DETROIT (2-14) At CHICAGO (7-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Bears by 7
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Detroit 4-10-2; Bears 6-10-0
SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 91-64-5
LAST MEETING – Bears beat Lions 37-23, Jan. 3, 2010
LIONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (26), RUSH (24), PASS (21)
LIONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (25), PASS (32)
BEARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (29), PASS (17)
BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (23), PASS (13)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Bears taken four straight against Lions, running away with a 48-24 victory at Soldier Field after Johnny Knox started the second half with a 102-yard kickoff return. … Closed out ’09 with 37-23 win over Lions behind Jay Cutler’s four touchdown passes. … Detroit has lost 20 straight road games, the fourth longest streak in the NFL, since they won 16-7 at Chicago on Oct. 28, 2007. Buffalo (22, 1983-86) is third, Houston Oilers (23, 1981-84) second. Record is 24 set by the Lions from 2001-03. … Lions went 2-14 last season after going 0-16 the year before, giving them a league-record 30 losses over two seasons. Their 33-111 mark since 2001 is the worst nine-year stretch in the NFL since World War II. … Lions drafted Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh and Cal RB Jahvid Best in the first round, while adding DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, WR Nate Burleson, DT Corey Williams, OG Rob Sims, TE Tony Scheffler, QB Shaun Hill, CB Chris Houston. … Bears made big splash in free agency by luring five-time Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers away from Carolina with a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million – $42 million guaranteed. … They also signed RB Chester Taylor and blocking TE Brandon Manumaleuna. … Long snapper Patrick Mannelly ranks third on the Bears’ appearances list with 189, one behind Walter Payton and two behind Steve McMichael. … A career 85.9-percent kicker, Robbie Gould ranks third in league history behind Nate Kaeding and Mike Vanderjagt.
MIAMI (7-9) At BUFFALO (6-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE – Dolphins by 2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Miami 8-8; Buffalo 8-7-1
SERIES RECORD – Dolphins lead 53-38-1
LAST MEETING – Bills beat Dolphins 31-14, Nov. 29, 2009.
DOLPHINS OFFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (4), PASS (20)
DOLPHINS DEFENSE – OVERALL (22), RUSH (18), PASS (24)
BILLS OFFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (16), PASS (30)
BILLS DEFENSE – OVERALL (19), RUSH (30), PASS (2)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Eight time AFC East rivals have faced each other to open the season – first since Bills’ 35-31 win in 1991. … Dolphins have 4-3 edge, including 4-2 at Orchard Park. … Dolphins have lost four straight season-openers, and are 1-6 in last seven. … Miami’s combined record six games into the season over the past six years is 7-29. … To drive the fast-start message home, coach Tony Sparano installed a clock in the dressing room, counting down days, hours and minutes to opener. … Chad Henne becomes sixth quarterback to start a Dolphins season in seven years after going 7-6 in place of Chad Pennington. … At Buffalo last season, Henne threw three interceptions in a 31-14 loss in November. … WR Brandon Marshall makes Dolphins debut after being acquired from Denver. In ’09, Marshall became third player to have 100 catches in three straight seasons. … Chan Gailey makes debut as Bills coach after replacing Dick Jauron, who was fired in November. Gailey is Buffalo’s fifth coach in 10 years, including Perry Fewell, who finished last season as interim coach. … Gailey won both season-openers during his two-year stint as Cowboys coach in late-90s. … Bills have won five straight against Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium, excluding 16-3 “home” loss at Toronto in 2008. … Defense unveils new 3-4 look, and attempts to improve against run after allowing 150 or more yards 11 times last season. Bills were second in NFL with 28 interceptions. … First-round pick C.J. Spiller starts after leading team with three touchdowns rushing in preseason. … QB Trent Edwards enters fourth NFL season having reclaimed starting job he lost midway through last season.
