Line of Scrimmage: Week 1 - Brett Favre and 1,439 Other Guys

Posted: Wed Sep 3 3:32 PM

*** Line of Scrimmage: Week 1 - Brett Favre and 1,439 Other Guys *** By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - What were you doing on January 4th, 1992?

That was the date the last time Brett Favre wore a uniform other than that of the Green Bay Packers for a meaningful football game. He was the designated third-stringer in the Falcons' 24-7 playoff loss at the Redskins, and there may have been four to six people at R.F.K. Stadium that day who knew his name.

Some 16 years and eight-odd months later, Favre will wear a New York Jets uniform when his new, somewhat less attractive love interest takes to the field against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. The anonymity he once enjoyed as a Falcon has long since evaporated, thanks mostly to Favre's exploits on the field and, in part, because of his ruminations and episodes off of it. Indeed, the one-time actor of "There's Something About Mary" fame has made the practice of mulling retirement into something of an art form, just one of the reasons he has been so fascinating to watch.

The novelty of this story will have worn off by October, unless Favre is either Unitas-with-Colts good or Unitas-with-Chargers bad, but on Sunday, September 7th, he'll overshadow every one of the other 1,439 players active in Week 1.

Four head coaches will make their sideline debuts this weekend, starting with the Redskins' Jim Zorn on Thursday night, but all will be lost in a sea of No. 4-fueled hysteria.

Young phenoms like Matt Ryan and Darren McFadden will also take their first tentative steps as professionals on Sunday, but will have to yield to the exploits of a player who was starring at Southern Miss when they were still in diapers.

Jets fans will consider what they've gained, cheeseheads will ponder what they've lost, and the rest of the NFL-viewing public will weigh in on the matter in a way they never would about Chad Pennington or Jeff Garcia or Matt Schaub.

All of which makes Week 1 of the NFL season, always a magnet for excitement after seven months spent in the football-less wilderness, an even more awe- inspiring sight to behold.

Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:

FANTASY FOCUS

Looking for the latest in-depth fantasy football analysis? Well, point your browser here:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= fantasy/index.aspx

where Sports Network Fantasy Sports Editor Steve Schwarz will give you a weekly blow-by-blow on who to start, who to sit, and other trends and topics related to the wonderful world of fantasy sports.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. New England (vs. Kansas City) - Chiefs drew a terrible opening assignment.

2. Indianapolis (vs. Chicago) - There are concerns about Peyton Manning, but the Bears could set offensive football back 20 years.

3. N.Y. Giants (vs. Washington) - Defending Super Bowl champs always win coming out of the gate, and the Redskins haven't yet found their way under Jim Zorn.

THE GAMES

Washington at N.Y. Giants, Thursday, 7:00 (N.Y. Giants -4)

Storylines: Defending Super Bowl Champs play first meaningful game since upset of Patriots last February...First-year head coach Jim Zorn makes his formal sideline debut with the Redskins...Washington defensive end Jason Taylor, dealt from the Dolphins early in training camp, considered questionable due to a knee injury...Taylor has not missed a start since the 1999 season...Giants are without five of 11 defensive players who started in Super Bowl XLII, including defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who will miss the season with a knee injury...Jason Campbell makes formal return to the field after injuring his knee in Week 14 of last season...New York expected to be without kicker Lawrence Tynes (knee), and veteran John Carney will handle kicking chores for the team...Redskins and Giants split a home-and-home last season, with the road team winning both matchups...G-Men are 1-3 in openers under head coach Tom Coughlin...Redskins are 5-1 in openers since 2002.

Fast Fact: Each of the last eight Super Bowl champions has won its regular season opener the following season.

Prediction: New Redskins offense won't look crisp against the defending Champs in primetime. Giants 27, Redskins 17

Detroit at Atlanta, Sunday, 1:00 (Detroit -3)

Storylines: First-year head coach Mike Smith and quarterback and No. 3 overall Draft choice Matt Ryan (Boston College) make their respective debuts for Atlanta...Ex-Chargers backup Michael Turner will get his first start as a member of the Falcons...New offensive coordinator Jim Colletto takes the reins of the Detroit attack...Third-round rookie Kevin Smith (UCF) expected to start at running back for Detroit...Status of new Lions running back Rudi Johnson, who was signed as a free agent on Monday, unknown for Sunday...New-look Lions secondary includes cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (ex-Browns) and Brian Kelly (ex- Buccaneers) along with safety Dwight Smith (ex-Vikings)...Kicker Jason Elam makes debut with Falcons after 15 seasons with Denver (1993-2007)...Detroit was NFL's only undefeated team during the preseason...Falcons and Lions are both 4-1 in openers since 2003.

