Week 1 MNF preview

Ok, I'll try and ramp it up next week, but I'll at least get my thoughts out on tonight's double header:

More double headers, please!

Game 1: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Tonight won't give any definitive answers as whether or not Aaron Rodgers is going to succeed or fall on his face, but this game should give some answers at least. The national media spotlight on this game is on the two young quarterbacks, as is usually the case - there are some other players who will arguably have a bigger impact on the game.

The Vikings' newly acquired DE Jared Allen is going to have a monster season and it could well begin with a bang at Lambeau Field tonight. Allen is a ferocious rusher and if Rodgers is at all hesitant in his delivery it could get ugly real fast. On the other side of the ball, the biggest problem for Tarvaris Jackson isn't his knee, which he says is fine, rather it is the fact that he is missing his starting left tackle for the first four games of the season.

That, combined with the Pack's bone-crushing defense, is going to make it tough for Adrian Peterson to get going. He did not look good in the preseason and lest you forget, he had a total of 144 rushing yards in Minnesota's final four games last season. But the brightest spotlight of all will doubtless be on Aaron Rodgers and I think that he will ultimately rise to the occasion and lead the Pack to a win, his first as an NFL starter.

Rodgers 21/34 312 yards 2TD 1INT
Grant 23 carries 87 yards 1TD
Driver 8 catches 107 yards 1TD

Jackson 13/22 184 yards 2INT
Peterson 18 carries 83 yards 1 TD
Berrian 4 catches 87 yards

Green Bay 24 Minnesota 16


Game 2

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Another game that is loaded with questions: Is Darren McFadden the real deal? (I still say no - scroll down to my draft review) Is Jay Cutler poised for a breakout year now that his diabetes has been properly diagnosed and under control? (I say yes) Is JaMarcus Russell ready to lead the Raiders out from the recent dark times? (nope) Will the Broncos be able to wave their magic wand and create yet another thousand-yard rusher out of seemingly thin air? (probably)

But not all of those questions will be answered tonight. Darren McFadden could have a big overall game, especially if he gets time returning kickoffs, but he will struggle running the ball between the tackles. JaMarcus Russell is going to continue to struggle as he has a very weak receiving corps and his biggest help may be last year's thousand-yard rusher, Justin Fargas.

Cutler could have a tough start to the season; the Raiders have good cornerbacks and Cutler is missing his #1 receiver Brandon Marshall for the game to a suspension. He could get some long play-action passes to Eddie Royal if the Broncos are able to establish the run in the early part of the game. If.

Cutler 13/28 237 yards 2 TD 1INT
Young 18 carries 131 yards 1TD
Royal 6 catches 92 yards 1 TD

Russell 15/31 212 yards 1 TD 2 INT
McFadden 18 carries 56 yards
Walker 7 catches 91 yards

Broncos 31 Raiders 13