Peyton Manning, right, and Edgerrin James are ready for the new millennium.

Now they're ready for the Week 2 faceoff at Foxboro, a battle for at least a share of the lead in the AFC East, the division that's supposed to be the NFL's strongest.

But alas, the Jets were beaten by the Patriots when Vinny Testaverde was hurt, the allegedly powerful Bills were humbled 31-14 in Indianapolis, and New England and Indy are suddenly right up there with Miami.

For a week, anyway.

The Patriots are favored, which is their right as the home team. The spread is 4½ points, which is more than the three points the home team usually gets.

That's probably close to reality -- the young Colts can use a little road seasoning. Patriots 27, Colts 21.

New York Jets (plus 4) at Buffalo: What a difference a Vinny can make. But so can a Tuna. Jets 20, Bills 17.

Atlanta (off) at Dallas (Monday night): The off is because nobody's quite sure that Chris Chandler won't play. Danny Kanell was so bad Tony Graziani beat him out as the backup QB in Atlanta. Without Deion and Leon, Dallas defense is awful and Jamal should do quite well. But ... Cowboys 24, Falcons 16.

Denver (minus 3½) at Kansas City: There's no John Elway to stick pins in a Marty Schottenheimer doll. There's no Marty Schottenheimer, either. Broncos 26, Chiefs 11.

New Orleans (plus 10½) at San Francisco: Bill Walsh always complained that the 49ers' spreads were too big. When he coached, he was wrong. Now? 49ers 24, Saints 23.

San Diego (pick 'em) at Cincinnati: Can those unbeaten, AFC West-leading Chargers keep rolling? Can Moses Moreno challenge Ryan Leaf for the No. 3 job? Will Akili Smith learn his playbook? Chargers 20, Bengals 19.

Green Bay (minus 6½) at Detroit: The Lions beat Mike Holmgren's new team. They usually give his old one trouble, particularly at the Silverdome. Packers 20, Lions 19.

Arizona (plus 9) at Miami: The Cardinals came back to beat the Eagles. These are not the Eagles. Dolphins 34, Cardinals 10.

Oakland (plus 11) at Minnesota: The Raiders drop to the bottom of the NFC Central, as well as the AFC West. Vikings 27, Raiders 20.

Seattle (minus 3½) at Chicago: Shane Matthews can't do it two weeks in a row? Can he? Seahawks 23, Bears 14.

Washington (plus 2½) at New York Giants: A few more weeks and Dan Snyder might fire his team. Giants 20, Redskins 9.

Pittsburgh (minus 2½) at Baltimore: The Steelers now try to dispense with the old Browns. Steelers 17, Ravens 14.

Jacksonville (minus 9½) at Carolina: These teams have gone such different routes that Dom Capers now works for the Jaguars. Jaguars 41, Panthers 3.

Tampa Bay (minus 6½) at Philadelphia: Philadelphia's season might have been the first half against Arizona. With Trent Dilfer barely hanging on ... Bucs 19, Eagles 0.

Cleveland (plus 16) at Tennessee: Can the Browns get three first downs? Can they score? Titans 43, Browns 7.

Last week: 8-7 (spread); 8-7 (straight up)