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NFL Preview: Week 1

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2008

GAME OF THE DAY

COWBOYS-BROWNS

WHEN: 4:15

WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium

TV/CREW: WTVT, Channel 13 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver)

ABOUT THE COWBOYS: Despite 13 Pro Bowl players, Dallas couldn't advance to the NFC title game as Coach Wade Phillips fell to 0-4 in the postseason. The Cowboys are 30-18 in road openers, the league's best mark.

ABOUT THE BROWNS: Expectations have been raised in Cleveland, where the Browns seek their eighth consecutive home win. DT Shaun Rogers, acquired from the Lions, could make an impact on Cleveland's shaky defense if he remains motivated.

KEY STAT: The Browns are 5-0 under Romeo Crennel when scoring at least 30 points.

KEY MATCHUP: Rogers vs. Cowboys Pro Bowl C Andre Gurode.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Cowboys, 34-20

TONIGHT'S GAME

BEARS-COLTS

WHEN: 8:15

WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

TV/CREW: WFLA, Channel 8 (Al Michaels, John Madden, Andrea Kremer)

ABOUT THE BEARS: Coach Lovie Smith is 0-2 against Tony Dungy, who hired Smith to coach Tampa Bay's LBs in 1996. QB Kyle Orton is 12-6 as a starter and Chicago is counting on rookie RB Matt Forte to make a difference for a ground game that ranked 30th last fall.

ABOUT THE COLTS: As Indy trades in the RCA Dome for a shiny new stadium, the Colts are seeking to extend their NFL record to a sixth consecutive season with at least 12 wins. QB Peyton Manning missed training camp with a knee injury but is expected to make his 161st straight start.

KEY STAT: Chicago return wizard Devin Hester averages 81 yards on his 14 career TDs.

KEY MATCHUP: Bears MLB Brian Urlacher vs. Jamey Richard, a seventh-round pick filling in for injured Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Colts, 20-10.

LIONS-FALCONS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Georgia Dome,

Atlanta

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Rookie coach Mike Smith has tabbed rookie QB Matt Ryan to start for the Falcons against a defense stocked with former Bucs.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Lions, 27-10

BENGALS-RAVENS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: By whatever name he chooses to go by today, Bengals WR Chad Johnson should burn an aging Baltimore defense as Coach John Harbaugh debuts on the Ravens sidelines.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Bengals, 31-13

SEAHAWKS-BILLS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Ralph Wilson

Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: As Mike Holmgren's distinguished decade in Seattle winds down, the Seahawks boast four Pro Bowlers on a defense that should give second-year QB Trent Edwards fits this afternoon.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Bills, 17-14

JETS-DOLPHINS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Dolphin Stadium, Miami

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: With Tony Sparano making his NFL coaching debut for the Dolphins, the top priority is overcoming the departure of Jason Taylor and finding a pass rush to hound Brett Favre.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Jets, 20-16

CHIEFS-PATRIOTS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: After leading the Pats to a perfect regular season and an NFL-record 75 TDs, QB Tom Brady tries to prove he's healthy after missing the preseason with a mysterious foot injury.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Patriots, 38-7

RAMS-EAGLES

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: A healthy Donovan McNabb, 73-39 as an NFL starter, looks ready for a big year in Philly, and keep your eye on DeSean Jackson, an undersized but shifty rookie WR.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Eagles, 41-14

TEXANS-STEELERS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: Heinz Field,

Pittsburgh

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Despite some fumbling problems in the preseason, rookie Rashard Mendenhall should combine with Willie Parker to give the Steelers a punishing running game.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Steelers, 30-10

JAGUARS-TITANS

WHEN: 1

WHERE: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: If the Jags are serious about playing at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, they need to prove they can impose their will against a physical club like Tennessee on the road.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Jaguars, 20-17

PANTHERS-CHARGERS

WHEN: 4:15

WHERE: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, trying to rebound from elbow surgery, faces one of the league's most talented defenses, led by CB Antonio Cromartie and hobbled LB Shawne Merriman.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Chargers, 24-20

CARDINALS-49ERS

WHEN: 4:15

WHERE: Candlestick Park,

San Francisco

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Two-time league MVP Kurt Warner, whose 93.2 career passer rating ranks third in NFL history behind Steve Young and Peyton Manning, gets the start for the Cardinals ahead of Matt Leinart.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL:

Cardinals, 21-7

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