With the full kickoff to the NFL season a few days’ away all bets are coming to a close on week 1. As we have already seen from Thursday’s game between the Vikings and Saints this year may have a similar feeling to last season. What is the rest of Kickoff weekend going to have in store?

First we have one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. This year unlike several previous the Bills will be without their most valuable asset to a home game against Miami, the bone-chilling winter games in Buffalo. Many fans believe that having a home game in Buffalo during a warmer month is unfair and takes away the home field advantage the Bills would have had. However, I still feel Buffalo may very well shock dis-Bill-ievers. I know this may come off as a biased opinion, being a Bills fan and all, but let us not forget in 2003 when the Bills stunned everyone as they embarrassed the New England Patriots 31-0 in the home opener. Also in the offseason Buffalo acquired C.J. Spiller whom during the preseason was determined to show fans he can be the starter by running over and around the competition. Plus the Bills have FS Jairus Byrd who led the NFL in interceptions with 9 as a rookie. Lastly let us not forget last year the Bills and Dolphins both finished less than .500 and were only a game away from being tied as the worst teams in the AFC East (what an accomplishment). This is going to be a close match but Buffalo will pull it off most likely by less than a field goal 17-16

Next let us look at a much anticipated game between the visiting Cincinnati Bengals at the New England Patriots. As I’m sure every sports fan knows the Bengals acquired Terrell Owens and now have the “dynamic Duo” of “Batman and Robin” with T.O. and Chad Ochocinco. They also increased the passing game by adding Andre Caldwell and rookie Jordan Shipley from the Texas Longhorns. Personally I don’t feel that this addition will make much of a difference if any aside from the first few games of the season. After that around mid-season Chad or Terrell is going to start bad mouthing the other and complain about how they don’t get the ball enough, causing turmoil within the team.  But let us not forget the Bengals are playing a very deep and talented Patriots team. The New England Patriots have arguably the best coach in the league, who will figure out how to break-up the “duo”, as well as one of the most potent offenses in the league finishing 3^rd in total offense last year. The Bengals also have to take into consideration future hall of famers Randy Moss who last season caught 13 TD’s and had 1,264 yards receiving on 83 receptions, and Tom Brady who threw for 4,398 yards (second highest in his career) and 28 TD’s. This is going to be a very entertaining game and high scoring but in the end the Patriots will be triumphant and win in classic Patriot fashion on a game winning field goal 31-28.

Finally let us finish up the AFC East with the NY Jets playing at home on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. During the offseason the Jets made some pretty important moves. They picked up RB Ladainian Tomlinson, as well as signing CB Darelle Revis in time for the home opener. (Who might I add doesn’t deserve as much money as he claims he should make. He only had 6 interceptions last season finishing well below Buffalo’s Jarius Byrd who led the league with 9, alongside Charles Woodson, Darren Sharper, and Asante Samuel. Revis was tied for 5^th overall along with 7 other defensemen. He is a good defender no doubt, but not the best especially coming into only his 4^th season.) Last year the Jets made an impressive run in the playoffs making it to the AFC Championship game. Many believe the Jets could take it one step further this year and make it to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl III. The first test is the already mentioned Baltimore Ravens. After Revis signed Ray Lewis said in an interview “I’m just glad he is signed, so there are no excuses.” The Baltimore Ravens who are known for their shut down defense that finished 9^th overall in pass defense and 5^th in run defense last year. The Ravens also signed Anquan Boldin in the offseason who caught for over a 1,000 yards receiving last season. With the addition of Boldin to the receiving core Joe Flacco should be even more productive than last year when he threw for 3,613 yards and 21 TD’s. The Jets are going to have a lot to prove to everyone and themselves. It’ll be a battle but, unfortunately, for Jets fans the first win of the season is going to have to wait. Mark Sanchez and the Jet offense will face a tough game that’ll be a good start to Monday Night Football. Expect the Ravens to pull off the win 19-14.

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