Peek at the Week: Cards' running game could decide Peyton-Warner showdown

Game of the Week

Indianapolis at Arizona, 8:20 p.m. ET

The line: Colts by 2½

The story: It's impossible not to view this as a showdown of two of the game's best quarterbacks. Manning vs. Warner. Three-time MVP vs. two-time MVP. Super Bowl winner vs. Super Bowl winner. OK, so football is a team game and all that, but this sure looks like a duel of the No. 2 (Manning) and No. 3 (Warner) quarterbacks in career passer ratings and the No. 2 (Warner) and No. 3 (Manning) quarterbacks in career completion percentage.

Manning has the edge here because, A) He's the better quarterback; and B) He's the better quarterback in September. Since 2002 he is 21-4 in the opening month of the season, with 45 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. Of course, Warner is coming off a game where he set the league record by completing 92.3 percent of his passes and where he demonstrated to everyone but Larry Fitzgerald's brother that age is only a number. I think you get the idea. The quarterbacks are worth watching. Nevertheless, this one could come down to the running game -- not just any running game, but Arizona's running game. The Cards have tried for three seasons to produce a rushing attack of consequence, and they might succeed here. Miami exploited the Colts' defensive hole on Monday by running the ball a zillion times, and coming close to the upset. I don't expect the Cards to follow the same script, but I do expect them to take their shots with Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells. If they have success similar to Miami, it's over.

Something to consider: Dating back to 2008, the Colts have 11 consecutive regular-season victories.

Three games I'd like to see

Tennessee at the N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Jets by 2½

The story: This is all about defense -- the one Tennessee used to have and the one the Jets are putting together. New York hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown this season and its defense is ranked first in yards allowed, sixth against the run, ninth against the pass and third in points allowed. Safety Kerry Rhodes once characterized it as the best defense in the NFL, and everyone had a good laugh. Now it doesn't sound so funny. The Jets are unbeaten not because of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez but because they haven't allowed opponents to breathe -- and that includes Tom Brady and the once mighty New England Patriots.

But neither Houston nor New England can run the ball. Tennessee can, and look for Chris Johnson to gain the attention the Jets devoted to Brady a week ago. Johnson produced 284 yards (including 197 rushing) last week, or only 15 fewer than the Patriots had against the Jets, and scored three times -- prompting his head coach, Jeff Fisher, to call the performance "historic." Maybe. But the Titans still lost, and it's hard to imagine a club that dropped three games all of last season opening the year 0-3.

This is a much bigger game for the Titans than it is for the Jets, and I would expect them to play with an urgency that might have been missing the past two weeks. OK, it's early. But Tennessee already is two down in its division. The key here is the Jets' ability to stuff Johnson and LenDale White. If the Titans have to rely on Kerry Collins to win, they're in trouble. Nothing against Collins, but I saw what the Jets did to Brady. It could be worse with Collins.

Something to consider: Sanchez is aiming to become the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to win his first three starts.

Atlanta at New England, 1 p.m. ET

The line: Patriots by 3½

The story: Welcome home, Matt Ryan. The former Boston College quarterback makes his first visit to Massachusetts since he was the 2007 ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Ryan is in the right place at the right time because the Patriots are struggling, with critics starting to question the wisdom of the Richard Seymour move, the effectiveness of the New England defense and the return of Tom Brady. The Patriots can overcome Seymour and their defensive shortcomings if Brady is right, and he's not. Aside from 5½ glorious minutes of football in the opener, he has been inaccurate, tentative and out of sync. In short, he has not been the Tom Brady we remembered from 2007.

So where's the surprise? He is coming off a serious knee injury and playing like a quarterback coming off a serious knee injury. It will take time, and time is something the Patriots don't have. After Atlanta, Baltimore is next in line. So Brady must dissect a pass defense that surrendered 308 yards to Jake Delhomme, and, yeah, I think there's an opening there ... but only, of course, if Brady finds the rhythm he did down the stretch against Buffalo. Trust me, Brady is the difference maker here. Already he has been asked to throw 100 times, and that tells you how this team is built.

Atlanta will rely on a balanced attack, with Michael Turner the catalyst. The Patriots struggled against Fred Jackson and the short passing game (OK, the screens) when they beat Buffalo but were effective against Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. They want to make Ryan try to beat them, and that won't be easy. You can keep Turner down, but you can't keep him out of the end zone. He has rushed for 100 yards or more in four of his past six regular-season starts and scored in all but one of them.

Something to consider: The Patriots have won 15 consecutive games vs. the NFC, with Brady's career record in inter-conference games a nifty 27-5, including three Super Bowl wins.

