Week 1 NFL Preview
Get ready for Broadway Brett. After weeks of hype, Brett Favre makes his regular-season debut in a Jets uniform against the Dolphins. Fittingly, it's Chad Pennington, the quarterback New York cast aside, who will be calling the signals for Miami.
Al Pereira, Getty Images
Marion Barber and the Cowboys aren't settling for anything less than a Super Bowl berth this year. Their Week 1 matchup against an explosive Browns team should be a great defensive test to start the season.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
It won't be an easy first game for a Jaguars team that's still coping with the tragic shooting of lineman Richard Collier. AFC South bragging rights will be on the line early as Jacksonville heads to Tennessee for a hard-nosed defensive battle.
David Drapkin, Getty Images
While Favre leads the Jets for the first time, Aaron Rodgers will still be game-planning as the Packers prepare for a Monday night clash with the Vikings. Rodgers could silence doubters quickly with a strong performance against an NFC North rival.
Paul Spinelli, Getty Images
The Bengals and Ravens, two disappointing clubs from last year, both have a lot to prove as they open the new season. But their rivalry will likely be overshadowed by the NFL's most flamboyant star and the spectacle of his brand new name -- Chad Ocho Cinco.
Al Behrman, AP
Will Peyton Manning's balky knee hold up against Chicago in a Sunday night showdown? Despite undergoing offseason knee surgery, Manning is expected to be under center when the Colts host the Bears in their first game at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
Shawne Merriman will simply not be a bystander this year. The Chargers star will play through two torn knee ligaments when San Diego kicks off its season of high expectations against Carolina.
Denis Poroy, AP
It appears all systems are go for newcomer Jeremy Shockey and New Orleans. After dodging a direct hit from Hurricane Gustav, the Saints will take the field for an NFC South tilt with the Bucs.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.
The 1s
Cincinnati at Baltimore: Ed Reed is iffy for the Ravens, but Chad Ocho Cinco is literally insane, so that's a wash. The Bengals will be starting a converted tight end at fullback, so I hope Ray Lewis doesn't load up on pre-game carbs; he'll have a chance to eat Chris Perry on the field. Despite a new coach and rookie quarterback, the Ravens have had a more stable offseason than the Bengals, which I guess doesn't say much but could make a difference.
Jets at Dolphins: I think the storylines of this game have been discussed to the point of inducing nausea, correct? OK, good, let's just move on before my eyes start to bleed.
Chiefs at Patriots: I think the Patriots are giving something like 47 points in Vegas on this game. Despite an aging defense, suspect secondary, and quarterback with a potentially broken foot, the Patriots are still light years better than the hapless Chiefs, who did a great job overhauling their roster with youth but who will need about 15 years for it to all come together.
Texans at Steelers: In another division/conference the Texans would/should be a chic playoff pick. Unfortunately they're buried in the AFC South. But they've got talent. Pittsburgh brought in Rashard Mendenhall to team with Willie Parker, but can this sub-mediocre offensive line do anything for them? And how are they going to stop the Texans' stellar defensive line?
Jaguars at Titans: This just in: Vince Young is not good. If the Titans are going to win this game they'll have to hope their defense can stop a maybe-improved Jags offense. Jerry Porter, the Jags' big acquisition, has been sidelined for months with a hamstring injury. And how is the team coping after the shooting of Richard Collier?
Lions at Falcons: Though Rod Marinelli remains, it can be argued that both teams are starting with new coaches, given that Mike Martz (the real decision-maker) is gone in Detroit. In Atlanta, it's a whole new era entirely, but this one will probably start the way the last one ended -- with a loss. That being said, both teams will run a lot. Michael Turner gets to show he can be the man against a beatable Lions front seven.
Seahawks at Bills: The Seahawks have benefited from playing in a terrible division, and they're not that good of a team right now. The Bills are on the way up, and they'll be on the verge of a playoff spot come December, but this seems like the type of team that might start off slow and catch fire late in the year as the young guys gain a rapport. The Buffalo defense in particular should be tough on Matt Hasselbeck and his weak running game.
Buccaneers at Saints: The Saints say they've maintained focus on this game through Hurricane Gustav, but have they? They've got a lot of new pieces on defense, and it'll be interesting to see if the unit is any better than last year. Joey Galloway just ruins the Saints, but he's been out all training camp with an injury, and it's doubtful that he's in game shape or has his timing down with Jeff Garcia.
Rams at Eagles: The Rams are better than last year showed; they were dealt a terrible hand with injuries. But they're still not good enough to beat the Eagles, who narrowly missed a playoff spot last year due to their own adversity. This should be a stellar game for fans of running backs, as Brian Westbrook and Steven Jackson are two of the league's best, but Jackson might be limited after holding out for most of the offseason.
The 4s
Cowboys at Browns: Sure, the Cowboys look great on the surface, but they seem like a house of cards. And I don't buy the hype about the Browns, either. Sure, they've got one of the league's elite receivers, but I don't think Kellen Winslow's knees will hold up for an entire season, and Derek Anderson struggled mightily last year once teams got some game film on him. Plus they have no secondary. Luckily, after Terrell Owens, the Cowboys don't have many receivers.
Panthers at Chargers: The most pressing question: if Steve Smith isn't on the field, how do you expect him to punch someone? The Panthers made a bold move suspending their best player (though the right one), but this is not the team you want to be missing a true playmaker against. Antonio Gates and Shawn Merriman are hurting, but the Chargers have LaDainian Tomlinson, and that's all that matters.
Cardinals at 49ers: When J.T. O'Sullivan looks across the field from Kurt Warner, he might see his future. And when Matt Leinart looks across the field at Alex Smith, he'll see his. Martz projects and first-round busts. The Cardinals' passing game automatically gets better with Warner under center, even if Anquan Boldin isn't talking to anyone. The 49ers will depend a lot on Frank Gore and Vernon Davis, but is Davis finally ready to step up?
The Michaels/Madden Special
Bears at Colts: A Super Bowl rematch removed only 21 months, but so much has changed. The Bears' defense is almost as threatening as their offense (not a good thing), and Tommie Harris might be hurt worse than preferred. Marvin Harrison is no longer one of the league's best receivers, but Reggie Wayne is. But is Peyton Manning's knee healthy? How will he handle not having Jeff Saturday? And, really, how am I not supposed to laugh when I think of Kyle Orton?
The Monday Nighter(s)
Vikings at Packers: I wouldn't want to be Aaron Rodgers or Tarvaris Jackson. Each will have worlds of pressure on their shoulders. But I might rather be one of them than someone watching the game on TV, for the constant Favre references that we will have to endure, though. Still, each team has the pieces to contend in the NFC, and it's up to the signal-callers to make it happen. But with more pressure on Rodgers in this game, both figuratively and literally (Jared Allen is really fast), and a good Vikes secondary, I see Aaron cracking first.
Broncos at Raiders: Now that JaMarcus Russell has had an entire offseason to work with the team, will he be able to look like a competent quarterback? I don't put my money on anything in Oakland looking competent this year, except the secondary. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall are going to be the breakout duo in the league this year, but Marshall is going to miss this game due to suspension. Still, Cutler has enough weapons to make do, and some running back nobody's heard of will run for 150 yards and two touchdowns for Denver, sending everyone to their fantasy football waiver wire.
