Vote: Week 1 Patch Pick 'Em

Welcome to the weekly Patch NFL Pick 'Em, where Fair Lawn residents and wannabe NFL prognosticators Stuart Pace, Steve Brown, Rich Seibel and Zak Koeske offer up their picks for three games each week and dish out a little fantasy football advice to boot.

If you'd like our opinion on fantasy roster moves, have a fantasy football question you'd like answered or would like to compete against us as a Guest Picker, email Patch NFL Pick 'Em at zak.koeske@patch.com

This week's Pick 'Em games:

• Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.)
• San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 4:30 p.m.)
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.)

Stuart Pace’s Game Picks:

New York Giants, Green Bay and Denver

New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys -- Who am I to be the guy to go against the World Champs? Every year I question the G-Men, and every year they prove me wrong. As I will be at this game as , I will take the host team to begin the end of the Tony Romo error…oops, I mean era. Confidence Level: 2

Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers -- While I like San Francisco to go deep into the playoffs this year, they are playing the best offense in the NFL and on the road. Not to say the 49ers D isn’t good, but Aaron Rodgers is nearly unstoppable. Stone cold lock-Packers. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

Denver Broncos over Pittsburgh Steelers -- Hmm. New look ponies playing the stalwart Steelers. Big Ben has been wacky in the opening games of seasons, and I think the adrenaline of the Denver faithful will push the Broncos to a very slim victory. One good hit on No. 18 by the Steelers and it could be over for Denver. Broncos by a point. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Upset of the Week

Miami Dolphins over Houston Texans -- Seeing only two games that could be considered lopsided, I will take the Miami Dolphins to exercise the demons of the Houston Texan team.

Sleeper of the  Week

Jon Baldwin, WR (KC) -- As this should be the only game Cassell is healthy for, I expect that Breaston and Bowe will be covered and Baldwin will have the better stats of the three WRs on the Chiefs this week.

Bust of the Week

The Jets Offense -- The Jets inexplicably hired the Dolphins former head coach as their offensive coordinator -- he, of the field goal hungry Miami Dolphins?  You gotta be kidding me. Sparano showed in the preseason that he lacks innovation, teaching ability and command of the English language. As a Fin fan, I could not be happier for Gangrene.

Steve Brown’s Picks:

New York Giants, Green Bay, Denver

New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys -- Defending Super Bowl champions at home versus hated rival Cowboys on the decline with Dez Bryant causing controversy and Jason Witten hurting. But this pick really comes down to the simple question of which QB is likely to play better with the whole world watching and the pressure amped up, Eli or Romo?  To me that answer is crystal clear. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)

Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers -- Am I the only person on earth who it bothers that the NFL.com first page doesn’t show who is the home team on that top ticker? (It's always the bottom team, Steve, but I feel your pain) San Francisco at Green Bay swings this to a Packers pick for me. It is easy to forget how dominant the Pack were last year in the regular season. Sure SF has added all sorts of new toys on offense and that may make the difference, but my guess is a Week 1 rabid bunch of Cheeseheads negates any improvement Randy Moss or Mario Manningham gives the Niners. Confidence Level: 2

Denver Broncos over Pittsburgh Steelers -- As A Vikings fan I remember Herschel Walker's first game with us. He ran for over 150 yards versus the Pack and even ran out of his shoe on one spectacular play. While I expect Peyton to keep his shoes on (in my mind he wears those Johnny Unitas high tops that would be impossible to run out of anyway), I expect a great effort out of a great QB, wonky neck and all.  Denver runs out of their shoes to win this one and start the Manning era in style. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Upset of the Week

Kansas City Chiefs over Atlanta Falcons -- I expect the Chiefs to be the most improved team this year based on the players -- like Jamal Charles and Eric Berry -- that they get back from last year’s injury marred season. Charles and Peyton Hillis could form one of those lovely Thunder and Lightning running back combinations that would take the pressure off of Matt Cassel. Give me the Chiefs to shoot an arrow through the Falcons hopes in Week 1.

Sleeper of the Week

Tony Scheffler, TE (DET) -- With an easy at home matchup against an overmatched St. Louis team that will be doing all they can to negate Matthew Stafford to Megatron, Scheffler, an underappreciated pass catching tight end who had 6 TDs last year, should find pay dirt at least once in Week 1.    

Bust of the Week

Mark Sanchez, QB (NYJ) -- The pressure on the Jets to get off to a great start is huge. Lacking weapons on offense and facing a Bills D that has improved greatly, I expect the "We want Tebow" chants to start late in the fourth quarter of a 13-12 thriller of a game.

Rich Seibel's Picks:

New York Giants, San Francisco and Pittsburgh

New York Giants over Dallas Cowboys -- Always a great rivalry, however, I don't think the Cowboys have what it takes. After Jerry Jones made his dumb remarks the Giants have taken this challenge personally. Romo has a good arm but it's tough to throw while laying on your back. Confidence Level: 3 (most confident)   

San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers - This is a tough one for me as it encapsulates all my hopes and fears into the first game of the season. There is a thing called the sophomore jinx. This worries me primarily because the 49ers will not sneak up on anyone this year. However, if you saw what the Giants did to the Packers last year in the playoffs, it is safe to assume that the Packers are not as good as they appeared to be. Given all these possibilities I come to this conclusion; Niners over the Packers, 17-14, OT. The Packers have trouble on defense and, as (very funny, Dick), Frank Gore runs for big numbers here. But the key match up will be Aldon Smith vs Marshall Newhouse. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Pittsburgh Steelers over Denver Broncos -- I don't like to pick the visiting teams in general however I think this is a bad way for Peyton Manning to begin this new chapter. The Steelers defense can be very physical and aggressive. I don't see Denver doing as well as most folks may. I know Manning can beat the blitz, but he is a year older and a year slower, and he is going to get hit...a lot. Steelers win it. Confidence Level: 2

Upset of the Week

Cleveland Browns over Philadelphia Eagles -- As of this writing, both the Niners and the Steelers are getting points. However, the Browns are talking to me and I think the Eagles have a lot of unresolved issues on and off the field. Go Browns! 

Sleeper of the Week

Earl Bennett, WR (CHI) -- This slot receiver should get plenty of work against the Colts. There will be lots of extra chances for the Bears against the inexperienced Mr. Luck playing on the road against the Monsters of the Midway. Can you spell BLITZ?  

Bust of the Week

John Skelton, QB (ARI) --The Cardinals have a serious problem at QB and the Seahawks will capitalize early and often.

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