How pessimistic has this place become?

[Direckshun]

I've gotta be the guy who posts WF's prediction that the Chiefs win.

http://www.walterfootball.com/nflpicks2012_01early.php

Atlanta Falcons (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)
Line: Falcons by 2.5. Total: 42.
Walt's Projected Line (Before Preseason): Chiefs -1.

ATLANTA OFFENSE: This was supposed to be a great matchup. An improved Matt Ryan and a dominant Julio Jones versus a Kansas City defense that shut down Aaron Rodgers last December? Sign me up. Several weeks ago, this seemed like THE battle to watch on opening Sunday.

That's not the case anymore, unfortunately. Elite pass-rusher Tamba Hali has been suspended because of a marijuana arrest. Top cornerback Brandon Flowers will be a game-time decision because of an ankle injury. Stud inside linebacker Derrick Johnson should be able to play, but won't be 100 percent because of his own ankle malady.

With all of that in mind, it's difficult to envision the Chiefs having much luck against Atlanta's dynamic passing attack. Matt Ryan figures to have tons of time to throw without having to worry about Hali, and he'll easily connect with Jones on multiple occasions, thanks to the presumed absence of Flowers. Running the ball won't be much of an option because Michael Turner is completely finished, but the Falcons won't need to do that because their offense is now primarily aerially based.

KANSAS CITY OFFENSE: The Chiefs will have some issues defensively this week, but they should be able to move the chains pretty efficiently. They're going to run the ball as good as anyone this season, thanks to the dynamic tandem of the currently healthy Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis, as well as a bolstered offensive line with Eric Winston as a massive upgrade over the inept Barry Richardson at right tackle.

The Falcons were 12th in the NFL against the run last year, but that ranking will likely drop, thanks to Curtis Lofton's departure. Replacement Akeem Dent struggled a bit in the preseason, so I'm expecting the Chiefs to rip off big gains on the ground.

This will open up play-action opportunities for Matt Cassel, who will need them because he's not a good quarterback. He should at least be protected well, making the daunting task of battling cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Asante Samuel a bit easier. It also helps that starting receivers Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin have a very healthy size advantage over Atlanta's two corners. And not to be forgotten, Dexter McCluster is finally being utilized correctly out of the slot. I think he could be a PPR monster this year.

RECAP: This is a tough spot for the Falcons, who aren't nearly as good in outdoor games. Following this matchup against the "crappy" Chiefs, they have to deal with Peyton Manning's Broncos, Philip Rivers' Chargers and Cam Newton's Panthers. They won't be completely focused, especially now that Hali is out. And yes, teams do look past Week 1 games.

Despite missing Hali and possibly Flowers, I feel like the Chiefs are underrated. They run the ball extremely well, while Romeo Crennel is still a defensive mastermind who will have something up his sleeve for Ryan. I'd like Kansas City as my September NFL Pick of the Month if they were completely healthy, but this is still a multi-unit play for me.

The Psychology. Edge: Chiefs.
The Falcons have the Broncos, Chargers and Panthers after this battle against the Chiefs, who weren't any good last year. They may not be 100-percent focused.

Opening Line: Falcons -1.
Opening Total: 41.

Week 1 NFL Pick: Chiefs 20, Falcons 17

[Luke Warm]

This game will be won by our two headed running monster.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Ummm...Aaron Rodgers.............

Our five-headed running back monster can take him down. Our backfield is like Voltron. Hard to kill, and ready to strike. With Matt Cassel as the pilot, what can go wrong?

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by tk13

Our five-headed running back monster can take him down. Our backfield is like Voltron. Hard to kill, and ready to strike. With Matt Cassel as the pilot, what can go wrong?

Cassel can't even form the head, he'll just miss. What good is Voltron without head? No head, you dead. Simple.

[Psyko Tek]

Originally Posted by Luke Warm

This game will be won by our two headed running monster.

o0r lost by cassel

[Discuss Thrower]

I think everyone has written this season off as a failure already.

Shit, even the Coalition is doom and gloom.

[Munson]

We're not so much pessimistic, but rather realistic. We realize that in today's NFL, you need a franchise QB for a legit SB chance. And Matt Cassel is anything but a franchise QB. We know that as long as he is "leading" this team, we aren't winning shit, and wasting the prime years of our most talented players.

[Chiefnj2]

I love the knee jerk reaction to blame Cassel. Like the defense is fine.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

the key is to win.
nobody's gonna be happy pulling for a losing team.

Am sorry. I would have been plenty happy going 1 & 15 just to draft Luck for this year.

[JoeyChuckles]

I'm bored of the "Cassel sucks".

[GloryDayz]

When you have owners like Hunt and Glass (the only common thread in decades of fail), who A) won't live in the city where their teams play, B) be think those who do are a joke (evidently), and C) will always put money ahead of their team winning, you get pessimists. But when you you can bank $85M for doing nothing, and money is your only true love.....it's sort of hard to say it's a mystery. Look, Lamar was a nice fellow, but read about him, he was a money man. HE wanted CP, and CP did just enough to keep butts int he seats at Arrowhead. Nothing more! Glass, being Wal-Mart won't ever deal with top-paid employees who don't wear a suit. I'm sure the union just burns him up to no end too! The Hunts are the same thing, just the 90210 version of it. Clark;s a silver-spoon boy, but he's the same way, maximize free money, and if you win a game or two, that's good too. But make the money first by God!

So yeah, years of professional sports fail in this city has lead to this. Give us a Mark Cuban and you might find a different story. Until then, they make the money, and we're supposed to be happy that we still have teams! Yeah...

[Cornstock]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

When you have owners like Hunt and Glass (the only common thread in decades of fail), who A) won't live in the city where their teams play, B) be think those who do are a joke (evidently), and C) will always put money ahead of their team winning, you get pessimists. But when you you can bank $85M for doing nothing, and money is your only true love.....it's sort of hard to say it's a mystery. Look, Lamar was a nice fellow, but read about him, he was a money man. HE wanted CP, and CP did just enough to keep butts int he seats at Arrowhead. Nothing more! Glass, being Wal-Mart won't ever deal with top-paid employees who don't wear a suit. I'm sure the union just burns him up to no end too! The Hunts are the same thing, just the 90210 version of it. Clark;s a silver-spoon boy, but he's the same way, maximize free money, and if you win a game or two, that's good too. But make the money first by God!

So yeah, years of professional sports fail in this city has lead to this. Give us a Mark Cuban and you might find a different story. Until then, they make the money, and we're supposed to be happy that we still have teams! Yeah...

Cue "Hunt needs to sell the team to Cuban" petition?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I love the knee jerk reaction to blame Cassel. Like the defense is fine.

Get back to me when there's a defensive player who has under-performed for 4 seasons without any attempt by the team to create competition at his position.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Get back to me when there's a defensive player who has under-performed for 4 seasons without any attempt by the team to create competition at his position.

No Hali, no Lewis, injured Flowers, DJ and Toribio.

I doubt it's Cassel that is going to set the team back in week 1. This is going to be a run team.

[NJChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

No Hali, no Lewis, injured Flowers, DJ and Toribio.

I doubt it's Cassel that is going to set the team back in week 1. This is going to be a run team.

That doesn't mean that Matt can't/won't be part of the issue Sunday.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

No Hali, no Lewis, injured Flowers, DJ and Toribio.

I doubt it's Cassel that is going to set the team back in week 1. This is going to be a run team.

Well, sure. I assumed we were talking more globally than about just the one game, but you're right - Cassel won't likely be the main reason we lose (if we do) Sunday.