With the 2010 NFL season kicking off Thursday night, analysts from www.RantSports.com have come together to provide their picks for the first week of the season. Each week, myself, Eric Schmidt from www.RantSports.com’s Red Zone Talk, Jeric Griffin from TheCowboysCentral.com, and Johnny Crosskey from BucsPost.com will provide their picks and analysis to provide readers with information about what to expect for that particular week.

Without further ado, here are the NFL picks for Week 1 from www.RantSports.com:

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints

What better way to kickoff the 2010 season then a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. The Vikings will be looking for revenge while the Saints look to top their celebration off with a victory to start off the season.

Saints: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Vikings: None

Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Both teams are in re-building mode and still appear to be at least another year or two away from being considered a contender. An interesting matchup as Josh Freeman looks to improve after starting as a rookie for the Bucs while Jake Delhomme starts off fresh with a new team after signing with the Browns during the offseason.

Browns: Dan, Eric Buccaneers: Jeric, Johnny

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills

The Dolphins acquired one of the top wide receivers in football during the offseason after acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos. It should be interesting how he performs in his debut against a Bills’ passing defense that finished second last season by allowing just 184.2 yards per game through the air.

Dolphins: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Bills: None

Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

The Patriots have won six of their last seven matchups against the Bengals. Both teams are talented enough to be considered Super Bowl contenders–which makes this matchup even more interesting.

Bengals: Dan, Eric, Jeric Patriots: Johnny

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

The Colts have reached the playoffs nine times over the last 10 years. Meanwhile, the Texans have high expectations after falling just short of the playoffs last season with a 9-7 record–their first winning season in franchise history. Unfortunately, Houston also has to deal with the league’s toughest schedule–which includes two matchups against Indy.

Colts: Jeric, Johnny Texans: Dan, Eric

Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Broncos have to adjust to having Brandon Marshall as their top wideout to Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal as the top targets for Kyle Orton. As far as the Jaguars, this could be a do-or-die year as Jack Del Rio starts the season on the hot seat.

Broncos: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Jaguars: None

Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Some analysts predict the Falcons will overtake the Saints to win the NFC South. If they can manage to win on the road over the Steelers at Heinz field, they would certainly be heading in the right direction. Lucky for the Falcons, they’re one of four teams who get to face the Steelers without Ben Roethlisberger.

Falcons: Eric, Jeric, Johnny Steelers: Dan

Tennessee Titans vs. Oakland Raiders

The Titans finished 2009 winning eight of their final 10 games after starting 0-6. This will be a tough opening week matchup as many analysts consider the Raiders as a sleeper team in 2010 now that JaMarcus Russell is finally out of Oakland.

Titans: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Raiders: Eric

Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants

After starting the 2009 season 5-0, the Giants went on to lose eight of their final 11 games. If the defense can perform well, they should make another run in the NFC East. Lucky for them, their season starts against a Panthers’ offense that failed to score even one touchdown during the preseason.

Panthers: None Giants: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny

Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears

One thing is certain; the Lions are talented enough to post more than five wins this season now that Matthew Stafford has a year of experience under his belt. As for the Bears, all eyes will be on Jay Cutler and whether or not he gets off to a fresh start in Mike Martz’s new system.

Lions: Eric, Johnny Bears: Dan, Jeric

Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams

It’s hard to imagine all of the roster adjustments the Cardinals have gone through since last season. Now that Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart are out of the picture, Derek Anderson will be calling the shots now at quarterback for the Arizona. It should be interesting to see how they perform against a young Rams squad consisting of rookie quarterback Sam Bradford–who looked impressive during the preseason.

Cardinals: Dan, Jeric Rams: Eric, Johnny

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Aaron Rodgers is coming off his second-straight 4,000+ yard season. The Kevin Kolb era has officially begun in Philadelphia. This could be one of the most fun matchups to watch during Week 1.

Packers: Eric, Jeric Eagles: Dan, Johnny

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The 49ers are being considered favorites for the NFC West after finishing 8-8 last season. As for the Seahawks, they could be facing an adjustment this upcoming season with a new head coach after going 9-23 over the last two years.

49ers: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Seahawks: None

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins

Donovan McNabb is a major upgrade for a quarterback in Washington, but the talent surrounding him at wide receiver is still a question. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are expected to make a strong run for the Super Bowl as they are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.

Cowboys: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Redskins: None

Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets

Just when it seemed like the Ravens couldn’t get any better, they added another weapon to their passing game after signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh–who was released by the Seahawks last week. After a surprising run to the AFC Championship last season, there are high expectations for the Jets in 2010. Unfortunately, Darrelle Revis may struggle in the beginning of the year after missing all of training camp and the preseason due to a holdout.

Ravens: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Jets: None

San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

It’s hard to figure out what to expect from the Chargers with all of the adjustments made during the offseason–including the messy situation with Vincent Jackson. Like the Raiders, the Chiefs could emerge as a sleeper team in the AFC West now that Charlie Weis is calling the shots as the offensive coordinator. The talent is there for Kansas City–which means this opening matchup could interesting to follow.

Chargers: Dan, Eric, Jeric, Johnny Chiefs: None

Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for www.RantSports.com/NFL,  where he writes and edits NFL content for www.RantSports.com.