2015 NFL Season Weekly Previews – Week 1
Updated: April 2024

Dumerville gets a crack at his former team and the new Ravens’ defense will test itself in the league’s kickoff game on Thursday, September 5 as Baltimore meets Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Thursday, Sept. 5
Baltimore vs. Denver
Super Bowl champs take on an aging Peyton Manning. Defense wins championships. And this game…Ravens

Sunday, Sept 8
New England at Buffalo
The Patriots enter the season trying to figure out their TE situation. Buffalo is still trying to figure out how to win…New England

Last Season

Game: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, September 5th, 2012

Background: The reigning Super Bowl champs host the Cowboys to open the 2012 NFL season. These two teams found each other in the last regular season game of 2011 with the winner claiming the division and making the playoffs. The Giants overpowered the Cowboys in that season finale, winning 31-14 and ultimately running all the way to the Super Bowl as a Wild Card team. Can the Cowboys take an early divisional standings lead against the champs?

Prediction: New York Giants 24 - 16
Why: The New York Giants are the reigning champions and therefore you have to give them the advantage right away. I also like the Giants’ defensive front line of Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Chris Canty and Osi Umenyiora. This defensive front is arguably the best in the NFL and I don’t see the Cowboys’ offensive line stopping them from getting to Tony Romo in the backfield. The Cowboys’ defensive secondary was horrendous last season and in response they signed Brandon Carr and drafted Morris Claiborne. Laurent Robinson left via free agency to Jacksonville, Miles Austin was injured for a majority of the season last year and Dez Bryant continues to make headlines off the field. Ultimately, I believe that the Cowboys are going to need a few weeks to get in sync with each other while the Giants have most of its core players returning and should be familiar with each other right from the start.

Game: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers, September 9th, 2012

Background: The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers had the two best records in the NFC last season. The 49ers came out of nowhere last year, surprising everyone with its tough defense, ending with a record of 13-3 earning a bye week in the playoffs. Green Bay was the heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl ending the season with a record of 15-1. Both teams were set to meet in the NFC championship game but the New York Giants ruined those plans and ultimately sent both teams packing. Both teams must now restart and try to do it all again. Which team will gain the upper hand after Week 1?

Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 26 - 24
Why: This one is a tough call. If the rosters had stayed the same from last year I would have gone with the Packers but the 49ers have acquired some good talent in the offseason. The free agent signings of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs to go alongside Vernon Davis and Frank Gore makes the Niners’ offensive much more lethal. The 49ers are building a team that reminds me of the New England Patriots and although Alex Smith is no Tom Brady, the team has multiple running backs, a deep threat receiver, a slot receiver, two capable tight ends and a solid offensive line. The Packers are explosive on offense but the defense has fallen a couple notches from last year. Desmond Bishop was recently injured and will more than likely be replaced by first round draft pick Nick Perry. Look for an improved Niners offense and its defense to contain the Packers’ offense enough to maintain the win.

Game: Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints, September 9th, 2012

Background: Drew Brees set the single season record for passing yards last season and led the Saints to the second round of the playoffs however the Saints have gone through a debacle of an offseason, resulting in the suspension of its head coach Sean Payton and defensive leader Jonathan Vilma for the entire season. With extreme controversy, turmoil, and distractions the Saints still need to put forth a football team on the field and compete.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins are all-in on Robert Griffin III, trading four draft picks to the St. Louis Rams before the draft to select him behind Andrew Luck. Can the Saints continue to produce high volume numbers or will RGIII change the culture in Washington?

Prediction: New Orleans Saints
Why: I understand that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are probably the two best quarterback prospects in the draft since Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf but until they prove themselves on the field, I have to go with the proven winner in Drew Brees and the Saints. Even with the distractions of “Bounty Gate” I do believe that Drew Brees is capable of leading his team both mentally and physically throughout the season. The Redskins were awful last year and I’m not ready to believe that RGIII can win eight or more games with the Redskins’ current roster. Simply put, the Saints have a winning system and much more talented players as of right now. This one should be an easy win for the Saints.