2008 Week One NFL Football Game Previews
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
Washington Redskins (0-0) @ New York Giants (0-0)
Time: 7:00PM (EST)
Spread: New York Giants -3
Over/Under: 40
Preview: The Super Bowl Champs get the first game of the year, and host their division rival, the Redskins, with their new coach Jim Zorn. In 2007, the Giants and Redskins split games, both winning their road games. The Giants won at Washington in week three 24-17, while Washington returned the favor in New York during week 15, beating them 22-10. New York is coming off a 10-6 2007 campaign, while the Redskins finished 9-7, losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks, 35-14. That loss, for Washington ended the Joe Gibbs era. With the Giants giving 3.5 points here, it’s hard to know, especially in week one! Look for plenty of ground game from the Giants, while with the Redskins new West Coast offense, you just never know what to expect!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Detroit Lions (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Detroit Lions -1
Over/Under: 41.5
Preview: Detroit, coming off a disappointing 7-9 season will start the 2008 on the road. Fortunately for them, their first road test will be in Atlanta, where the Falcons will seemingly struggle. Atlanta, coming off a 4-12 season will have a new head coach in place after last year’s head coaching debacle. Matt Ryan and Chris Redman continue to battle for the quarterback spot in Atlanta, while we know ole reliable Jon Kitna will be behind center for Detroit. For the Falcons, the 2007 season ended well with a 44-41 win over playoff bound Seattle, while Detroit fell 34-13 in the final week of the 2007 season. Atlanta scored the fourth fewest points during the 2007 season, only garnering 259 points, while giving up over 400. For Detroit, their 444 points allowed was the most allowed in the NFL during 2007. These two teams did not meet during the 2007 season. With a struggling offense against a sub par defense in week one, it’s hard to call what may happen in this game.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Pick em'
Over/Under: 41
Preview: The Bengals, who had another disappointing season, finishing 7-9 during 2007 look to get off to a solid start in 2008 by taking their show on the road to Baltimore. The Ravens, will be under a new head coach, after firing Brian Billick, after his 5-12 2007 season. Quarterback Kyle Boller will look to get off to a good start for Baltimore, after making 12 starts last season throwing for over 1700 yards. For Cincinnati, Carson Palmer will be the man. Last year the Bengals beat the Ravens 27-20 in the season opener, a game in which the Ravens only scored in two quarters (2nd and 4th). Kyle Boller had all sorts of problems in last year’s game, finishing with a QB rating of 3.5. Both teams feel they have a shot of winning this one, and are emphasizing a big week one victory.
Seattle Seahawks (0-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Pick em'
Over/Under: 39.5
Preview: Seattle, who is looking to gain their 5th straight NFC West title will begin their 2008 season on the other end of the country, taking on the Bills in Buffalo. Seattle, 10-6, fell in the NFC playoffs to the Packers 42-20 to end their 2007 season. Buffalo, 7-9 last year, finished second place in the AFC East, ahead of both the Jets and the Dolphins. The Bills 252 points were the third lowest in all of football last season, while Seattle racked up 393 points, while only allowing 291. Matt Hassleback is back as quarterback for the Seahawks after throwing for 28 touchdowns during the 2007 season. For Buffalo, running back Marshawn Lynch appears to be garnering a lot of pre-season attention, as the Bills hope he can be a key back within their offense. The Bills and Seahawks did not play during the 2007 season.
New York Jets (0-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: New York Jets -3.5
Over/Under: 36
Preview: The Jets were one of the most disappointing teams during the 2007 season, going 4-12. They will look to turn that around against the worst team during the 2007 season. Miami, 1-15 last season. Miami will look to get off to a good start under new head coach Tony Sparano, a former Dallas coordinator. Chad Pennington looks to lead the charge for the Jets, and his top receiver Jerricho Cotchery appears to be off to a good start in the early season workouts. For Miami, the three headed monster of Chad Henne, Josh McCown, and John Beck- neither of the three appear to have a head-ups on the starting spot. Last season, the Jets won both games, in week three 31-28, and also in week 13; 40-13. The Jets as a favorite anytime is a little scary, even more being on the road.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: New England Patriots -16.5
Over/Under: 48
Preview: Just like the 2007 season, the Patriots once again open up as huge favorites. A line of 16.5 appears to be pretty generous for the Chiefs. The Patriots, after finishing the 2007 season 16-0, only falling short to the New York Giants in the super bowl- 17-14 are once again led by a dynamic offense that scored 589 points behind Tom Brady, and Randy Moss. For the Chiefs, 2008 will be a rebuilding season, even after a 4-12 struggling 2007 season. Rookie Branden Albert is already hurting from an injury, and that is the last thing the young Kansas City squad needs. Coach Herm Edwards will do a nice job with the young Chiefs, but going on the road to Foxboro in week one is not an easy task for anyone, especially Kansas City. Kansas City and New England did not meet during the 2007 season.
