Bears (0-1) at Vikings (1-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7, ESPN, WBBM-AM 780.
Line: Vikings by 8.
Last meeting: Vikings won 25-7 at Minnesota on Oct. 27.
Key stat: Vikings have won 13 of last 16 home openers.
Players to watch: Vikings’ Randy Moss has 62 career receptions vs. Bears in 10 games, the most against anyone. Kordell Stewart can’t afford another 14-of-34 passing day.
The buzz: Vikings have won four straight, including final three of 2002, and are playing with plenty of confidence. Bears continue to struggle with offensive line injuries and will need some big plays to pull off the upset.
Pick: Vikings 27, Bears 17.
Redskins (1-0) at Falcons (1-0)
Time: Noon.
Line: Falcons by 3.
Last meeting: Falcons won 27-20 at Washington on Sept. 25, 1994.
Key stat: Atlanta coach Dan Reeves goes for his 200th career victory.
Players to watch: Redskins’ Laveranues Coles had five catches for 106 yards in opener and is on his way to a big season. Falcons’ Doug Johnson has shown he can win in relief of Michael Vick.
The buzz: While Vick heals, Johnson wins. Johnson goes for his third straight victory as a starter against a Washington team that won a tight opener vs. Jets. If Falcons can run, they can win.
Pick: Falcons 24, Redskins 20.
Browns (0-1) at Ravens (0-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Ravens by 2 1/2 .
Last meeting: Browns won 14-13 at Baltimore on Dec. 22, 2002.
Key stat: New Browns have won three of last four from the Ravens, the old Browns.
Players to watch: Ravens’ Jamal Lewis has averaged 135.8 yards rushing in four games vs. Browns. Cleveland’s William Green averaged 4.1 yards per carry on opening day.
The buzz: How long will the Kelly Holcomb experiment last in Cleveland? He couldn’t get the Browns in the end zone and threw two interceptions in the opener. Ravens can concentrate on stopping Green.
Pick: Ravens 20, Browns 16.
Lions (1-0) at Packers (0-1)
Time: Noon, WFLD-Ch. 32.
Line: Packers by 6 1/2 .
Last meeting: Packers won 40-14 at Green Bay on Nov. 10, 2002.
Key stat: Packers have won 11 straight vs. Lions at home.
Players to watch: Lions’ Joey Harrington tossed four TD passes in opening victory over Arizona. Can he do that against a contender? Packers’ Brett Favre likely to bounce back after four-interception opener.
The buzz: Lions have a chance because Packers are so banged up at wide receiver they brought back Antonio Freeman this week. Green Bay is feeling the pressure after an opening loss to Minnesota and isn’t likely to start 0-2 in the NFC North.
Pick: Packers 27, Lions 17.
Bills (1-0) at Jaguars (0-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Bills by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Bills won 13-10 at Jacksonville on Oct. 18, 2001.
Key stat: Bills have allowed only one Mark Brunell TD pass in three meetings.
Players to watch: Jaguars’ Fred Taylor capable of a big game vs. Bills’ rushing defense. Linebacker Takeo Spikes, acquired in off-season deal with Cincinnati, off to a fast start with two interceptions in opener.
The buzz: Bills opened the season with an emotional victory over AFC East rival New England and could be ripe for an upset. Jaguars collapsed in second half vs. Panthers last week, but Brunell tossed two TD passes.
Pick: Jaguars 24, Bills 21.
Steelers (1-0) at Chiefs (1-0)
Time: Noon.
Line: Chiefs by 3 1/2.
Last meeting: Steelers won 20-17 at Kansas City on Oct. 14, 2001.
Key stat: Steelers are 4-3 vs. Chiefs under Bill Cowher.
Players to watch: Ex-Packer defensive end Vonnie Holliday may be the spark the Chiefs’ defense needed–he had three sacks in opening victory over Chargers. Steelers’ 8-3-1 with Tommy Maddox the starting quarterback.
The buzz: Interesting early-season showdown between AFC playoff hopefuls. Priest Holmes, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry in opener, gives Chiefs a slight edge.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Steelers 23.
Texans (1-0) at Saints (0-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Saints by 8 1/2.
Last meeting: This is their first meeting.
Key stat: Texans lost five straight after opening day victory in ’02.
Players to watch: Saints are 13-2 when Joe Horn has 100-yard receiving day. Kris Brown kicked five field goals in Texans’ upset of Miami on opening day.
The buzz: The Texans are turning opening-day upsets into something of a team tradition–they’re 2-0. But that just got the Saints’ attention. Aaron Brooks should find Horn and Donte Stallworth open.
Pick: Saints 27, Texans 17.
Dolphins (0-1) at Jets (0-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Dolphins by 3.
Last meeting: Jets won 13-10 at New York on Nov. 10, 2002.
Key stat: Jets have won nine of last 10 vs. Dolphins, including five in a row at home.
Players to watch: Ricky Williams averaged 102 yards rushing vs. Jets last season. As a Jet, Vinny Testaverde has thrown eight TD passes vs. three interceptions in three games–all victories–vs. Dolphins.
The buzz: Is this the beginning of the end of Dave Wannstedt in Miami? After missing the playoffs last year, he’s staring at an 0-2 start. Jets have beaten Wannstedt’s Dolphins five of six times.
Pick: Jets 23, Dolphins 17.
49ers (1-0) at Rams (0-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Rams by 3.
Last meeting: Rams won 31-20 at St. Louis on Dec. 30.
Key stat: Rams have won seven of last eight vs. 49ers.
