| Game of the week | Sunday night | Monday night | Rest of the week
Stock the fridge
49ers at Jaguars
4:15 p.m. ET, Fox, Jaguars by 5½
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To see what might be a shootout of two of the NFL's most potent offenses. To determine if the Jaguars are really Super Bowl favorites like every expert seems to be saying right now. To see if the Niners offense can keep rolling, even without injured Pro Bowl RB Garrison Hearst. |
Niners RB Charlie Garner will start, but much of the focus is on backup Lawrence Phillips. Niners S Zack Bronson replaces the released Merton Hanks and combines with new CB Craig Newsome in a rebuilt secondary. Jaguars RB Fred Taylor is being mentioned as an MVP candidate in only his second season. |
425: Average yards per game for the Niners in '98, the most in the NFL. San Francisco also was No. 1 in rushing yards at 159.0 per contest.
30: Sacks last season by the Jaguars, who ranked 28th in the NFL. New defensive coordinator Dom Capers should change that with his blitzing schemes.
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Patriots at Jets
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Jets by 7
Preview |Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| If you live anywhere but New England, you'll watch to decide if the Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and if the injury-ravaged Patriots will be able to somehow make a playoff run. If you live in New England, however, you will watch to monitor every move of Bill Parcells, the man who seems to have a mind meld on all of Boston. |
Patriots rookie RB Kevin Faulk will try to fill the massive void left by Robert Edwards' injury and keep veteran Terry Allen off the field. Pats CB Ty Law will battle Jets WR Keyshawn Johnson in a matchup of Pro Bowlers. Jets WR Dedric Ward starts in place of injured Wayne Chrebet. Jets RB Curtis Martin is predicting a career year. |
1-3: The Patriots' record against the Jets since Parcells left for New York in 1997.
3.5: Martin's per-carry average in 1998, the lowest for any back who hit the 1,000-yard mark.
481: Pass attempts by Pats QB Drew Bledsoe in '98, his lowest total in five seasons.
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Keep the clicker handy
Cowboys at Redskins
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Redskins by 2½
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To get an early read on the NFC East -- a division any team not located in Philadelphia could possibly win. The Cowboys are the defending division champs, but Dallas has some big-time questions, especially on defense where DT Leon Lett will be missed. The Redskins will start to learn the results of their latest offseason makeover. |
Cowboys CB Deion Sanders will make a game-time decision on whether he plays. If Sanders' toe isn't ready, Redskins WR Michael Westbrook could have a big day against Dallas' patchwork secondary. QB Brad Johnson makes his Redskins debut. 'Skins rookie CB Champ Bailey has all the makings of a star. |
8-0: Dallas' record against NFC East opponents in 1998, marking the first team to go unbeaten and untied in the division.
4,160: Rushing yards needed by Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith to break Walter Payton's career record.
7-12: Washington's record in September during Turner's five seasons.
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Giants at Bucs
4:15 p.m. ET, Fox, Bucs by 6
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To find out if either of these '97 playoff teams can rebound from disappointing '98 seasons. Despite finishing .500 last year, the Bucs are being picked by some experts as an NFC title contender. The Giants, also coming off an 8-8 season, should battle for the title in the weak NFC East, especially if their offense can produce like it did in the preseason. |
Both QBs -- the Bucs' Trent Dilfer and Giants' Kent Graham -- are under pressure to produce because both teams brought in high-profile backups. Giants rookie RB Sean Bennett starts for the injured Gary Brown. Bucs WRs Reidel Anthony, Bert Emanuel and Jacquez Green face a Giants secondary that might be missing CBs Jason Sehorn and Conrad Hamilton. |
135: Total yards mustered by the Giants last season in a dismal 20-3 loss to the Bucs.
50: Interceptions thrown by Dilfer in his last 50 games, including playoffs.
271.6: Yards per game allowed in '98 by the Bucs, whose defense ranked No. 2 in the league. |
Bills at Colts
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Bills by 2½
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To get a look at the Colts, who might be the most improved team in the NFL, especially on defense, where they ranked last in the AFC last season. To see if Doug Flutie can duplicate his '98 magic and lead Buffalo on another playoff run. To determine if the Bills really have a QB controversy. |
Bills RB Antowain Smith ran for 237 yards and four TDs in two '98 meetings with Indy. Bills WR Eric Moulds and Colts WR Marvin Harrison enter their fourth seasons as stars waiting to happen. Colts rookie RB Edgerrin James looked like the real deal in the preseason. |
Plus-10: The Bills' turnover margin in 1998, a 30-turnover improvement over 1997's minus-20.
575: Passes attempted by Colts QB Peyton Manning in his rookie season, the most in the NFL. That's an average of 36 per game. |
Raiders at Packers
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Packers by 8½
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To catch the opening of the Ray Rhodes era in Green Bay and judge if the Packers can continue to be contenders after losing Mike Holmgren, Reggie White, Robert Brooks and others. To see if the Raiders, who own the NFL's toughest schedule, can avoid falling into an early-season hole. |
New Raiders QB Rich Gannon is a steady playmaker. Raiders CB Charles Woodson likely will draw the assignment of Packers WR Antonio Freeman. The Packers expect a big season from RB Dorsey Levens, who's healthy and had a full camp. Packers rookie CB Mike McKenzie will be tested early and often. |
3: Consecutive opening-day losses for the Raiders. The Pack has won three straight openers.
