2014 NFL Season Monday Night Football Predictions Week 1

New York Giants at the Detroit Lions
7:10 P.M. ESPN

Both the Giants and Lions are coming off disappointing seasons and are looking to turn things around in 2014.  They both drafted quality players and went out in free agency to land more talent as well, and both drafted within the top 15 picks as well.

The Giants are looking to get back into the playoffs this season and the Lions are as well.  The Lions offense has more spark to it now with the addition of Golden Tate in free agency and Tight End Eric Ebron in the draft.

The Giants signed Mario Manningham, they drafted receiver Odell Beckham, signed running back Rashad Jennings and landed two quality cornerbacks in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond.

Prediction: 
The Lions offense will be to much for the Giants to handle on the road.  Lions win 31-16


San Diego Chargers at the Arizona Cardinals
10:20 P.M. ESPN

The Chargers made the playoffs last season and are looking to go beyond the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.  They added cornerback Brandon Flowers in free agency which is huge to help them against teams will great quarterbacks such as one team in their own division: The Denver Broncos.  The Chargers will be a team to watch this season for sure.  Their quarterback Philip Rivers also made strides last season and turned things around for himself as well getting back into his older form instead of being so mistake prone.  I feel he will continue to get better in 2014.

The Cardinals are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009, the last season Kurt Warner played in the desert.  In 2013 they fell just short of the playoffs despite their 10-6 record, they are looking to build on that this season.  They signed cornerback Antonio Cromartie who will now pair with Patrick Peterson to form a pretty unique duo in Arizona.  Carson Palmer could have another 4,000 yard season, and if he can keep the mistakes down this team could be a playoff team.

Prediction: 
The Cardinals and Chargers will both play tough and it will be close, but the Cardinals will come out on top.  Cardinals win 24-20.