Week 1 Predictions

We enter the year of the ankle. Donovan McNabb's is better, Byron Leftwich's isn't and who knows what toll the season will take on Brett Favre's. Big Ben and Santonio Holmes start late and will Albert Haynesworth even get started and for which team? No matter what twists and turns the season takes, the next four months should be the best four months of the year.

**Until they prove they can't be trusted with a winning prediction, the Redskins will get the nod in all my prognosticating.**

Minnesota Vikings at

New Orleans Saints

Line: Saints -4.5

The NFC Championship rematch is no less thrilling but doesn't quite come down to the wire. Brett Favre takes a shot for his ankle, but takes even more from the Saints defense. In the end, Percy Harvin isn't the only one with a headache. Saints 27-17

Dallas Cowboys at

Washington Redskins

Line: Cowboys -3.5

McNabb has struggled against the Cowboys lately, but with a new team and some extended time off in the preseason, he is more than up to the challenge. The Redskins' switch to the 3-4 defense facilitates a key turnover late as the Cowboys offense still isn't firing on all cylinders. Redskins 17-10

Miami Dolphins at

Buffalo Bills

Line: Dolphins -3

The Dolphins get their season off to a flying start as Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall connect for two scores. CJ Spiller makes the highlight reel for the Bills but it's not enough. Dolphins 21-10

Indianapolis Colts

at Houston Texans

Line: Colts -2

Scary to think that on some level this is a must-win for the Texans if they want to make some noise in the AFC this year. The Colts don't usually lose their first game until the 13th week of the season, but on the road against a Texan squad with offensive weapons, it's another fight to the finish. Colts 27-24

Detroit Lions at

Chicago Bears

Line: Bears -6

Will the genius Mike Martz get Jay Cutler to throw to Bears players instead of the opposition? The Lions are improving with Matthew Stafford at the helm, but they don't take that first step just yet. Bears 21-17

Atlanta Falcons at

Pittsburgh Steelers

Line: Falcons -2.5

Bowie State University's Isaac Redman provides punch at the goalline for the Steelers as the running game rules the roost. Dennis Dixon rushes for almost as many yards as he passes for and Matty-Ice is still cold.

Steelers 17-14

Cleveland Browns at

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Line: Bucs -3

Running back Jerome Harrison finished the season strong for the Browns and the Bucs had the worst rush defense in 2009. Which Jake Delhomme will show up-the one who led the Panthers to the Super Bowl or the one who played his way out of Carolina? One of the league's cellar-dwellers starts the year 1-0.

 Browns 14-13

Cincinnati Bengals at

New England Patriots

Line: Patriots -4.5

Randy Moss is starting to make waves while things are surprisingly quiet with the divas on the Bengals' sideline. Moss makes plenty of noise on the field and the Patriots get their 2010 campaign off to a positive start. Patriots 20-17

Denver Broncos at

Jacksonville Jaguars

Line: Jaguars -2.5

Maurice Jones-Drew said he doesn't have a knee injury, but the Jaguars get their feeling hurt at home as Kyle Orton and the Broncos continue where they left off in the preseason. Broncos 24-17

 Oakland Raiders at

Tennessee Titans

Line: Titans -6.5

Will Chris Johnson rush for 2,000 yards in 2010? Will the Silver and Black re-emerge as a force to be reckoned with? Jason Campbell has another new offense to learn and while being green is good for the environment, it's not great for a receiving corps yet. Titans 17-10

Carolina Panthers at

New York Giants

Line: Giants -7

If the Panthers get into a pickle at QB, will they turn to Jimmy Clausen? The Panthers will need to keep the ball on the ground if they want to have a chance. Eli Manning stays upright, however, and they open their new home with the win. Giants 24-14

San Francisco 49ers at

Seattle Seahawks

Line: 49ers -2.5

Pete Carroll has a positive outlook but his return to the NFL is anything but. The Niners get a jump in the NFC West race as Alex Smith spreads the ball around and Frank Gore doesn't get hurt.

49ers 28-7

Arizona Cardinals at

St. Louis Rams

Line: Cardinals -4

It's the Sam Bradford era vs. the Derek Anderson era. Anderson has more toys to play with and Bradford realizes the preseason is over. Anderson doesn't exactly shine, but it's enough to get by the Rams.

Cardinals 16-7.

Green Bay Packers at

Philadelphia Eagles

Line: Packers -3

Will the Eagles regret getting rid of Donovan McNabb? Maybe not in time, but this is not the opener they wanted with the high-powered Packers in town. The Eagles' D will try to keep them in the game, but they can't overcome too many Kevin Kolb mistakes. Packers 31-10

Baltimore Ravens at

New York Jets

Line: Jets -2

No man is an island-well maybe Darrelle Revis is- but can the Jets' D keep up with the Ravens' improved receiving corps. Attention to the vertical opens things up for Ray Rice and the Jets anemic offense can't get untracked. Another bad night for Mark Sanchez. Ravens 20-13

San Diego Chargers at

Kansas City Chiefs

Line: Chargers -5

LT has departed and Vincent Jackson isn't playing anytime soon, but the Bolts have more than enough weapons to handle a Chiefs team that could surprise some in 2010. Ryan Matthews has his coming out party rushing for over 100 yards. Chargers 34-17