By Tony Moss Sep 12, 2007, 22:03 GMT
Philadelphia, PA - There isn't a person that follows the National Football League, whether casually or intently, who isn't relieved to hear the latest news about Kevin Everett.
The Bills' reserve tight end is able to move his arms and legs after suffering what was termed a catastrophic spinal cord injury on Sunday against the Broncos, and his prognosis for a full recovery seems to get more favorable by the day.
Some of us feel just a tinge of guilt over Everett's injury, since our obsession with such a rough game feeds the beast and leads to scenes like the one that unfolded at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday. We love our bone- crunching hits, scarcely considering that bones being crunched can ruin, or in rare cases end, the lives of those we watch getting 'jacked up.'
We shouldn't really feel guilty, though. Everett is a grown man who had long considered the risks of playing football, even if, just like most players who strap on a helmet and a set of shoulder pads, he never thought such an injury could happen to him. We should pity him, and pray for his recovery, but we shouldn't feel responsible for a choice that Everett made.
Everett's fellow Bills teammates were in the same boat as him as they dressed in the stadium locker room before Sunday's game, knowing but never dwelling on the fact that the Denver game could be their last.
How they'll react from a standpoint of taking the field this Sunday in Pittsburgh, and for 14 of the 15 weeks that follow, is anyone's guess.
You might expect that having seen the big picture while Everett was lying motionless on the field, the Bills would tread lightly from here on out. Lots of running out of bounds and arm tackles, that sort of thing. But history does not reflect that mindset among teammates that are left behind after witnessing a devastating injury.
Mike Utley and Darryl Stingley are the two names most often recalled when an injury of this nature occurs.
Utley's Lions did not pack it in after the lineman was paralyzed from the chest down in Week 12 of the 1991 season. They finished off that game, beating the Rams, and won their next six contests until their playoff road ended in the NFC Championship Game. Detroit can count its only postseason win from 1958 to the present during the season that changed Utley's life.
The injury that made the late Stingley a quadriplegic occurred in the 1978 preseason, and predated a regular campaign that saw New England go 11-5 and win the AFC East title.
Another player that saw his career end with a serious spinal injury, lineman Dennis Byrd, did not watch his team go on to great things as he began his arduous, and ultimately complete, recovery. The 1992 Jets finished 4-12, but one week after Byrd went down, his team delivered its most complete performance of the year in a road win against the Super Bowl-bound Buffalo Bills.
Connecting those horrible injuries with comparatively meaningless results on the football field is crass at best, but the fact that life resumed as normal for the teams forced to deal with a difficult situation raises a valuable point.
In real life, NFL players are not trying to win one for the Gipper, they're going out to perform the requirements of their job, however dangerous those objectives might be.
The Bills will remember their ailing friend this Sunday at all times other than those that are spent between the white lines of the playing field. You don't get to the NFL by being distracted, and you certainly don't get to play in the NFL if you're bound by fear.
As much as everything changed for the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, nothing changed, too.
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
NFL POWER POLL
The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm
FANTASY - FIVE TO START
Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay (at N.Y. Giants) - Did you get a good look at the Giants secondary on Sunday night?
Chris Brown, RB, Tennessee (vs. Indianapolis) - Brown exploded for 175 against the Jaguars, and should find some holes in the Indy defense as well.
Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans (at Tampa Bay) - Had a tough Week 1 against the Colts, but he and Drew Brees should get back in rhythm on Sunday.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver (vs. Oakland) - Raiders defense had trouble containing the Lions receiving game, and won't pay enough attention to the blossoming Marshall.
Jacksonville Defense (vs. Atlanta) - Looked awful against the Titans, but Atlanta will make a lot of defenses appear good this season.
FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH
Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia (vs. Washington) - Proved that he wasn't 100 percent back in the Green Bay loss.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo (at Pittsburgh) - Had a nice outing against the Broncos, but the Steelers front seven will give him trouble.
Ronald Curry, WR, Oakland (at Denver) - Is about to find out the difference between the Lions secondary and that of the Broncos.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City (at Chicago) - Struggles in Houston probably weren't an aberration for a passing game that looks pretty flawed.
Shaun Suisham, K, Washington (at Philadelphia) - Nailed three field goals, including the game-winner, against Miami, but won't get as many opportunities in Philly.
