Week One NFL Winners

The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers commenced the 2009 NFL season in thrilling fashion on Thursday night, defeating Kerry Collins, Chris Johnson, and the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 13-10. Meanwhile, the Steelers lost Troy Polomalu to injury, an intriguing early season development that may or may not hinder the Steelers quest to repeat. We shall see. Thursday night was the kickoff, but Sunday is the big premiere for the NFL. There are some terrific games (Bears-Packers; Niners-Cardinals; Eagles-Panthers), and here are my prognostications (home team in all caps):

FALCONS over Dolphins..........Matt Ryan proves that he was no rookie fluke.
RAVENS over Chiefs..........Joe Flacco proves that he was no rookie fluke.
PANTHERS over Eagles..........Jake Delhomme is mad as hell following last year's playoff loss.
BENGALS over Broncos..........Chad Ochocinco backs up his words.
Vikings over BROWNS..........I can't stand Favre, but I'm not stupid. Nonetheless, I'm rooting for the Browns.
TEXANS over Jets..........Mark Sanchez has an impressive debut, but he'll have to wait for his first W.
COLTS over Jaguars..........No Fred Taylor? BIG problem for the Jags.
SAINTS over Lions..........The Matthew Stafford era should be exciting, but the road to recovery in Detroit will be a long one.
Cowboys over BUCS..........The Cowboys will finish in third place this season in the NFC East. But they are still far better than Tampa.
Niners over CARDINALS..........Why? Because of Shaun Hill, Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Patrick Willis, and Nate Clements. No Crabtree, no problem. Can you sense that I'm biased?
GIANTS over Redskins..........The Albert Haynesworth acquisition is huge for the Redskins, but lets not kid ourselves. Giants roll.
SEAHAWKS over Rams..........If Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, Seattle will rebound in 2009.
Bears over PACKERS..........Jay Cutler shows that this isn't your old Chicago Bears offense. Big statement win in a brutally tough road environment.
PATRIOTS over Bills..........T.O.'s Buffalo debut becomes completely overshadowed by the return of Brady.
Chargers over RAIDERS..........They're the Raiders. No explanation needed.