NFL: The matchups
Falcons at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 3.
Last meeting: Falcons won 30-10 at Atlanta on Oct. 2, 2005.
Key stat: Vikings have won 15 of last 20 home openers.
Fantasy factor: Running backs Warrick Dunn of Falcons and Chester Taylor of Vikings, both of whom averaged 4.0 yards per carry last season, will have to carry load.
The Buzz: Well, this one doesn’t exactly feature Marino-Elway matchup. Two teams headed for long seasons will try, really try, to rally around quarterbacks Joey Harrington (Falcons) and Tarvaris Jackson (Vikings). Is it too soon to talk about first pick of the draft?
Dolphins at Redskins
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Redskins by 3.
Last meeting: Dolphins won 24-23 at Miami on Nov. 23, 2003.
Key stat: Dolphins have won 2 of last 3 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Ronnie Brown, who rushed for 1,008 yards with 4.2 avg., will have to carry load for Dolphins. Redskins tight end Chris Cooley has become big threat, catching 6 TD passes in ‘06.
The Buzz: How much does Trent Green have left? Dolphins may find out hard way. Jason Campbell has started 7 games at QB for Redskins and has thrown for at least 1 TD in each (10 total).
Broncos at Bills
Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS
Line: Broncos by 3.
Last meeting: Broncos won 28-17 at Buffalo on Dec. 17, 2005.
Key stat: Broncos have won last 4 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Travis Henry, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry and rushed for 7 TDs for Titans last year, makes Broncos debut. First-round pick Marshawn Lynch will get chance to run right away for Bills.
The Buzz: Bills finished relatively strong in ‘06, winning 5 of last 9. If QB J.P. Losman keeps it together, Bills can do some damage in front of home crowd.
Chiefs at Texans
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Texans by 3.
Last meeting: Chiefs won 45-17 at Houston on Nov. 20, 2005.
Key stat: Chiefs 2-0 on road vs. Texans.
Fantasy factor: Larry Johnson is well rested after missing most of camp, but can he rush for 17 TDs again this year? Ex-Packer Ahman Green makes Texans debut.
The Buzz: Damon Huard, who played well late last season, has won Chiefs’ QB job. Ex-Falcons backup QB Matt Schaub gets chance to be starter, but does he have enough help in Houston?
Panthers at Rams
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Rams by 1.
Last meeting: Panthers won 15-0 at Carolina on Nov. 19, 2006.
Key stat: Rams have won 10 of last 12 home openers.
Fantasy factor: Jake Delhomme facing pivotal year after throwing only 17 TDs in ‘06. Rams’ Steven Jackson has taken his place among elite NFL runners.
The Buzz: Both teams have plenty of players who have been to playoffs. But right now, Rams QB Marc Bulger is step ahead of Delhomme.
Patriots at Jets
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Patriots by 6 1/2.
Last meeting: Patriots won 37-16 in AFC wild-card playoffs at New England on Jan. 7, 2007.
Key stat: Patriots have won 7 of last 8 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Laurence Maroney takes over as Pats’ No. 1 back after averaging 4.3 yards per carry last year. Jets expect big things of Thomas Jones (4.1 yards per carry in ‘06) but maybe not against this defense.
The Buzz: Team returns solid offensive line and has rebuilt wide receiver corps for Tom Brady. Jets took big step up last season, but Patriots haven’t stood still.
Eagles at Packers
Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox 28
Line: Eagles by 3.
Last meeting: Eagles won 31-9 at Philadelphia on Oct. 2, 2006.
Key stat: Eagles have won last 4 meetings.
Fantasy factor: In last 2 vs. Packers, Donovan McNabb has completed 65.8 percent of his passes with 7 TDs and no INTs. Packers’ Brett Favre comes off middling season of 18 TD passes and 18 INTs.
The Buzz: Until Packers’ new-look running game shows it can be productive, Favre will be under siege. McNabb is almost entirely back from knee surgery. Eagles smell division title.
Steelers at Browns
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Steelers by 4 1/2.
Last meeting: Steelers won 27-7 at Cleveland on Dec. 7, 2006.
Key stat: Steelers have won 12 of last 13 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Ben Roethlisberger should get off to fast start against this defense. Browns need new RB Jamal Lewis to establish something quickly.