ATLANTA (9-7) At PITTSBURGH (9-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Even
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Atlanta 11-5; Pittsburgh 5-10-1
SERIES RECORD – Steelers lead 11-2-1
LAST MEETING – Falcons beat Steelers, 41-38 (OT), Oct. 22, 2006
FALCONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (16), RUSH (15), PASS (14)
FALCONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (10), PASS (28)
STEELERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (19), PASS (9)
STEELERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (3), PASS (16)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Teams haven’t played in Pittsburgh since 34-all tie in 2002. There’s been only one NFL tie since (Eagles 13, Bengals 13 in 2008). … Falcons coach Mike Smith is 2-0 in openers; Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is 3-0. … Falcons coming off first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history. … Falcons QB Matt Ryan has thrown for 6,356 yards in first two NFL seasons. … Falcons RB Michael Turner ran for 220 yards in 2008 opener vs. Detroit, a franchise record. Turner has 27 rushing TDs since ’08, tied for second most in league. … Falcons are 13-1 when Turner carries 22 or more times. … Falcons’ Tony Gonzalez needs one catch to become the first NFL tight end with 1,000 career receptions. … With Ben Roethlisberger beginning four-game suspension, third-year Steelers QB Dennis Dixon makes second career start. He started 20-17 OT loss in Baltimore on Nov. 29, going 12 of 26 for 145 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He also ran 24 yards for a TD. … Steelers have won seven consecutive openers, the NFL’s longest current streak. They have won their last seven home openers. … Steelers’ Hines Ward needs five catches to become 12th NFL player with 900 receptions. Ward had 139 yards and 171 yards in last two games against Atlanta. … Steelers own NFL’s best home record since the 1970 merger (222-85-1, .722) and are tied with Miami for the best overall record (372-242-2). Steelers were 6-2 at Heinz Field last season, losing to Bengals and Raiders. … Pittsburgh has won 20 of its past 24 regular season games vs. the NFC. … C Maurkice Pouncey will become only the second rookie OL to start an opener in Steelers history, according to team records. Marvel Smith started at RT in 2000.
DENVER (8-8) At JACKSONVILLE (7-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m., ET, CBS
OPENING LINE – Jaguars by 1 1/2.
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Denver 9-7, Jacksonville 5-11.
SERIES RECORD – Jaguars lead 5-4.
LAST MEETING – Jaguars 24, Broncos 17, Oct. 12, 2008.
BRONCOS OFFENSE – OVERALL (15), RUSH (18), PASS (13)
BRONCOS DEFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (26), PASS (3)
JAGUARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (18), RUSH (10), PASS (19)
JAGUARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (19), PASS (27)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – All eyes are on Broncos QB Tim Tebow, the former Florida icon expected to make his NFL debut in his hometown. Coach Josh McDaniels insists Tebow and Brady Quinn are still vying to be Kyle Orton’s backup, but says he doesn’t expect to have three quarterbacks active against the Jaguars. … Broncos could have young offensive line in opener. If RT Ryan Harris (sprained left ankle) misses game, the unit could have first-year pro Stanley Daniels and rookies J.D. Walton and Zane Beadles in starting lineup. … Broncos have won 16 of last 21 openers and own the best mark in AFC on opening weekend (32-17-1). … Broncos LB D.J. Williams and Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew attended same high school, De La Salle in Concord, Calif., and were part of the football program’s 151-game winning streak. … Jaguars have lost three straight home openers. … Jaguars DE Aaron Kampman, the team’s top offseason acquisition, makes his debut nine months after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. Kampman faces Broncos LT Ryan Clady, who had knee surgery less than five months ago to repair a torn patella tendon in his left knee. … After blacking out nine of 10 home games in 2009, Jaguars have sold enough tickets for opener to be on local TV. But franchise might not be able to sustain fan interest with a slow start, prompting several players to call the opener one of the most important games in team history.
