Game of the Week
Chicago at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. ET
The line: Packers by 3½.
The story: It's all about quarterbacks in the NFC North, which means it's all about Jay Cutler vs. Aaron Rodgers here. Cutler makes his debut with the Bears, and expectations are off the charts. That's great, except keep this in mind: He hasn't won since high school, is 17-20 in the pros and doesn't have a go-to wide receiver. He also has Orlando Pace covering his back, and that would've been good five years ago. Now ... well, let's just say now I'd prefer Ryan Clady.
• SI.com: Bears-Packers
Oh, and one more thing: Cutler must solve a defense that features cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, and while they're not so young anymore they're more than capable of staying with Chicago's wideouts. I guess that's why Chicago drafted Matt Forte in 2008.
Anyway, this is our first chance to see Cutler in his new uniform in a meaningful game. The NFC North is a three-way race, with Green Bay a legitimate contender after last year's 6-10 finish. Rodgers is one reason. Weapons like Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings are others. But the key for Green Bay is how its new 3-4 defense operates under Dom Capers. Defense wasn't just a problem a year ago; it was a fatal flaw -- the Packers 11 times surrendered 20 or more points and three times hemorrhaged 30 or more. Rodgers didn't hold this team back; a depleted and vulnerable defense did. Coach Mike McCarthy resolved to do something about it, and Capers' 3-4 is that something.
Something to consider: The Packers' Grant has 100 yards rushing in four of his past five starts at Lambeau.
• Week 1: Previews | Schedule | Experts | Prisco's Picks | Harmon Forecast
Three games I'd like to see
Philadelphia at Carolina, 1 p.m. ET | 
Preview
The line: Eagles by 1½.
The story: Nope, there is no Michael Vick here, but he's not someone the Eagles will miss. Former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is, and that's not a knock on successor Sean McDermott. It's just that he's not Johnson, one of the sharpest, most imaginative and most effective assistant coaches anywhere. You don't replace a Jim Johnson; you follow him, and nobody knows better than McDermott, who studied under Johnson the past decade. Of course, there's also the loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, out for the season with torn knee ligaments. The Eagles struggled to find a replacement for their second-leading tackler and are still looking. I don't care if it's Joe Mays or Omar Gaither; he won't be Bradley, and that could be an issue.
• Endzone: Clark's three sure things | Season predictions | Breakout players
Nevertheless, I don't worry about the Eagles because I don't worry about their offense. It can and will score lots of points -- provided, of course, Donovan McNabb stays healthy. There are weapons galore here, with McNabb throwing to DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin, Reggie Brown, Brent Celek ... I think you get the idea. The Eagles are more than McNabb and Brian Westbrook now, and since I mentioned Westbrook I should also mention the Eagles did a nice job of protecting themselves with a safety net. Meet rookie LeSean McCoy, who took over for Westbrook while he recovered during training camp and who looks like a star waiting to happen.
Meanwhile, the last time we saw Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, he pulled one of the worst self-immolations in playoff history, with five interceptions and a fumble. Delhomme will recover, but the Panthers will have a tougher time getting back to the top of their division. Remember, they have a history of following one good season with one not-so-good one. A good start could do wonders for this team. It needs a pick-me-up after what happened the last time it played a game that counted, and the Panthers are in the right spot: They were 8-0 at home last season.
Something to consider: When the Eagles' Asante Samuel has an interception his teams are 20-1.
Miami at Atlanta, 1 p.m. ET | Preview
The line: Falcons by 3½.
The story: Atlanta's Mike Smith was last year's Coach of the Year, nosing out Miami's Tony Sparano by one vote. Now we have a rare opportunity to measure these two success stories mano-a-mano.
The Falcons think they're better than last year's 11-5 makeover, and the Dolphins think they're better than last year's 11-5 division champs. That's why they play the game, people. All I know is the Dolphins are in the right place at the right time: They are not only shooting for their fourth straight defeat of an NFC opponent but also their sixth consecutive victory on the road.
Miami got there by not making mistakes, committing a league-low 13 turnovers in 2008, and that could be the difference in this game. Here's why: Atlanta's 18 takeaways tied San Francisco for dead last in the NFC, which means the Dolphins don't give and the Falcons don't take. It also means Atlanta probably won't see many -- if any -- short fields Sunday. But the news isn't all grim. The Falcons should have star pass rusher John Abraham available. Abraham, who returned to practice from a knee injury, is expected to start, and could complicate the afternoon for his former teammate, quarterback Chad Pennington. Abraham led the Falcons last year with 16.5 sacks.
