ShareThisCapsule previews for Week 1 NFL action. All times Eastern and 2007 records in parenthesis.SUNDAY:Houston Texans (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), 1 p.m.This is the softest part of the Steelers schedule, with the first four games against '07 non-playoff teams. But the Texans aren't soft, they just play in the NFL's toughest division.PREDICTION: Steelers, 30-14.Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) at Baltimore Ravens (5-11), 1.The Bengals have won their past three season openers. After that, it always seems to go downhill. Bad combo for Ravens: Rookie head coach, rookie QB.PREDICTION: Bengals, 17-13.Detroit Lions (7-9) at Atlanta Falcons (4-12), 1.The Falcons are another team with a rookie head coach (Mike Smith) and a rookie QB (Matt Ryan). They also have a new running back, Michael Turner, who finally emerges from LT's shadow.PREDICTION: Falcons, 24-21.Seattle Seahawks (10-6) at Buffalo Bills (7-9), 1.This is supposed to be the final season for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who has won four division titles in a row. The Bills would settle for one of those division titles.PREDICTION: Seahawks, 19-13.New York Jets (4-12) at Miami Dolphins (1-15), 1.The Jets have won the past four meetings against Miami, and that was before Brett Favre arrived. It was also before they sent Chad Pennington to the Dolphins.PREDICTION: Jets, 24-17.Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) at New England Patriots (16-0), 1.The Patriots are shooting for their 20th regular-season victory in a row, an NFL-record. Even with a rusty Tom Brady, that won't be a problem.PREDICTION: Patriots, 31-6.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) at New Orleans Saints (7-9), 1.No NFC South team has repeated as division champion, which immediately puts Tampa Bay at a disadvantage. Tight end Jeremy Shockey just might be what the Saints need.PREDICTION: Saints, 23-16.St. Louis Rams (3-13) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-8), 1.The Eagles were the only NFC East team to not make the playoffs last season. You know it's bad when Donovan McNabb says he misses Terrell Owens.PREDICTION: Eagles, 27-14.Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at Tennessee Titans (10-6), 1.The Titans opened last season with a victory against the Jaguars, who have the league's best winning percentage (.692) on opening weekend. Might they do it again?PREDICTION: Titans, 23-21.Dallas Cowboys (13-3) at Cleveland Browns (10-6), 4:15.Thirteen was the number of victories and players in the Pro Bowl last season for the Cowboys. Seven is the number of consecutive home victories for the Browns.PREDICTION: Cowboys, 34-20.Carolina Panthers (7-9) at San Diego Chargers (11-5), 4:15.The Panthers have their hopes set on a division title after an off-season makeover. The Chargers have their sights set a little higher: Super Bowl.PREDICTION: Chargers, 31-17Arizona Cardinals (8-8) at San Francisco 49ers (5-11), 4:15.The Cardinals missed the playoffs last season because they lost both meetings with the 49ers. That won't happen again, even with Kurt Warner at quarterback.PREDICTION: Cardinals, 23-16.Chicago Bears (7-9) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3), 8:15.Two debuts for the Colts: Their new stadium and their old quarterback, Peyton Manning, who didn't play in the preseason. Bears can become first NFL team to win 50 season openers.PREDICTION: Colts, 27-13.MONDAY NIGHT:Minnesota Vikings (8-8) at Green Bay Packers (13-3), 7.The Packers won't relinquish their division title without a scrap, even without Brett Favre. They have won the past four meetings against the Vikings.PREDICTION: Packers, 27-24.Denver Broncos (7-9) at Oakland Raiders (4-12), 10:15.The Broncos have won four of the past five and eight of 10 against Oakland. But the Raiders won the last meeting in Oakland and just might have the league's best new secondary.PREDICTION: Raiders, 24-23.And as a bonus, here are my predictions for the upcoming season:REGULAR SEASONAFC NORTH: Pittsburgh Steelers.AFC SOUTH: Indianapolis Colts.AFC EAST: New England Patriots.AFC WEST: San Diego Chargers.NFC EAST: Dallas Cowboys.NFC NORTH: Minnesota Vikings.NFC SOUTH: New Orleans Saints.NFC WEST: Seattle Seahawks.PLAYOFFSAFC WILD CARDS: Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos.NFC WILD CARDS: New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals.AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Patriots over Chargers.NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Cowboys over Seahawks.SUPER BOWL: Patriots over Cowboys.AFC AWARDSMVP: Tom Brady, Patriots.Coach of the Year: Norv Turner, Chargers.Rookie of the Year: Glenn Dorsey, DT, Chiefs.NFC AWARDSMVP Adrian Peterson,Vikings.Coach of the Year: Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals.Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Week 1 NFL capsules
Submitted by SHNS on Fri, 09/05/2008 - 13:57
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