INDIANAPOLIS (16-3) At HOUSTON (9-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
OPENING LINE – Colts by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Indianapolis 12-7; Houston 7-8-1
SERIES RECORD – Colts lead 15-1
LAST MEETING – Colts 35, Texans 27, Nov. 29, 2009
COLTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (9), RUSH (32), PASS (2)
COLTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (18), RUSH (24), PASS (14)
TEXANS OFFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (30), PASS (1)
TEXANS DEFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (10), PASS (18)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Colts have won six straight and 15 of 16 overall against Houston. … Indianapolis has led NFL in third-down conversion rate every year since 2005. … Colts opening on road for first time since 2006. … Indianapolis has best road winning percentage over past eight seasons (48-16, .750). … QB Peyton Manning led NFL in fourth-quarter passing efficiency in 2009 with a 116.0 rating. Manning completed 79 of 109 passes (72.5 percent) for 939 yards and seven TDs with one interception in the final quarter. … Manning is only quarterback in league history with 3,000 yards passing in each of his first 12 seasons. He also is the league’s only four-time MVP. … Since 2004, WR Reggie Wayne leads NFL in receptions (532) and yards receiving (7,494). … TE Dallas Clark leads NFL in TD receptions by a tight end over past three seasons (27). … The Texans have lost two straight season openers since a 20-3 win over Kansas City in 2007. … Texans QB Matt Schaub led NFL with 4,770 yards passing in 2009. … Houston WR Andre Johnson has led league in yards receiving past two seasons. Johnson has caught a pass in 66 consecutive games. … Texans TE Owen Daniels is expecting to play for first time since tearing his right ACL in Week 8. … Texans are opening season against an AFC South opponent for the first time. … Houston has led in the fourth quarter in three of last four meetings with Colts.
CAROLINA (8-8) At NEW YORK GIANTS (8-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Giants by 7
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Carolina 9-7; New York 6-10
SERIES RECORD – Carolina leads series 4-2
LAST MEETING – Panthers beat Giants 41-9, Dec. 27, 2009
PANTHERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (19), RUSH (3), PASS (27)
PANTHERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (22), PASS (4)
GIANTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (17), PASS (11)
GIANTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (14), PASS (15)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Panthers embarrassed New York in its final game at Giants Stadium last season and get a chance to spoil the opening of the Giants’ new $1.6 billion facility. … Offseason purge of veterans has left Panthers with NFL’s youngest roster, average age 25 years, 233 days, as coach John Fox enters final year of his contract. … Panthers were first team in at least 14 years to not score an offensive touchdown in the preseason. … WR Steve Smith and RB Jonathan Stewart didn’t play in preseason because of injuries, but are ready for Week 1. … Stewart rushed for a career-high 206 yards vs. Giants last year. … QB Matt Moore, who has replaced seven-year starter Jake Delhomme, threw three TD passes and is 6-2 as a starter. … Smith had a TD catch against the Giants before breaking left arm. He broke the same arm in a different spot playing flag football in offseason. … The Panthers had 19 sacks in preseason despite losing DE Julius Peppers to Chicago in free agency. … Giants lost 8 of final 11 in missing playoffs for first time since 2005. … Game will be the first under new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. New S Antrel Rolle and DE Justin Tuck are anchors, and play of D-line might be key. … LBs are a question mark with Jonathan Goff replacing retired Antonio Pierce at MLB and free agent Keith Bulluck starting outside. … QB Eli Manning coming off career season, throwing for 4,021 yards and 27 touchdowns. … WR Steve Smith – yes, Giants have one, too – set franchise record with 107 catches in 2009. … Ahmad Bradshaw has taken over as No. 1 RB from Brandon Jacobs. … Rookie P Matt Dodge has replaced the retired Jeff Feagles.