Fast Fact: The Lions' last undefeated preseason came in 1993, when the team was 4-0-1 en route to a 10-6 mark with a playoff appearance during the regular season.

Prediction: Falcons and their shaky secondary group won't have an answer for Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. Lions 20, Falcons 14

Cincinnati at Baltimore, Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -1½)

Storylines: First-year head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback and No. 18 overall Draft choice Joe Flacco (Delaware) make their respective debuts for Baltimore...Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson expected to play despite suffering a torn labrum in the preseason, and fellow wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) also expected to play...Baltimore running back Willis McGahee (knee) expected to play after missing most of the preseason... Kenny Watson and Chris Perry tabbed to share running back chores for Cincinnati after the team released ex-starter Rudi Johnson last week...Ex- Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron coordinates Baltimore's offense for the first time...Former Cowboys and Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer serves his first game in that capacity for the Bengals...Ravens placed quarterback Kyle Boller (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday, and signed journeyman Todd Bouman...Ravens are 1-5 in openers since 2002...Bengals have won three straight openers, including a 27-20 win over Baltimore last season.

Fast Fact: The Bengals are 6-1 in their last seven meetings with the Ravens, including 3-1 in Baltimore.

Prediction: Flacco is essentially the emergency quarterback, and will play like one. Bengals 24, Ravens 10

Seattle at Buffalo, Sunday, 1:00 (Buffalo -1)

Storylines: Seahawks will head to Buffalo minus wideout Bobby Engram (shoulder), defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (suspension), and safety Jordan Babineaux (suspension)...Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back) expected to play after leading just two series in the preseason, and wide receiver Deion Branch (knee) is questionable after missing the entire warm-up period... Former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (ex-Jaguars) makes his debut for Buffalo, as does Super Bowl starter and linebacker Kawika Mitchell (ex- Giants)...Running back Julius Jones (ex-Cowboys) will make his first formal appearance as a Seahawk...Bills wideout and second-round Draft pick James Hardy (Indiana) makes his debut in the starting lineup...Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who announced his retirement effective the end of the 2008 season, begins his final year with Seattle...Bills are 2-5 in openers since 2001, Seahawks are 4-1 in lid-lifters since 2003.

Fast Fact: Buffalo's 38-9 win at the Seahawks on Nov. 28, 2004, ranks as the most lopsided home loss of the Mike Holmgren era in Seattle.

Prediction: Seahawks are banged up, and rarely look good in these cross- country voyages. Bills 16, Seahawks 13

N.Y. Jets at Miami, Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Jets -3)

Storylines: Brett Favre, the leading all-time passer in NFL history, makes his debut as a member of the New York Jets...Favre will oppose new Miami quarterback Chad Pennington, who was cut to make way for Favre after starting 66 games as a Jet between 2002 and 2007...First-year Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano also makes his formal sideline debut...Ricky Williams expected to start at running back for Miami...Linebackers Calvin Pace (ex-Cardinals), Vernon Gholston (1st Round, Ohio State), nose tackle Kris Jenkins (ex- Panthers), guard Alan Faneca (ex-Steelers), and tackle Damien Woody (ex-Lions) will make their regular season debuts, along with Favre, for new-look Jets... No. 1 overall Draft choice Jake Long will start at left tackle for Dolphins... Miami running back Ronnie Brown to make first meaningful appearance since suffering an ACL tear in Week 7 of last season...Jets (losers against New England in Week 1 of 2007) haven't dropped back-to-back season openers since 1998-99...Dolphins are 1-4 in openers since 2003.

Fast Fact: The Jets are 16-4 against the Dolphins since 1998, including 7-3 in Miami.

