2010 NFL Predictions Week 1

The start of the 2010 NFL season is here and starts off with a bang as the Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints, will start off their title defense against the Minnesota Vikings, led by Brett Favre. The NFL did not hold back and offered their fans several intriguing match-ups between division rivals in the AFC and NFC. Find out who will come out with a win with these 2010 NFL Predictions for Week 1.

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

The NFL is hoping for a grudge match between these two teams when the 2010 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night. While Brett Favre may not be in his regular season form, he and Saints' quarterback Drew Brees should be able to provide enough fireworks to capture the attention of the nation. All eyes will be on the Saints defense to see how they are going to go after Favre. Both teams should have no problems putting up at least four touchdowns each.

Prediction - New Orleans 31 Minnesota 28

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Falcons are hoping to rekindle some of the magic from the 2008 season while Pittsburgh is ready to put the 2010 off-season behind them and push forward until their Pro Bowl quarterback has completed their suspension. The Falcons will have a hard time getting their running game off the ground and will need serious pressure on the defensive side if they want to come away with a win.

Prediction ­- Atlanta 21 Pittsburgh 17

Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars

Though the Broncos decided to risk their future on drafting Tim Tebow, their success in 2010 relies upon how well quarterback Kyle Orton manages the game. The wildcard in this game could be the production of running back Maurice Jones-Drew against a Broncos' defense that looked like Swiss cheese during the second half of the 2009 season. The Broncos will start the season off on the right foot by escaping with a narrow win.

Prediction - Denver 24 Jacksonville 17

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

This game features two teams that will be going head to head for the AFC South division title and both who are notorious slow starters. Home field is going to play a huge advantage in this game and will end up benefiting the Texans as they begin a journey to earn a playoff berth for the first time in the history of the franchise.

Prediction - Houston 21 Indianapolis 20

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is no doubt that this is probably the least appealing NFL game to start the 2010 season considering both teams won a total of eight games. Though the Buccaneers are relatively unproven, they do have fewer holes than the Browns at key positions on the field. The winning team will gain some confidence that could help them down the road in the 2010 NFL season.

Prediction - Tampa Bay 21 Cleveland 10

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

The Panthers finally made the decision to part ways with the turnover machine Jake Delhomme and will begin the quest to find a new franchise quarterback. This is bad news for Jimmy Clausen or Marty Moore who will be going against a Giants' defense that is ready to prove 2009 was a fluke. Quarterback Eli Manning should have some room to throw against a Panthers defense that has some issues in the secondary.

Prediction - New York Giants 21 Carolina 14

Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots

The New England Patriot open their 2010 NFL season against a Cincinnati Bengals team that appears to have enough balance on both sides of the ball to give the perennial playoff favorites. Quarterback Tom Brady will be eager to have Wes Welker back in the lineup against a vastly underrated Bengals' secondary. Home field advantage will give the Patriots in the end.

Prediction - New England Patriots 17 Cincinnati 14

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans

An intense dislike for USC coach Lane Kiffin is one thing both of these teams will have in common when they take the field during Week 1 of the NFL season. The other is that both teams are hoping to build on the momentum they had from the end of the 2009 season. The Raiders have a legitimate shot at being a .500 ball club now since they decided to part ways from JaMarcus Russell. The Titans running back Chris Johnson is going to have hard time racking up the yards as he attempts to repeat his 2,000 yard performance.

Prediction - Oakland 24 Tennessee 14

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

The Detroit Lions have become the media darlings of the pre-season with a high number of media experts picking them to finish with a .500 mark. The Bears brought in offensive wiz, Mike Martz, to help turn quarterback Jay Cutler back in the right direction. This should be a high scoring affair with the winner being decided in the final minutes of the game.

Prediction - Chicago 35 Detroit 28

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

The Dolphins are a team on the rise with a formidable offensive unit led by Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall. The Bills are hoping rookie C.J. Spiller can lead to big things in 2010, but still have major questions at the quarterback position. The Dolphins defense will help give them the push they need for the victory.

Prediction - Miami 28 Buffalo 10

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

The Green Bay Packers are one of the few NFC teams favored to reach the Super Bowl and for good reason. Their balanced offense and dominant defense is going to give the Philadelphia Eagles a real test during the opening week of the NFL. The Eagles' Kevin Kolb will need to bring his 'A' game if they want to come away with a win. The Packers pressure on defense is going to be too much for their new starter.

Prediction - Green Bay 28 Philadelphia 10

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

The San Francisco 49ers kick off their 2010 NFL season against a division rival and have high hopes of winning a division championship. The Seattle Seahawks are hoping Pete Carroll can deliver on turning the franchise around even though they still a good number of holes on both sides of the ball. The 49ers defense is going to dominant an inexperienced offense as they ruin Carroll's return to the NFL.

Prediction - San Francisco 21 Seattle 3

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams

The Arizona Cardinals are hoping Matt Leinart begins to show why they spent a first round pick when they drafted him while the St. Louis Rams are eager to see what their first round pick Sam Bradford can do. This game will be filled with a few mistakes but the Cardinals will rely on their defense to help earn a win during Week 1.

Prediction - Arizona 17 St. Louis 10

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

The Dallas Cowboys will start off their season against a bitter rival, the Washington Redskins and their new quarterback Donovan McNabb. McNabb is going to have a hard time leading the revamped Redskins against a Cowboys defense that was one of the best in 2009. The Cowboy will come out ready and will show why many have picked them to reach the Super Bowl.

Prediction - Dallas 27 Washington 17

Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets

The upstart New York Jets and second year coach will take on the Baltimore Ravens in what promises to be an old fashion slugfest. Both teams pride themselves on having a top rated defense in the NFL but did make an effort to increase their offense. The Ravens do have more offensive firepower, including a more seasoned quarterback. You can expect a couple of big defensive plays that will help turn the tide of this game.

Prediction - Baltimore 17 New York 10

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season will conclude when the San Diego Chargers take on their division rival. The Chargers are going to take advantage of this matchup and allow their inexperienced players to gain some valuable playing time. The Kansa City Chiefs will be eager to test out their offense to see if they can put up some points.

Prediction - San Diego 24 Kansas City 10