55-19: Record as a starter for Packers QB Brett Favre since 1995.
3.5 Average years of experience for the four starters in Green Bay's secondary. |
Panthers at Saints
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Saints by 3½
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| This game is intriguing for three reasons: Panthers coach George Seifert makes his return to the NFL after a two-year hiatus. Saints rookie RB Ricky Williams makes his regular-season debut and begins running for those contract incentives. Saints coach Mike Ditka is always unpredictable. |
Despite his tender ankle, Williams will get plenty of carries. Watch him as a receiver out of the backfield, too. Saints WR Eddie Kennison should provide a big-play threat. Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad will use his size against the Saints CBs, while Rae Carruth stretches the field. |
133.3: Average rushing yards allowed last season by Carolina, which ranked 26th against run.
80.8: Average rushing yards in '98 for Saints, last in the NFL.
74: Turnovers committed by the Panthers in their last 32 games.
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Mow the lawn
Chiefs at Bears
1 p.m. ET, CBS Chiefs by 3
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To catch the debuts of two guys who have never been NFL head coaches. Former defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham replaces Marty Schottenheimer and hopes to turn around the Chiefs after a disastrous '98 season. Bears coach Dick Jauron is also a former defensive boss (Jaguars). |
Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander closed '98 on a roll, but he hasn't clicked well with QB Elvis Grbac. Bears QB Shane Matthews will start, but all eyes will be on rookie Cade McNown, who also will play. Bears RB Curtis Enis returns from a knee injury that ruined his rookie season. |
101-58-1: Kansas City's record over the last 10 seasons, the best in the NFL.
7: Number of different starting QBs the Bears have used since 1996, including Matthews, who makes his first NFL start.
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Lions at Seahawks
4:15 p.m. ET, Fox, Seahawks by 9
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To witness the dawn of two new eras in the NFL. The post-Barry Sanders era begins for the Lions, while the Mike Holmgren era opens in Seattle. It's no wonder these teams appear to be heading in opposite directions. This will provide an early idea if Seattle can contend in the deep AFC. |
Lions RB Ron Rivers is the man saddled with the task of replacing Sanders. Lions WR Herman Moore will face off with Seahawks CB Shawn Springs in a terrific matchup. Seahawks QB Jon Kitna is the man now, but he won't have Pro Bowl WR Joey Galloway this week. |
5-11: The Lions' record against Holmgren during his days as Packers coach.
13: Touchdowns scored by the Seahawks defense and special teams in '98, an NFL record.
6-17: Seattle's opening-day record, the worst in the AFC.
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Bengals at Titans
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Titans by 9
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To get a look at the new-look Titans, who have new uniforms, a new stadium and new name. To determine whether this talented Tennessee team is ready for a playoff run after three consecutive 8-8 seasons. To decide if the Bengals are the league's worst team. |
Oilers RB Eddie George should have a big year running behind FB Lorenzo Neal. Oilers QB Steve McNair will look to throw deep to WRs Yancey Thigpen and Kevin Dyson. Bengals RB Corey Dillon will see a lot of eight-man fronts. Bengals QB Jeff Blake will miss Carl Pickens. |
515: Yards amassed by Tennessee in a 44-14 rout of the Bengals in Week 7 last season.
3: 100-yard games for George in his last six meetings with Cincy.
11-53: Bengals' first-half record since 1991.
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Cardinals at Eagles
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Cardinals by 2
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To see if the Cardinals will be able to build off their playoff run last season and overcome some big-time losses in the offseason. To judge how much work new coach Andy Reid needs to do in Philadelphia. We suspect it's a lot. To see how long Eagles fans will wait before booing. |
Cardinals QB Jake Plummer is questionable with a thumb injury. If he plays, he'll need protection up front from Eagles rushers Hugh Douglas and Mike Mamula. Cards DE Andre Wadsworth looks dangerous after a full camp. Eagles QB Doug Pederson makes his first start, while Donovan McNabb waits. |
20: Interceptions in '98 for Plummer, who tossed 17 TD passes.
30th: Rank for the Eagles' passing offense in 1998.
12: Consecutive games in which the Eagles have failed to score more than 17 points.
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Ravens at Rams
1 p.m. ET, CBS, even
Preview | Baxter Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To check out the Rams' new offensive weapons -- RB Marshall Faulk and rookie WR Torry Holt -- and then decide if this team might have contended if QB Trent Green had not gotten hurt. To see if new Ravens coach Brian Billick can turn around underachieving QB Scott Mitchell. |
Rams RB Marshall Faulk led the league in total yards last season and should jumpstart the offense. Rams LT Orlando Pace and Ravens DE Michael McCrary will engage in a great battle in the trenches. Rams QB Kurt Warner, a former Arena League star, makes his first NFL start. |
3,586: Passing yards allowed by the Ravens in 1998. Rookie CB Chris McAlister should help improve that.
45-99: The Rams' record during the 1990s, by far the NFL's worst. Their 100th loss should come soon.
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ALSO SEE
Week 1 injury report
Week 1 picks
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