NFL Week 1 WatchOut – Early Games

Steelers QB #2

 The Saints marched in and beat the rusty Vikings on Thursday to kick off Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season. Those of us expecting a high-flying, scores-in-the-stratosphere affair didn’t get it, although New Orleans teased us with an incredible first drive. After 3 minutes into the 1st quarter, the miscues and missteps kept it a low scoring game with minimal hype moments. But both of these teams will turn it on no later than game 3 so keep the popcorn ready.

Here are three early games to watch on the first Sunday of the season.

EARLY GAMES TO WATCH

Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots

Did the country forget those incredible BradyMoss hours? No, I didn’t forget the punctuation; the two were so in sync it almost looked as if QB Tom Brady (#12) handed off the ball to WR Randy Moss (#81) rather than making downfield passes of over 30 yards. Neither of the guys has a contract deal right now and I believe team management planned it that way. Have you watched a mad Randy Moss play ball? Ain’t nothing like it. Those two don’t talk too much to the media like the two stars on the other side of the field – Bengals’ WR Chad Ochocinco (#85) and WR Terrell Owens (#81). Chad pulled out his SAT words, saying that the two can coexist. Bengals QB Carson Palmer (#9) has a great arm and now he’s got the receivers to prove it – but how does he choose. Will he be singing Torn Between Two Lovers by the end of the season?  The starting corners for the Patriots are newbies. That’s a tall order to cut your teeth on, two of the best receivers in the league.  Typically, for the Bengals to win, RB Cedric Benson (#32 has to gain over 100 yards – but that was before T.O. I think this will be the super offense game we expected on Thursday in the Big Easy. I’m giving the edge to BradyMoss.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Saturday Love should be one of Colts’ QB Peyton Manning’s favorite songs – as long as C Jeff Saturday (#63)steadies the line, the Colts show works like clockwork. But Jeff is questionable for today and there are other shifts on that O-Line that may leave Peyton with a dirty jersey at the end of the game. Starting LT Charlie Johnson (#74) is also questionable and they need him against DE Mario Williams (#90) whose quickness changes the game. The Colts are lucky that the Texans’ OLB Brian Cushing (#56) begins serving his four-game suspension this week. But the Texans believe they are poised to do this. QB Matt Schaub (#8) and WR Andre Johnson (#80) should do well this afternoon. NOTE: This 8 to 80 Combo will be key to the Sideline Pass Week 1 Watchout Giveaway! This game pits Sideline Pass fans against one another: HoustonDiva and DrKay won’t be friendly to IndyGirl (Mal) who wears her Colts jersey religiously. Typically, Peyton Manning and his tight team don’t lose in Houston (15-1 in favor of the Colts.)  I give the edge to Peyton’s Posse – as long as Saturday’s in the mix.  C”mon Jeff Saturday,  you can’t be down - we’re singing like Alex … “Never on Sunday…”

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers

Dennis Dixon starts. What does that mean? Frankly, I don’t think most of us know what that means because there’s simply no way to tell. QB Ben Roethlisberger’s (#7) four-game suspension, Leftwich’s injury and QB Charlie Batch (#16) well, Charlie Batch all left the young wiry quarterback at the helm on Heinz Field. He’s lucky because of one other fact. Troy’s back. The Safety (#43)Polamalu with Million Dollar Locks is the difference maker in any game when he’s healthy. But the Falcons are ready to fight. RB Michael Turner(#33) will try to run like he ran when he first arrived in the ATL (not like he did last year.) The Birds believe that they can do this, yes they do, but they’ve got a way to go until they have everyone dancing the Dirty Bird like Jamal Anderson did years back. If they are going to begin to chip away at that 2-11-1 record against the Steelers, it’s best to do it while Big Ben is gone. I’m going with Dennis.

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