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Jacksonville (vs. Atlanta) - If the Jags lose to Atlanta at home after last week's disaster, Jack Del Rio had better post his resume' on Monster.
2. Chicago (vs. Kansas City) - Bears will come out hungry for a win after Sunday's humbling in San Diego.
3. Philadelphia (vs. Washington) - Eagles can't afford to fall two games back in the NFC East at such an early stage of the season.
THE GAMES
I was 12-4 (.750) in my picks last week, but just 6-8-2 (.438) against the spread. I didn't think the Colts, Steelers, or Patriots would win by such wide margins, and thought the Broncos would do a better job of handling the Bills.
Houston (1-0) at Carolina (1-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Carolina -6)
Storylines: Houston, a 20-3 winner over Kansas City last week, trying to start 2-0 for the first time in team history...Matt Schaub makes first road start as a Texan against Panthers, who will be playing their home opener...Carolina backup quarterback David Carr appeared in 76 games with Houston from 2002 through 2006...Panthers last opened 2-0 in 2003, when they won their first five en route to a Super Bowl appearance...Running back Ahman Green carried 16 times for 73 yards in his Texans debut last week...Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in last week's 27-13 win over the Rams...Houston defensive end and former No. 1 draft pick Mario Williams had two sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown versus Kansas City...Texans, who lost strong safety Jason Simmons (knee) in last week's win over Kansas City, signed former Giants and Ravens safety Will Demps to bolster the position on Tuesday...Panthers signed veteran tight end Christian Fauria on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: In his only extended time against the Panthers, on Jan. 1, 2006, Matt Schaub completed 9-of-13 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown for a 120.7 rating in Atlanta's 44-11 loss to Carolina.
Prediction: Texans showed promising signs in win over Chiefs, but are not ready to beat a high-quality opponent on the road. Panthers 24, Texans 9.
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Cincinnati (1-0) at Cleveland (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -6)
Storylines: Cleveland traded Week 1 starting quarterback Charlie Frye to Seattle on Tuesday, elevating backup Derek Anderson to No. 1 and rookie Brady Quinn to No. 2...Bengals have won five straight against Browns, their longest winning streak against Cleveland all-time...Browns have lost their last seven against AFC North teams, and are 1-12 in the division under Romeo Crennel... Cincinnati forced six turnovers in a 27-20 win over Baltimore Monday night... Browns rushed for just 46 yards in a 34-7 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1, tied with Green Bay for the lowest total in the NFL...Browns running back Jamal Lewis carried 11 times for 35 yards with a fumble in his debut with Cleveland...Cincinnati wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh both scored touchdowns against Baltimore...Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty (leg) and safety Ethan Kilmer (knee) remain out for this week, while tackle Levi Jones (knee) is considered questionable... Browns punter Dave Zastudil (back) expected to play after missing Week 1.
Fast Fact: The Bengals lead the all-time series with the Browns, 34-33, the first time Cincinnati has held a lead against Cleveland since 1993, when they held a 23-22 edge.
Prediction: Bengals are on a short week and Browns made a change at quarterback, but there's still no real reason to expect Cleveland to show up. Bengals 23, Browns 10.
Atlanta (0-1) at Jacksonville (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Jacksonville -10)
Storylines: Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino, who seeks his first win this week, served as an assistant with Jacksonville from 1999 through 2001... Jaguars try to battle back from home debacle against Tennessee last Sunday, when they allowed 282 rushing yards and lost, 13-10...Atlanta never reached the red zone in last week's 24-3 loss to the Vikings...Falcons trying to avoid first 0-2 start since 2002, when they rebounded to go 9-6-1 and make the playoffs under Dan Reeves...Jaguars last went 0-2 in 2003, when they lost their first four and finished 5-11 in Jack Del Rio's first year...Quarterback Joey Harrington threw two interceptions and was sacked six times in his Falcons debut last week, while veteran wideout Joe Horn posted just one catch for 14 yards in his first game with Atlanta...Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew was held to 60 yards on 10 total offensive touches against the Titans...Jacksonville signed veteran kicker John Carney on Tuesday due to an injury to starter Josh Scobee (quadriceps) in last week's loss to Tennessee.
Fast Fact: The Falcons (three points last week) have not been held to single- digits in back-to-back weeks since Weeks 2-3 of the 1999 season.