San Francisco at Minnesota, 1 p.m. | Preview | SI.com: Compelling storylines | Game of the week

The line: Vikings by 6½

The story: The Vikings finally come home, and hallelujah. Not only are they 17-5 in their past 22 home openers but Brett Favre owns the 49ers. He's 11-2 against them, including playoffs. Minnesota is doing what Minnesota is supposed to do, which is beat opponents with an effective rushing attack and make sure Favre plays low-risk football, filling in here and there with short-to-intermediate completions. What they want to avoid are turnovers, and so far, so good: The Vikings have one, tied for the fewest in the NFL.

That's what happens when you have Adrian Peterson on the roster, only here's something to digest: Peterson, who complained of a sore back this week, is up against the one opponent that can stop him. Don't ask me how they did it, but the 49ers held the guy to a career-low 3 yards rushing the last time they met – and that was with Peterson carrying 14 times. Do it again, and we might see Favre take the chances and make the mistakes the Vikings can't afford.

Nevertheless, I don't see how the Vikings lose here. First of all, they're better and more talented than San Francisco. Second, they have the defense to stop the run, ranking first last year and the year before that. As long as the courts keep Kevin Williams and Pat Williams on the field, opposing running backs are in trouble, which means the 49ers are in trouble. Frank Gore is a marvelous back and the centerpiece of the team's offense, but how do you get him started here? That is the question offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye must answer, and if he doesn't, the 49ers will find out how much they miss Michael Crabtree.

Something to consider: The 49ers have won six of their past seven under Mike Singletary.

Monday night lights

Carolina at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET

The line: Cowboys by 9½

The story: If there's anything you didn't know about the Cowboys' new home, I guarantee NBC covered it Sunday. Somebody tell these guys that people tune in to watch a game, not a stadium. Apparently, that memo got lost last Sunday night. OK, I get it already: Jerry Jones spent $1.2 billion on a stadium with dancing girls, a zillion seats and a video scoreboard the size of Rhode Island. Now, are you ready for some football?

This is another game that is all about the quarterbacks -- only Tony Romo and Jake Delhomme don't share the same stage as Manning and Warner. Nope, these guys are under fire, and for good reason: They haven't met an interception they didn't throw. Romo had three last weekend; Delhomme had four the weekend before. Both make too many mistakes, and only one catches a break after this game.

Delhomme has won three of his past four Monday night appearances, but let's be honest: He won't win this game; DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart might. When the Panthers are rolling, it's not because of Delhomme; it's because Delhomme acts as a supporting actor to the team's center pieces -- an effective running game and stingy defense.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are advised to rely on the run, too, even with Marion Barber hurting. Felix Jones is no slouch and was the Cowboys' goal-line option in preseason games. Plus, opponents have run all over the Panthers. You want to get Romo straightened out? Send him to the back of the class and give the floor to your backs.

Something to consider: The first three Monday Night Football games have been decided by a total of nine points, the smallest combined margin of victory ever for the first three Monday night broadcasts in any season.

Crummy game of the week

Cleveland at Baltimore, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Ravens by 13½

The story: I'll make this one simple. The Browns stink, and they can't score. So why should we expect a ballgame here? We shouldn't. Cleveland has one offensive touchdown its past 32 quarters, and Baltimore has one of the best defenses anywhere. Put them together, and you know why Art Modell prefers the view in Maryland.

The Browns aren't just bad. They're dull, boring and predictable. They're 27th in rushing, 28th in passing and last overall in yards. But why stop there? They're last in third-down efficiency, next to last in first downs, next to last in yards per play and tied for 30th in points.

Brady Quinn is in trouble? Hey, this whole offensive unit is in trouble. Bottom line: If there's an upset here, it's only if the Browns find the end zone.

Something to consider: Since 2006, the Ravens lead the league with 73 interceptions.

Upset of the week

Detroit over Washington (+6½), 1 p.m. ET | Preview | Predictions

For the first time since Dec. 23, 2007, the Lions win. That's a string of 19 straight, folks, and it happens because the Lions are due, and the Redskins are staggering. Washington has lost its last four on the road and was so bad in last weekend's 9-7 defeat of St. Louis it was booed by the home crowd. The problem is the Washington offense: It can move, but it can't score. At least, it can't score touchdowns. In two games it has two, and one of those was a run by punter Hunter Smith on a fake field goal. That better change soon or Jim Zorn is looking for work as the next network analyst.

It's not that Jason Campbell is dreadful. It's that he doesn't make enough big plays. Correction, it's that the Redskins don't make enough big plays. Clinton Portis has no touchdowns. Santana Moss has no touchdowns. Campbell has one scoring pass. There's just nothing remarkable about the Washington offense, other than its inability to find the end zone. Hey, a week ago, it had fourth-and-1 at the St. Louis 2, and Portis couldn't gain three feet. That can't go on.

