2013 NFL Predictions: Free Week 1 Staff Picks, Titan Sized

Nicholas Pitakos (Staff Writer, 0-0)

Aug 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rodney Smith (83) makes a catch and brings it down to the one yard line in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (Winner: Broncos)

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (Winner: Patriots)

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers (Winner: Seahawks)

Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears (Winner: Bears)

Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns (Winner: Browns)

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Winner: Vikings)

Oakland Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (Winner: Colts)

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (Winner: Jaguars)

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (Winner: Saints)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets (Winner: Buccaneers)

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (Winner: 49ers)

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (Winner: Rams)

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (Winner: Giants)

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (Winner: Redskins)

Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers (Winner: Texans)

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Winner: Steelers)

Observations

There are definitely some interesting Week 1 matchups. Some tough decisions as no one has seen how teams will turn out this season. A few games to watch are Ravens at Broncos, Falcons at Saints and Packers at 49ers. All three matchups present teams that have a lot to prove. A win could set the tone with some of the NFL’s higher-caliber teams.

Within the AFC South, keep an eye out on the Texans at Chargers matchup. It will be interesting to see how Houston performs out there and what kind of tone they set to start the season.