NFL Week One: Straight Up Football Picks

The NFL season is upon us and many people are running office pools for straight up picks heading into week one.

The first week's slate of action has some very interesting matchups including a Thursday tilt of potential NFL Super Bowl contenders.

Here are picks/predictions for some of the top games of the week including the Thursday night clash between the defending champion Packers and the former champ Saints:

New Orleans at Green Bay, Thursday- Green Bay is getting all the love heading into this one but the Saints will steal their thunder and out-score them in a shootout.

Detroit at Tampa Bay, Sunday- The Lions are a sleeper pick for many and they beat the Bucs on a last-second field goal last year which helped keep them from the playoffs. Tampa wants revenge but the Lions are a much better team than last year with Matthew Stafford healthy. Pick Detroit in this one.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore- Many are going with the home team in this one, and the Ravens have proven they can compete with the Steelers in various wars from the recent past. But Pittsburgh is loaded with offensive talent and they have a big edge on that side of the ball in 2011. Take Pittsburgh.

New England at Miami, Monday- The Pats have struggled uncharacteristically with Miami in the past and this one will be closer than the experts think. But Tom Brady will make more plays in the clutch than fellow Michigan alum Chad Henne leading the Pats to the victory as many are picking in week one as a straight up prediction for the NFL's Monday night showcase game.