Prediction: Jaguars are playing the worst team in the league at a very opportune time. Jaguars 30, Falcons 7.
Green Bay (1-0) at N.Y. Giants (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -1)
Storylines: Status of Eli Manning unclear for Sunday, after the Giants quarterback reportedly suffered a separated shoulder in last week's 45-35 loss to the Cowboys...New York running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee) both expected to be out for Sunday's game...Jared Lorenzen would start at quarterback if Manning can't go, and Derrick Ward is likely to open at running back for the G-Men...Giants wideout Plaxico Burress led the NFL with a career-high three touchdowns in Week 1...Green Bay, a 16-13 winner over the Eagles last Sunday, vying for first 2-0 start since 2001, when they won their first three en route to a 12-4 finish under Mike Sherman... Giants allowed 45 points and 478 yards of offense in Week 1, both league- worsts...Packers rushed for just 46 yards in Week 1, tied with Cleveland for the lowest total in the NFL...Green Bay running back Vernand Morency (knee) could suit up for the first time this season...Packers kicker Mason Crosby was 3-for-3 on field goals last week, becoming the first rookie since Matt Bahr in 1979 to kick a game-winner on Week 1.
Fast Fact: Packers quarterback Brett Favre has thrown for a combined 582 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two road games against the Giants, both Green Bay wins.
Prediction: Packers are not a great team, but with their injuries, who could the Giants beat? Packers 20, Giants 17.
Buffalo (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -10)
Storylines: Bills will play their first game since reserve tight end Kevin Everett suffered a serious spinal cord injury in last week's 15-14 loss to the Broncos...Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin makes his formal home debut...Bills last started 0-2 in 2004, when they lost their first four but rebounded to finish 9-7 under Mike Mularkey...In addition to Everett, the Bills also lost safety Ko Simpson (ankle) and cornerback Jason Webster (broken arm) for the year in last week's defeat...Buffalo posted a league-low 184 yards of total offense in Week 1, including just 72 passing yards from quarterback J.P. Losman...Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw a career-high four touchdown passes in last Sunday's 34-7 win over the Browns...Bills rookie running back Marshawn Lynch carried 19 times for 90 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut last week...Steelers are 5-1 in their last six home openers...Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker has rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last five games dating back to last season.
Fast Fact: The Bills are 0-5 in regular season games played in Pittsburgh since their only such win there, during the 1975 season.
Prediction: Bills will come out with fire, but are simply too banged up to put a scare into Pittsburgh. Steelers 26, Bills 13.
San Francisco (1-0) at St. Louis (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (St. Louis -3)
Storylines: Rams will play their first game without Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace, who is out for the year after suffering a torn labrum and rotator cuff in last week's 27-13 loss to the Panthers...49ers looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 1998, when they finished 12-4 under Steve Mariucci...Rams last opened at 0-2 in 2002, when they lost their first five en route to a 7-9 finish under Mike Martz...Rams running back Steven Jackson was held to 58 yards on 18 carries and lost two fumbles against Carolina...49ers quarterback Alex Smith (15-of-31, 155 yards, 126 yards) and running back Frank Gore (18 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD) both had lackluster statistical outings in Monday's 20-17 win over the Cardinals...Wideout Drew Bennett (quadriceps) expected to make his Rams debut on Sunday after missing the Panther game...St. Louis defensive tackle Claude Wroten was suspended for four games on Tuesday for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy...Niners coach Mike Nolan is 3-1 against the Rams.
Fast Fact: The Rams have not lost home games on the first two weeks of the season since 1998, when they fell to the Saints (24-17) and Vikings (38-31) en route to a 4-12 campaign.
Prediction: Just six days after a physical battle against the Cardinals, look for the Niners to take a step back against an already desperate Rams team. Rams 24, 49ers 14.
New Orleans (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -3 )
Storylines: Jeff Garcia's home Buccaneers debut comes against the team that ended his 2006 season with Philadelphia in the postseason...Saints seeking to rebound from last Thursday's 41-10 pasting at the hands of Indianapolis, a game that saw quarterback Drew Brees (192 passing yards, 2 INT), running back Reggie Bush (47 yards on 17 touches) and the New Orleans defense (452 yards allowed) all struggle...Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) and cornerback Brian Kelly (groin) regarded as questionable after leaving last Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Seahawks...New Orleans trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 1997, when it finished 6-10 under Mike Ditka...Tampa Bay defensive end Gaines Adams, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2007 Draft, was credited with one unassisted tackle against the Seahawks...Saints are 4-1 in Tampa Bay since both teams became a part of the NFC South in 2002...Garcia was 19-of-27 for 201 yards and did not execute a touchdown drive in his debut with the Bucs.
