NFL Week 1 Rundown

Shapecity · Sep 6, 2008

Line: Bengals by 1½

Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees

Bengals: Will have to move through air until they find running game

Ravens: This perpetually QB-challenged franchise forced to go with rookie Joe Flacco, which wasn't the plan few weeks ago.

Fantasy outlook: Ravens RB Willis McGahee, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season, should get plenty of work with rookie at QB.

Injuries: Bengals FB Jeremi Johnson (knee) is out for season. . . . Ravens TE Todd Heap (knee)

Wrath of Woody: Let's see, the Ravens have no quarterback, a new coach and are coming off a bad season. And the Bengals are favored by just 1½? Cincinnati 29, Baltimore 6.

DETROIT AT ATLANTA

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Lions by 3

Weather: Dome

Lions: Lions can get lots of mileage out of WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, but what about rookie RB Kevin Smith?

Falcons: New coach Mike Smith will rely on rookie QB Matt Ryan and new RB Michael Turner.

Fantasy outlook: Turner, key free agent signee who backed up LaDainian Tomlinson previous four seasons in San Diego, gets his chance to be star.

Injury: Lions TE Dan Campbell (sore hamstring)

Wrath of Woody: Before the game, Ryan walks through the locker room humming the tune to, "Wonder Where the Lions Are?" Detroit 23, Atlanta 3.

SEATTLE AT BUFFALO

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Bills by 1

Weather: Partly cloudy, 70 degrees

Seahawks: Seattle breaks in new-look running game, led by Maurice Morris and Julius Jones (Big Stone Gap), as coach Mike Holmgren opens his final season.

Bills: QB Trent Edwards is given the chance to lead Bills to the playoffs.

Fantasy outlook: Bills RB Marshawn Lynch should improve on his 4.0-yard average of '07 and needs to keep pressure off Edwards.

Injuries: Seahawks WRs Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee) are out.

Wrath of Woody: The Seahawks are astounded when they see a "Seattle's Best" in the Buffalo airport. Buffalo 17, Seattle 16.

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI

Time/TV: 1 p.m., WTVR-6

Line: Jets by 3

Weather: Chance of rain, 85 degrees

Jets: New York has beaten Dolphins four straight and seven of eight, and Jets should be energized by addition of QB Brett Favre.

Dolphins: Former Jet Chad Pennington brings his weak arm to South Florida, but running game may help him.

Fantasy outlook: Jets WR Laveranues Coles, who has 10 career TDs vs. Dolphins, should benefit from Favre's arrival.

Injury: Jets T Damien Woody (sore shoulder), a former Patrick Henry star, has been a key offseason acquisition.

Wrath of Woody: They're never on the field at the same time, after warm-ups, but Favre is 0-2 in games agains Pennington. Miami 16, New York Jets 14.

KANSAS CITY AT NEW ENGLAND

Time/radio: 1 p.m., WRNL (910), 12:30 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 15½

Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees

Chiefs: Kansas City has all but announced rebuilding plan, and starting it vs. New England is unfortunate. QB Brodie Coyle gets the call.

Patriots: QB Tom Brady's foot injury has been big news, but he practiced Wednesday and leads way as Pats start to atone for Super Bowl loss.

Fantasy outlook: Good day for Pats' offense means big day for WR Wes Welker, who was tied for NFL lead with 112 catches in '07.

Injury: Patriots TE Ben Watson (sore knee)

Wrath of Woody: The Patriots' cloak of invincibility is showing some wear and tear. New England 23, Kansas City 13.

TAMPA BAY AT NEW ORLEANS

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Saints by 3

Weather: Dome

Bucs: Strong secondary will make difference in key early NFC South meeting.

Saints: QB Drew Brees leads high-scoring offense, but how to use RB Reggie Bush?

Fantasy outlook: Bucs WR Joey Galloway has averaged 125.3 receiving yards and scored 5 TDs in past four games vs. Saints.

Injury: Galloway (sore groin) is expected to play.

Wrath of Woody: Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden remains miffed that Bucs GM Bruce Allen told him he could not have 40 QBs on the roster. New Orleans 23, Tampa Bay 16.

ST. LOUIS AT PHILADELPHIA

Time/TV: 1 p.m., WTVR-6

Line: Eagles by 7½

Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees

Rams: RB Steven Jackson needs to deliver a big game, but his holdout could affect him.

Eagles: Team has rebuilt around QB Donovan McNabb, and home opener gives Eagles chance to build momentum.

Fantasy outlook: Eagles RB Brian Westbrook led NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage in '07, and this defense can't slow him down.

Injury: Eagles WR Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) is out.

Wrath of Woody: On a tour through Independence Hall, several Rams players are heard to say, "Just think. This is where Nicolas Cage filmed that 'National Treasure' movie.'" Philadelphia 26, St. Louis 24.

HOUSTON AT PITTSBURGH

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 6½

Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees

Texans: Houston begins season with optimism, led by DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans.

Steelers: Pittsburgh, going for fifth straight opening day win, will rely on last year's No. 1-ranked defense.

