Week 1 NFL Predictions: Browns to Upset Cowboys - NFL

The 2008-2009 season is finally here! Although the first game of the season took place on Thursday between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, most of the action happens on the first Sunday of the season. The schedule is booked with several exciting games right off the bat, including several key divisional matchups.

Let's get right into the picks, starting off with the games of the week...

GAMES OF THE WEEK

SHOOTOUT CENTRAL

Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns. The Browns earned the respect of the schedule makers last season, earning one of the premiere matchups in Week 1 against the Cowboys. The Browns could've gone with Brady Quinn as their quarterback in the offseason, but they made the right decision by giving Derek Anderson a new contract and the starting role. Something has to give here, because the Cowboys started 12-1 last season, but the Browns were 6-0 at home under Derek Anderson. With two high-octane offenses, it's bound to be a shootout.

The real difference in the game will come in the fourth quarter of the game. In the past, if our defensive line had held up against an opposing team's running back, they would collapse in the second half. Shaun Rogers' endurance is still in question, but I'm projecting him to deliver in his debut game. With the Cowboys unable to run the ball and put us away, the Browns will have the ball last and throw the ball down the field to set up a game-winning field goal by Phil Dawson. Browns 27, Cowboys 24

ROUGH AND TOUGH

Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger does not have a great offensive line anymore, but he's accustomed to making plays on the run. Had Hines Ward been the only viable option in the receiving game for Roethlisberger, I would go for the upset here. However, Santonio Holmes has matured into a solid receiver and adds an extra dimension to the offense. Matt Schaub and the Texans have the potential to succeed this year, but with some indecisiveness at the running back position, the Steelers won't disappoint in their opener. Steelers 20, Texans 14

MANNING RETURNS UNDER NEW LIGHTS

Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts. When the Colts debut Lucas Oil Stadium for the regular season, the atmosphere is going to be explosive. Peyton Manning will be playing for the first time this season after missing the entire preseason. Manning has enough experience to keep the Colts' offense in high-octane mode, especially with the return of star receiver Marvin Harrison. Jeff Saturday's absence will hurt the Colts in the long run, but not this week against the Bears. It'll be interesting to see how creative the Bears get with Devin Hester, but he can only do so much when there isn't a great quarterback and just a rookie running back in the backfield. Colts 31, Bears 13

REST OF THE WEEK

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets. The Dolphins are in much better shape with Chad Pennington at quarterback this season. It's ironic that Pennington not only gets to face his former team in Week 1, but he's doing so as a starter. Had he stayed in New York and the Favre ordeal never happened, Kellen Clemons probably would've started. Many people are calling for the Dolphins to pull off an upset, but not this week. It's not just that Brett Favre is now with the Jets -- they went out and made significant improvements to their offensive line. The Jets will survive in a close game after Ricky Williams tries to make things close for Miami. Jets 17, Dolphins 13

St. Louis Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles will be without their top two receivers, but their most important offensive player on the field is ready to go: Brian Westbrook. The Rams' defensive shortcomings won't allow them to stay close on the road. Eagles 28, Rams 14

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have had quarterback issues for a long time now, and this year they are throwing Joe Flacco into the starting lineup right away. The Bengals' defense will look better than it really is in Week 1, as they force the rookie into some costly mistakes. Carson Palmer has a knack for dissecting the Ravens' defense early on in a season. Bengals 23, Ravens 13

Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots. There are so many mismatches here, it's not even funny. I do like the fact that Larry Johnson is trying to get his team amped up for the game, but willpower can only take you so far. Tom Brady, like Peyton Manning, doesn't need the preseason to get into a groove. Patriots 35, Chiefs 20

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans. Until Vince Young demonstrates that he is a passing quarterback, the Titans aren't going to challenge for a division title. They were lucky that their defense was so good last season, because Young certainly didn't carry them anywhere. The only positive added to the offense this year is a more agile tight end in Alge Crumpler. I don't believe the hype that the Jaguars will suffer a letdown simply because their offensive and defensive formulas didn't beat the Patriots in the postseason last year. Jaguars 26, Titans 23

Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan is starting at quarterback, the offensive line has too many holes in it, and there aren't enough playmakers on the Falcons all around. The Lions were a huge letdown the second half of last season, but let's not forget how hot they started off. With a year under his belt, Calvin Johnson has the chance to excel like Braylon Edwards did last season. Lions 34, Falcons 17

Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills. I don't think the Seahawks are sold on who their running back should be still. At the receiver position, they're searching for answers this week. That will allow a scrappy Bills team to seize the advantage and get off to a good start to the season, in a close game as always. Bills 17, Seahawks 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints. Despite the Saints having a disappointing season last year, they finished the season on a good run. Reggie Bush may not be the running back fans had hoped for, but when used appropiately, he still offers a great deal of playmaking ability. The Saints lost both games to the Buccaneers last season, and that ended up being the difference at the end of the season. Jeff Garcia will run an efficient offense for Tampa Bay, but a more efficient Saints offense will finally get the monkey off their back. Saints 21, Buccaneers 20

Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers. Although I believed the Carolina Panthers will be a much better football team again with Jake Delhomme under center, they have no chance against the Chargers without Steve Smith. On the same note, I don't blame the organization for handing him a suspension: when you sucker punch a teammate twice, the line has been crossed. The Chargers will not thrive on offense, but LaDainian Tomlinson will break a big play late to seal a victory. Chargers 23, Panthers 16

Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals made the right decision in going with Kurt Warner at quarterback. Although the youth in Matt Leinart is sitting on the bench, you still want to go with the guy who gives you the best chance to win now. Similarly, the 49ers also made the right decision in going with J.T. O'Sullivan. They could be a surprise this season with some underrated offensive additions, but only time will tell. This week, I'm going with the Cardinals. Cardinals 27, 49ers 20

I will pick the two Monday Night games tomorrow.

SURVIVOR PICK

In the past, I've tried to pick underrated survivor picks early on in the season. This year, I'm going with a big-team first: the Indianapolis Colts. There is no way the Colts will lose at their new home, barring an injury to Peyton Manning.

Predictions Record to Date: 1-0

Be sure to stay tuned to Pro Football Critics all season long for more NFL picks! This week's edition was a little rushed; look for next week's edition more towards the mid-week.

-Chris Pokorny