Prediction: Jets won't be perfect, but will have enough to beat a Dolphins club that looks like an expansion team. Jets 23, Dolphins 13

Kansas City at New England, Sunday, 1:00 (New England -16½)

Storylines: New England, which went 0-4 in the preseason after losing Super Bowl XLII, plays first meaningful game since loss to the Giants last February...Pats have won an NFL-record 19 consecutive regular season games since a loss at the Dolphins on Dec. 10, 2006, and have also won 14 consecutive at home ...Patriots quarterback Tom Brady expected to play despite missing the entire preseason with a foot injury...Chiefs running back Larry Johnson makes his return to meaningful action after missing the final eight games of 2007 with a broken foot...Kansas City quarterback Brodie Croyle looking for his first win in seven NFL starts...Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey is Chiefs' new offensive coordinator...Rookie defensive tackle and No. 5 overall Draft choice Glenn Dorsey makes formal debut for Chiefs...Kansas City is 1-3 in season-openers since 2003...Patriots are 5-1 in last six openers, and last lost a home opener in 2000 against Tampa Bay.

Fast Fact: Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is 2-8 in his career against both the Patriots and Bill Belichick.

Prediction: Chiefs are too young in places, too old in others, and it will be too ugly to watch at times. Patriots 34, Chiefs 0

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -3½)

Storylines: Game will be played as scheduled at the Louisiana Superdome despite the effects of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast earlier in the week...Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey, acquired from the Giants on the eve of training camp, expected to make his formal debut with the team...New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister makes his regular season return to the field after missing the final 13 games of 2007 with a torn ACL...Saints running back Reggie Bush also back after missing the final four games of last season with a partially torn PCL....Warrick Dunn, who played for the Buccaneers from 1997 through 2001, makes his formal return to the team after six years with the Atlanta Falcons...Jonathan Vilma (ex-Jets) to make first start at middle linebacker for Saints...Buccaneers swept last year's home-and-home with Saints...New Orleans was a 41-10 loser at Indianapolis in its 2007 season- opener.

Fast Fact: The Buccaneers are 2-4 in openers under head coach Jon Gruden, and have been outscored by a composite of 47-6 in their last two lid-lifters.

Prediction: Bucs are notoriously slow starters, and New Orleans has a little too much offense for them to contain this early in the year. Saints 28, Buccaneers 20

St. Louis at Philadelphia, Sunday, 1:00 (Philadelphia -7½)

Storylines: Al Saunders, formerly offensive coordinator with the Chiefs and Redskins, makes his debut in that role with the Rams...Rookie and No. 2 overall Draft choice Chris Long expected to start at end for St. Louis... Orlando Pace expected to start at left tackle for Rams after missing 15 games last year with a torn labrum and rotator cuff...Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel (ex-Patriots) makes his formal debut with the Eagles...Eagles will be without injured wideout Kevin Curtis (sports hernia), and fellow receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) and safety Brian Dawkins (ankle) are considered questionable...Defensive end Chris Clemons (ex-Raiders) makes first meaningful appearance as an Eagle...Rams end and former Pro Bowler Leonard Little returns to the lineup after missing the final nine games of 2007 with a toe injury... Pro Bowl Eagles guard Shawn Andrews will be in the lineup after missing time in training camp and the preseason due to a bout with depression...Eagles are 3-6 in openers under Andy Reid, including 1-3 at home... Rams are 2-4 in openers since 2002.

Fast Fact: The Rams' most recent win in Philadelphia was a 20-17 overtime triumph in the 2001 regular season opener at Veterans Stadium.

Prediction: Don't believe the hype just yet on the Eagles, who won't be at 100 percent health in their opener. Eagles 20, Rams 19

Houston at Pittsburgh, Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -6½)

Storylines: First-round rookie Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) makes his formal debut with the Steelers, and fellow running back Willie Parker returns to the field after missing the end of 2007 with a broken leg...Running back Ahman Green (hamstring) expected to start for Houston after missing the final three games of the preseason...Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith returns for his first meaningful game since tearing biceps in Week 14 of 2007...Texans are 1-3 in their last four season openers...Houston running back Steve Slaton (turf toe) expected to make his regular season debut with Texans...Kyle Shanahan, son of Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, makes his formal debut as offensive coordinator for the Texans...Houston signed ex-Patriots defensive back Eugene Wilson on Wednesday...Steelers were 3-5 in their final eight games last season, including a playoff loss to the Jaguars, while Texans were 3-1 in their final four contests.

