Week 1 Picks

Four years after 9/11, we are dealing with another national catastrophe, but this time we were ravaged by nature, not attacked by a foreign enemy. That makes anniversaries like these especially poignant. While our thoughts are with those affected by Hurricane Katrina and those who are working feverishly and many risking their health or lives to help them, we also pause to remember that horrible, terrible day when the world changed forever. God bless America.

And now, this weeks picks.

Chicago at Washington, 1 p.m. This game would be tough to pick midway through the season, but anything can happen during Week 1. Well, not quite anything, like the Raiders can't beat the Patriots. Anyway, I expect both these teams to be horrible, but someone has to win. We'll just give it to the home team. Redskins, 21-17. (Incidentally, I'll keep my season record straight up, not against the points.)

Cincinnati at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Ditto. Actually, I'll say one thing here that I didn't in my season preview. It's important for some teams to get out of the gate with a win or two, or they'll doubt their system and struggle. Cincinnati is one of those teams. I don't think they'll win today, and that may have a deeper affect than most would think. Romeo Crennel gets Cleveland off on on the right foot, but it will be one of the few highlights of the season. Browns. 17-14.

Denver at Miami, 1 p.m. Miami is at home, and it's Week 1, when anything can happen. Fortunately, the have Olindo Mare. But they also still have Gus Frerotte starting. Broncos, 31-16.

Houston at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Here's a game which will have profound affects in the playoff hunt. Both of these teams need early wins. David Carr certainly can outplay J.P. Losman in the rookie's first big game, but the Buffalo defense gets the nod early in the season, and Houston has a tough time in the red zone. Bills, 21-13.

New Orleans at Carolina, 1 p.m. If by some miracle New Orleans wins this game, it could have a more profound affect on their season than a Week 1 game has ever had. It could also have a lot of people who picked Carolina to win the Super Bowl scratching their heads, then shrugging and saying, "It's only Week 1." If. But we all remember what if gets, right? Panthers, 24-10.

N.Y. Jets at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Can Kansas City score a million points with several degradations at receiver? Can New York stop Priest Holmes. Can Kansas City stop anybody? Can Chad Pennington gel with his new receivers? Can Curtis Martin possibly keep up his torrid career pace? Can Dick Vermeil get through a tearless press conference? Chiefs 24-20.

Seattle at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Yet another game with playoff implications in Week 1. You think I'm crazy. You'll see. Both of these teams need to get started fast too. Seattle better still have it together from last season, any amount of rust could kill them. The defense needs to confuse Byron Leftwich and merely contain Fred Taylor. Jacksonville needs to slow down Shawn Alexander, but Matt Hasselbeck will still have the edge, if he's any degree of accurate. Seahawks, 17-14.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota, 1 p.m. "Chuckie" sees the future, and the future is unemployment. Even without Randy Moss, Minnesota is a dangerous middle-of-the-pack team. Tampa Bay isn't. Vikings, 38-13.

Tennessee at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. An upset here would be a major boost to Tennessee's morale and a devastating blow to Pittsburgh's. Not a chance. Steelers, 28-7.

Arizona at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 p.m. Is Arizona really that much better because they have Kurt Warner? I hope the Giants lose all nine of their home games. They don't. Giants 24-17.

Dallas at San Diego, 4:15 p.m. Huge games for both these teams too. Lots of Dallas players have lots to prove -- to themselves if no one else. San Diego needs to prove it's still the team it was last year. Drew Brees has to prove last year wasn't a fluke. Drew Bledsoe gets sacked. Chargers, 31-17.

Green Bay at Detroit, 4:15 p.m. Can you believe another Week 1 game with playoff implications. And this one will have the deepest affect of them all. Green Bay can afford to lose, Detroit can't. It's old school vs. new school. Lions, 13-10.

St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m. San Francisco has a chance because they're at home and it's Week 1. San Francisco has no defense. The death of offensive lineman Thomas Herrion is just the beginning of the bad season. Rams, 35-6.

Indianapolis at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. This would be the Game of the Week, except for Patriots-Raiders, Cowboys-Chargers, Packers-Lions and Eagles-Falcons. Great offense vs. Great defense. Mediocre defense vs. mediocre offense. Indy can afford the loss and then some. Baltimore needs the win pretty bad. If the Baltimore defense is rusty, Indy will roll. If Indy's offense timing is off, Baltimore could rule the day. If Baltimore's offense can score, it could make things interesting. If Indy's defense is solid, Baltimore is in trouble. Colts, 27-23.

Monday Night
Philadelphia at Atlanta, 9 p.m. Ahhh, so this is what the game of the week looks like. Those NFL schedulers, real suckers for the dramatic, and it's only Week 1 (lest you forgot). Can Philly contain Vick? Can TO and Donovan make up and play nice? Blah, blah, blah. You've probably been hearing these questions for weeks, and it (the questions or this column) is getting boring. Correction, has gotten boring. Winner could be the Super Bowl representative. So could the loser. So could another team. Philadelpia, 21-20.