CINCINNATI (10-7) At NEW ENGLAND (10-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE – Patriots by 4 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Cincinnati 7-10; New England 8-8-1
SERIES RECORD – Patriots lead 13-8
LAST MEETING – Patriots beat Bengals 34-13, Oct. 1, 2007
BENGALS OFFENSE – OVERALL (24), RUSH (9), PASS (26)
BENGALS DEFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (7), PASS (6)
PATRIOTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (12), PASS (3)
PATRIOTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (13), PASS (12)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Game matches two of the most dangerous receiver combinations in NFL: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens of Cincinnati and Randy Moss and Wes Welker of New England. … Both teams won their divisions last season with 10-6 records but lost in first round of playoffs. … Patriots are 6-1 in their last seven games against Bengals. … Owens, who caught 55 passes in his only season with Buffalo last year, joins an offense that was ranked 26th in yards passing in 2009. … Ochocino needs one touchdown catch to tie Carl Pickens for most scoring receptions in club history with 63. … Carson Palmer threw for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year. Cincinnati’s No. 2 QB is his brother, Jordan Palmer. … RB Cedric Benson missed 3 1/2 games last year but still rushed for 1,251 yards. … The Bengals lost their opener last year 12-7 when Denver’s Brandon Stokley scored an 87-yard touchdown on a deflected pass on which he wasn’t the intended receiver. … Tom Brady goes into his second straight opener after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first game of 2008. On Thursday, he was unhurt in a two-car accident near his home in Boston’s Back Bay. … Welker, whose 346 receptions over last three seasons lead the NFL, is expected to start after making strong recovery from serious knee injury sustained in last season’s final regular season game. … Patriots rebuilding defense got even younger when three veterans, DE Ty Warren, CB Leigh Bodden and S Brandon McGowan, were placed on season-ending injured reserve. … Rookie Rob Gronkowski had impressive exhibition season as part of the Patriots new look at tight end. Alge Crumpler and rookie Aaron Hernandez also were added. … Two-time Pro Bowl LG Logan Mankins, an unrestricted free agent, has not reported in a contract dispute.
CLEVELAND (5-11) At TAMPA BAY (3-13)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE – Buccaneers by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Cleveland 10-6; Tampa Bay 6-10
SERIES RECORD – Browns lead 5-2
LAST MEETING – Buccaneers beat Browns 22-7, Dec. 24, 2006
BROWNS OFFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (8), PASS (32)
BROWNS DEFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (28), PASS (29)
BUCCANEERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (28), RUSH (23), PASS (24)
BUCCANEERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (27), RUSH (32), PASS (10)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Teams finished 2009 on encouraging notes, with Browns winning their final four games to finish 5-11 and Bucs winning two of last three to go 3-13. … Cleveland had one of NFL’s more productive rushing attacks last season, while Tampa Bay had league’s worst run defense. … New Cleveland QB Jake Delhomme has a 9-2 career record against Tampa Bay. … Delhomme, beginning his 12th NFL season, is 108 yards shy of throwing for 20,000 yards in his career. … Browns RB Jerome Harrison averaged 111.1 yards rushing in seven starts last season and finished with three consecutive 100-yard games. … Cleveland has won three of four meetings between the teams in Tampa. … Joshua Cribbs, the Browns’ versatile WR-KR, had 2,510 combined yards in 2009, fifth-highest total in league history. … Bucs second-year QB Josh Freeman started nine games as a rookie, going 3-6. … Former Browns TE Kellen Winslow was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver in 2009, setting single-game records for a Bucs tight end with 77 receptions for 884 yards. … At 34, Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris is youngest head coach in the NFL. He serves as his own defensive coordinator, taking over following a 1-9 start last season. … Two Tampa Bay rookies, DT Gerald McCoy and WR Mike Williams, earned starting jobs. McCoy was the third overall pick in this year’s draft. Williams was a fourth-rounder. … Bucs CB Aqib Talib is out, serving one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He will be replaced by second-year pro E.J. Biggers, who spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve.
