Week One NFL Picks By Mike Firesmith.

Anyone who thinks Week One isn’t as important as Week Seventeen isn’t paying attention at all. The games played in the beginning count every much as those in the end. Holes will be dug, streaks will begin, rookies will shine, favorites will fall, injuries will occur, and someone out there is going to do something that defines the entire week. Week One 2009 nine begins with a rawr.

Last year the Titans started out winning ten in a row and looked unstoppable. That didn’t last long, and when they began to lose, they crashed hard. The Steelers lock, loaded, and played hard from beginning to end, and won the Super Bowl. Playing in Pittsburgh is tough as hell, and the Titans aren’t going to pick apart this Steel Curtain.

1 Steelers win.

Miami was a team that began to show promise last season and with their ‘Wildcat” offence they surprised a lot of teams. The Falcons, who have never had back to back winning seasons staged a season of surprises of their very own, and rode that into a wildcard game against the Cardinals, who gave the Steelers a real fight for the title. This is going to be a good game, but the Falcons are at home, and they are ready.

2 Falcons win.

The Ravens go to KC and unless KC has really done some work up front, this game might be ugly.

3 Ravens win.

The Eagles swooned last season, came to their senses, and won big against the Cowboys to get into the playoffs. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it but they did anyway, adding baggage Michael Vick to their roster. Carolina, on the other hand, came within a game of going to the Big Dance. They’re at home, and they haven’t tampered with what worked last season. Vick won’t play in this game, but the distraction might make the difference.

4 Panthers win.

Broncos, Bengals, meh.

5 Broncos win.

The Minnesota Farves go to Cleveland and even though they have one of the best running backs in the league, it’s all about Brett. Take the Senior Citizen discount and the Vikes.

6 Farve wins.

The Jets and the Texans might be a better game than most think, but maybe not. Neither team went far last year, and the Jets are without their elder statesman. Take the home team and flip through the channels.

7 Texans win.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have always always always played the Colts hard, but this is not the same team it once was. On the other hand, the Colts had a down year last season and hope to improve. Manning is healthy, and at home.

8 Colts win.

The Lions put 40 million dollars down on Matt Stafford and he will play Sunday. This team when 0-16 last year so what have they to lose? Oh, a 40 million dollar man if he gets hurt, or worse, freaked out over just how bad this team really is. Did I mention they were 0-16 last year? Stafford can’t fix that alone. The Saints are not a great team, but Drew Brees is already a pro quarterback.

9 Saints win.

The TO-less Cowboys go down to Tanpa Bay to play the Gruden-less Bucs. I’ve always said Tampa Bay coasted to a Super Bowl win on Tony Dungy’s talent, even after they fired him, and Chuck was never that great. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ve always thought there was a very serious problem at the top in Dallas. The Eagles beat the living snot out of them in their last game at Texas Stadium, and it wasn’t TO’s fault. I think there are problems in Dallas, and I think we’ll see it this Sunday.

10 Bucs win.

Niners. Cardinals.

11 Cardinals win.

Skins. Giants.

12 Giants win.

The Rams and the Seahawks have both been very exciting teams not to watch. Everyone seems to think both teams have talent, but every year both teams seem to find ways to disappoint. Take the hawks at home.

13 Seahawks win

I think the Bears are going to be dangerous this year. Can their defense hold back the Packers? I think so.

14 Bears win.

TO vs Brady.

15 Patriots win.

Chargers vs Raiders.

I think this is the year most people discover what I’ve known for a long, long, time now; Norv Turner is not a NFL head coach. Is. Not. He won’t lose to the Radiers, but you can bet this is his last year in the league after they don’t make the playoffs.

16 Chargers win.