Mattie T’s Week 1 Predictions of the 2006 NFL Season

Herrrrrrrrrrre we go!

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Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

1:00 EST on FOX

Atlanta leads the all-time series 14-8.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking Carolina to win this game, even without Steve Smith in the lineup. Carolina’s front four is among the best in football & should be able to pressure Atlanta QB Michael Vick all day long.

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Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

1:00 EST on CBS

Last Meeting: Tampa Bay def. Baltimore 25-0 on 9/15/02 at M & T Bank Stadium.
Mattie T’s Prediction: Tampa Bay should prevail in a close, but low-scoring game. Baltimore enters this game losing 11 straight on the road & they will have to wait until Week 3 @ Cleveland to try and break their skid.
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Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots from Gilette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

1:00 EST on CBS

New England has won 5 straight, 10 of last 11 vs. Buffalo.

Mattie T’s Prediction: New England should be able to roll past Buffalo in Junior Seau’s debut with his new team. The Patriots will be focused on stopping Bills RB Willis McGahee until QB J.P. Losman can prove that he can beat teams with his arm.

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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

1:00 EST on CBS

Last Meeting: Kansas City won 37-3 on Jan 1st behind Larry Johnson’s 201 rushing yards & 3 touchdowns.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking Kansas City to win for two reasons. 1. They are very tough to beat in September at Arrowhead Stadium. 2. Cincinnati’s defense will be missing their sensational LB Odell Thurman. Larry Johnson could have a huge day on the ground in what could be a potential AFC shootout.

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Denver Broncos vs. St. Louis Rams from Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO.

1:00 EST on CBS

Last Meeting: Denver won 23-16 on 9/8/02 from Mile High Stadium at Invesco Field.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I think the Rams will win this one in Scott Linehan’s head coaching debut. It’s been quite awhile since Denver has last won here & everyone remembers their awful opening-day performance against Miami a year ago. Rams QB Marc Bulger could be in for a huge day against a suspect secondary.

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New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH.

1:00 PM EST on FOX

Cleveland has won last 3 meetings, most recently on 11/24/02 in a 24-15 win over New Orleans.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I think Cleveland will spoil Sean Payton’s head coaching debut & win their home opener. Reuben Droughns could be in for a big afternoon against New Orleans’ poor run defense.

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N.Y. Jets vs. Tennessee Titans from The Coliseum in Nashville, TN.

1:00 PM EST on CBS

Tennessee has won 10 of 16 career meetings against the N.Y. Jets.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Titans in this one. Tennessee should be able to move the ball well against a poor Jets defensive unit.

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans from Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.

1:00 PM EST on FOX

Philadelphia won only meeting 35-17 over Houston in ‘02.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking the Eagles to win this one, as QB Donovan McNabb should have a monster day against one of the NFL’s worst defenses.

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Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions from Ford Field in Detroit, MI.

1:00 PM EST on FOX

Seattle will play at Ford Field for first time since losing Super Bowl XL 21-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in February.

Mattie T’s Prediction: Seattle should win this one, but expect it to be a close game. Lions’ offensive coordinator Mike Martz will attack Seattle’s secondary, the only question mark for them defensively.

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Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

4:15 PM EST on FOX

Packers QB Brett Favre has 21-7 career record vs. Bears, 0-2 in ‘05.

Mattie T’s Prediction: Chicago should win on Sunday, but check this out. QB Rex Grossman has made a total of just 7 starts in 3 seasons with the Bears, yet he’s 2-0 against Green Bay. Go Figure!

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Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars from Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, FL.

4:15 PM EST on FOX

Dallas has won 2 of 3 meetings, all played at Texas Stadium.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking Jacksonville to win in a very close game. It could come down to special teams & Dallas will be without K Mike Vanderjagt on Sunday, one of the best in the business. Cowboys also lost 4 of their 6 games on the road in ‘05.

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals from Cardinals Stadium in Phoenix, AZ.

4:15 PM EST on FOX
Arizona won both meetings in ‘05.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I’m picking Arizona to win here. Surpisingly, this one could turn into a possible shootout due to both teams having poor defenses. If Arizona QB Kurt Warner gets injured, QB Matt Leinart will be ready to replace him.

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Indianapolis Colts vs. N.Y. Giants from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

8:15 PM EST on NBC

Giants won last meeting 44-27 on 12/22/02 from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

Mattie T’s Prediction: This should be a very fun game to watch, but in the end i think Peyton’s veteran leadership will lead his Colts over Eli’s Giants. It doesn’t hurt that Indianapolis now has one of the most clutch kickers in the game, Mr. Adam Vinateri!

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Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Redskins from FedEx Field in Landover, MD.

7:00 PM EST on ESPN

Redskins won last meeting 21-18 on 1/2/05 from FedEx Field.

Mattie T’s Prediction: I think Minnesota will win in a close game. The Vikings are using a Cover 2 defense this season, which sounds like disaster for a Redskins’ offense that has had trouble scoring in the pre-season & will be without starting RB Clinton Portis.

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San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders from McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

10:15 EST on ESPN

San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson has run for 1,215 yards & 9 touchdowns in 10 career games vs. Oakland.

Mattie T’s Prediction: If Phillip Rivers connects early & often, the Raiders could be in for a long evening. Oakland could be forced to air it out thanks to the Chargers #1 run defense.