Fast Fact: New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (zero touchdown passes last week) has not gone consecutive games without a touchdown pass since Weeks 8-9 of the 2003 season, a span of 53 contests.
Prediction: Saints will bounce back, but not in a major way, against a Tampa team that is long overdue for an encouraging performance. Saints 20, Buccaneers 17.
Indianapolis (1-0) at Tennessee (1-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -7)
Storylines: Titans try to maintain momentum after posting a 13-10 road upset of the Jaguars in Week 1...Colts seek to build on 41-10 thrashing of New Orleans last Thursday night...Colts have started 2-0 in three of the past four years...Indianapolis had a seven-game win streak over the Titans snapped in a 20-17 loss at LP Field last season...Titans traded for former Seahawks starting defensive end Bryce Fisher on Tuesday...Tennessee running back Chris Brown led the league in rushing yards with a career-high 175 in a 13-10 win over Jacksonville in Week 1...Titans rushed for a league-best 282 yards in Week 1, but passed for a NFL-low 68... Tennessee has five former Colts on the roster (LB Gilbert Gardner, CB Nick Harper, TE Ben Hartsock, DT Corey Simon, and LB David Thornton), and Gardner and Harper played on last year's Super Bowl team...Colts wideouts Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison combined for 11 catches, 198 yards, and 3 touchdowns in Week 1...Tennessee has won its last four games against AFC South opponents.
Fast Fact: Prior to last week's 175-yard performance, the best outing of Tennessee running back Chris Brown's career was a 26-carry, 152-yard day against Indianapolis in Week 2 of the 2004 season.
Prediction: Not so fast, upstart Titans - the Colts will not allow you to seize control of the AFC South any time soon. Colts 29, Titans 10.
Seattle (1-0) at Arizona (0-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Seattle -3)
Storylines: Ken Whisenhunt makes his home debut on the Arizona sideline... Cardinals, a 20-17 loser in San Francisco on Monday night, try to avoid starting 0-2 for the fourth time in the past five years...Seattle looks to build on its 20-6 Week 1 win over the Buccaneers...Seahawks obtained quarterback Charlie Frye from Cleveland on Tuesday, and Frye is expected to initially fill the third-string role behind Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace...Wallace could also line up at split end after starter D.J. Hackett (high ankle sprain) was knocked out for up to a month against the Buccaneers...Seahawks also traded defensive end Bryce Fisher to the Titans on Tuesday... Cardinals receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin combined for just seven catches and 42 yards against San Francisco...Seattle running back Shaun Alexander carried 27 times for 105 yards and a touchdown last week... Arizona signed ex-Steelers center Chukky Okobi on Tuesday, after Week 1 starter Al Johnson (knee) was knocked out for at least a week against the 49ers.
Fast Fact: Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been held under 100 yards in five of six career outings against the Seahawks.
Prediction: Cardinals fans are expecting big things from the Whisenhunt regime, but a work-in-progress team won't deliver on a short week. Seahawks 20, Cardinals 16.
Minnesota (1-0) at Detroit (1-0), Sunday, 4:05 (Detroit -3)
Storylines: Lions try to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Vikings... Detroit, which was a 36-21 winner in Oakland last Sunday, trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 2004, when they finished 6-10 under Steve Mariucci... Minnesota was a 24-3 winner over Atlanta last Sunday, despite not running a single play in the Falcons' red zone...Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson burst on the scene with 163 combined yards (103 rushing, 60 receiving) and a 60-yard touchdown catch against the Falcons...Lions wideout Calvin Johnson, who will make his formal debut in Detroit, caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown against Oakland...Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson notched his first win as an NFL starter last week, completing 13 passes to nine different targets...Minnesota running back Chester Taylor (oblique) considered questionable after leaving last week's win over the Falcons...Vikings end Erasmus James (knee) and Lions running back Kevin Jones (foot) expected to remain out for Sunday's contest.