ARIZONA (10-6) At ST. LOUIS (1-15)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET. FOX
OPENING LINE – Cardinals by 4
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Arizona 10-8; St. Louis 7-9
SERIES RECORD – Rams lead 31-30-2
LAST MEETING – Cardinals beat Rams 31-10, Dec. 27, 2009
CARDINALS OFFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (28), PASS (12)
CARDINALS DEFENSE – OVERALL (20), RUSH (17), PASS (23)
RAMS OFFENSE – OVERALL (29), RUSH (20), PASS (28)
RAMS DEFENSE – OVERALL (29), RUSH (27), PASS (25)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Cardinals are two-time defending NFC West champions. … Cardinals have won seven in a row in series and five in a row in St. Louis, their former home, and are 13-5 vs. NFC West since 2007. … QB Derek Anderson starred in lone prior start in St. Louis, throwing three TD passes with no interceptions for Browns on Oct. 28, 2007. … Cardinals won six games on road last year, and had winning record on road for first time since 1982. … Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford completed 60 percent of his passes in preseason with 3 TDs and no interceptions heading into opening day start. … Rams OL allowed four sacks in last three preseason games. … Rams were 0-8 at home last year, their first winless record since going 0-6 in 1959, and have lost 13 in row at home dating to 2007. … RB Steven Jackson led NFC last year with 1,416 yards rushing and needs 539 to pass Eric Dickerson as the team’s all-time top rusher. … Rams have four Ohio State LBs, including the three starters (Na’il Diggs, James Laurinaitis and Larry Grant). … Rams roster includes nine 2010 draft picks and five undrafted free agents. … Rams are 61-60 at home since moving to St. Louis in 1995.
SAN FRANCISCO (8-8) At SEATTLE (5-11)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Seahawks by 1
RECORD VS. SPREAD – 49ers 9-4-3; Seahawks 6-10
SERIES RECORD – Seahawks lead 12-10
LAST MEETING – Seahawks beat 49ers 20-17, Dec. 6, 2009
49ERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (27), RUSH (25), PASS (22)
49ERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (15), RUSH (6), PASS (21)
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (26), PASS (15)
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE – OVERALL (24), RUSH (15), PASS (30)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – San Francisco begins 2010 as favorite in NFC West. … 49ers 2-6 on road in 2009 and 4-9 since Mike Singletary took over as coach. … Three new starters on offensive line, including draft picks Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati… RB Frank Gore coming off four straight 1,000 yards seasons, longest streak in franchise history. … Since 2006, Gore averaging nearly 150 yards rushing per game against Seattle. … TE Vernon Davis tied NFL record among tight ends with 13 TD catches in 2009. … RB Brian Westbrook expected to play after spending eight seasons with Philadelphia. Was limited to eight games last year after suffering two concussions and an ankle injury. … DT Justin Smith has started 139 consecutive games. … LB Patrick Willis led NFL with 173 tackles in 2009, including 121 solos. … 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari held same position with Seattle in 2008-09. … Rookie RT Anthony Davis is just 20 years old, turns 21 next month. … First NFL game for new Seattle coach Pete Carroll since end of 1999 season while with New England. … Of the current 53-man roster only 26 were with Seattle a year ago. … LB Lofa Tatupu will start after missing final 10 games of 2009 with a torn pectoral. Tatupu was Seattle’s leading tackler in 2008. … WR Mike Williams to start for Seattle after being out of the NFL the past two seasons. … RB Justin Forsett to get the start, but Carroll says trio of Forsett, Leon Washington and Julius Jones will see action. … LT Chester Pitts, coming off microfracture knee surgery, likely to start with rookie Russell Okung (ankle) out. … QB Matt Hasselbeck threw for 3,029 yards and completed 60 percent of passes in 2009, but threw 17 TDs with 17 interceptions. … Seattle was 26th in the NFL in turnover margin in 2009.
