New Orleans would be a very bad survivor pool pick. I'm someone that doesn't think they are a very good team, but if you wanted to take them why take them against the defending division champs in week 1? Why not wait until they are at home against the Falcons?
My pick for week 1 would be New England. Better safe than sorry, and them and the Colts are the only two teams I really can't see losing in week 1, but the Colts have Manning's injury to worry about.