Fast Fact: The Steelers have won five consecutive regular season openers, and have not lost an opener at home since falling to Baltimore to begin the 2000 campaign.

Prediction: Texans are on the rise, Steelers the decline, but Houston still isn't quite ready to come away from Heinz Field with a win. Steelers 24, Texans 21

Jacksonville at Tennessee, Sunday, 1:00 (Jacksonville -3)

Storylines: Jaguars will play first game since backup tackle Richard Collier was critically injured in a shooting Tuesday morning...Ex-Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams makes his debut in that capacity with Jacksonville...Mike Heimerdinger makes his return to the offensive coordinator chair for Tennessee after a three-year hiatus that included stints with the Broncos and Jets...Defensive end Jevon Kearse and wide receiver Justin McCareins also begin their second tours of duty with the Titans...Status of Jaguars wide receiver Jerry Porter (hamstring) uncertain for Sunday...Status of Jags first-round Draft choice and defensive end Derrick Harvey (Florida) unknown after Harvey missed most of the preseason due to a contract holdout...Tight end Alge Crumpler makes his debut with the Titans, as does first-round running back Chris Johnson (East Carolina)...Jaguars and Titans split home-and-home last season, with the road team winning both ends...Jags are 2-4 in season-openers since 2002...Titans are 4-2 in openers over that span.

Fast Fact: Fred Taylor needs 20 rushing yards to go over 1,000 for his career against the Titans, who trail only Indianapolis (1,130 yards) on the running back's personal yardage-against list.

Prediction: Will the Jags live up to the acclaim? Maybe not, but they'll do enough to handle Vince Young. Jaguars 17, Titans 10

Dallas at Cleveland, Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -5)

Storylines: Dallas plays first meaningful game since 21-17 loss to Giants in NFC Divisional Playoff last January...Quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards (foot) both slated to play for Cleveland after missing extensive time in the preseason...Running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) also expected to play...Offseason acquisitions and defensive tackles Shaun Rogers (ex-Lions) and Corey Williams (ex-Packers) make their first appearances with Cleveland...Zach Thomas makes first start as a member of the Cowboys after 12 seasons with Dolphins...First-round Draft choices Felix Jones (Arkansas) and cornerback Mike Jenkins (South Florida) make their respective debuts with the Cowboys...Mel Tucker makes debut as Browns' defensive coordinator...Pro Bowl kick returner Joshua Cribbs (ankle) not expected to be available for Cleveland...Browns were 0-4 in the preseason.... Cowboys are 2-6 in openers since 2000...Cleveland is 1-8 in openers since returning to the league in 1999.

Fast Fact: The Browns' most recent home victory over the Cowboys was a 24-21 triumph on Dec. 4, 1988.

Prediction: Might be a different result at mid-season, but for now, Cleveland is too battered to beat an elite-level opponent. Cowboys 31, Browns 17

Carolina at San Diego, Sunday, 4:15 (San Diego -9)

Storylines: Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery and missed the final 13 games of 2007, makes his regular season return to the field...Chargers Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates (foot), who missed all of the preseason, expected to play on Sunday...San Diego carries a six- game regular season winning streak into Sunday's contest...Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith will miss his first of two games after being suspended following an altercation with teammate Ken Lucas in training camp...Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman slated to play despite two torn ligaments in his left knee...Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) to make his debut as a Panther...First-round rookie Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) to start at right tackle for Panthers...Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad returns to Carolina lineup after three seasons with Bears...Panthers are 1-3 in openers since 2004...Chargers are 5-2 in openers since 2001.

Fast Fact: Chargers head coach Norv Turner is 6-0 in his career against the Panthers.

Prediction: Without Steve Smith, Panthers won't have enough of an offensive spark to hang with Bolts. Chargers 24, Panthers 9

Arizona at San Francisco, Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -2½)

Storylines: J.T. O'Sullivan, who beat out Alex Smith and Shaun Hill for the starting quarterback job in San Francisco, makes his first career NFL start...49ers offense will be run by new coordinator and former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz...Kurt Warner, who played for Martz in St. Louis, will start at quarterback for Arizona after winning a preseason competition with Matt Leinart...Wideout Isaac Bruce makes debut with the 49ers after 14 seasons with the Rams...Former Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson expected to make his first start in San Francisco uniform...49ers swept Cardinals in last year's home-and-home...Along with Bruce and Johnson, running back DeShaun Foster (ex- Panthers) and defensive end Justin Smith (ex-Bengals) among the new faces for 49ers...Outside linebacker Clark Haggans makes formal debut for Cardinals after serving as a starter for Steelers for last four seasons...Rookie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) makes debut for Cardinals... Arizona is 1-7 in openers since 2000...San Francisco is 2-1 in openers under head coach Mike Nolan.

