NFL predictions for Week 1:

BENGALS AT RAVENS

Line: Bengals by 1 1/2

Cincy has been team turmoil, but WR Chad Ocho Cinco (or whatever name he's using this week) seems to have calmed down and the offense goes against a rebuilding Baltimore defense that allowed 24 points a game last year. The Ravens start rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, and teams with a QB making his first NFL start are 6-16 the last 2 seasons.

PICK: Bengals 24, Ravens 16.

JETS AT DOLPHINS

Line: Jets by 3

Brett Favre makes his much-hyped debut and faces a team that was 1-15 last year and has undergone a major overhaul. But Miami still seems a long way from turning things around, as it was last in run defense last year. NY's defense should be improved, and it will work against a familiar face at QB, ex-Jet Chad Pennington.

PICK: Jets 24, Dolphins 17.

CHIEFS AT PATRIOTS

Line: Patriots by 16

Status of QB Tom Brady is the big question here, as last year's MVP didn't play in the exhibitions because of a foot injury but has been practicing and plans to go. He'll be facing a defense that struggled last year and still has holes, but has added Glenn Dorsey to stabilize the line. KC goes with unproven QB Brodie Croyle, not a good sign on the road against a foe this potent.

PICK: Patriots 37, Chiefs 16 (pick of the week to win).

TEXANS AT STEELERS

Line: Steelers by 6 1/2

Houston could have a big year if its defense improves. It has a key ingredient to do so, with end Mario Williams — a former No. 1 pick — peaking and going here against a shaky Pittsburgh offensive line. Texans QB Matt Schaub has plenty of targets. Pittsburgh's tough at home (7-1 last year), but there are upsets just about every week in the NFL. Why not here?

PICK: Texans 24, Steelers 21.

JAGUARS AT TITANS

Line: Jaguars by 3

Playoff teams from last season tangle, and an overriding story here is the absence of Jacksonville OT Richard Collier, who was shot recently. The Jags also are without WR Jerry Porter (hamstring). Tennessee QB Vince Young will operate an offense directed by a new coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger.

PICK: Titans 17, Jaguars 16.

LIONS AT FALCONS

Line: Lions by 3

Rookie QB Matt Ryan gets his first NFL start for Atlanta, which has a new coach (Mike Smith). The team has 7 rookies and 19 players with no more than 1 year in the pros. Detroit will run more this year with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. RB Rudi Johnson was signed last week.

PICK: Lions 24, Falcons 17.

SEAHAWKS AT BILLS

Line: Bills by 1

Seattle is without WR Deion Branch (knee), and RT Sean Locklear (knee) is unlikely to play — which is not a good sign for the Seahawks because QB Matt Hasselbeck played little in exhibitions because of a bad back and needs all the protection he can get. Buffalo should have a solid defense and the offense is led by QB Trent Edwards, who emerged last season, as well as second-year RB Marshawn Lynch.

PICK: Bills 20, Seahawks 17

BUCCANEERS AT SAINTS

Line: Saints by 3

The game is on in the Superdome despite last week's nearby hurricane. The Saints will unleash their potent offense, which has added TE Jeremy Shockey, on a defense in decline. Tampa's offense is on the rise, though, with RB Earnest Graham emerging and newcomer Warrick Dunn now in the mix, too. Tampa won both meetings last season.

PICK: Saints 31, Bucs 23.

RAMS AT EAGLES

Line: Eagles by 7 1/2

The Rams try to rebound from their morbid 3-13 season, and face a foe that has lost 10 of its last 14 openers. But Philly QB Donovan McNabb will be working thin at WR, as Kevin Curtis (hernia) is out and Reggie Brown (hamstring) is doubtful. But RB Brian Westbrook faces a defense that must prove it can contain the run. The Rams counter with new offensive coordinator Al Saunders trying to reinvigorate QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson.

PICK: Eagles 24, Rams 20.

COWBOYS AT BROWNS

Line: Cowboys by 5 1/2

Interesting match featuring high-powered offenses and suspect defenses. Cleveland's defensive backfield is nicked up and young, and Dallas CB Terence Newman is slowed by a groin injury, meaning Adam Jones might start for the first time since the 2006 season. Both teams love to throw. Dallas' Tony Romo will be heaving the ball to Terrell Owens and Cleveland's Derrick Anderson fires it to Braylon Edwards, who has recovered from an injured foot.

PICK: Browns 34, Cowboys 31 (pick of the week vs. point spread).

PANTHERS AT CHARGERS

Line: Chargers by 9

Many questions here. Two of San Diego's best players — TE Antonio Gates (toe), LB Shawne Merriman (knee) — have health issues and Carolina QB Jake Delhomme is coming off reconstructive elbow surgery. But there is no question about San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL's best at the position, and he should be enough to make a difference here.

PICK: Chargers 27, Panthers 17.

CARDINALS AT 49ERS

Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2

Kurt Warner is at the helm of what should be a potent Arizona offense and the team has playoff aspirations again, something that usually is just a hollow dream. Warner's former offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, will be watching from the SF side, and Martz is grooming QB J.T. O'Sullivan, who gets his first NFL start at age 29. Martz had O'Sullivan in Detroit last year.

PICK: Cardinals 28, 49ers 23.

BEARS AT COLTS

Line: Colts by 10

Indy's new stadium gets its regular-season christening, but will Colts QB Peyton Manning be at full speed? He didn't play in an exhibition game following knee surgery and is set to start but won't be protected by C Jeff Saturday (knee injury). Chicago has Kyle Orton at QB, and he'll hand to Matt Forte, the first Chicago rookie to start at RB since Walter Payton 33 years ago.

PICK: Colts 27, Bears 16.

VIKINGS AT PACKERS

When: Monday

Line: Packers by 2 1/2

The opener of the Monday doubleheader is the coming out party for Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who gets his first NFL start after 3 seasons as Favre's backup. Don't look for him to throw as much as Favre, but handing off to Ryan Grant isn't going to be easy vs. Minnesota's fierce run defense. The Vikes unleash RB Adrian Peterson, last year's offensive rookie of the year, against a so-so run defense.

PICK: Vikings 20, Packers 17.

BRONCOS AT RAIDERS

When: Monday

Line: Broncos by 3

QB JaMarcus Russell gets his second NFL start as another new Raiders era begins, with ballyhooed rookie RB Darren McFadden. Denver QB Jay Cutler begins his 2nd season as the full-time starter, but the Broncos must improve defensively after finishing 3rd worst in the league last year.

PICK: Raiders 17, Broncos 16.