Bring on the NFL. I’ve been craving some football and I’m ready to pick some winners. This offseason has been more entertaining than most with the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, Tiger Woods…etc. But now football season is upon us and I am starting my second annual weekly picks. Last year I went 163-91 (.641) and prided myself in have 30 more wins than Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy. I feel this it needs a name like “Paul’s Picks” or “Paul the Geek” or something like that but not as lame. I don’t know. Anyway without further ado here’s week one:

Minnesota at New Orleans

I just can’t see Brett Favre winning this for Minnesota. I’d pick New Orleans’ defense stopping Minnesota’s offense in what could be a shoot-out. Favre is missing that receiver I can’t think of at the moment and Percy Harvin is having migraines. And migraines ain’t no joke. How can you run routes when your head is being destroyed? Favre’s nightmare is revisited on Thursday. New Orleans.

Miami at Buffalo

How many games will Buffalo win this year? And how many games will Miami win before we really start to care? I really don’t see Buffalo as the type of team that gets off to a good start I’m going with Miami.

Detroit at Chicago

I feel bad for the Lions. But not bad enough to pick them over the Bears. I say the Bears win this one mainly because I can’t pick the Lions until the Lions start proving they can actually win a game. I can’t pick the Lions this early until I see them in action. Chicago.

Oakland at Tennessee

Anyone who knows me knows that I always try to find a reason to not pick the Titans. This game doesn’t look good for Oakland. Their at Tennessee and they have to play Chris Johnson. We all know Oakland’s run defense is suspect. And yeah the offense will be better with Jason Campbell…it will be better nobody said anything about it being good. Also, I don’t see the hype about Oakland stealing the division. Tennessee.

Cincinnati at New England

I have a feeling this is going to be a really good game. The Cardiac Cats are going to be in effect this game. I think the Bengals can beat the Pats here but the Pats make less mistakes than the Bengals. I’m going to say this will be close but it’s hard to pick the Bengals to not only beat the Pats but not beat themselves. I’m doing it any way though. Cincinnati upset.

Carolina at NYG

This is strange because I feel a lot of people are high on Carolina and downing the Giants. Personally I think Carolina is a year away from being really good. Only time will tell. For now I’m going with the Giants.

Atlanta at Pittsburgh

I’m going with the Steelers here because I like the Steelers D. I like the Steelers at home. I like the Steelers passing attack against Atlanta’s pass defense (yes even with out Big Ben). I might even go so far as to say people will love Dennis Dixon after this game. I think Matt Ryan & Co. is going to struggle against the Steelers D and Mike Tomlin is going to have a great game plan for success with Dixon at QB. Pittsburgh.

Cleveland at Tampa Bay

This is one of those games that I wonder if anyone will win. On paper I had trouble really picking a winner so I’m going with coaching and management on this pick early in the season. Holmgren/Mangini seems better I’m going with Cleveland.

Denver at Jacksonville

I predict Jacksonville will have more people on the field than people in the stands. I really think Jacksonville will have a stellar offensive year.  I say Jacksonville wins it but the people of Jacksonville won’t care. They’ll still walk away angry because Tebow didn’t play.

Indianapolis at Houston

If you followed my picks last year you know I rarely pick against Houston. Visions of last year play through my head though. An unprepared Houston team looks horrible in the season opener. We all know the Colts are robots, emotionless beings on this earth for the shear purpose of playing playoff football. As much as I want to pick the Texans I see the first half of this game being Houston shaking the rust off while the Colts show that they are a well oiled machine. The second half will tease me and make me think we could come back but the Colts always find ways to beat the Texans. Prove me wrong Kubiak, Colts win.

San Francisco at Seattle

Everyone, myself included, is on the 49ers bandwagon this preseason. I think the 49ers defense is going to be great. And the reports of the crazy drills they’re putting Alex Smith through makes me think the offense is going to be bland but will be able to move the ball. I think rookie coach Pete Carroll might look a little bad in this game. Who is Matt Hasselbeck going to be throwing to again? Wait is Hasselbeck even starting anymore? Maybe I just don’t know anything about the Seahawks…anyway I choose San Fran.

Green Bay at Philadelphia

Aaron Rodgers is going to prove he’s worth the hype and my  good old friend Dom Campers has a solid defense in Green Bay. Meanwhile in Philly, they’re making adjustments. I think Green Bay is too strong of an opponent for Philly here. I hope Kolb has a good game because I really like him and it could get nasty for him if he doesn’t produce and win. I hope to see a lot of Kevin Kolb Cambell’s Chunky Soup commercials in this game…McNabb passed that torch to Kolb too right? Green Bay.

Arizona at St. Louis

This game seems a lot more exciting on paper than it actually is…and it really doesn’t excite me on paper. I don’t see St. Louis being capable of surprising the downward spiraling Cardinals. Arizona will win but it won’t feel like a win.

Dallas at Washington

I really want Washington to win this one. And I really want Dallas to lose every game they ever play. Ever.  But all of that aside I have to be cautious here and pick Dallas. I really need to see this Washington offense before I can feel good about picking them against good defenses.

Baltimore at NYJ

I’m still waiting for the Jets to break down. I really like this game because it’s going to be a great defensive game. The punters might actually have more to do with who wins than the quarterbacks. I like Flacco in this game more than Sanchez. I’m going with Flacco being able to put it together better than Sanchez can. Baltimore.

