MNF Week 1

at Cincinnati 2 1/2 40 Baltimore

While AFC powerhouses New England, San Diego and Indianapolis have been the darlings of the media, very quietly the Ravens have been rebuilding another powerhouse. They justifiably see themselves among the elite in the Conference regardless of the hype other teams are getting. Willis McGahee arrived from Buffalo and once he becomes fully acquainted with the offense he will have a big year. Cincinnati is just a cut below the Big Dogs in the AFC and maybe they’re trying to improve the team’s image with the inclusion of three Ivy Leaguers on the team. With Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, there’s plenty of firepower to win games, but the defense is not as good as the Ravens’.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, Cincinnati 16.

at San Francisco 3 45 Arizona

The second game of Monday’s doubleheader features the ‘Niners and perpetually-rebuilding Arizona. The Cards will be improved under Coach Whisenhunt, but how much? They start the year with an inexperienced O-Line and a highly suspect crew on defense. If Leinart has time, he’s got great receivers in Boldin and Fitzgerald. The “Edge” has failed to deliver so far on his big contract, and needs to step up this year before being labeled a bust. San Francisco is poised for a Wild-Card shot after slowly rebuilding over the past few years. The team is sound defensively and Alex Smith is ready to blossom into a big-time quarterback.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 27, Arizona 17.