Fantasy outlook: Steelers WR Hines Ward averages 80 receiving yards vs. Texans.

Injury: Texans CB Dunta Robinson (knee, hamstring) starts season on physically unable to perform list.

Wrath of Woody: Do you ever look at Houston's name in the standings and think, "Oilers"? Yeah, The Wrath knows the feeling. Pittsburgh 17, Houston 13.

JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Jaguars by 3

Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees.

Jaguars: With QB David Garrard settled in, Jacksonville may be ready for deep playoff run.

Titans: Other than QB Vince Young, Tennessee lacks enough big-play potential to score regularly.

Fantasy outlook: Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season, must carry load.

Injuries: Jaguars WR Reggie Williams (hamstring) is questionable, Jaguars WR Jerry Porter (hamstring)

Wrath of Woody: The Jaguars begin their inexorable climb to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville 13, Tennessee 12.

DALLAS AT CLEVELAND

Time/on the air: 4:15 p.m. TV -- Fox. Radio -- WRNL (910)

Line: Cowboys by 5½

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees

Cowboys: Super Bowl is Dallas' goal, and it could get there if Tony Romo throws 36 TD passes again.

Browns: Cleveland heads into season with seven-game home win streak and confidence it can outscore Dallas.

Fantasy outlook: Could be big day for TD passes; Cowboys WR Terrell Owens caught 15 and Browns WR Braylon Edwards 16 last season.

Injury: Browns RB Jamal Lewis (sore hamstring)

Wrath of Woody: Cleveland rocks. Cowboys win. Dallas 31, Cleveland 17.

CAROLINA AT PHILADELPHIA

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 9

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees

Panthers: A healthy QB Jake Delhomme gives Carolina chance, but WR Steve Smith starts two-game suspension for punching CB Ken Lucas.

Chargers: Overpowering offense makes Chargers a Super Bowl contender, and Panthers' defense isn't strong enough.

Fantasy outlook: Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who led NFL with 1,474 rushing yards last season, should get off to good start.

Injuries: None reported.

Wrath of Woody: Charlotte is nice, but after a weekend in San Diego, the Panthers do not want to go home. San Diego 19, Carolina 17.

ARIZONA AT SAN FRANCISCO

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 2½

Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees

Cardinals: Never-say-die QB Kurt Warner is back in starting lineup and can still throw ball.

49ers: QB J. T. O'Sullivan gets chance to lead, but he needs help. Lots of it.

Fantasy outlook: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald had nine catches for 156 yards and two TDs in last game vs. 49ers. He could do it again if Warner is on.

Injury: Cards DT Gabe Watson (sore knee)

Wrath of Woody: Tough to believe the 49ers once were the team of Montana (not the state), Young (not the state of mind), Lott (not the opposite of least) and Rice (not the starchy food) isn't it? Arizona 37, San Francisco 35.

CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS

Time/on the air: 8:15 p.m. TV -- WWBT-12. Radio -- WRNL (910)

Line: Colts by 9½

Weather: Chance of rain, 70 degrees. If it rains, dome will be closed.

Bears: It's QB Kyle Orton's turn to try to ignite offense without a proven receiver and with rookie RB Matt Forte, a second-round pick.

Colts: Indianapolis is in position to celebrate its first regular-season game in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Fantasy outlook: Colts' defensive unit should have big day against undermanned offense.

Injuries: Colts C Jeff Saturday (knee) is out. . . . Bears DT Tommie Harris (sore knee) likely will play.

Wrath of Woody: Uh-oh, better call Maaco. Chicago 9, Indianapolis 7.

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY

On the air: Monday, 7 p.m. TV -- ESPN. Radio -- WRNL (910)

Line: Packers by 2½

Weather: Cloudy, 70 degrees

Vikings: QB Tarvaris Jackson and free agent WR Bernard Berrian could be potent pass-catch combination.

Packers: Brett Favre didn't take any WRs to NY with him, so Aaron Rodgers has a chance.

Fantasy outlook: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will try to match his 5.6-yards per carry from rookie season.

Injury: Packers C Scott Wells (back) may be out.

Wrath of Woody: Ask Rodgers how he feels and he'll say, "Favvvvvr-a-lous." Green Bay 27, Minnesota 25.

DENVER AT OAKLAND

Time/on the air: Monday, 10:15 p.m. TV -- ESPN. Radio -- WRNL (910)

Line: Broncos by 3

Weather: Clear, 70 degrees

Broncos: Leading WR Brandon Marshall will miss first game for violating NFL conduct policy, and Denver needed him for fast start.

Raiders: Oakland doesn't do too many things well, but it should be able to run ball with Justin Fargas and top draft-pick Darren McFadden.

Fantasy outlook: Fargas, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in '07, rushed for 146 yards in last game vs. Broncos.

Injury: Raiders WR Javon Walker (hamstring) may be out.

Wrath of Woody: The real reason for the Al Davis-Mike Shanahan feud? One preferred Letterman, the other Leno. Denver 23, Oakland 16.
Click to expand...

Source: InRich.com

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NFL Week 1 Rundown

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