Week 1 Predictions

Week 1 starts tomorrow, so I'm pumped. As a result, I'm going to make some predictions:

NFL MVP: Matt Forte

Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Forte

Defensive Player of the Year: Julius Peppers

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton (only because of shear playing time)

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Vonn Miller

Sacks the Bears offensive line gives up: 29 sacks

Jay Cutler: 320/500 4,171 yards 35 tds 13 ints 200 rushing yards 2 rushing tds

Matt Forte: 294 carries 1,453 yards 4.9 ypc 15 rushing tds 45 receptions 611 yards receiving 9 tds

Marion Barber: 123 carries 527 yards 4 rushing tds 15 receptions 200 yards 1 td

Roy Williams: 26 catches 375 yards 3 tds 4 drops in first two games finds himself at bottom of depth chart

Devin Hester: 46 receptions 580 yards 4 tds

Earl Bennett: 75 catches 1,127 yards 7 tds

Johnny Knox: 41 catches 593 yards 4 tds

Dane Sazenbacher: 17 catches 239 yards 1 td

Sam Hurd: 10 catches 87 yards

Kyle Adams: 7 catches 50 yards

Kellen Davis: 23 catches 245 yards 5 tds

Matt Spaeth: 15 catches 64 yards 1 td

Defense:

Julius Peppers 14 sacks

Henry Melton 5.5 sacks

Amobi Okoye 3.5 sacks

Israel Idonije 5 sacks

Corey Wooten 7 sacks

Stephen Paea 3 sacks

Matt Toeania 3.5 sacks

Anthony Adams 1.5 sacks

Mario Addison 2 sacks

Brian Urlacher 3 sacks

Lance Briggs 2 sacks

Remainder of defense: 3 sacks

Total sacks: 53

Turnovers:

Brandon Merriweather 5 picks

Charles Tillman 4 picks

DJ Moore 4 picks

Chris Harris 4 picks

Tim Jennings 2 picks

Brian Urlacher 2 picks

Lance Briggs 1 pick

Rest of the Defense: 3 picks

Total Interceptions: 25

Fumble Recovered: 15

Total Takeaways: 40

Total Turnovers: 28

Turnover Differential: +12

Devin Hester: 3 Punt Returns for a TD

Okay, now on to the Bears Falcons Game Prediction:

The Falcons are solid team, but they don't have a good pass rush nor any real depth at corner beyond their starters. The Bears' corners could be better, and at times the Bears lack consistent pressure. However, both teams' offense tend to rely on the run. The difference between these two teams is the fact that the Bears have the better defense and special teams, as well as will attack down field more often. The Falcons are stronger at WR and on their o-line. The running game is about a wash for both teams. The Falcons' tend to make short quick throws. Ultimately, I see the Falcons being able to move the ball between 30 yard lines, but getting stiffled. I see the Falcons settling for field goals. Meanwhile, I see the Bears' wide receiver's speed and the Falcons' poor pass rush being the difference in this game. The Bears will hit one or two huge plays down the field that will make the difference in this game, and they will be able to control the game on the ground more than the Falcons, since the Bears have the better run defense.

Final Score: Bears 27 Falcons 16

Matt Ryan 21-33 217 yards 1 td 1 int

Jay Cutler 20-28 318 yards 2 tds 1 int

Michael Turner 18 carries 58 yards 3.22 ypc 1 fumble lost

Jason Snelling 4 carries 16 yards 4 ypc

Matt Forte 24 carries 102 yards 4.25 ypc 1 td

Marion Barber 8 carries 30 yards 3.75 ypc

Roddy White 8 catches 111 yards 1 td

Tony Gonzalez 5 catches 50 yards

Michael Jenkins 2 catches 11 yards

Julio Jones 2 catches 14 yards

Jason Snelling 3 catches 24 yards

Michael Turner 1 catches 7 yards

Earl Bennett 6 catches 75 yards

Roy Williams 4 catches 64 yards 1 td (2 drops)

Devin Hester 4 catches 87 yards

Johnny Knox 2 catches 51 yards 1 td

Matt Forte 2 catches 23 yards

Marion Barber 1 catches 11 yards

Kellen Davis 1 catch 7 yards

Now, on to my Week 1 game predictions, home team in caps:

GREENBAY over Saints

CHICAGO over Atlanta

CLEVELAND over Cincinnati

Buffalo over KANSAS CITY

Philadelphia over ST. LOUIS

TAMPA BAY over Detroit

Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE

BALTIMORE over Pittsburgh

HOUSTON over Indianapolis

ARIZONA over Carolina

SAN DIEGO over Minnesota

SAN FRANCISCO over Seattle

WASHINGTON over New York Giants

NEW YORK JETS over Dallas

New England over MIAMI

DENVER over Oakland