Tampa Bay Bucs (0-0) at New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: New Orleans Saints -3.5
Over/Under: 42.5
Preview: Tampa Bay came away with a NFC South title during the 2007 season. They did it despite just going 9-7. They were the only team from the division to appear in the postseason, albeit a short lived postseason, as they fell to the eventual champs- New York Giants 24-14. John Gruden appears to be going with the wily veteran Jeff Garcia at quarterback, but a recent injury may put a damper on that. For New Orleans, 2008 most certainly will be an improved season. After finishing a disappointing 7-9 last season, the Saints can’t wait to get the 2008 season underway. The Saints will be led by quarterback Drew Brees, and hope to get Reggie Bush on track. During the 2007 season the Bucs took both games against the Saints. In week two Tampa Bay won at home 31-14, and then in week 13 Tampa came away with a 27-23 win, in New Orleans. This appears to be one of the more entertaining games in week one.
St. Louis Rams (0-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Philadelphia Eagles -7
Over/Under: 45.5
Preview: The Rams, finished last in the NFC West in 2007 with a 3-13 record, but have since went with a new offensive coordinator, taking the reigns away from head coach Scott Linehan. Defense is where the Rams appear to have major issues, allowing 438 points, which ranked second worse in all of football. For Philadelphia, life is not easy in the NFC East, where they finished last place in 2007, going 8-8 on the season. The Eagles are going to need production from quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook, who both have had injury issues in the past. With Philadelphia at home, where they went 3-5 in 2007, the Eagles are an early seven-point favorite. The Eagles and Rams did not face each other during the 2007 season.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars -3
Over/Under: 37
Preview: Jacksonville looks to start the 2008 season on a bright note, but having to make the tough trek to Tennessee in week one. After a 13-3 2007 season, losing in the postseason to New England, 30-21, the Jaguars appear to be closing the gap on the defending AFC South Champion Indianapolis Colts. Coach Jack Del Rio is always prepared, and rest assured he will have his deep, athletic Jaguars team ready for week one on the road. The Titans come into 2008, after a 10-6 season in which they scored 301 points and allowed 297. That is the closest positive differential in the league. The Titans were able to sneak into the 2007 playoffs, only to be knocked out by the San Diego Chargers 17-6. During the 2007 season the Titans and Jaguars split a pair of meetings, with both teams winning on the road. Tennessee won in week one 13-10, while the Jaguars came to Tennessee in week 10, and won 28-13. This appears to be another intriguing game in week one!
Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-0)
Time: 1:00PM (EST)
Spread: Dallas Cowboys -3
Over/Under: 48.5
Preview: Dallas once again has high expectations coming into the season. After going 13-3 in the regular season, before falling to the New York Giants in the postseason, the Cowboys look to shoulder a lot of their offensive load to quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Terrell Owens. Romo threw for over 4200 yards, and 36 touchdowns, while Owens caught 15 touchdowns during 2007. Cleveland fell one game short of making the postseason last season, finishing 10-6, but losing the tiebreaker to Pittsburgh, who also went 10-6. Quarterback Derek Anderson had a career year for the Browns, throwing for over 3700 yards and completing 29 touchdowns. If Cleveland can get quality production out of Jamal Lewis, and he can stay healthy, this team could be looking another a playoff showing this season. Dallas is always a good bet, but on the road against an upstart Browns team could be scary. The Cowboys and Browns did not play each other during the 2007 season.
