NFL Week 1 Preview - the NFL is Back!

The first game of 2010 NFL season kicks off Thursday night as the Minnesota Vikings travel to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints. The Vikes bring back future Hall of Famer QB Brett Favre for a farewell tour, and the defending Super Bowl Champ Saints counter with a healthy Drew Brees and an offense that has been firing on all cylinders in the preseason. This first game of the season could well be the best game of the week as both of these teams had excellent preseasons and are expecting double-digit win regular seasons.

Preview of Week 1 NFL Games - Three Grudge Matches on Tap

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans Preview

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts travel to Houston for their first game of the season to take on the Texans. And despite it just being the first game of the preseason this game is shaping up to be a bit of a grudge match. Houston has a real sense of urgency this year, and the Colts are still smarting from their 2009 Super Bowl Loss to New Orleans, so expect this game to be both hard-hitting and high-scoring. You have to like the Colts to walk away winners, but not by much, and don't be too surprised if it the Texans who are doing the celebrating when the final whistle blows.

Cincinnati Bengals at the New England Patriots

Another potential grudge match is the making when the Bengals and Pats square off in Foxboro on Sunday afternoon. Both of these teams consider themselves legitimate contenders for the AFC crown this year, but only one can walk off the field a winner so expect some fireworks in Foxboro. Tom Brady comes in perhaps a little undermanned on offense, but the Pats D should be improved this year. The Bengals on the other hand, have a revamped offense for Carson Palmer to work with, and with Cedric Benson running as well as he ever has as well as Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco to throw to, look for Cincinnati to put points on the board even against the league's premier defenses.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

The final grudge match of the week pits two old NFC rivals against each other as the Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Redskins. These two teams have a long history, and sometimes talent is not as important in these kind of games as desire, and that might give the edge to the Redskins this year. And given that Tony Romo and the Cowboys have not looked sharp at all in the preseason this game could have upset written all over it.

NFL Predictions - Week 1

Drew Brees and the Saints outscore the Vikings 38-24 in an offensive slugfest.

The Colts slip by the Texans 21 to 20....on a last minute TD toss from the elder Manning.

Cincinnati puts it to the Pats, say...27-13.

Washington comes out to play and holds on to beat Tony Romo and the Cowboys 21-17.

For more on college and pro football including the latest NFL news see:

NFL 2010 Preview and Predictions

2010 NFL Picks - New Orleans Saints Preview

College Football Scores - Week 1 NCAA Football Results