GREEN BAY (11-6) At PHILADELPHIA (11-6)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. ET, FOX
OPENING LINE – Even
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Green Bay 11-5-1; Philadelphia 9-8
SERIES RECORD – Packers lead 24-15
LAST MEETING – Packers beat Eagles 16-13, Sept. 9, 2007
PACKERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (6), RUSH (14), PASS (7)
PACKERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (1), PASS (5)
EAGLES OFFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (22), PASS (10)
EAGLES DEFENSE – OVERALL (12), RUSH (9), PASS (17)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Eagles honoring 50th anniversary of their last championship team by wearing 1960 uniforms. Philadelphia beat Green Bay 17-13 to win the NFL title, handing Vince Lombardi the only playoff loss in his Hall of Fame career. … Packers won last meeting but lost previous five against Eagles. … Packers QB Aaron Rodgers coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he threw for 4,434 yards, 30 TDs and only seven interceptions. … This is Green Bay’s first season opener on the road under coach Mike McCarthy, who enters his fifth season. … Packers feature two 1,000-yard WRs – Donald Driver and Greg Jennings – and a 1,200-yard rusher – Ryan Grant – in an offense that ranked sixth overall last year. … Eagles QB Kevin Kolb makes third career start, taking over for departed Donovan McNabb. … Rookies Brandon Graham (DE) and Nate Allen (FS) will start for Philadelphia. … Eagles coach Andy Reid is 4-0 at home vs. Green Bay, where he was an assistant under Mike Holmgren. … Average age of the skill position starters for the Eagles is 24.1. … WR DeSean Jackson scored 10 of his 12 TDs last year from 35 yards or more. He had eight TDs of 50 yards or longer, tying an NFL record. … RB LeSean McCoy makes his first start since replacing the departed Brian Westbrook as the primary tailback. McCoy filled in well last year when Westbrook missed several games.
DALLAS (11-5) At WASHINGTON (4-12)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
OPENING LINE – Cowboys by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Dallas 10-8; Washington 7-8-1
SERIES RECORD – Cowboys lead 59-39-2
LAST MEETING – Cowboys beat Redskins 17-0, Dec. 27, 2009
COWBOYS OFFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (7), PASS (6)
COWBOYS DEFENSE – OVERALL (9), RUSH (4), PASS (20)
REDSKINS OFFENSE – OVERALL (22), RUSH (27), PASS (16)
REDSKINS DEFENSE – OVERALL (10), RUSH (16), PASS (8)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Cowboys celebrate 50th anniversary with 101st meeting against Redskins, 99th in regular season. … Game features familiar NFC East QB foes Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb, with McNabb making his Redskins debut. Romo led 5-2 in head-to-head meetings when McNabb was with Eagles. … Cowboys beat McNabb’s Eagles 24-0 to end regular season in 2009, then 34-14 the following week in playoffs. McNabb therefore is facing the same opponent for the third straight game, becoming the first player to do so since the 1970 merger. … Romo has won his last three starts vs. Redskins. … Cowboys have NFL-best 34-15-1 record on opening weekend. They’ve won their last three openers. … Mike Shanahan makes debut as Redskins coach, looking for first win since Dec. 7, 2008, when his Broncos beat Kansas City. … Shanahan is 12-4 in openers – the 12 wins are most among active coaches. … Redskins went 0-6 vs. NFC East last year. … McNabb is first Washington QB coming off Pro Bowl season since Brad Johnson 10 years ago. … McNabb needs 70 yards to pass Dallas Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman (32,942) for 22nd on NFL all-time list. … Redskins RB Clinton Portis needs one rushing TD to tie Stephen Davis (45) for No. 2 on franchise list. … Washington LB London Fletcher expected to play in 193rd consecutive game, tied for second longest active streak among non-specialists. … Redskins unveil new 3-4 defense under coordinator Jim Haslett after team finished last in NFL in takeaways last year (17). … Washington No. 4 overall draft pick Trent Williams debuts at LT, facing All-Pro LB DeMarcus Ware, who has a sack in six of the last eight meetings vs. Redskins.