Fast Fact: Only five current members of the Lions (Jeff Backus, Jared DeVries, Jason Hanson, Dominic Raiola, Shaun Rogers) were an active part of the Detroit roster when the Lions last beat the Vikings, on Dec. 16th, 2001.
Prediction: If the Lions have seriously turned the corner, they'd better be able to end that ugly losing streak to Minnesota. Lions 30, Vikings 21.
Dallas (1-0) at Miami (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 (Dallas -3)
Storylines: Cam Cameron makes his home debut as Miami coach, while the Cowboys' Wade Phillips takes his new club on the road for the first time... Dallas trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 1999, when it finished 8-8 under Chan Gailey...Miami trying to avoid its third 0-2 start in the past four seasons...Dolphins, who lost strong safety Yeremiah Bell (Achilles) for the season in last week's 16-13 overtime loss to the Redskins, signed ex-Titan Lamont Thompson and ex-Jaguar Donovin Darius to bolster the position on Tuesday...Cowboys lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson (elbow) for the year in last week's 45-35 win over the Giants...Dallas quarterback Tony Romo led the league in passing yards with a career-high 345 in Week 1...Dolphins signal-caller Trent Green, who will make his formal home debut with Miami, completed 24- of-38 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown in last week's loss to Washington...First-round draft choice Ted Ginn, Jr. and free agent outside linebacker Joey Porter among other players making their home debut in a Miami uniform...Cowboys wideout Terrell Owens caught two touchdown passes last week.
Fast Fact: Dolphins quarterback Trent Green (0-3 as a starter against Dallas) has defeated 28 of 32 NFL teams, with the Cowboys, Vikings, Saints, and Chiefs ranking as those that he has not beaten.
Prediction: Dallas won't run up and down the field against a decent Miami defense, but the Dolphin offense still won't do enough damage to keep pace. Cowboys 24, Dolphins 16
N.Y. Jets (0-1) at Baltimore (0-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Baltimore -11)
Storylines: A pair of 2006 playoff teams look to avoid an 0-2 start...Jets quarterback Chad Pennington (ankle) may not be available on Sunday, opening the door for second-year-pro Kellen Clemens to get his first pro start... Ravens running back Willis McGahee, who rushed 19 times for 77 yards in Monday's 27-20 loss to Cincinnati, makes his first meaningful home start in Baltimore...Jets last opened at 0-2 in 2003...McGahee has rushed for better than 100 yards in each of his past five outings against the Jets...New York running back Thomas Jones was held to 42 yards on 14 carries in last week's 38-14 loss to the Patriots...Baltimore lost return specialist B.J. Sams (knee) for the season in Monday' loss to the Bengals, and Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden (toe) is out indefinitely...Quarterback Steve McNair (groin) is expected to play against the Jets after leaving the Cincinnati game late, and linebacker Ray Lewis (triceps) is considered questionable...Jets head coach Eric Mangini was an assistant in Baltimore during the 1996 season.
Fast Fact: The last Jets quarterback to engineer a win in Baltimore was Richard Todd, who led a 10-6 win over the Colts at Memorial Stadium on Dec. 4, 1983.
Prediction: Both of these teams are ailing, but one is still capable of putting serious pressure on the opposing quarterback. Ravens 23, Jets 7.
Kansas City (0-1) at Chicago (0-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Chicago -11)
Storylines: Bears trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2003, while Chiefs seek to avoid the mark for a second straight year...Chiefs and Bears are two of four teams (Buccaneers, Falcons) without a touchdown as Week 2 begins...Starting running backs Larry Johnson (10 carries, 43 yards) and Cedric Benson (19 carries, 42 yards, 1 lost fumble) both struggled in Week 1...Chicago lost starting safety Mike Brown and defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek to season-ending knee injuries in last week's 14-3 loss to the Chargers...Kansas City wideout Eddie Kennison (hamstring) will not play against Chicago after exiting early in last week's 20-3 loss to the Texans...Chiefs cut kicker Justin Medlock following last week's loss, and signed former Packer Dave Rayner to fulfill kicking duties...Kansas City end Jared Allen will serve the second of a two-game NFL suspension against the Bears...Head coaches Herm Edwards (Kansas City) and Lovie Smith (Chicago) both served on Tony Dungy's staff with Tampa Bay from 1996 through 2001.