At some point, Detroit has to win, right? It started fast against Minnesota a week ago, then faded. I say it starts fast against Washington, then holds on. The Vikings could respond with Adrian Peterson. I'm not sure how Washington returns a punch. I saw the Redskins fall behind 17-0 to the Giants in the season opener, and they were finished. Something is amiss, and Zorn better get it solved soon. He doesn't have to make the playoffs to return as the team's head coach, but he does have to perk up a slumbering offense.

Something to consider: If this one's close, look for Jason Hanson to decide it. The Lions kicker hasn't missed on his past nine field-goal tries from 50 yards or more. Hanson has an NFL-high 41 field goals of 50 or more yards in his career.

Games within the games

Pittsburgh WR Hines Ward vs. Cincinnati LB Keith Rivers: A year ago it was Ward who ended Rivers' season with a blind-side block, breaking Rivers' jaw and forcing the league to pass a rule prohibiting similar hits. Ward said he has no remorse and would do it all over again. Great. Get ready for Round 2.

Detroit coach Jim Schwartz vs. his former star pupil, Washington DT Albert Haynesworth: When Haynesworth was a free agent he had a chance to go to Detroit, but the Lions never called. He would like to know why. Maybe we find out Sunday.

San Francisco RB Frank Gore vs. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson: Peterson leads the NFC in rushing; Gore is second. Peterson has four touchdowns; Gore has four touchdowns. You make the call.

Chicago QB Jay Cutler vs. Seattle coach Jim Mora: It was Mora's dad who called out Cutler after that Sunday night meltdown against Green Bay, saying he thought the Bears quarterback was "completely immature." Let's see how he likes it now that Cutler plays Mora's family.

Seattle WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs. Chicago GM Jerry Angelo: Houshmandzadeh was an unrestricted free agent after last season, and while clubs like Minnesota pursued him, Chicago did not. Apparently, that didn't go down well with T.J. "Jerry Angelo probably didn't even think I could play," he said this week. "So I'm going to show him Sunday." Good luck. Matt Hasselbeck almost surely won't play. "I'll take a Bears corner over Houshmandzadeh any day," said Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs, taking another jab at Houshmandzadeh.

Five guys I'd like to be

Poll Who will have the best game this week? 10% Kevin Williams   8% Chad Pennington   37% Matt Schaub   20% Jason Witten   26% Ben Roethlisberger   Total Votes: 26137

Minnesota DT Kevin Williams: In three games vs. San Francisco, he has three sacks and an interception he returned for a touchdown.

Miami QB Chad Pennington: He is 3-0 against San Diego, completing 76 percent of his passes for four touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 111.7.

Houston QB Matt Schaub: He is 5-1 in his past six at home, with eight touchdown passes, one interception and a passer rating of 107.5.

Dallas TE Jason Witten: He aims for his third consecutive Monday night game with 100 receiving yards.

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger: He returns to his home state of Ohio, where he's 10-0 as a pro, including six victories against Cincinnati.

Numbers to crunch

0: Takeaways for Dallas and Miami
4: Drew Brees' TD passes in last game vs. Buffalo
4: Consecutive September victories at home for the Bills
5: John Carlson scores in his past four games at home
6.9: Correll Buckhalter's rushing average dating back to Dec. 28, 2008
7: Aaron Rodgers touchdown passes since his last interception
7: Consecutive victories by Miami against San Diego
15: Consecutive regular-season victories for New England over NFC opponents
4,070: Rushing yards for Frank Gore since the start of 2006, the most in the NFL
13-1: Atlanta's record under Mike Smith when leading at halftime.

Sunday's weather watch

• Baltimore: Few showers, high of 79
• Detroit: Dome
• Houston: Isolated thunderstorms, high of 89
• Foxborough, Mass.: Showers, high of 69
• East Rutherford, N.J.: Showers, high of 76
• Minneapolis: Dome
• Philadelphia: Showers, high of 75
• St. Louis: Dome
• Tampa, Fla.: Scattered thunderstorms, high of 89
• Buffalo, N.Y.: Showers, high of 69
• Seattle: Sunny, high of 70
• Cincinnati: Partly cloudy, high of 77
• Oakland, Calif.: Sunny, high of 85
• San Diego: Sunny, high of 78
• Glendale, Ariz.: Sunny, high of 105

Where we will be

• I'll be in Philadelphia to dress the Chiefs in asbestos.
•  Pete Prisco will be in Cincinnati to officiate the Hines Ward-Keith Rivers return bout.
•  Gregg Doyel will be in Baltimore to lead the Browns on a tour of the end zone.
•  Mike Freeman will be in Foxborough to get the Patriots back on their feet.
•  Craig Morgan will be in Glendale to introduce Larry Fitzgerald's brother to Kurt Warner.
•  Lisa Zimmerman will be at the Meadowlands to join Fireman Ed in chants of "J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!"