Week 1 - The Early Games!

The NFL's 'Play 60' advert booms straight after a preview for NFL Gameday, which was then followed by the new UGG ad, entailing Tom Brady sporting an imaginary game of catch with a ten year old kid in an airport. A minute later, Rich Eisen, Sapp, Irvin, Mooch and Faulk are high fiving for the start of new season...  I'm fired up!
It's 9 oclock Eastern... Tebow's in New York! Cam Newton's about to hit his shaky second year. Andrew Luck, RGIII, Jake Locker are unleashed on the NFL! Will Manning return in Mile High as ? New Orleans contenders without suspended head coach Sean Peyton?
I'm too emotional to gesticulate! Let's just get into it. Here are my three early games to watch...


Eagles @ Browns
Remember 2010? Remember when Michael Vick returned to the NFL, demolishing every defense in sight? Remember Monday Night Football in Washington and a 45 first half points? If the 2012 Vick can be anything like he was there, and maintain it through the season, then there's no reason to believe the Eagles can't win it all. Desean Jackson is a moody chap, but when Vick's throwing to him, he's moans less and he's arguably one of the best receivers in the league. Solid receivers Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin provide a sound outlet of variety, and Brent Celek gives even more options at Tight End. If Lesean McCoy can stay in form, they'll have a great mix of run/pass. My only concern is this: Michael Vick is a brittle little boy, and Trent Foles and Nick Edwards are not even close to adequate backups. The top receiving corps relies on Vick staying healthy. Essentially what I'm saying is this: if Vick stays healthy and plays more 13 or more games, they should be favourites for the SuperBowl going into the playoffs. If he doesn't, they could just as easily struggle to make it to .500.
As for Andy Reid? This is it. He was unlucky over the years with McNabb. He's a top coach, and, I would say, one of the best to never have a ring. But even the best don't get too many rolls of the dice.

The Browns? Their fate in this game relies on the Eagles. Cleveland are very weak; if Vick gets knocked out early, they get a few fumbles, they may be able to make it a close one. Though there aren't too many blue moons in the Sunday sky in Ohio this evening...


Bills @ Jets
Mario Williams is making his debut, and I was really high on Ryan Fitzpatrick last year, but I think the Jets are being treated a little too severely and should take them by at least the handicap. First of all, I'll say this: Distraction? It's New York! The Jets would be dry and needy without some sort of distraction. This little melodrama will cause no problems compared to the spark and fire it's going to ignite in the belly of the beast. The Jets' main problem in recent years has not been down to their prima donnas nor their over-exhuberant head coach. For me and for many, it's been down to their quarterback. Mark Sanchez reminds me of a jaded nephew of Tony Romo. He's the kid who promised so much, and just when you're about done with him, he'll pull out a eyebrow raising, flash in the pan performance that accrues for another few weeks of the meek mediocre. Tebow is the ultimate guy to combat that. This is a man that NFL Network are staring in a documentary named Tebow: A Football Life. He's not a genuine replacement, and their not paying him the money that would have to pay a genuine replacement. However, Tim Tebow's presence alone will either light a fire under Sanchez and produce a Jets-worthy quarterback, or it'll kill the myth that he's any good. Either outcome will be a success.

Falcons @ Chiefs
Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, Jason Snelling - I shall say no more. Admittedly, there seems to be this duality of the Kansas City Chiefs; for me, it's a terrible team, but it's a terrible team that killed the unbeaten Packers in week 14 last year... Kurt Warner picked Matt Cassell as his comeback player of the year for 2012. Give me a break... This kid is the opposite of a 2011 Cam Newton. Cam did it all by himself in a team of nobodies. The 2008 Matt Cassell did very unexpected things with an incandescent team of players and coaches around him. There's nothing elite to see here. And there's no Tamba Hali tonight against Atlanta. Quite simply, there is no chance.


Colts @ Bears
Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. This is enough. And in case it wasn't, the Bears have one of the best defenses in the league. The Colts are bland, dry, dead. Can Andrew Luck spark something? Yes, maybe. But unless he can instantly turn it on, I can't see how the Colts are going to get anything from this game. Their roster is dry and void of any inspiration.