Fast Fact: The Bears have started 0-2 a total of 18 times in their 87-year history, and have never recovered to make the playoffs in any of those seasons.
Prediction: Kansas City's offensive dark age will continue in Chicago, while the Bears attack shows its first signs of life. Bears 28, Chiefs 6.
Oakland (0-1) at Denver (1-0), Sunday, 4:15 (Denver -10)
Storylines: Raiders attempt to snap 14-game losing streak against the AFC West, and try to avoid starting 0-2 for the third straight season...Oakland trying to avoid its second 11-game losing streak over the franchise's past 24 games...Denver has won its last seven home openers...With quarterback Josh McCown (finger, foot) ailing, ex-Viking and Dolphin Daunte Culpepper could get his first start in a Raider uniform...Denver posted 470 yards of total offense in last week's 15-14 win over the Bills, but scored just one touchdown on the day...Oakland wideout Ronald Curry had a league-best 10 catches in Week 1... Denver running back Travis Henry carried 23 times for 139 yards in his debut with the Broncos a week ago...Broncos allowed a league-low 184 yards of total offense in Week 1...Raiders scored three offensive touchdowns in Week 1, after their attack managed just 12 in all of 2006...Denver head coach Mike Shanahan is 19-5 against the team that fired him four games into the 1989 season.
Fast Fact: In three career outings against the Raiders, Denver running back Travis Henry has rushed a total of 37 times for 127 yards (3.4 yards per rush) with just one touchdown.
Prediction: Raiders are getting closer to respectability, but will take a step back against a Denver team that always saves a top-notch performance for Oakland. Broncos 27, Raiders 10.
San Diego (1-0) at New England (1-0), Sunday, 8:15 (New England -3)
Storylines: Pats and Chargers engage in rematch of 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff, won by New England, 24-21, on the road...Patriots play first game since reportedly violating league policy by recording the Jets' defensive signals in last week's 38-14 New England win...Chargers running back and reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 25 yards on 17 carries in last Sunday's 14-3 win over the Bears...New England wideout Randy Moss led the NFL in receiving yards with 183 in Week 1, and quarterback Tom Brady posted a league-best 146.6 passer rating...San Diego is one of four teams (Minnesota, Houston, Seattle) that did not allow a touchdown in Week 1...Eighteen of Brady's 22 completions in Week 1 went to players that were not on the roster in 2006...New England outside linebacker Mike Vrabel leads the league with 2.5 sacks as Week 2 begins...Patriots defenders Richard Seymour (knee) and Rodney Harrison (four-game NFL suspension) remain out...Patriots re-signed veteran linebacker Chad Brown on Wednesday...New England has won five consecutive home openers.
Fast Fact: The Chargers' 41-17 win at Gillette Stadium in 2005 ranks as New England's most lopsided home loss of the Bill Belichick era.
Prediction: Although it might not have seemed that way against the Jets, due to defensive absences, the Patriots are not hitting on all cylinders at this stage of the season. Chargers 27, Patriots 20.
Washington (1-0) at Philadelphia (0-1), Monday, 8:30 (Philadelphia -7)
Storylines: Philadelphia tries to avoid first 0-2 start since 2003 in home opener, while quarterback Donovan McNabb seeks first win as a starter since ACL surgery last November...Eagles re-signed punt returner Reno Mahe on Wednesday, after two muffed punt returns contributed to Philadelphia's 16-13 loss in Green Bay last week...Washington lost starting right tackle Jon Jansen for the year with a broken ankle suffered in last week's 16-13 overtime win over Miami...Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard (knee) will not play against Washington...Redskins obtained former Chargers and Patriots starting wideout Reche Caldwell on Tuesday, and also re-signed safety Omar Stoutmire...Redskins running back Clinton Portis rushed 17 times for 98 yards and a touchdown last week in his first game since missing the second half of 2006 with a broken hand...Redskins wideout Antwaan Randle El comes off a career-best 162-yard outing against the Dolphins...Eagles are 10-5 on Monday night under head coach Andy Reid...Washington is 2-8 on Monday night dating back to 1998.
Fast Fact: The Redskins are 2-9 against the Eagles since 2001, and have averaged just 14.2 points per game against Philadelphia over that span.
Prediction: Eagles' ownership of Redskins will continue, as McNabb gets closer to 100 percent in his first solid outing of 2007. Eagles 28, Redskins 10.
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