Good morning fellow Giants fans. Seven months ago today, our G-men capped off an improbable championship run by winning the Super Bowl. Today, the 2012 season begins as the Giants host the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. So hey, what are we waiting for? Let's get to the picks....
Dallas at NY Giants--Let's forget for a minute that you are reading a New York Giants' blog. Close your eyes, and think about this. It's the opener of the 2012 season. The Giants are going to be riding high from their second title in five years, they are home, and they have Eli Manning. I'm not being cocky, and I know the Cowboys don't suck. It's just hard to imagine losing this one. Giants 27, Cowboys 20
New England at Tennessee--The Titans can't be happy about drawing the defending AFC champs to kick off their season, but it'll be a test to see if they are on the way back to better things. Meanwhile, you know Tom Brady and the hoodie will have a huge chip on their collective shoulder. Patriots 34, Titans 17
Buffalo at NY Jets--The Bills have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut, and have a new and improved defense highlighted by the addition of DE Mario Williams. The Jets have the potential to be a defensive juggernaut, because if the preseason is an indicator, they sure won't score many points. Bills 20, Jets 16
Jacksonville at Minnesota--These two teams should start the season with a bye. Vikings 23, Jaguars 14
Indianapolis at Chicago--I don't know what it is. I can't get behind the Bears. I don't think Jay Cutler wants to get behind his dreadful offensive line either. But at the end of the day, the Colts have a long way back. Bears 31, Colts 20
St. Louis at Detroit--Don't look now, the Lions are contenders after an impressive 2011 and one of the best QB/WR combos in football in Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. The Rams? Ehhhh. Lions 40, Rams 17
Miami at Houston--The Texans finally reached the postseason in 2011 in their tenth season, the Dolphins begin 0-7 or so before finishing respectably by winning six of nine. Does anyone know who is playing QB for the Dolphins? Does the QB know? Texans 30, Dolphins 10
Atlanta at Kansas City--I haven't looked but I am guessing Atlanta is favored in this game. But I like the Chiefs and their playmakers on D, while I feel about the Falcons the same way I feel about the Bears. Chiefs 23, Falcons 20
Philadelphia at Cleveland--Thanks schedule-makers. You pretty much guaranteed the Eagles a 1-0 start while we have to start against a tough division foe. No disrespect to my pals back in Cleveland, but I think the Eagles have too much defense. Eagles 31, Browns 10
Washington at New Orleans--The schedule-maker taketh, the schedule-maker giveth, or something like that. Sorry RG3, you're going to be playing catch-up for 59 minutes. Saints 38, Redskins 16
Seattle at Arizona--Will either of these teams contend against the Niners? I think the Seahawks have the only glimmer of hope with upstart rookie Russell Wilson at the helm. Seahawks 20, Cardinals 19
San Francisco at Green Bay--This one is a doozy of a late game on Sunday--arguably the league's best offense against arguably the league's best defense. Packers 17, Niners 13
Carolina at Tampa Bay--Will the Bucs revert back to their rising 2010 look, or their dismal 2011? Will Cam Newton continue to lead Carolina toward contention? What, I have to answer that? Panthers 33, Bucs 30
Pittsburgh at Denver--Peyton Manning returns to the NFL football field, albeit in a strange uniform. The Steelers return to where their season ended in January. It's hard not to like Peyton's chances here. Broncos 27, Steelers 23
Cincinnati at Baltimore--The Bengals always seem to play well against the Ravens and Steelers, and I expect a close one. But the Ravens are still just too good. Ravens 20, Bengals 10
San Diego at Oakland--Norv Turner is still employed, and I mean he's still the head coach of the Chargers. Seriously. Raiders 31, Chargers 24