NFL Week 1 Afternoon Game Previews: 49ers-Cardinals, Rams-Seahawks, Giants-Redskins
[Editor's note: Matt Noonan of NoonTime Sports, who recently offered up his 2009 predictions for each division, has checked in with previews of the three afternoon games scheduled for the first Sunday of the 2009 NFL season.
Read his previews and predictions below, and get all of the information you need to schedule for your football watching Sunday with our NFL Week 1 TV Schedule and Point Spreads post.]
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Follow the links to StubHub for great deals on all NFL tickets
 for the 2009 season.
And if you’re planning on making any bets, head on over to BetOnline to place your Week 1 wagers.
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Washington Redskins at New York Giants Preview and Prediction
- Redskins-Giants Date: Sunday, September 13th
- Redskins-Giants TV & Kickoff Time: 4:15 ET on FOX
- Redskins-Giants Location: Giants Stadium in New York
- Redskins-Giants Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Redskins-Giants Point Spread: NYG -6.5
- Redskins-Giants Over-Under: 37
Look for a true physical contest as both of these teams hope to start the season on the right foot.
For the New York Giants, a team that many experts believe should be the top dog in this particular division, they need to get out to an early lead and protect Eli Manning from the grueling Redskins defense. Brandon Jacobs should get a majority of the carries, probably between 20-25. But who will be Manning’s go-to target now that Plaxico Burress will not be sporting the blue and white on Sunday’s? Possibly Domenik Hixon or Steve Smith? Any suggestions?
On the other side of the ball, Jason Campbell carries not only this game, but also the entire season on his shoulders. Don’t expect anything too exciting from aging veteran running back Clinton Portis in this contest, but clearly make sure to watch for newly acquired defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, as well as linebackers Brian Orakpo and London Fletcher.
Washington has and will always be a team that looks like they belong in the Pro Bowl, but in order to win this contest they need to pressure Manning and establish an equal running and air attack.
Prediction: Giants 24 – Redskins 16
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals Preview and Prediction
- 49ers-Cardinals Date: Sunday, September 13th
- 49ers-Cardinals TV & Kickoff Time: 4:15 ET on FOX
- 49ers-Cardinals Location: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale
- 49ers-Cardinals Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- 49ers-Cardinals Point Spread: ARI -6.5
- 49ers-Cardinals Over-Under: 46.5
Who would have imagined Arizona was going to be the representative of the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII? Yet, after a crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cardinals are energized and ready to defend their NFC crown. However, in the past, these meetings against the 49ers haven’t always been a cakewalk for the birds in the desert.
Take a look at the past few divisional meetings in Arizona between these teams:
2008: Arizona 29 – San Francisco 24
2007: Arizona 31 – San Francisco 37
2006: Arizona 34 – San Francisco 27
2005: Arizona 31 – San Francisco 14
2004: Arizona 28 – San Francisco 31
2003: Arizona 16 – San Francisco 13
2002: Arizona 14 – San Francisco 17
In the end I expect Kurt Warner to have a field day against Mike Singletary’s defense. Expect a great game for the Cardinals’ wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston.
As for the 49ers, just expect a solid running attack with Frank Gore.
Overall, this game surely belongs to the Cardinals, but who really knows what will happen once the final whistle blows.
Prediction: Cardinals 31 – 49ers 26
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks Preview and Prediction
- Rams-Seahawks Date: Sunday, September 13th
- Rams-Seahawks TV & Kickoff Time: 4:15 ET on FOX
- Rams-Seahawks Location: Qwest Field in Seattle
- Rams-Seahawks Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
- Rams-Seahawks Point Spread: SEA -8
- Rams-Seahawks Over-Under: 41
The return of Jim Mora Jr. and Steve Spagnuolo’s debut has a head coach… hmm… may have to side with Mora in this contest.
The Seahawks are coming off an awful 2008 season, as are the Rams. The last time the Seahawks ended the season with 4 wins was in 1982, but this year look for a rejuvenated and healthy Matt Hasselbeck to lead an exciting offensive unit that features newly acquired running back Edgerrin James and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
As for the Rams, this season and game are all about playing for pride, but also starting to improve their offense and defense for the future. Spagnuolo should turn this team around, slowly, but this game will just be a beginning in the journey of turning the Rams from a basement squad to the Greatest Team on Turf-Part II.
Prediction: Seahawks 24 – Rams 10
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Tags: 49ers-Cardinals, arizona cardinals, football, Giants-Redskins, new york giants, NFL, NFL Week 1, Rams-Seahawks, san francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, tv schedule, washington redskins
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