The Buzz: Mike Tomlin makes debut as Steelers coach against one of their oldest rivals. But it isn’t rivalry anymore until Browns fix quarterback situation. While Brady Quinn waits, Charlie Frye plays.
Titans at Jaguars
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2.
Last meeting: Titans won 24-17 at Tennessee on Dec. 17, 2006.
Key stat: Titans 8-5 at Jacksonville under Jeff Fisher.
Fantasy factor: Vince Young passed for 12 TDs and ran for 7 more last year; can he improve on that? Jaguars go with David Garrard as opening day starter for 1st time.
The Buzz: Titans will have to prove they can be consistent on offense to make playoff run. If Jaguars can run and play defense, they’ll beat a lot of teams.
Lions at Raiders
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Lions won 23-13 at Detroit on Nov. 2, 2003.
Key stat: Lane Kiffin (32) is youngest head coach in Raiders history.
Fantasy factor: Tatum Bell, who averaged 4.4 per carry for Broncos in ‘06, makes Lions debut. Kiffin has kept starting QB a secret, but it’s likely Josh McCown over Daunte Culpepper.
The Buzz: Two of worst franchises of last 5 years meet in matchup league decided to get out of way early. Lions, though, just may have potential to score with receivers Roy Williams and rookie Calvin Johnson.
Bears at Chargers
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 6.
Last meeting: Bears won 20-7 at Soldier Field on Nov. 2, 2003.
Key stat: Chargers went 8-0 at home last year.
Fantasy factor: How will Bears use Devin Hester, now receiver as well as kick returner? Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson faces defense that needs big game from DT Tommie Harris.
The Buzz: Intriguing opener features 2 Super Bowl contenders, 1 with new head coach (Chargers’ Norv Turner). Bears need good game from new starting RB Cedric Benson to pull off upset.
Giants at Cowboys
Time: 5:15 p.m. TV: NBC
Line: Cowboys by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: Cowboys won 23-20 at New York on Dec. 3, 2006.
Key stat: Giants coach Tom Coughlin is 5-4 vs. Cowboys.
Fantasy factor: Giants TE Jeremy Shockey, who had 7 TD catches last season, has 5 in last 6 vs. Cowboys. Terrell Owens had league-leading 13 TD catches last season.
The Buzz: Pivotal opener in NFC East should go Cowboys’ way in Wade Phillips’ debut as coach. Cowboys QB Tony Romo has decent talent all around him, while Giants have some question marks.
Ravens at Bengals
Time: 4 p.m. Monday. TV: ESPN
Line: Bengals by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Bengals won 13-7 at Cincinnati on Nov. 30, 2006.
Key stat: Bengals have won 4 of last 5 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Ex-Bills RB Willis McGahee gets fresh start with Ravens, who have succeeded with plugging in veterans in past. Bengals QB Carson Palmer coming off Pro Bowl season.
The Buzz: Steve McNair is back for 2nd season with Ravens, but Palmer has too many experienced weapons and should do just enough to win.
Cardinals at 49ers
Time: 7:15 p.m. Monday. TV: ESPN
Line: 49ers by 3.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 26-20 at San Francisco on Dec. 24, 2006.
Key stat: Cardinals have won last 4 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Matt Leinart could be ready to become one of NFL’s top quarterbacks after throwing only 11 TDs as rookie. 49ers’ Alex Smith isn’t taking that step.
The Buzz: Cardinals have shown they know how to beat 49ers, and Leinart has one league’s top receiver corps to help.
Thursday’s recap
Colts 41, Saints 10
Peyton Manning had three TD passes, two to Reggie Wayne and another to Marvin Harrison and the Super Bowl Champions routed New Orleans at Indianapolis.
Joseph Addai ran for 118 yards on 23 carries and a super-quick defense with four new starters shut down Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and the explosive New Orleans offense.
The game was tied at 10 after a sloppy first half.
But Manning, who finished 18 of 30 for 288 yards, led two quick TD drives in the first 8:49 of the second half as the Colts put up 24 points in 20 minutes after intermission. On the first drive, Manning hit Harrison for 42 yards to set up a 2-yard TD run by Addai. Then the Super Bowl MVP came right back to throw a 28-yard TD to Wayne.