Week 1 - 4 O'Clock

49ers (0-0) at Packers (0-0)

Alex Smith had such a good ending to his quarterback campaign last year it is going to be hard to match. Lucky for him the team has gone and picked up lots of weapons to help him out. The additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss next to other offensive threats like Crabtree, Ginn, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, and Kendall Hunter? Man it could be quite a shocker of a season. Everything is in place for Smith to just continue to grow and grow as a quarterback, and I’m not going to be surprised if he has the best season of his career this year. The defense played second fiddle to a dominant defense last year, and any defense that is being built around Patrick Willis is going to be one that is monstrous. If they can play that well again this year they could go much further than they did last.

The Packers may not have done much this offseason but they still employ many of the same offensive weapons. Their biggest addition in Cedric Benson could pay off huge in the long run and alleviate a lot of the pressure from Aaron Rogers. With how explosive the offense was last year they had the worst defense in the league. You think that makes somebody like Clay Matthews or B.J Raji happy? Would you want to see either one of them mad? The Packers defense has a lot to prove this year, and like many others if their health allows it then they are going to make a huge statement in many different games.

Alex Smith was good and his offense just got better. Aaron Rodgers was great and his offense just got better. The 49ers defense was great and just needs to maintain. The Packers defense was awful and they’ve got a lot to prove. But this game is in Green Bay, it’s the first game of the season, and the Packers defense is going to be hot.

49ers 17 – Packers 23

Seahawks (0-0) at Cardinals (0-0)

Both of these teams are going to have a lot of struggles this year. Both offensively and defensively these teams have a lot of question marks. Neither one knew who their starting quarterbacks were going to be until a week or two ago, and with lack of other playmakers this game is going to be very boring, or an absolute shootout. I’m hoping for the latter, a break out game for some of these future stars would be great to see in week one. I like Russell Wilson in this one though; the rookie looks like he’s been in the league for years already.

Seahawks 23 – Cardinals 17

Panthers (0-0) at Buccaneers (0-0)

The Panthers have maybe the deepest run game in the league with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart, Mike Tolbert, and Cam Newton. This is going to spell trouble for a lot of teams throughout the season. Even if Steve Smith has a set back of a year it looks like Brandon LaFell could have a break out year. The Buccos have Freeman and Mike Williams, and despite a lackluster season last year I think they are still a dangerous combination if not one of the most underrated. With a tough defense the Bucs could be a fun team to watch compete in the NFC South. Cam is going to come out strong, I’ve got no doubt.

Panthers 28 – Buccaneers 17