinks he’s going to get over 2000 yards rushing this season, but he’s overlooked one thing; his O-line is aging and won’t be as great as it has been over the past few years. This luckily won’t matter for him much against the Bengals defense as the Chiefs will keep pounding the ball and keep it out of Palmer’s hands just long enough.
Chiefs over Bengals 38-28
 Denver Broncos at  St. Louis Rams
Even though coach Linehan will try and keep giving the ball to Steven Jackson, the Broncos D-line is actually good as a unit and will slow him down enough to turn this into a shoot-out. The Rams used to own shoot outs, but not anymore.
Broncos over Rams 34-30
 New Orleans Saints at  Cleveland Browns
Reggie Bush can add a great athletic play here or there, but he won’t be able to win games yet (or ever maybe). Frye is actually good and will get even better this season. This Browns offense has weapons and this Saints defense won’t be able to stop them.
Browns over Saints 27-14
 New York Jets at  Tennessee Titans
It doesn’t matter who will start for the Titans at QB because they suck. Luckily for them the Jets suck even more making this the worst game on the schedule. I’m making a pick only because I have to. I hope this game isn’t televised in my area.
Titans over Jets 18-13
 Philadelphia Eagles at  Houston Texans
McNabb is back and there’s no more T.O. headache. The eagles will be back to form. And even if they aren’t completely back to their good teams pre-T.O., they’re much better than the lowly Texans, a team synonymous with futility.
Eagles over Texans 31-6
 Seattle Seahawks at  Detroit Lions
The Lions will be an improved team this year. But these Seahawks are on a mission back to the Superbowl. The Seahawks are too strong on every side of the ball. The only hope the Lions have is if the Seahawks take this game way too lightly. Holmgren is a smarter coach than that though, and his team will be pumped for the season opener.
Seahawks over Lions 27-10
 Chicago Bears at  Green Bay Packers
Favre would turn the ball over numerous times against a bad defense. Against the Bears and their amazing playmaking defense? It could get very embarrassing very fast for the God that is Brett Favre at the historic temple that is Lambeau Field (I miss Randy Moss playing at Lambeau).
Bears over Packers 23-7
 Dallas Cowboys at  Jacksonville Jaguars
No, the Jaguars aren’t as good as their record was last year. And no, the Cowboys aren’t the Superbowl team some delusional ‘experts’ think they’re going to be this year. The Jags at home take this one and throw a wrench into the T.O. and Parcells marriage. T.O. will be a headache all season even if he’s a model citizen. The Jags also want to prove immediately that they weren’t a team aided by a weak schedule last season and will come out with a chip on their shoulder which is the great NFL X-factor.
Jaguars over Cowboys 23-21
 San Francisco 49ers at  Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers won’t be able to stop all of the Cardinals’ offensive weapons (Edge, Fitz and Boldin). Warner is going to have some fun against a bad 49ers defense. Alex Smith still needs a few years to become a good NFL QB.
Cardinals over 49ers 42-14
 Indianapolis Colts at  New York Giants
In the first ever Manning bowl, it’ll be older brother Peyton showing younger brother Eli how it’s done. The only way the Giants can compete will be by feeding Tiki barber the ball repeatedly. This will help keep the game close initially, but it won’t stop Peyton. Eli will be as emotionless as ever, especially after he loses.
Colts over Giants 24-13
Monday
 Minnesota Vikings at  Washington Redskins
The Redskins went out and got another good haul of players to help their team this year. But every other year this hasn’t helped, and this time it won’t be any different. Childress will instantly improve the Vikings due to the fact that Mike Tice was horrendous as a coach. Subtracting him was an instant plus. The Redskins looked decent last year only because of a few Hail Mary passes and prayers to Santana Moss that were answered. Snyder probably made a deal with the Devil last year, but I’m sure that contract is expired.
Viking over Redskins 20-10
 San Diego Chargers at  Oakland Raiders
Rivers will be starting this game and season knowing this is his San Diego Chargers team for the first time. Luckily he has the best RB in the league in Ladainian Tomlinson helping him out. LT will be able to run wild on the porous Raiders defense and help alleviate any pressure the young Philip Rivers might be facing on Monday Night Football (even though MNF isn’t going to be what it was anymore).
Chargers over Raiders 34-16
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