Picks For Kicks - Preseason Week 1

Football season is upon us again and it’s time to start thinking of who’s better than whom. Although pre-season games don’t count toward anyone’s records and the starters will only play a fraction of the plays, I thought it would be fun to get a jump start on the season with some “Just of Kicks Picks!” Call it a test drive on the season if you will, but I just simply could not wait any longer for football to get under way. So, in the name of a good time, enjoy a few pre-season picks.

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN TIME

Thursday, Aug. 9^th

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions (7:30 PM)

I can’t seem to get over Jon Kitna promising 10+ wins on the season this year. It seems like a long shot bet for even the most risky gamblers. However, if he were counting pre-season wins…why not?

Kitna and the Lions get one win closer to ten over the Bengals

Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys (8:00 PM)

Peyton Manning and the Colts still have a game plan, most of their starters and the same coach. Dallas on the other hand will be taking the field for the first time under Wade Phillips. Phillips will try some new schemes, test out his new players, and probably make several mistakes in the process.

Colts take the win in Texas Stadium

Friday, Aug. 10^th

Atlanta Falcons at N.Y. Jets (7:00 PM)

Poor Bobby Petrino, without Michael Vick behind center, Petrino is going to need to reconstruct his entire offense. The Jets on the other hand will be looking to improve on last year.

J. E. T. S., Jets, Jets, Jets!!! (I’m not a Jet fan, but I just love doing that)

New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7:30 PM)

I don’t think we’ll see much of Tom Brady after the first quarter. I also expect to see improvement in the Buccaneers this year. So, even though I wouldn’t pick them to win this game in the regular season…why not here.

Buccaneers squeak off a win at home

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints (8:00 PM)

I’m looking forward to another tremendous season from Drew Brees and the Saints. I think we’ll see bigger and better things from Reggie Bush and another notable year from Marques Colston. So I’m giving the victory in the Superdome to the home team.

Saints march it in at home

St. Louis Rams at Minnesota Vikings (8:00 PM)

My expectations would give the Rams this game during the regular season. However, given that the game is in the Metrodome and we’ll probably see the 2^nd, 3^rd, and practice team on the field…

Vikings defend their home turf

Saturday, Aug. 11^th

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers (7:30 PM)

After the Steelers put away the Saints in the Hall of Fame Game, why wouldn’t they put away Brett Favre and the Packers? Favre has spent a lot of time in training this off season with a personal trainer. Expect him to be fit and ready for the season, but sidelined in this game to give his backup some play time.

Steelers win at home

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (7:30 PM)

North Florida or South Florida? A match up from the sunshine state, but the sun can only shine on one team in this game. I believe that Cam Cameron just might be the coach that Miami has been looking for, but we are talking about his very first game as coach, and pre-season at that.

Jaguars steal the sunshine from South Florida

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns (7:30 PM)

I don’t believe the Browns have what it takes to be a competitor this year, but I’ve never been a fan of the Chiefs. Since this is the pre-season, I’ll take this opportunity to pick against them when the Browns have their best chance.

Browns defeat the Chiefs

Carolina Panthers at N.Y. Giants (8:00 PM)

The Giants have talent, the players are there. But after watching Tom Coughlins inability to control and run his team last year, we’ll probably be seeing another shaky year of ups and downs.

Panthers pounce the Giants

Chicago Bears at Houston Texans (8:00 PM)

Even in the pre-season I don’t see the Texans being able to defeat the Bears.

Bears devour the Texans

Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans (8:00 PM)

Joe Gibbs just hasn’t been able to get the Redskins together as he did in the past. Count injuries to Santana Moss and Clinton Portis and the ‘skins already seem off to a questionable start.

Titans prevail over their home field

Arizona Cardinals at Oakland Raiders (10:00 PM)

The Cardinals have been a cursed franchise and the Raiders have just been down right awful. Arizona should be able to win this game, but you can flip a coin.

Arizona takes the win

Sunday, Aug 12^th

Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers (8:00 PM)

It’s a shame we won’t be seeing this game during the regular season. Shaun Alexander against LaDainian Tomlinson could have proven to be a great match between running backs. Instead we’ll have to settle for each back taking a couple of carries before spending the rest of the evening smiling and laughing on the sideline.

Seahawks win in a close game

Monday, Aug. 13^th

Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens (7:00 PM)

Another match up that should have been scheduled for the regular season. A healthy Donovan McNabb against the strong Ravens defense can make for a hard fought game.

Ravens defend their win

Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers (8:00 PM)

This may be the first preseason game for the Broncos this year, but I have a feeling there may be a greater will to win in Denver after the 49ers closed the door on their playoff hopes last year. First team, second team, third team doesn’t matter, they all want the “W.”

Broncos win this one on the road

And that concludes the picks for Pre-Week 1. The Hall of Fame Game has been played and week 1 of the pre-season will be underway this Thursday. The 07-08 football season has officially begun. So let’s get ready for some Football!!!