Joe's Opening Drive: Week 1

Do you smell that? It smells like football! No more preseason, no more scrubs fighting for jobs. It's time for the return of the Opening Drive!

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

In the Thursday night season opener, we get what should have been last season’s AFC Championship match-up. The eventual Super Bowl winner Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to make another deep postseason run, and they’re talented enough to do it. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is back after spending most of last year on IR with a shoulder injury. During this campaign he’ll begin to see more carries each week as an eventual successor to Willie Parker. Ben Roethlisberger may still have a lot on his mind, but beating the Titans on national TV may cure what ails him. (For now anyway.)

Jeff Fisher and the Titans may have missed their opportunity at a Super Bowl after falling to Baltimore in the second round. After losing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins, there is a big question mark on that defense that was so successful last season. Kerry Collins is another year older, but at least he has former Steeler Nate Washington and rookie Kenny Britt to throw to. Still, Tennessee’s running game must be the propeller of they are to make it back to the playoffs.

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons

In a meeting of 2008 shockers, the Miami Dolphins are out to prove they can repeat as division champions. No one should be caught off guard by the “wildcat offense” this year, but with rookie QB Pat White taking the “cat snaps,” defenses will be forced to guard against the pass as well. Unfortunately, in such a difficult division, the Dolphins have their work cut out for them if they are to repeat. If they can only turn it over 13 times like last season, I’d give them a fighting chance. With a returning Jason Taylor, their defense is primed to pressure the quarterback.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons were one of the best stores of last year’s NFL. That Cinderella story was ended in the first round of the playoffs by the Cardinals, so Mike Smith’s team is striving to make their story stretch a bit further this season.  Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood could be the best running back tandem in football, and the addition of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez can only help Ryan’s progression.

Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland’s own quarterback drama will be outweighed by the incoming team’s signal-caller. Brett Favre on the Vikings will be a never-ending story until it well… finally ends. But who knows when that will be? With a stout defense anchored by Kevin and Pat Williams (who apparently will not be suspended), all Favre has to do is not make mistakes. Handing off to Adrian Peterson is the best recipe for his success. His experience and threat of downfield passing could be enough to get the Vikings to the postseason.

Eric Mangini informed his two quarterbacks which of them will start this Sunday, but hasn’t made the announcement to his team or the media. Reports place the starter’s job with Brady Quinn, who was suggested to be the winner all along. This could be an ugly season in Cleveland, with plenty of defensive problems and an offense that doesn’t look to put up more than 13 – 17 points a game.

Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers

After making it to the NFC title game, the Eagles have reloaded in their quest for a Lombardi trophy. Drafting receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy add two more weapons for Donovan McNabb and the offense. Factor in Michael Vick’s signing, and Philly has the most explosive offense in the league. This year will be key in McNabb returning to the Eagles next season.

Jake Delhomme had the worst game of his career against the Cardinals in Carolina’s only playoff game last season. In a competitive NFC South, the Panthers need to lean on running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart if they hope to repeat as division champs. With (formerly?) disgruntled defensive end Julius Peppers in a contract year, look for double-digit sacks from the lineman.

New York Jets at Houston Texans

The storyline for the Jets is simple. They have a rookie head coach in Rex Ryan and they’re starting a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez. Houston’s lackluster defense (aside from Mario Williams of course) should be a good warm-up for Sanchez. Expect Ryan to run the ball with speedy Leon Washington, the veteran Thomas Jones, and rookie Shonn Greene. A .500 season could the best the Jets could hope for.

In Houston, we still don’t know if Matt Schaub can play a full 16-game season. Since signing his massive contract, Schaub hasn’t proven anything as a Texan. Last year the Texans offense was ranked third overall in the NFL behind All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson and rookie sensation Steve Slaton at tailback. Every year experts predict the Texans will finally break through in the AFC south, but I won’t believe it until I see it. Nine wins for the Texans is a long shot.

Washington Redskins at New York Giants

Week one and we’re already getting an NFC East division match-up. What could be better? After the ‘Skins attempted to bring in every other QB possible, Jason Campbell needs to prove he belongs at the starting position in Washington. A win over the Giants in week one will certainly help his cause. Clinton Portis should have another solid year, but the real story will be on defense. Signing DT Albert Haynesworth and CB DeAngelo Hall in the first few hours of free agency, owner Dan Synder returned to his “buying a Super Bowl” philosophy. If their defense isn’t much improved with those additions, Washington could be the bottom-feeder in the NFC East.

After losing his best and biggest target to prison, Eli Manning and his massive contract will have to throw to a “wide receiver by committee” in New York. Now that Osi Umenyiora is back on defense, the pressure will be put on Campbell in this season opener. The Giants could be primed for the postseason, but they have an uphill battle awaiting them.

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

On Monday Night, the T.O. show heads into New England for what could be a slaughter in the first quarter. Dick Jauron and the Bills fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert less than a week ago after a dismal offensive performance in the preseason. The first team offense only scored three points in its 15 series in those four games. Buffalo’s no-huddle offense moved the chains, but couldn’t reach the endzone. Newly promoted OC Alex Van Pelt must find a way for QB Trent Edqards to get newly acquired receiver Terrell Owens the ball 83 times a game or there will be a blow-up by week four. Buffalo’s defense is solid if nothing else, but Tom Brady and the Pats will carve them up.

Oh yeah, Tom Brady’s back. Didja hear? The record-setting QB won’t have any injury problems this year, we wouldn’t be that lucky to avoid the Brady-love fest for another season. Adding Fred Taylor could bring a level of stability to their running game, but their downfield passing attack will still be the focus of the Patriot offense. Even after losing Josh McDaniels to Denver, the Patriots are poised to lay the wood to Buffalo on Monday night. After trading DE Richard Seymour and Tedy Bruschi's retirement, the Patriots defense will continue to get younger, which can only mean good things for Bill Belichick's squad.

This year, I’d like your help in writing my Opening Drive! Send me your suggestions on games to cover via Facebook or Twitter each and I’ll analyze them in my article! (Besides Bears games, I’ll cover those anyway. Duh.)

Thanks for reading, enjoy 2009’s NFL Kick-off Weekend!