Another NFL season is upon us and optimism is in the air. Every team thinks they’ve got what it takes to make the playoffs and put together a run.

Right now hopes run high in places like St. Louis, Cleveland, and even Minnesota. In four weeks the story could be much different, but that’s what makes the opening week of the NFL season so exciting.

An early victory can spurn momentum that will propel a team and its fans to get some mojo going on right out of the gates. An early loss can sting and put a damper on the emotions of a squad and its followers.

Here are the picks:

Green Bay at Seattle

I’d love to say my Packers are going to come into Qwest Field and embarass the defending champs to avenge the ‘Fail Mary’ play, but I don’t believe nearly enough in Green Bay’s defense. The loss of B.J. Raji in the middle makes the Packers very vulnerable to the run and Marshawn Lynch could have a field day.

When the Packers have the ball, it will depend on if Eddie Lacy and company can do damage between the tackles. To move the ball against the Seahawks, you must be able to run the ball effectively. Otherwise, they will simply lock down with their elite secondary and pressure you constantly with blitzes.

I’d rather not see Aaron Rodgers take a lot of hits after he broke his collar bone last season, so let’s hope Green Bay has a run-heavy game plan.

SEAHAWKS 27, PACKERS 17

New Orleans at Atlanta

This is big game early in the season for the NFC South. The Falcons are trying to chase away the ghosts of last season that saw them go from one play away from the Super Bowl in the 2012-2013 season to NFL irrelevance last year. Atlanta will have a chance at the playoffs if Roddy White and Julio Jones can stay healthy, but I’m not sure they’ll have much of a running game and they will certainly miss Tony Gonalez.

The Saints are still trying to get back to where they were when the won the Super Bowl five years ago. I’m sure Drew Brees will continue to give the Saints a great offense, but they must be able to run the ball and play defense if they want to make a serious run.

SAINTS 31, FALCONS 28

Minnesota at St. Louis

I understand Matt Cassel had a good preseason for the Vikings, but the deal with Cassel is he doesn’t handle pressure very well and hardly anybody blitzes in the preseason. Preseason games are kind of like the Pro Bowl for veterans who have their spots locked up. You want to show some effort, but the main goal is not to get hurt.

The reason I mention this is the Rams have the most fearsome front four in all of football. If there’s one thing, St. Louis can do, it’s rattle a quarterback.

The Vikings will have to establish Adrian Peterson and ride him if they want a chance to beat the Rams and Peterson is good enough to get the job done. But if Minnesota starts to get pass-happy, it could be a long day.

RAMS 17, VIKINGS 13

Cleveland at Pittsburgh

The Steelers finally got healthy at the end of last season and they were just a hair away from making the playoffs. I think they could’ve made some noise if they got in. I expect Pittsburgh to pick up where they left off and play some solid football this year.

Cleveland made a lot of offseason noise with its signings and the drafting of Johnny Manziel in the offseason, but the suspension of Josh Gordon was death blow to their season. They don’t have a suitable replacement and their offense will not be very effective without him.

STEELERS 27, BROWNS 10

Jacksonville at Philadelphia

The Jagaurs have to prove a lot to me before I even consider picking them against anybody, let a lone a team that has a chance to win its division.

EAGLES 33, JAGAURS 7

Oakland at N.Y. Jets

I don’t think either of these teams will be good this year, so we’ll call it a toss-up.

JETS 13, RAIDERS 10

Cincinnati at Baltimore

If the Bengals don’t want to be looked at as a one-year wonder, they’d better win games like this one. The Ravens are missing Ray Rice and Joe Flacco looked like the most over-payed player in sports last season.

Cincinnati needs to set the tone early on that it is the team to beat in the AFC North.

BENGALS 28, RAVENS 17

Buffalo at Chicago

The Bears’ wide receiver tandem of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery might be the best in the league and I don’t think the Bills have the secondary to match up with them.

BEARS 31, BILLS 24

Washington at Houston

The Texans will live with their defense this year and I think they’re good enough to make life tough for Robert Griffin III on Sunday.

TEXANS 20, REDSKINS 14

Tennessee at Kansas City

It’s easy to forget that the Chiefs were one of the best teams in the AFC last year and they may have well been on their way if Jamal Charles had not gotten hurt against the Colts in the playoffs. Year two under Andy Reid should be another good one for KC.

CHIEFS 41, TITANS 20

New England at Miami

People say how amazing the Patriots are because they keep winning every year and they’re always in the hunt. This is true, but let’s be honest and point out that the AFC East is probably the worst division in football, not just this year, but for the last six years.

When’s the last time Miami, Buffalo, or New York Jets made the playoffs? Bills – 1998, Dolphins – 2000 and Jets – 2008. Basically New England knows it’s going to win it’s division by default and everything else is just gravy for them.

PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 24

Carolina at Tampa Bay

I think the Panthers will miss Steve Smith a lot this year, especially because they didn’t bring in a veteran to replace him.

I think the Bucs will be much improved under Lovie Smith.

BUCS 14, PANTHERS 13

San Francisco at Dallas

The 49ers are banged up on defense and Dallas doesn’t have a defense. If you have anybody on your fantasty football team on either of these squads, make sure and play them. This could be a barn-burner.

49ERS 35, COWBOYS 34

Indianapolis at Denver

The Colts and Andrew Luck aren’t getting enough credit for what they did last year. Despite losing Reggie Wayne for the season, Indy still made it to the Elite Eight and might have had a chance to beat the Pats had Luck not shown his immaturity by throwing to many interceptions.

Now Luck is in his third year and he knows what the playoffs are like.

Denver will still be a solid team this year, but never undersestimate the curse of the Super Bowl loser. Things usually don’t go well for teams that come up short in the big game.

COLTS 34, BRONCOS 31

N.Y. Giants at Detroit

The Lions should open strong at home against a team that used to be good.

LIONS 34, GIANTS 17

San Diego at Arizona

Both of these teams could make a little noise this season, but I’ll go with the team that has a better quarterback.

CHARGERS 21, CARDINALS 20