Cup O' Joe Week 1 Preview

Author: Joe Simpson
Date: August 31, 1990

We're about ready to kick off the first week of American League Football. Sixteen games will kickoff, starting with Pittsburgh and Minnesota, and ending with St. Louis and Michigan. My job, in this particular piece, is to predict how the games will turn out.
So, here goes.

Game of the Week
Boston @ Portland
This game pits two teams who are playoff contenders. Boston is an early favorite in the CFC, while Portland has a few more obstacles to overcome (Seattle being one big one). However, with this game being in Portland, the Breakers have the edge. They also have Josh Post, a receiver who will give the Minutemen all sorts of problems. Boston will rely on Brian Barrett and Russell Stock to control the clock, and not give Portland a chance at a quick score. In the end, I think this will come down to a late-game turnover. Barrett DOES have some fumble problems, and I think he'll lose one late in the game that'll cost Boston the win.
Prediction: PORTLAND 22, Boston 20

Other games (HOME TEAM IN CAPS):
Oakland 34, NEW YORK 14
CLEVELAND 24, Arizona 17
New Orleans 13, INDIANAPOLIS 10
PHILADELPHIA 27, Washington 23
San Diego 19, DENVER 14
Cincinnati 30, LOUISVILLE 10
Atlanta 23, CAROLINA 20 (OT)
HOUSTON 34, Miami 31
BALTIMORE 16, Nashville 10
Seattle 37, IOWA 20
Dallas 13, CHICAGO 10 (OT) - Upset Special
SAN FRANCISCO 20, Kansas City 6
Los Angeles 28, TAMPA 16
MICHIGAN 31, St. Louis 17

Last Week: 0-0
Season: 0-0