Something to consider: Atlanta was 7-1 at home last year.
Washington at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview
The line: Giants by 6½.
The story: This is the last season opener for Giants Stadium, so it's appropriate an opponent from the NFC East is represented. Fortunately for the Giants, it's a club that sputtered to the finish a year ago and might be on its heels now, with coach Jim Zorn on the hot seat. Unfortunately for the Giants, they might have to throw to win. The Redskins made a wise move in the offseason by adding defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, and the guy was virtually unblockable the past two years. Haynesworth is a 350-pound rock in the middle of Washington's defensive line, and good luck trying to move him.
• SI.com: What to watch for | Viewer's guide to Week 1
Of course, the Giants had the league's best rushing attack a year ago so you go with your strengths -- or, at least, you go with them until they don't work. If that happens, the Giants will be challenged -- and it might as well happen sooner rather than later. They're waiting on someone, anyone, to step up as Plaxico Burress' replacement but would like time to sort out the finalists. They might not have that luxury if Washington's eighth-ranked rushing defense is as improved as it appears.
There are all sorts of issues for the Giants -- the loss of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the loss of 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Ward and the departures of Burress and Amani Toomer. With this game, we will get a read on where they're going.
Something to consider: Quarterback Andre' Woodson, cut by the Giants last week, is running the Redskins' scout-team offense. The Giants are suspicious Washington signed him to get inside information on them, and you don't say. Clubs do it all the time. I just can't imagine it makes much of a difference.
Monday night lights
Buffalo at New England, 7 p.m. ET | Preview
The line: Patriots by 10½.
The story: It's Tom Brady's return to the NFL. No, it's Terrell Owens returning to earth. No, it's the Patriots moving on without Richard Seymour. No, it's the Bills moving on without Turk Schonert and Langston Walker. It's a lot of things, but it shouldn't be much of a game. Not only is Brady back; he looks as if he never was hurt, which is bad news for an opponent New England has defeated 16 of the past 17 times they met -- including eight straight at Foxborough.
A couple of things here: The story is Brady, with T.O. a sidebar for Buffalo writers, but the Bills should be watched carefully. This is a team that absolutely, positively must win for coach Dick Jauron to keep his job, and they're trying to do it with an offensive line that is new at every position and an offensive coordinator who is one week into the job. You want to make a statement and beat the big, bad New England Patriots? I can think of easier ways of doing it.
Something to consider: The Patriots have won 12 of their past 14 season openers, including all seven at Gillette Stadium. They have also won their past 11 against Buffalo.
San Diego at Oakland, 10:15 p.m. ET | Preview
The line: Chargers by 9½.
The story: San Diego is good, Oakland is not, so let's forget this game and try something more competitive -- something like Tom Cable vs. Shawne Merriman in a best-of-3 falls, with no charges pending for the winner.
The Bolts own these guys, last losing to them in 2003. That's a streak of 11 straight, and I don't see how it doesn't get extended -- not with LaDainian Tomlinson feeling as good as he does. Remember, L.T. is committed to making a statement this year -- a belief that he is the league's premier back -- and he has the perfect stage to make it: In 16 career starts vs. the Raiders, Tomlinson has nine 100-yard performances and is averaging 119.1 yards per game.
So the Raiders have a ton of talent on offense. They did last year, too, and where did it get them? Darren McFadden could be a monster if the Raiders give him the ball, but after the Richard Seymour debacle I'm convinced it will be years before they get straightened out. But that's another conversation. A year ago they led San Diego 15-0 at the half here, then let the Bolts off the hook. I would be shocked if the Chargers don't lead this one wire to wire. San Diego was 5-1 in the division last season for a reason: It's better than everyone but Ed Hochuli in the AFC West.
Something to consider: The Raiders have lost their past six games on Monday night.
Upset of the week
I'm not all that sold on this year's Falcons, probably because they don't follow one good season with another. The last time they reached the playoffs they followed with 8-8, 7-9 and 4-12 finishes. I know they're tough at home, but Miami was 6-2 on the road last year, winning its final five. In fact, it hasn't lost a road date since Oct. 12, 2008, at Houston. The Dolphins don't make mistakes and could control the football here.
Getting John Abraham back is big for Atlanta, but this is a game where the pass rush won't be as critical as stopping Ronnie Brown ... and, yes, I think the Dolphins will run over their opponents. Anyway, I'm going with Chad Pennington over Matt Ryan in a photo finish.
