Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints — Thursday, Sept. 8, 8:30 p.m.
Could you open the season with a better game in the NFC? The last two teams to win the Super Bowl will square off in the season opener in Green Bay. Both of these teams have a legitimate shot at representing the NFC in the Super Bowl this season. The offenses of both teams will be the story as each team has an elite quarterback — Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Both teams finished in the top 10 in total offense last year and that will likely be replicated in 2011.
I think this game is much more important for New Orleans than it is for Green Bay. New Orleans was beaten by a far worse Seattle team in the playoffs last season and I think they are aching for a chance to reestablish themselves in the NFC. What a better way to just that with a week one win on the road with the whole country watching.
The Picks: WA- New Orleans ME- Green Bay JK– Green Bay JS– New Orleans
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Sunday, Sept.11, 1 p.m.
I can’t shut up about the Jets-Pats rivalry, but speaking honestly, there is no better game in football than Steelers-Ravens. The last three seasons tell the story of just how good this matchup is. The Steelers and Ravens have played eight games since 2008, two of which have been in the playoffs. The combined margin of victory for those games was a mere 35 points; that’s an average of 4.375 per game. Anyone who watches football can appreciate the defensive battles that the Steelers and Ravens engage in each year — this is the hardest hitting brand of football there is.
Despite the narrow margin of victory in each contest perhaps the most revealing stat is this: The Steelers are 6-2 against the Ravens since 2008. Somehow, they always seem to find a way to grind out difficult wins and this game will be no different.
The Picks: WA- Pittsburgh ME- Pittsburgh JK– Baltimore JS– Pittsburgh
New York Jets vs. Dallas Cowboys — Sunday, Sept. 11, 830 p.m.
This game will be important for a variety of reasons. Not only is it a primetime game between two talented teams with playoff hopes, but the game will be filled with tributes to the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. I really commend the NFL for having the Jets open at home on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, on national television, no less.
As far as the game goes I am picking New York to win a close game. Dallas is my pick for the bounce back team in the NFL but the Jets are eager to prove that they are an elite AFC team that has a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl. This is the year that Mark Sanchez elevates his game to the next level and the year the Jets finally make it out of the AFC championship game with a win.
The Pick: WA- New York ME- New York JK– Dallas JS– New York
