2009 NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions: The first week of NFL Preaseason action will conclude on Saturday with a lineup of six games. The Chiefs will take the field for the first time under new Head Coach Todd Haley, Cleveland will be under the guidance of Eric Mangini, the Seahawks will experience life after Mike Holmgren, Tampa Bay will be directed by new coach Raheem Morris, and the Lions will try to start life anew with Jim Schwartz calling the shots.
The Atlanta Falcons kick things off on Saturday as well, facing a Lions squad that did not win a single game last year. Online bookmaker SBGglobal.com currently has Detroit listed as a -3 against the spread favorite in their 2009 NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions.
Detroit, obviously, has more things to work on than any other club in the NFL. The first order of business has been taken care of as general manager Matt Millen and Head Coach Rod Marinelli were dismissed last year. Jim Schwartz, who has been the Titans defensive coordinator for the past eight seasons, was brought in to clean up the mess and resurrect a defense that died in week 1 against the Falcons last year.
Schwartz has his work cut out for him this preseason as he tries to develop a winning culture and create some chemistry between the 16 new players added via trade or free agency with the holdovers from Marinelli's reign. The club also had 10 picks in the draft, which means a number of young players will see action in the exhibition games.
The team also has a decison to make at quarterback. Do they leave incumbant Duante Culpepper in at starter or do they let first overall selection Matthew Stafford take his lumps right away?
Atlanta is coming off a shocking 11-5 Playoff season, which puts them in a far better situation than the Lions; however, the Falcons have their share of work to do too. Six starters, five on defense, left during the off-season. That was by design as the team posted some miserable defensive statistics last year. Still, new players means a learning curve and if the Falcons are to reach last season's heights, they will need a quick adjustment from their fresh faces.
Atlanta Head Coach Mike Smith will also want to see Matt Ryan's continued progression as the leader of the team.
Saturday's game is scheduled to get underway at 4:00pm ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
SBGglobal.com 2009 NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions: Saturday Games
Atlanta Falcons +3 (-120), Over 35 (-110)
Detroit Lions -3 (+100), Under 35 (-110)
Chicago Bears NA
Buffalo Bills NA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NA
Tennessee Titans NA
Houston Texans +1.5 (-110), Over 36 (-110)
Kansas City Chiefs -1.5 (-110), Under 36 (-110)
Cleveland Browns +3 (-120), Over 34.5 (-110)
Green Bay Packers -3 (+100), Under 34.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks +3.5 (-110), Over 36 (-110)
San Diego Chargers -3.5 (-110), Under 36 (-110)
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