Sports:

Sara says Bills need fast start to boost confidence

By SARA EDDY OKERLUND
Special to The Era

Because it is just the first week of the 2008 NFL season, there isn’t a lot to write about yet.

Looking ahead to a fresh slate, there are a few story lines I’m particularly excited to follow. They include Darren McFadden’s debut in Oakland, an emerging relationship between Tarvaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, Aaron Rodgers’ take-over in Green Bay and the quarterback situations in Arizona and Cleveland.

I’m going to go out on a limb and make my Super Bowl prediction early: Indianapolis over Minnesota in February.

Enjoy Week 1!

WASHINGTON AT NEW YORK GIANTS – The Giants’ defense is decidedly not the same one that shut down Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl. However, that may not matter as the Redskins have been outscored 71-6 in their last two preseason games. That’s bad. NEW YORK GIANTS 26-10

SEATTLE AT BUFFALO – A cross-country trip for the Seahawks and an ailing Matt Hasselbeck bodes well for Buffalo. A solid defense on the home field is another good omen. The relatively young Bills need a fast start to build confidence. BUFFALO 26-19

HOUSTON AT PITTSBURGH – The Steelers have the NFL’s toughest schedule in 2008, so they better take advantage of these home games. PITTSBURGH 27-12

TAMPA BAY AT NEW ORLEANS – Jeff Garcia will probably play with a chip on his shoulder after his team expressed interest in Brett Favre in the off-season. Even so, Drew Brees is the better quarterback. NEW ORLEANS 24-21

DETROIT AT ATLANTA – This is not a game for which I’d invest in NFL Sunday Ticket. DETROIT 17-14

ST. LOUIS AT PHILADELPHIA – If the Eagles really are healthy then this pick is an easy one. PHILADELPHIA 32-20

JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE – The Titans’ fate is entirely in the hands of Vince Young. His lackluster 2007 must be a one-time thing for Tennessee to turn the corner. Not this week. JACKSONVILLE 27-18

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI – For a team with a quarterback who may or may not know the offense, the Jets couldn’t be more fortunate than to open up with the Dolphins. NEW YORK JETS 24-10

CINCINNATI AT BALTIMORE – Joe Flacco gets his first win as an NFL starter over the dynamically dysfunctional Bengals. BALTIMORE 23-18

KANSAS CITY AT NEW ENGLAND – Brody Croyle is 0-6 as a starter for KC and I’m not sure I like his chances to get that first win this week. However, KANSAS CITY 17-7

ARIZONA AT SAN FRANCISCO – Kurt Warner’s experience earns the Cardinals the opening victory. ARIZONA 19-10

CAROLINA AT SAN DIEGO – San Diego is a long haul from Charlotte and that’s just one reason why I like the Chargers to roll. SAN DIEGO 28-7

DALLAS AT CLEVELAND – This is a tough opener for the Browns. I like the Cowboys in this one. DALLAS 32-24 

CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS – With or without Peyton Manning. INDIANAPOLIS 35-8

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY – The answer to the question of whether Green Bay would win on a Monday night used to be automatic. Not anymore. The Vikings’ defense will give Aaron Rodgers fits on a national stage. MINNESOTA 22-14

DENVER AT OAKLAND – I’m going to stay up just to see what Darren McFadden does. DENVER 31-13

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