RSS is back with Hot Off The Grill's NFL Week 1 Preview. As with the college kids, we'll go through the biggest games, stories, and players to watch for tomorrow's action. Today's CFB action is only the appetizer for the tastiness served up on Sunday as the NFL is back in full force. Get your charcoal ready, no... better use propane (taste the meat not the heat is what American Icon Hank Hill always said), fire it up one more time, and follow me!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - Bears @ Packers
The game of the week is the oldest rivalry in the National. Football. League. The Pack and the Bears thankfully get the Sunday night nod this week as most of the attention will be on the Egomaniac and the Vikes in Cleveland. This rivalry has evened out in recent years, and with the arrival of Jay Cutler, Bears fans (like Mr. Yoder II) are ecstatic at the possibilities.
However, Cutler might not even be the best QB in the division. Aaron Rodgers has done what Brett Favre never thought he could and become a top-flight QB. Rodgers might even have a bigger year this year to stick it to #4. Expect points a plenty from both of these teams, it'll come down to which D can make a stop late to win it. The Pack are switching to a 3-4, while reports are that Urlacher is as healthy as he's been in years so Chicago might have a slight edge. The Bears won on the road on Sunday night last year to open the season, will they do it again this year? PICK - Pa...ok, Bears, just to appease the bro.
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - Buffalo @ New England
Our spotlight game features the return of Fred Jacks... oh wait, yea, that Brady guy is playing. Of course, all eyes on Monday night will be on Tom Brady and the NE offense. But, look to see how susceptible the new-look D is early on without Bruschi, Vrabel, and Seymour. Of course in the long run, a 1st Rounder (from Oakland, so you know it'll be Top 4) will look good in this trade, but right now it won't pay dividends. TO just might have a big day in his Buffalo debut, but Brady will have a bigger one. PICK - NE
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - Philly @ Carolina
The Yeagles are certainly a trendy pick this year, especially seeing as how they have gotten much more attention from the Ron Mexico signing. However, the Vick circus isn't up and running yet, and folks forget that Carolina did win a division w/ a 1st Round bye last year. Sure, Jake Del-homie choked in that one, but the Smash & Dash of Stewart and Williams should be enough to see them by the Eagles at home. A home dog in Week 1 the quality of the Panthers is too hard to pass up for our upset pick. PICK - Carolina
Andouille's UTR Game - Miami @ Atlanta
Our Under The Radar Game for Week 1 takes us to the Georgia Dome where last year's two surprise packets face off. If one of these teams were to drop off, it would be Miami, although the Sophomore slump could be evident for Matt Ryan as well. That's why this game is important for each team to keep riding the good mojo. Keep an eye on Pat White and the Wildcat if he is used prominently. For now, RSS fav Matt Ryan and the Falcons are the pick. Pick - Atlanta
Hot Dog Of The Week - Saints QB Drew Brees
While this might be a homer pick, how can you not pick Drew Brees to star at home against the Lions?? He'll have all of his WR targets in the lineup, and without Pierre Thomas, he'll have to throw the ball even more. That's a good thing. A 400 yard day with 4 TD's is not out of the question, especially given how well their 1st unit played in the preseason. Shockey, Colston, Moore, and Bush will catch a lot of passes and run all over Detroit. Good luck Matt Stafford, you'll need it this year.
Extra Toppings -
-Pittsburgh was in a dogfight with Tennessee on Thursday night and were fortunate to escape with a win. Both teams proved they'll be tough to beat all season long.
-So much for that Madden curse.... Polamalu hurt in Week 1. Larry Fitzgerald better watch his back, or wrap himself in bubble wrap for the first few weeks of the year.
-I didn't miss John Madden, did you? Will a lightning bolt strike me down?
-What will the media think when Mark Sanchez struggles in his first start at Houston?? Hearts will surely drop in Bristol as the rook comes back to reality.
-Eric Mangini will shock the world and pull Brady Quinn after 1 snap and install his true starter Brett Ratliff! He will then star in a remake of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... as himself.
-Please let the Browns beat the Vikings, please.
-StarCaps might be the word I'd most like to never hear again, get this case resolved please!
-There are 2 NFC West showdowns tomorrow, anyone care? Anyone? Bueller??
-Why would anyone want to watch Oakland on Monday night get killed by San Diego? The only reason I'm watching any Raiders game this year is if Lane Kiffin comes back to fight Tom Cable and Al Davis in a Triple Threat Texas Deathmatch.
-Favorable spread of the week: Dallas -5.5 @ Tampa. This is easily a 2-3 TD game for the 'Boys.
-Looking forward to seeing how the 1 vs 100 Pregame of Football Night In America will work. I'm hoping Bob Saget boots Olbermann, Barber, and Harrison.
-Thank God football is back.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Raheem Morris (Bucs), Dick Jauron (Bills), Todd Haley (Chiefs)
Going outside of the box, Randall's got his eye on 3 head coaches this week. The fellas above thought it would be a good idea to part ways with their offensive coordinators right before the season started. That does one thing, put the bright lights squarely on their shoulders. Especially for newbies Haley and Morris, the honeymoon period isn't going to last long if the losses pile up early for bad teams. Dick Jauron might be the only guy who can recover, but with TO in Buffalo, harmony and singing around the campfire aren't exactly on their way to western New York.
Enjoy your football weekend (way to hold on for our upset pick UConn...) We'll be back on Monday with a recap of the weekend's action including what you might have missed with football taking center stage. Also the Decade Series returns next week! Bye for now!
