Week 1 Preview

I know that I am a bit tardy with my Week 1 Preview inasmuch as the Cowboys have already won their surprising victory on the road against the defending champion Giants.  But with 15 other games still to play this weekend, let me make a few prevenient observations. 

First, the schedule-makers have it in for the Packers.  Has there been a tougher way to start the season?  We have four in-Conference games in September, including two divisions winners from last year, starting with two games in five days against good, physical clubs.  Then we head to the West Coast, only to return to play another one of the premier teams in the league.  September alone could bury us.

That said, the fact is that we are the team no one wants to see on their schedule, either. 

Meanwhile, the schedule makers have simultaneously made life as easy as possible for the rest of our Division in Week 1. The Bears get to host the worst team in the league from 2011.  It may be that the new-look, new-Luck Colts will be a force to reckon with in 2012, but it’s still a pretty nice draw for the Bears’ season opener.

The Lions, too, get a cakewalk at home as the Rams come to town.  Chalk up a “W” for Detroit, probably without breaking a sweat.

It’s hard to say what would be an easy game for the woeful Vikings.  They get to host the very mediocre Jaguars.  Jacksonville ended 2011 with a better record than the Vikings, as did most of the league.  Still, it’s plausible that all three of our Division opponents will begin with a win this week.

Elsewhere, there are some fascinating opening day match-ups around the league.  The Falcons’ visit to Kansas City pits two teams with reasonably high expectations for 2012.  The perennially strong Steelers head to the rare air of Denver to meet an old face in a new place.  How will Peyton Manning fare as a Bronco?  And after a whole year out of the game?  And then there is the Curiosity Bowl.  What will the Saints be like without Sean Peyton?  And what will the Redskins be like with RGIII?

Finally, the best match-up of the football weekend is happening right here in Lambeau Field.  It’s a classic battle, you know:  explosive offense against stingy defense.  My experience is that the defense usually wins that battle.  But this is, of course, an unusually potent offense, and it sports the best quarterback in the league.  If he stays upright and if Benson doesn’t fumble, I say the Packers come away with the win.  Along with everyone else in the NFC North, I’m afraid.