Michael Robinson (SportingSearch.com) 

September 8, 2004.  

You have to give credit to the NFL, they handle the marketing end of the business better than any of the other professional leagues. The Colts and Patriots played each other in the AFC championship game last year, and here they are again playing in front of a national audience on a Thursday night to kickoff the season.  

Each year, the NFL seems to get a little more popular. That is an amazing feat considering that there are more and more sports on television to choose from. With all due respect to baseball, our national pastime, football is now king. 

If you have questions or comments, please contact me at michaelr@sportingsearch.com 

Indianapolis (+3) at New England 

The Patriots are, of course, the defending champions, and winners of two out of the last three Super Bowls. If they are able to win the whole thing again this year, and they are favored to do so, this team will be a legitimate “dynasty.” So needless to say, the Patriot players do not need much motivation heading into the year.  

The Patriots are built around a solid offense, superior defense and coaching. There is a question as to how the aggressive Patriots secondary will adjust now that the league has vowed to enforce the five yard chuck rule. While it might affect the Patriots early in the season, Bill Belichick and company are smart enough to adjust.

The Indianapolis Colts accomplished their biggest task of the off-season when they signed franchise quarterback, Peyton Manning to a long term contract. Manning is potentially $98 million richer, but that meant that the Colts were not able to re-sign a number of key veterans, including Marcus Washington and David Macklin. 

The Colts’ offense basically remains the same, which means a lot of defensive coordinators will be having nightmares again this season. The Patriots have been able to contain Manning in the past, but if the Colts can run Edgerrin James effectively, they have a chance in this game. Remember that the Patriots lost their big nose tackle, Ted Washington to free agency.  

In 2002, the league scheduled the Steelers and the Patriots for the first Monday Night game. The Patriots had just upset the Steelers in the 2001 AFC championship and went on to win their first Super Bowl. Everyone thought the Steelers would revenge the loss, but the Patriots won 30-14. This game will be closer than that, but the Patriots win again at home.

Pick: New England 

Tampa Bay (+2) at Washington  

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2003 season at 7-9, quite a fall for a team that won the Super Bowl in 2002. The Buccaneers will try to rebound this year without three of their most recognizable players, Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Keyshawn Johnson. 

As is usually the case in Tampa, the strength of this current team lies in the defense. Coach Jon Gruden might be an offensive genius, but he assembled mediocre talent on that side of the ball. It will take all of Gruden’s magic to make his offense above average, although a return of holdout Keenan McCardell would help.

The Washington Redskins finally ended the Steve Spurrier era after a combined 12-20 record in two seasons. Spurrier never had the work ethic of an NFL head coach, and was too stubborn to make adjustments when his “fun and gun” offense, only produced fun for opposing NFL defenses. 

Coach Joe Gibbs is aboard and he brought along Mark Brunell to boost the offense. The defense was sacrificed when cornerback Champ Bailey was traded for running back Clinton Portis, but now the Redskins will no longer be one dimensional on offense. One thing is for sure, the Tampa Bay defense will be a stiff opening week test.

The second Joe Gibbs era in Washington is going to be a success. Even though Gibbs is 63 years old, and has been out of football for 11 years, he is still a natural leader and a great football coach. There will, however be an adjustment period, and this is a perfect spot for Tampa Bay to pull off a minor road upset.  

Pick: Tampa Bay 

Green Bay (+3) at Carolina 

The Packers’ Brett Favre is back at quarterback after retirement rumors, but he is coming off a year where he threw for the lowest number of yards since 1993. While Favre did have 32 touchdowns, he also threw 21 picks.  

The offensive game plan last year revolved around establishing the run with Ahman Green, and Green responded with a monster year of almost 1,900 yards rushing. Carolina though has a great defensive line, so look for Favre to try to exploit Carolina’s rookie cornerback Chris Gamble, their first round pick out of Ohio State.  

The biggest question mark surrounding the Panthers is their offensive line. Left tackle Todd Steussie was released, right guard Kevin Donnalley retired and left guard Jeno James signed with Miami as a free agent. Jordan Gross also moved from right tackle to left tackle. That’s four new starters of the five positions. 

The Panthers would love to get the running game going with Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster, but they might not be able to with their makeshift offensive line. Quarterback, Jake Delhomme proved in the Super Bowl that he can make enough plays to win a game, and with the Panthers’ defense, they might not need that many points each week. 

The home field advantage is obviously a big factor in this game, especially considering it is Monday Night Football. The Panthers’ fans love their football even more than NASCAR, and it will be hard for Favre’s teammates to hear above the crowd noise. The Panthers are out to prove that they are not a “one year wonder.” They accomplish the first step with a win here.

Pick: Carolina 

Seattle (-2) at New Orleans  

The New Orleans Saints have been a study of mediocrity over the last three seasons. Despite having above average talent on both sides of the ball, New Orleans has gone 7-9, 9-7, and 8-8, missing the playoffs each year. Somehow though, coach Jim Haslett continues to keep his job. 

Led by quarterback Aaron Brooks and running back Duece McAllister, the Saints have never been shy about putting points on the board. Their defense has been the more inconsistent unit, and they again have question marks at linebacker and the secondary.

Seattle’s offense has the ability to be one of the best in the NFC. Their skill positions are loaded with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, Shaun Alexander at running back, and three productive wide receivers, Even All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones is back after his yearly holdout, and he will be ready for this game.

The Seahawks concentrated on improving their defense in the off-season with the addition of defensive end Grant Wistrom, but their defensive tackles are still a major weakness. If the Saints are smart, they will pound the ball up the middle with McAllister, and keep doing it until Seattle proves it can stop him.

The Seahawks are one of the trendy picks to make it to the Super Bowl, even though they have underachieved the last few years. However, coach Mike Holmgren won a title in Green Bay, and the Seahawks have the talent to go all the way. To get to that level though, Seattle needs to take care of business away from home. It starts here with a victory. 

Pick: Seattle