Crummy game of the week
Kansas City at Baltimore, 1 p.m. | Preview
The line: Ravens by 12½
The story: Baltimore is up, Kansas City is down, and it doesn't take Einstein to figure out what happens when they converge. The Chiefs don't know if Matt Cassel will play, but they better hope he doesn't. He would get annihilated by the swarming Baltimore defense. Kansas City's offensive line is mediocre, and Baltimore's defensive line is outstanding, so figure that whoever quarterbacks the Chiefs will spend the afternoon handing off to Larry Johnson and getting out of the way.
Honestly, I don't know how Kansas City produces more than seven points, and that's generous. This looks like a shutout waiting to happen.
Something to consider: Dating back to Sept. 17, 2006, the Ravens are 5-0 at home in September.
Games within the games
Carolina QB Jake Delhomme vs. Philadelphia CB Asante Samuel: Delhomme throws interceptions, Samuel makes them. In fact, since 2005 Samuel leads the league in interceptions with 23.
Cleveland DT Shaun Rogers vs. Minnesota C John Sullivan: Rogers is bigger and more experienced than Sullivan, who will make his first start as Matt Birk's replacement at center. John, you're allowed to use one lifeline.
New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez vs. history: It has been 32 years since the Jets started a rookie quarterback, and Sanchez must do it against the Texans, who won five of their final six in 2008. Good luck, Mark. You'll need it.
Cincinnati WR Chad Ochocinco vs. Denver CB Champ Bailey: There's a "storm coming," Ochocinco warned in this week's Twitter. Nope, I think it's just a lot of wind.
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan vs. Miami's Dan Henning: Henning is the Dolphins' offensive coordinator who wheeled out the Wildcat offense last season; Ryan is the Falcons' quarterback who called the Wildcat "a fad" before backpedaling this week. "It's going to be tough for our defense to deal with," he said. Easy for him to say. He doesn't play defense.
Five guys I'd like to be
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Minnesota QB Brett Favre: He aims for his fourth straight game against Cleveland with three or more touchdown passes.
Dallas QB Tony Romo: In his only career start vs. Tampa Bay, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 306 yards for five touchdowns and a passer rating of 148.9.
Houston QB Matt Schaub: In his past six starts at home he has won them all, completed 68.4 percent of his passes, thrown 11 touchdowns and two interceptions and compiled a passer rating of 109.2.
New England QB Tom Brady: He's 13-1 against Buffalo, with 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 103.3 passer rating.
New England WR Randy Moss: In seven career games vs. the Bills he has eclipsed 100 yards receiving four times and produced nine touchdowns.
Numbers to crunch
25: Yards Larry Fitzgerald needs to reach 6,000 for his career, making him the second-youngest player (he's 26) to reach that mark.
35: Games Baltimore has gone without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
85: Runs of 10 or more yards for Adrian Peterson the past two years. Not only does that lead the league, it is 21 more than runner-up Clinton Portis.
491: Consecutive games the New York Jets have gone without starting a rookie quarterback, the longest streak in the NFL. So who was the last rookie to start for them? Try Matt Robinson in 1977.
40-1: Philadelphia's record when Donovan McNabb has a passer rating of 100 or more.
• Fantasy: Start 'Em and Sit 'Em | Complete coverage | Horowitz, Richard
Sunday's weather watch
• Atlanta: Dome
• Baltimore: Partly cloudy, high of 80
• Charlotte, N.C.: Mostly cloudy, high of 84
• Cincinnati: Mostly sunny, high of 79
• Cleveland: Partly cloudy, high of 76
• Houston: Scattered thunderstorms, high of 87
• Indianapolis: Partly cloudy, high of 79
• New Orleans: Dome
• Tampa, Fla.: Scattered thunderstorms, high of 88
• Glendale, Ariz.: Partly cloudy, high of 100
• East Rutherford, N.J.: Mostly sunny, high of 79
• Seattle: Mostly sunny, high of 76
• Green Bay, Wis.: Mostly sunny, high of 79
Where we will be
• Pete Prisco will be in Tampa to make sure Byron Leftwich looks more like the quarterback who started in Jacksonville than the quarterback who started in Atlanta.
• I'll be at Giants Stadium to audition wide receivers for Tom Coughlin, then go to Foxborough on Monday to drive the welcome wagon for Tom Brady.
• Gregg Doyel will be in Cleveland to dig deep into the "schism" in the Vikings' locker room.
• Mike Freeman will be in Baltimore to welcome Scott Pioli to the other side of the NFL.
