It’s the eve of Week 1 in the NFL and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve gotten into the GCobb.com pick ’em challenge and I thought I’d explain my awful picks right here. If you want some good ol’ fashioned entertainment, re-read this on Monday. I’m the worst prognosticator in the world.
That said, here we go:
-I like the Dolphins on the road against the Bills. I’m not a big fan of the 2010 Dolphins, but I like Buffalo even less. I want to know why Donovan McNabb wasn’t worth a second and a fourth-round pick this offseason. Please explain that to me.
-I like New Orleans to beat Minnesota by roughly five points.
-I’ll go ahead and be that guy. I’ll do it. I really think Detroit is going to be much improved this year. I didn’t say great or even good. But I think they won’t be the doormat that they’ve been for so long. And I’m just not a big Jay Cutler fan. I like Mike Martz even less. I’m taking the Detroit Lions to win this on the road.
-Keeping it going with the road teams. I think the Raiders will be similar to the Lions in that they’ll be much better this year. Nice defense and they finally have somewhat competent QB. I really think all the players just couldn’t get up for playing knowing that JaMarcus Russell was their “leader.” He led the team in sizzurp, but not much else. I think the Raiders beat the Titans on the road.
-Bengals and Patriots? Wow. Some good games this week, huh? I’m taking the Patriots at home. They will rally around Tom Brady’s damaged automobile.
-I think the Giants get back at the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers tend to give them fits. But I think back to last year when they whooped on the Giants, and it was late in the year. When the Panthers clobbered them 23-0 in the 2005 playoffs (this was when Tiki first started to pop off), it was late in the year. It’s Week 1. I’m taking the Giants. Eli’s problems at the Meadowlands usually start when the wind starts whipping.
-I’m taking the Falcons over the Steelers. The Falcons were a good team with a healthy Matt Ryan. And the Steelers have Mark Malone at QB tomorrow. I think the Steelers will be a good team at some point this year, but not Week 1.
-Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers? You kidding me? How could one possibly pick this game? It also hurts that I have a flex position to fill in one of my fantasy leagues and my choices are Jerome Harrison and Cadillac Williams. Ugh. Can I abstain from picking this game? No? Ok, fine. Cleveland wins, 47-3.
-I think Denver takes out the Jaguars, but only because I think so little of Jacksonville.
-Wow, another great game. This is ridiculous. I’ll take Indianapolis over the Texans, but I won’t be happy with it. When in doubt, just pick Indy, right?
-Most are picking the San Francisco 49ers to be a tough team this year. I think they are ok, but people need to relax. They still have a QB under center that pretty much has to be in a shotgun to be good. I do not like Alex Smith. And maybe the Seahawks surprise some people. I’m taking Seattle. And then again, maybe G. will see these picks on Monday and hand me a pink slip.
-I don’t see how the Eagles can beat the Packers. Maybe Kevin Kolb shows me something impressive, but I’m not too high on him right this second.
-It’s so easy to think that Arizona is going to beat up St. Louis. Yes, the Rams stink. But, might I remind you that the Cardinals were just as bad before Kurt Warner had his resurgence? Derek Anderson stinks and their QB play will be awful. Remember that the Cardinals stunk with Anquan Boldin, Antrel Rolle and Karlos Dansby. They don’t even have them anymore. I’m taking the Rams in not-so shocker.
-Cowboys over the Redskins is pretty safe to say.
-I’ll take the Jets over the Ravens only because they are the home team and I couldn’t decide.
-And of course San Diego takes out the lowly Chiefs.
Be sure to check back and cross reference these predictions with what exactly happened. I think we’ll all get a good laugh out of it.
