Waddle's World

I know it's only Monday, but it's time for our Week 1 preview.

A spin on the NFL carousel, as I will give you a little insight on each of the games on this week's NFL schedule.

Up first, a Thursday night kickoff between the Super Bowl champion Colts and last year's Cinderella Saints. Most in the football universe are expecting a shootout.

Not I!

I think both teams will play it a little conservative in the opening week of the season and mistakes will be plentiful. While I don't believe the Colts have enough to repeat as Super Bowl champs, they should have plenty in the dome for the home opener. Don't get me wrong, the Saints will make it close, but the Colts get to 1- 0.

•Colts

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The Vikings play host to the new look Falcons. Obviously it's been a devastating offseason for the Falcons, but on the field, I believe they are a better team with Joey Harrington running Bobby Petrino's offense. The decision in Minnesota to rely on Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger to man the QB position is criminal. The Vikes will run it well and play defense, but Jackson's gonna get them beat several times this year - starting in Week 1. I like the Falcons.

•Falcons

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The Panthers visit the Rams this week, and they better bring their track shoes. The Rams will be one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. Marc Bulger to Torry Holt is still a dangerous combination. Steven Jackson gained nearly 2,500 yards rushing and receiving. He is an unstoppable beast of a back! Jake Delhomme is too inconsistent for my taste. I like the Rams at home!

•Rams

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The new-look Broncos take their show on the road to Buffalo. Travis Henry was a tremendous offseason addition and should be a perfect fit in this offense. I'm a huge Jay Cutler fan. I'm also a big Javon Walker fan. The Bills have no chance to slow these Broncos down, even in Buffalo. Denver will win big.

•Denver

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Don't look now, but the Houston Texans aren't a half-bad football team. Don't pencil them in for a postseason berth, but with Matt Schaub at the wheel, they should be improved. The Chiefs are gonna struggle early. Damon Huard is the best of a bad lot at quarterback and doesn't have many targets. LJ is a beast, but his line is no longer dominant. I like the Texans at home.

•Texans

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I don't like the Redskins or the Dolphins. The Skins are the worst team money can buy, and the Dolphins are offensively challenged. The Dolphin D will keep it close, but the Skins will win a close one in front of the home crowd.

•Redskins

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There is no love lost in the Patriot-Jets rivalry. The Patriots put a 37-16 beating on the Jets in the postseason. It could be worse this weekend. No team helped themselves more in the offseason than the Patriots. The addition of Thomas Jones to the Jets huddle will certainly help, but it won't be enough. I like the Pats on the road.

•Patriots

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The rebuilt knee of Donovan McNabb is the focus of all in the City of Brotherly Love. It will also be tested at Lambeau this weekend. With a healthy McNabb, the Eagles will compete for an NFC title. A battle of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks won't go well for Mr. Favre. I like the Eagles on the road.

•Eagles

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The Steelers are a tough team to get your arms around. The Browns are not. The Steelers could be a solid team with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger under center. The Browns won't be, regardless of who sneaks under center for them. Mike Tomlin wins his first game as the Steelers' head coach.

•Steelers

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Not only will Byron Leftwich NOT get the start this weekend against the Titans, he won't be in the stadium as Jack Del Rio gave him his walking papers on cutdown day. That surprise will be topped only by the dismal season ahead for Vince Young. There's no denying Young's talent, but he's going to be asked to do more with less this year. In the offseason, he lost his leading rusher and top two receivers. May the force be with you Vince....I'm picking the Jags.

•Jaguars

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The Raiders play host to the Lions, and I know what you're thinking....WHO CARES! I can't argue with you. The Lions are at the top of many experts' 2007 "sexy list." They have a lot of aerial firepower, but they don't protect their quarterback, they don't run it well, and they struggle defensively. The best I can say about the Raiders is they play good defense and ... they're playing the Lions. I like the Raiders at home.

•Raiders

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The Seahawks are old, but they're still good. This weekend they play host to the old, bad, Buccaneers in a battle of West Coast offenses. It's hard to shakedown the 'Hawks in the great northwest. Garcia is the perfect fit for Chuckie's offense, but he doesn't have enough around him. The Bucs' defense won't be able to keep up with Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck. I like Seattle.

•Seahawks

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The Cowboys are my pick in the NFC East. I have minor concerns about their O-line and the legitimacy of Tony Romo, but they have a ton of weapons and a young, aggressive defense. Oh, by the way, they're facing the Giants this weekend. No Tiki Barber means NO CHANCE! Dallas wins handily.

•Cowboys

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There's a good AFC North battle in the Queen City on Sunday night as the Bengals play host to the Ravens. Full disclosure, I am from Cincinnati and grew up a Bengals fan. Full disclosure, Part 2: The Bengals are a mess on the O-line and they don't defend the pass well. The Ravens were 13-3 last year. The 2007 version is even better thanks to the addition of Willis McGahee. My heart says Bengals, my head says Ravens. ... I'm going with my head!

•Ravens

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Monday night is a stinker as the NFC West gets some prime-time exposure. The 49ers, everyone's pick to be the surprise of 2007, play host to the Cardinals, my pick to be the surprise of 2007. The Niners spent a lot of "green" upgrading their defense in the offseason. We'll see if they got their money's worth as they face a more balanced Cardinals offense. Like all second year quarterbacks, I expect Matt Leinart to make progress. Remember, the trend is your friend, and the trend says the Cardinals have won the last four in this series. Make it five straight. I like Arizona.

•Cardinals

And finally, our Bears travel West to face the explosive Chargers. I think ... you'll have to wait until Sunday to find out!