BALTIMORE (9-7) At NEW YORK JETS (9-7)
Monday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Jets by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Baltimore 9-8-1; New York 11-8
SERIES RECORD – Ravens lead 5-1
LAST MEETING – Ravens beat Jets 20-13, Sept. 16, 2007
RAVENS OFFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (5), PASS (18)
RAVENS DEFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (5), PASS (8t)
JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (20), RUSH (1), PASS (31)
JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (1), RUSH (8), PASS (1)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Marks first regular-season Monday night game played at New Meadowlands Stadium, the $1.6 billion home to both Jets and Giants. … Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Jets coach Rex Ryan have long history together, including having been assistants at University of Cincinnati in 1996. Ryan, a Ravens assistant for 10 years, was defensive coordinator for four, including one under Harbaugh – who beat Ryan out for the head coaching job. … Ravens have won last five meetings vs. Jets, and are 2-0 in season openers under Harbaugh. … Matchup features two of league’s toughest defenses: Jets allowed season-low 26 TDs, while Ravens gave up 27. … New Ravens WR Anquan Boldin has played in 95 games, and with 14 more catches will reach 600 – likely surpassing Marvin Harrison’s record for quickest (102 games). … Newly acquired WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh expected to make Ravens debut. … Last season marked first time for Ravens that they had a 3,500-yard passer (Joe Flacco), 1,000-yard receiver (Derrick Mason) and 1,000-yard rusher (Ray Rice). … S Ed Reed will miss first six weeks after having offseason hip surgery, and is expected to be replaced by Tom Zbikowski. … Jets, stars of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer, went to AFC championship in first year under the brash Ryan, who predicts a Super Bowl appearance this season. … CB Darrelle Revis signed 4-year deal, ending 36-day holdout a week before opener, and will play vs. Ravens. … LB Calvin Pace (broken right foot) will miss game and will be replaced by Jason Taylor, making Jets regular-season debut. … RB LaDainian Tomlinson, NFL’s eighth-leading rusher, will also play in his first regular-season game for Jets after spending last nine seasons in San Diego. Tomlinson will team with second-year RB Shonn Greene to lead revamped rushing offense, which led NFL last season. … QB Mark Sanchez looking to improve on up-and-down rookie season, when he threw 12 TD passes and 20 INTs. … Jets won’t have WR Santonio Holmes, suspended four games for violating league’s substance abuse policy.
SAN DIEGO (13-4) At KANSAS CITY (4-12)
Monday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Chargers by 5 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – San Diego 8-8-1; Kansas City 7-9
SERIES RECORD – Chiefs lead 50-49-1
LAST MEETING – Chargers beat Chiefs 43-14, Nov. 29, 2009
CHARGERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (10), RUSH (31), PASS (5)
CHARGERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (16), RUSH (20), PASS (11)
CHIEFS OFFENSE – OVERALL (25), RUSH (11), PASS (25)
CHIEFS DEFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (31) PASS (22)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – San Diego’s 22-21 come-from-behind win in Arrowhead on Dec. 22, 2008 one of most consequential losses in Chiefs history. Led directly to dismissal of 20-year GM Carl Peterson and coach Herm Edwards and hiring of Scott Pioli and Todd Haley as GM and coach. … Close and well balanced characterize series between two charter members of AFL. Chiefs leading 50-49-1 and 12 games decided by one point. That’s the most of any series in NFL since 1960. … Chiefs haven’t hosted Monday night game since 2006 but lobbied for this one to show off what they’re calling “New Arrowhead.” A $375 million makeover has given 38-year-old facility different look on inside, including a museum tracing history of franchise and AFL. … Chiefs will not miss former Chargers’ RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who had some of his best games and plays against them, including an 85-yard TD run. … Rookie RB Ryan Matthews makes his NFL debut. … The 9:15 p.m. local time kickoff is latest in stadium history. … Intriguing matchup will be San Diego LT Brandyn Dombrowski vs. KC LB Tamba Hali. Hali had 8 1/2 sacks last year and Dombrowski will be making first NFL start replacing two-time Pro Bowl player Marcus McNeill. In two meetings last year, McNeill and other Charger blockers prevented KC from sacking Philip Rivers even once.