San Diego at Kansas City

Kansas City can be one of those surprise teams this year but ANY team in the West (NFC or AFC) could be a surprise team. I think KC could have a good season and everyone is predicting San Diego will decline this year but they’re still the better team. I’m going with San Diego, this is still a team with Philip Rivers and Norv Turner that should get them this win. But now that I think about it, Who choose this to be the opening game for Monday Night Football. San Diego at KC really? Weak.

Alright so let’s take a quick look at the wildcard matchups…

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

Everyone is going on and on about this game being tough on the Bengals for the beating they took last week. But the Bengals had nothing to play for and didn’t want to give away any “secrets” so that they could win the playoff game. The Bengals are just like that boxer that is cornered with his gloves up taking punch after punch only to lash out and beat the snot out of the other fighter. The Jets play with a lot of emotion but will probably fall short because of a unproven quarterback and a drop happy wide out. The Bengals are the better team, but this is still going to be a close game.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

This is the game that has me scratching my head the most. I think the Eagles are the better team and I hate the Cowboys with every fiber of my being, but I’d be a fool to say that there is any other team that is bringing this much fire into the playoffs. However, these Cowboys are not as good as some of the other Cowboys teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs in years past. As much as I hate to do it, I’m going with the Cowboys on this one. Although I really hope that Tony Romo finds a way to show that he’s still a bonehead. The Eagles have this game in the bag if ghost of playoffs past haunt Romo.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

This year I feel like all of these matchups are almost too close to call. The Ravens defense has the edge in this game but you can’t count the Pats out (even with a possibly weak Wes Welker). The Pats proved in the Texans game last week that they have a potent backup for Welker should he need to sit out on plays. The Ravens offense is no joke either, Ray Rice is going to be all over this field today. I’m going with the Patriots because they are better coached. I think that the Ravens have more fire, but I have to go with the Pats here.

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

This is the only pick that I feel confident about. I think the Packers are going to push around the Cardinals. The Packers are hungry and I feel the Cards are on the decline and a little complacent.

Denvers (finally) loses to Baltimore

This one is going to be interesting. Just from preconceived notions one might think that Baltimore has the stronger defense of the two. So far this season Denver has had a stingier defense. While the Broncos are off to a great season and look better on paper, I think the Ravens will win this one. The Ravens offense is pretty potent and I think this is the toughest challenge Denver has faced this season.

Houston over Buffalo

This game is a must win for Houston. If the Texans lose this game it will prove that they are not ready to be a playoff contender. Right now the Texans are on fire and the Bills have been a fringe team. If the Texans can keep their fire from the last couple of weeks they will win, if they don’t they’ll be the same Texans we saw last year…

Cleveland looses to Chicago

I thought about picking the Browns because  that would be shocking and I’m not sold on Chicago winning this game…but these are the Browns.

Dallas should beat Seattle

The thing is they should. Dallas had a great game last week against Atlanta. Their offense looked good and their defense seemed solid. But these are two flaky teams and it might be the battle of whoever makes less mistakes wins.

Miami over the Jets

The Dolphins almost beat the Saints last week. They completely fell apart but the fact remains that the Dolphins can be spectacular. The Jets are still finding their way. I would be surprised if Mark Sanchez has another bad game and Miami has a stellar offensive game. This game will most likely be close and is a must win for the Jets, but I’m just not too sure about the Jets being for real.

Indy beats San Fran

I want San Francisco to win so badly. If my Texans are to make anything of this season, Indy needs to chill out sooner or later. But the Colts are amazing. Unless Alex Smith can match Peyton Manning the ‘Niners are done for. Who would you pick first if you were playing flag football Smith or Manning?

Giants over Philly

The Eagles need a win but I think the Giants will be too much for them. The Giants can light up the board offensively and their defense is no joke. While the Eagles look like their still trying to get into a good flow.

St. Louis falls behind Detroit

Let’s just call this the most uninteresting game of football ever played. Ok, it isn’t that bad, but it’s like watching a WNBA game. Alright, I’m sorry ladies. This game should be won by Detroit because they have a little more talent. I think the most important thing to come out of this game will be the fact that the Lions will prove they are not the worst team in the NFL anymore. Now their around second or third worst. Movin’ on up.

Oakland loses to San Diego

The last time these teams met we wondered if Oakland was a serious team. Now we no longer wonder, we know that their bad. San Diego seems to be getting their act together and should win this one easily.

The Titans beat the Jags

The Titans should beat the Jags. They have home field advantage and are angry. This should be a good game. I think the Titans finally win and Vince Young will get too much credit for it.

Minnesota losses to Green Bay

That’s right. Listen to this: on paper Green Bay has a better offense in yards per game and a better defense in yards allowed per game. Green Bay’s defense has been looking tougher and they do not want to lose to Favre at home. I’m going with Green Bay in this over-publicized game.

Arizona over Carolina

The Cards are back on the rise and Carolina is struggling to just keep their heads above water. This should be a simple win for Arizona.

The Saints beat the Falcons

The Saints are amazing this year. The Falcons are a contender but I just can’t see them beating the Saints, especially after losses to the Cowboys. Saints remain undefeated.