Fansided

The Armchair Quarterback’s guide to the NFL Week 1

By Lyle Graversen

Aug 23, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Seattle Seahawks line up for a play during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Seattle won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Seattle Seahawks line up for a play during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Seattle won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) calls signals in the fourth quarter. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-6 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) calls signals in the fourth quarter. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-6 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Do I think the Panthers will take a step backwards this season with some of their offseason loses? Yes. Do I think Tampa Bay will be improved under Lovie Smith? Yes. Does that mean I’m ready to predict a Buccaneer win in this one? No. While I think these teams will be a little more evenly matched, we’re still talking about a Carolina team that swept the Bucs last season by a combined score of 58-19. I still don’t trust the Tampa offensive line against the strength of the Carolina team, their defensive front seven. This game will be much closer than the match ups between these two last season, but Cam Newton (bad ribs and all) will make enough plays and the defense will limit Tampa enough to pull out a road win.

Panthers 20 Buccaneers 17

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

Much like the fantastic NFC matchup that the NFL is giving us on Thursday night between the Seahawks and Packers, this AFC matchup between the Broncos and the Colts should be equally fun to watch in prime time on Sunday night. Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck will be forever linked with how Manning left Indy to make room for the next great QB in Luck. While the Colts may have been one of the few teams to beat the Broncos last season, I’m not sure they can do the same thing this time around. The Broncos didn’t take their Super Bowl loss lightly. The additions they made on both sides of the ball make them the favorite to win the AFC this year. It may be a bit of a shoot out, but I’ll take the veteran Manning at home, over the up and comer on the road.

Colts 27 Broncos 31

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