Fast Fact: Kurt Warner has thrown for more than 300 yards in six of 10 career outings against the 49ers, including a 484-yard performance against San Francisco last Nov. 25th.

Prediction: New-look Niners offense will receive high marks, but the "D" won't have an answer for Warner and the wideouts. Cardinals 30, 49ers 23.

Chicago at Indianapolis, Sunday, 8:15 (Indianapolis -9½)

Storylines: Colts open brand new Lucas Oil Stadium, a 63,000-seat, retractable roof facility...Indianapolis and Chicago meet for the first time since Colts' 29-17 win in Super Bowl XLI...Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, who missed the entire preseason after undergoing minor knee surgery in July, expected to start...Kyle Orton, who won a preseason competition with Rex Grossman for starting quarterback duties, will start a regular season opener for the first time...Indianapolis safety Bob Sanders (shoulder) and defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) both expected to be in the lineup on Sunday...Rookie Matt Forte (Tulane) slated to start in backfield for Chicago, with ex-Lion Kevin Jones also expected to make his debut with the team...Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) slated to play despite missing extensive practice time in recent weeks...Indianapolis wideout Marvin Harrison needs 61 receiving yards to surpass James Lofton for fourth-place on all-time NFL list...Bears are 1-4 in last five openers...Colts are 8-1 in openers since 1999.

Fast Fact: Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison has fewer career receiving yards against the Bears (91) than any other NFL opponent.

Prediction: No reason to expect a horrid Bears offense to move the football on Indianapolis. Colts 24, Bears 6.

Minnesota at Green Bay, Monday, 8:00 (Green Bay -2½)

Storylines: Aaron Rodgers, a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, makes his first career regular season start following the trade of Brett Favre to the New York Jets in August...Rodgers will become the first player other than Favre to start at quarterback for Green Bay since Don Majkowski on Sept. 20, 1992...Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (knee) slated to start after missing the club's final two preseason contests...Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen (ex-Chiefs) and wide receiver Bernard Berrian (ex-Bears) among the notable newcomers for the Vikings...Minnesota will be without left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL personal conduct policy, as well as safety Madieu Williams (neck)...Packers running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) expected to be in starting lineup after missing most of the preseason...Green Bay has lost two out of its last three openers...Vikings are 4-1 in openers since 2003.

Fast Fact: With a win on Monday, the Packers (four straight wins over Minnesota) will match their longest winning streak in the series since taking five in a row from the Vikings from 1983 to 1985.

Prediction: Let the Brett Favre second-guessing begin. An improved Minnesota team escapes Lambeau with a narrow win. Vikings 20, Packers 17

Denver at Oakland, Monday, 10:15 (Denver -3)

Storylines: Rookie running back Darren McFadden makes his formal debut in a Raiders uniform, and 2007 No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell starts a season- opener for the first time...Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall will sit out due to a one-game suspension for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy...Ex-Broncos wideout Javon Walker (hamstring) considered questionable to make his debut as a Raider...Cornerback DeAngelo Hall (ex-Falcons) and safety Gibril Wilson (ex-Giants) expected to make their first regular season appearances with the Raiders...Rookie receiver Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech), a second-round Draft choice, slated to be in starting lineup for Denver...No. 12 overall draft choice Ryan Clady (Boise State) will start at left tackle for Broncos...Running back Justin Fargas (knee) will be back in Raiders lineup after missing final two games of 2007 due to injury...Broncos are 20-6 against Oakland under former Raiders head coach Mike Shanahan...Denver has lost two of its last three openers.

Fast Fact: The Raiders are 0-5 in openers since defeating the Seahawks at home to open the 2002 season.

Prediction: Denver is a work in progress, but will force Russell into enough mistakes to secure the win. Broncos 26, Raiders 14.