RJ's Famous NFL Picks, Week One

BlogCritics ^ | September 5th, 2007 | RJ Elliott

[rob88888]

Atlanta (7-9) at Minnesota (6-10) - 1:00 PM

The Falcons missed the playoffs last year by losing their final three games. And now they've lost noted animal-lover and PETA spokesman Michael Vick for 12 to 60 months due to a self-inflicted injury. Vick will be replaced at QB by the lovable Joey Harrington, who won't throw for many touchdowns, but he won't be flipping off the home crowd/spreading herpes/killing dogs with his bare hands, either. The Falcons are going to need their defense to overachieve and RB Warrick Dunn to rush for 1,500+ yards just to avoid losing double-digit games this season.

The Minnesota Vikings started out 4-2 last season, only to lose eight of their last ten games and (obviously) miss the playoffs. QB Brad Johnson was released in the off-season, so the unproven Tarvaris Jackson will be starting under center. The Vikes will need a strong season out of RB Chester Taylor in order to put many points on the board. The defense should be better-than-average.

PICK: I predict an ugly, low-scoring game. Overtime is a possibility, with an interception/fumble return for a TD providing the final score. (Sylvia Browne ain't got nothin' on me.) VIKINGS BY 6.

[Badeye]

When do Palmer, Chad and Rudi Johnson become free agents though?

All are locked up beyond 2010 from what I recall.

Rudy or Carson gets hurt, we’re toast. We could carry on if Chad got hurt due to our huge O line and the running game Rudy brings.

but lose Carson, you get eight guys in the box. Lose Rudy, you get eight guys in the Secondary.

Lost Chad...you fewer highlights on ESPN....but still are in games.

[TheEditor]

I’m going to wait for James Taranto’s picks. He is NEVER wrong.

[RckyRaCoCo]

It's September 5th

...The Detroit Lions have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

[Terpfen]

And that is why Ron Rivera was given the - heave-ho, see ya, don't let the door hit ya.

Actually had more to do with Rivera being a potential candidate to replace Smith.

Him and his &^#%$%@*ing 'Cover 2' made Urlacher - the fastest, most mobile ML in football - literally invisible.

Look on the bright side--Lance Briggs is the most overrated LB in football!

[jdub]

Thanks for making me homesick. Now I have to go buy some Shiner Bock and drown my sorrows.

[DangerDanger]

Great pic.

Note, I picked the Browns to be one of the sleeper IMPROVED teams of the NFL. Doesn’t mean they are top shelf caliber.

However, I do pick the Steelers to win that division. As it was, last year they were probably the best 8-8 team I have ever seen. Further, I think the Ravens will experience a rather drastic decline this season.

[dfwgator]

Keep in mind, that was Grossman’s first complete year as a starter.

Where was Peyton Manning after his first year as a starter?

[Spruce]

I’ve been a Vikings fan my entire life.

This is the first year that I just cannot work up any enthusiasm for them. None.