Carolina Panthers (0-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-0)
Time: 4:15PM (EST)
Spread: San Diego Chargers -10
Over/Under: 42.5
Preview: Carolina, with some issues with their starting receiver Steve Smith look to be in some serious trouble. Only scoring 267 points last season, John Fox cannot be happy about losing his top offensive star for at least two games. The Panthers went 7-9 last season, finishing second place in the NFC South. The Panthers allowed 347 points, while just scoring 267 in 2007. Games on the road are never easy, but always a little tougher when you have to travel to San Diego. The Chargers are coming off a 11-5 2007, in which they won the AFC West. San Diego was knocked off by the Patriots in the postseason. Phillip Rivers looks to improve upon his 2007 season in which he threw for over 3000 yards, and completed 27 touchdown passes. LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers top running back recorded 15 touchdowns, playing in all 16 games in 2007. The Chargers and Panthers did not play each other during the 2007 season.
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
Time: 4:15PM (EST)
Spread: Arizona Cardinals -2.5
Over/Under: 41.5
Preview: An early season NFC West battle set to take place in San Francisco in week one. The Cardinals, coming off a 8-8 season will need to win games like this if they want to complete for a playoff spot, like they feel they can do. The Cardinals, look to turn to quarterback Matt Leinart, instead of Kurt Warner seem to bit hit strongly by the injury bug, especially to centers with two of their three listed as injured. San Francisco went 5-11 last season, only finishing ahead of the Rams in the division. The Niners scored a league worst 219 points, while allowing 364 during the 07 season. Alex Smith appears to get the nod at quarterback for San Francisco, hoping he can bring some energy and stability to a position they strongly need production out of. During the 2007 season the niners won both games against Arizona, winning in week one 20-17, and also again in week 12; 37-31. This is another road team that are favorites, look out!
Chicago Bears (0-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
Time: 8:15PM (EST)
Spread: Indianapolis Colts -10
Over/Under: 44.5
Preview: Maybe the Bears can have Brett Fare at quarterback by the time this Sunday night game gets here. Chances are slim, but with the Bears offense needing some firepower, it would appear to be a good idea on paper. Rex Grossman is the current favorite at quarterback for Chicago, who went 7-9 in 2007. Adrian Peterson will receive a much heavier workload with the Bears releasing running back Cedric Benson. For the Colts, the injury to Peyton Manning is their number one question mark. Will Manning be healthy by week one, and if he misses pre-season, who much of an effective will that have on him? The Colts went 13-3 in 2007, losing to the Chargers in the AFC playoffs. Look for Joseph Addai to get a large amount of work early in the season with the quarterback questions. This is a rematch of the super bowl two seasons ago. The Bears and Colts did not play each other during the 2007 season. If Manning is not able to go, look for this line to quickly lower.
Monday September 8, 2008
Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-0)
Time: 7:00PM (EST)
Spread: Green Bay Packers -3
Over/Under: 38.5
Preview: What drama! Monday Night Football, and the Brett Favre saga continuing! The Packers appear to be the better team in this one, hence the 3 point favorite, but without Favre, and now starting a rookie quarterback, look out. Green Bay is coming off a 13-3 season, in which they fell to the Giants 23-20. Green Bay scored 435 points, while only allowing 291 on the season. Minnesota, on the other hand finished 8-8, scoring 365 points, while allowing 311. Adrian Peterson had a monster 2007 season, rushing 238 times for over 1300 yards, while recording 12 touchdowns. During the 2007 season the Packers and Vikings met twice, with the Packers winning both games. In week 4, Green Bay won at Minnesota 23-16, and then in week 10, blanked the Vikings 34-0 at home.
Denver Broncos (0-0) at Oakland Raiders (0-0)
Time: 10:15PM (EST)
Spread: Denver Broncos -1
Over/Under: 41.5
Preview: A little Monday night action with two teams that was left out of the 2007 playoff picture. Denver and Oakland always seem to provide fireworks when they meet, and 2008 will prove no different. Denver, 7-9 last season scored 320 points, while giving up 409. Jay Cutler completed close to 300 passes last season, completing nearly 3500 yards, and scoring 20 touchdowns. At the running back position, there are plenty of question marks for the Broncos. Oakland 4-12 last season will look for improvement out of the quarterback position where JaMarcus Russell appears poised to take the full time reigns. During the 2007 season these two AFC West rivals met twice, with both teams winning once. In week two Denver won at home 23-20, while in week 13, the Raiders won their home game 34-20. The appears to be an interesting Monday Night affair, with both teams having enough question marks to make this game as close to a pick’em as possible!
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