Players to watch: After winning six of seven starts last season, Marc Bulger replaces the injured Kurt Warner as Rams’ QB. San Francisco’s Terrell Owens has four 100-yard games vs. Rams.
The buzz: Bulger’s record last season was accomplished largely vs. poor defenses, so this will be a new challenge. Although Warner has the resume, Bulger’s ability to spark the Rams is undeniable.
Pick: Rams 28, 49ers 24.
Panthers (1-0) at Bucs (1-0)
Time: 3 p.m.
Line: Bucs by 9 1/2.
Last meeting: Bucs won 23-10 at Tampa on Nov. 17.
Key stat: Bucs are 24-8 at home over last three seasons, including 6-2 last year.
Players to watch: Panthers turn to Jake Delhomme, the sleeper of last spring’s free-agent quarterback market who threw three TD passes in opening-day victory. Bucs’ Simeon Rice had four sacks in two games vs. Panthers last year, and had two opening week.
The buzz: Don’t look for the Super Bowl champs to suffer a letdown after emotional Monday night victory at Philadelphia in opener. Delhomme may have a good year, but he’s in for a long day.
Pick: Bucs 27, Panthers 16.
Seahawks (1-0) at Cardinals (0-1)
Time: 3 p.m.
Line: Seahawks by 4 1/2.
Last meeting: Seahawks won 27-6 at Arizona on Nov. 10.
Key stat: Cardinals are 2-5 in September home games over last four years.
Players to watch: Cardinals may have a star in rookie Anquan Boldin, who caught 10 passes for a 21.7-yard average and 2 TDs in opener vs. Lions. Seahawks have won four straight with Matt Hasselbeck as the starting quarterback.
The buzz: Somebody has to play at Arizona in September, and the NFL’s computer chose the Seahawks. The heat may give the Cardinals an edge, but the Seahawks have too much offense.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 21.
Bengals (0-1) at Raiders (0-1)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 12 1/2.
Last meeting: Raiders won 27-10 at Oakland on Oct. 25, 1998.
Key stat: Raiders were 8-2 at home in ’02, including 2-0 in playoffs.
Players to watch: Jon Kitna has to do better than his opening-day showing (20-for-37, two interceptions) for Bengals to have a chance. Raiders could use big rushing day from Charlie Garner.
The buzz: Raiders will take out their frustrations after a close loss at Tennessee. Bengals couldn’t stay close to Denver when Broncos had no passing game.
Pick: Raiders 30, Bengals 17.
Patriots (0-1) at Eagles (0-1)
Time: 3:15 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Eagles by 5.
Last meeting: Eagles won 24-9 at Philadelphia on Dec. 19, 2000.
Key stat: Patriots have lost five of last nine road games.
Players to watch: Can Pats’ Tom Brady bounce back after throwing four interceptions in opening loss to Bills? After rushing for 14 yards on seven carries in opener, can Eagles’ Duce Staley bounce back?
The buzz: Two years ago, this came within one game of being the Super Bowl matchup. It looked pretty good a week ago too. Now these two presumed contenders are trying to avoid 0-2 starts. Eagles go without injured safety Brian Dawkins, but Patriots still are dealing with the fallout from the decision to cut Lawyer Milloy.
Pick: Eagles 21, Patriots 17.
Broncos (1-0) at Chargers (0-1)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 3.
Last meeting: Chargers won 30-27 in OT at San Diego on Dec. 1.
Key stat: Broncos have been .500 or better the last 44 weeks, best in the NFL.
Players to watch: Broncos’ Jake Plummer had disastrous three-interception debut in victory at Cincinnati, and is 0-4 vs. Marty Schottenheimer-coached teams. Chargers are 5-3 at home with Drew Brees as a starter.
The buzz: Plummer’s shaky start has Broncos concerned, so they again will rely on running back Clinton Portis, who rushed for 120 yards last week. Chargers can counter with LaDainian Tomlinson, who was held to 34 yards in loss to Chiefs.
Pick: Chargers 27, Broncos 24.
Cowboys (0-1) at Giants (1-0)
Time: 8 p.m. Monday, WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Giants by 7 1/2.
Last meeting: Giants won 37-7 at New York on Dec. 15.
Key stat: Giants have won five of last six vs. Cowboys.
Players to watch: Will Cowboys stick with Quincy Carter if he has another 15-for-32 game? Giants’ Tiki Barber off to a fast start, averaging 6.1 yards per carry in opening victory over Rams.
The buzz: The Bill Parcells Goes Home Again angle landed this dud on “Monday Night Football.” Parcells plans to spend the season discovering whether he has the quarterback and running back he needs for the long term. Giants playing for a division title.
Pick: Giants 27, Cowboys 20.
GAME OF THE WEEK: TITANS (1-0) AT COLTS (1-0)
AFC South grudge match
Time: Noon Sunday, WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Colts by 2.
Last meeting: Titans won 27-17 at Tennessee on Dec. 8, 2002.
Key stat: Titans have won five of last six meetings, including both last season.
Players to watch: Colts’ Marvin Harrison has caught at least nine passes in seven of last eight games. Titans’ Derrick Mason, who had 10 catches in season opener, has at least six catches in 11 of last 15.
The buzz: A battle of two defense-oriented head coaches, Titans’ Jeff Fisher and Colts’ Tony Dungy, in meeting of AFC South’s top contenders. Touchdowns will be hard to come by, but Edgerrin James, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in opener, gives Colts slight edge.
Bannon’s pick: Colts 17, Titans 14.
Last week’s record: 10-6.
