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This is our weekly round-up of Stampede Blue editors and writers and their picks for the coming week in the NFL.
Nick Ragsdale's picks are here
Picks we all agree on:
Philadelphia Eagles over Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions over St. Louis Rams
New England Patriots over Tennessee Titans
New Orleans Saints over Washington Redskins
Houston Texans over Miami Dolphins
Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks over Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Picks We Disagree On:
Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears
Matt Grecco actually thinks a rookie quarterback is going to walk into Soldier Field on Week One and led his team to a win over Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Matt Forte. I'm making fun of him now because, should the Colts do this, I'll never hear the end of it from Matt and just about everyone else here. Please understand, nothing would make me happier to see Indy walk into Chicago and stun the Bears. However, if this happens, the whispers for Bears head coach Lovie Smith to get canned will turn into screaming howls. There is simply no excuse for the Bears to lose this game, except bad coaching. They are more talented and more seasoned than the Colts. The should blow them out. If they don't, there will be grumbling in Chicago. If they lose, Smith and his coaching staff might need an armed escort to get out of the stadium after the game.
My Pick: Bears
Nick's Pick: Bears
Matt's Pick: Colts (homer!)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
This is the season debut of Peyton Manning in Denver. It's the Denver home opener. It's the place where Denver humiliated Pittsburgh last year in the playoffs. Tim Tebow threw the ball successfully against Dick Lebeau's secondary back in January, including the game-winning touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, who had Ike Taylor covering him. Tebow's now gone, and replacing him is Manning. Steelers safety Ryan Clark will not suit up because of an ailment that prevents him from playing in high altitude, and James Harrison still is not healthy. This means Troy Polamalu cannot roam and be a playmaker. I see this as Pittsburgh walking into a buzz saw. Peyton Manning will be looking to prove he is back and healthy. Plus, as we Colts fans know, few players play better in primetime than Peyton.
My Pick: Broncos
Nick's Pick: Steelers (boo!)
Matt's Pick: Steelers (boo!)
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Cincy is poised to supplant Baltimore this year. Overall, they are as talented, if not more. They are also younger. However, I believe Baltimore's offense and taken a step forward, incorporating more no-huddle, which seems to suit quarterback Joe Flacco. I think that will be enough to overcome the Bengals in Baltimore.
My Pick: Baltimore
Nick's Pick: Bengals (boo!)
Matt's Pick: Ravens (yay!)
Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs
The Falcons look ready to take back the NFC South. Matt Ryan looked fantastic in preseason, and his chemistry with all-world talent Julio Jones looks improved. I have no faith in Romeo Crennel as a head coach in K.C. He'll make that defense competitive, but Matt Cassel still isn't an NFL starting quarterback. Unless K.C. confuses Ryan into a gaggle of turnovers, I don't see them winning.
My Pick: Falcons
Nick's Pick: Chiefs (boo!)
Matt's Pick: Falcons (yay!)
Other picks we are squabbling over
Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings
My Pick: Jaguars
Matt and Nick Picks: Vikings (double boo!)
Buffalo Bills at NY Jets
My Pick: Bills
Nick's Pick: Bills
Matt's Pick: Jets (double boo because he picked the Jets)
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
My Pick: Raiders
Matt and Nick Picks: Chargers (triple boo because they picked the Chargers)
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What are your picks? Toss them in the comments below.