WEEK 1

Lions at Bears

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bears by 3.

Key stat: Lions have lost NFL-record 24 consecutive road games.

Players to watch: Thomas Jones gives the Bears a good running/receiving threat from the tailback position, but how durable will he be? Lions quarterback Joey Harrington beginning pivotal third season.

The buzz: New Bears coach Lovie Smith is a former defensive coordinator, and he’ll need his defenders to carry the load. If Rex Grossman takes care of the football, the Bears’ running game will make the difference.

Jaguars at Bills

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bills by 3.

Key stat: Jaguars have won three of four road openers.

Players to watch: Byron Leftwich needs to throw fewer interceptions (16 last year) than TD passes (14) if Jaguars are to improve. Bills want to get ball to Eric Moulds (64 catches).

The buzz: Mike Mularkey’s NFL head coaching debut comes against a Jaguars team some expect to make a run at a playoff berth. Jaguars should be able to run the ball and contain Travis Henry, who has held off Willis McGahee for starting tailback job.

Ravens at Browns

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Ravens by 3.

Key stat: Ravens have won seven of 10 meetings.

Players to watch: Jamal Lewis rushed for 500 yards and 9.6-yard avg. in two victories over the Browns a year ago. Ex-49er Jeff Garcia debuts as Browns’ QB, but he has little to work with.

The buzz: The comeback of Deion Sanders is getting headlines, but the Ravens had a tough defense without him. Can he play offense too? Can the Browns hold Lewis to less than, say, 200 yards?

Chargers at Texans

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Texans by 4 1/2 .

Key stat: Texans are 2-0 in season openers.

Players to watch: LaDainian Tomlinson, perhaps the NFL’s top all-around running back, is the Texans’ top priority. Texans WR Andre Johnson, coming of a 66-catch rookie season, could have a big day.

The buzz: Veteran Drew Brees remains the Chargers’ starter, while rookie Philip Rivers catches up after contract holdout. Texans have no such worries, with David Carr looking for Johnson.

Bengals at Jets

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Jets by 4.

Key stat: Jets are 1-2 in openers under coach Herman Edwards.

Players to watch: Carson Palmer, the top pick of the 2003 draft, makes his first start. Jets will try to control the ball with Curtis Martin.

The buzz: A meeting of two teams that believe they’re ready to make a run at the playoffs. If Martin can run, Jets QB Chad Pennington could have a big day.

Raiders at Steelers

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Steelers by 4.

Key stat: Raiders were 0-8 on the road last year.

Players to watch: Ex-Eagle Duce Staley gives the Steelers the running/receiving threat they’ve been lacking. Rich Gannon still holds Raiders’ QB job.

The buzz: Gannon, 38, has held off Kerry Collins for now, and this will be a test to see whether he can still make big plays. He probably won’t make enough of them.

Cardinals at Rams

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Rams by 11.

Key stat: Rams have won all four meetings in last two seasons, scoring at least 27 points each game.

Players to watch: Rams’ Torry Holt hopes to retain `03 form, when he led NFL with 117 catches. QB Josh McCown gives the Cardinals some hope for the future.

The buzz: Rams have health concerns along the offensive line, but injuries throughout the offense dominated Dennis Green’s first training camp as Cardinals coach. Same old Cardinals.

Bucs at Redskins

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Redskins by 2.

Key stat: Bucs have 22 players left from team that won Super Bowl two years ago.

Players to watch: Ex-Jaguar Mark Brunell starts his comeback as a Redskin. Receiver Joey Galloway, Bucs’ biggest off-season acquisition, looks for a fast start.

The buzz: Running back Clinton Portis, acquired from Denver in Champ Bailey deal, brings his 5.5 yards-per-carry average to Washington. He’ll be a problem the Bucs can’t solve.

Cowboys at Vikings

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Vikings by 4 1/2 .

Key stat: Cowboys were 4-4 on the road in `03.

Players to watch: Randy Moss has been tough on the Cowboys, with 21 catches for 525 yards and 8 TDs in four games. He’ll outshine Keyshawn Johnson, making his Dallas debut.

The buzz: Vikings have all the elements for a Super Bowl run. Daunte Culpepper and Moss should have big days against a Dallas defense that will have a hard time being No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed again.

Giants at Eagles

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Eagles by 9.

Key stat: Eagles have won five of last six meetings, including both last season.

Players to watch: Kurt Warner, who lost his last seven starts with the Rams, gets a chance to lead the Giants. Can Terrell Owens, who had 80 catches and nine TDs for 49ers last year, get Eagles to the Super Bowl?

The buzz: Eagles should have their way with the Giants, playing their first game for Coach Tom Coughlin. It will be a surprise if Giants’ rebuilt offensive line can give Warner time to throw.

Falcons at 49ers

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Falcons by 3 1/2 .

Key stat: 49ers have won last three from Falcons.

Players to watch: Michael Vick is back for Atlanta after missing most of last season with a broken leg. San Francisco is going with Tim Rattay, who threw seven TD passes vs. two interceptions in three starts last year.

The buzz: New Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. debuts against the team he served as defensive coordinator with last year. It may be a longer season for 49ers than for Falcons, but on opening day, they’re further along.

Chiefs at Broncos

Time: 5:30 p.m., ESPN. Line: Broncos by 3.

Key stat: Broncos have won four of last six meetings, including three in a row at Denver.

Players to watch: In December win over Chiefs, Jake Plummer completed 20 of 29 for 238 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Chiefs’ Trent Green tries to repeat a Pro Bowl season.

The buzz: Early showdown in AFC West could be decided by 5-7 Quentin Griffin, who replaces Clinton Portis in the Denver backfield. If Broncos can still run against a Chiefs’ defense that was weak a year ago, they can win.

Packers at Panthers

Time: 6 p.m. Monday, ABC. Line: Panthers by 3.

Key stat: Panthers have won both of their openers under Coach John Fox.

Players to watch: Panthers’ Stephen Davis tries to repeat his 1,444-yard season of 2003. Packers’ Brett Favre would take another 32 TD passes, too.

The buzz: The Panthers lost the Super Bowl by a field goal and open the season in an emotional environment, including the return of linebacker Mark Fields from Hodgkin’s disease. If their rebuilt line can protect Jake Delhomme, they can survive a night out with Favre.

—Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune