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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Week 2


 Willie Parker had 161 yards last week.
 (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

By Terry Bannon /

Chicago Tribune

Lions (1-0) at Bears (0-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 1

Last meeting: Lions won 19-13 at Detroit on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Lions have won last 3 meetings.

Fantasy factor: New receivers. Lions lean on TE Marcus Pollard, Bears on WR Muhsin Muhammad.

The buzz: Until Bears prove they can move ball and score with Kyle Orton, doubts will persist. Lions can challenge Bears’ defense.

Ravens (0-1) at Titans (0-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Ravens by 3 1/2

Last meeting: Titans won 20-17 at Baltimore in playoffs on Jan. 3, 2004.

Key stat: Ravens have won last four regular-season meetings.

Fantasy factor: Ravens QB Anthony Wright has thrown 9 TDs in 6 Baltimore starts. Titans WR Drew Bennett had 9 TDs in last 5 games last season.

The buzz: Ravens have won 5 of 6 starts with Wright, who replaces injured Kyle Boller. Baltimore defense should dominate.

Steelers (1-0) at Texans (0-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: No line

Last meeting: Texans won 24-6 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 8, 2002.

Key stat: Texans only 3-5 at home in ‘04.

Fantasy factor: Can Steelers RB Willie Parker duplicate stellar opening performance (161 yards, TD)? Can Texans QB David Carr recover from 9 for 21 opener?

The buzz: Texans’ only hope is to control ball with Domanick Davis’ running. Steelers won’t allow it.

Bills (1-0) at Bucs (1-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 2 1/2

Last meeting: Bucs won 31-17 in Tampa on Nov. 26, 2000.

Key stat: Bucs aim for first 2-0 start since 2000.

Fantasy factor: Bills RB Willis McGahee off to good start with 117 yards in opener. Bucs rookie TE Alex Smith (2 TDs in opener) will be a factor.

The buzz: With Brian Griese playing efficiently and rookie Cadillac Williams running well, Bucs will do just enough against good defense.

Jaguars (1-0) at Colts (1-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 9

Last meeting: Jaguars won 27-24 at Indianapolis on Oct. 24, 2004.

Key stat: Colts 46-0 after taking 14-point leads under coach Tony Dungy.

Fantasy factor: Jaguars rookie WR Matt Jones, QB in college, ran, passed and caught in opener. Colts’ Peyton Manning only has to throw.

The buzz: Colts are already playing with swagger. Jags need big plays to stay close in battle of likely playoff teams.

Vikings (0-1) at Bengals (1-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 3

Last meeting: Vikings won 24-3 at Minnesota on Nov. 15, 1998.

Key stat: Bengals won 4 of last 6 at home in ‘04.

Fantasy factor: Vikes’ Daunte Culpepper (0 TDs, 3 INTs in opener) may be in trouble without Randy Moss. Bengals’ Carson Palmer has thrown 8 TD passes in last 4 home games.

The buzz: Palmer’s passing and Rudi Johnson’s running will be too much for Minnesota team adjusting to myriad off-season changes.

Patriots (1-0) at Panthers (0-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Patriots by 3.

Last meeting: Patriots won 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Key stat: Pats have won 33 of last 35.

Fantasy factor: Pats’ Tom Brady had 3 TD passes in last meeting with Carolina. Panthers’ Stephen Davis proved he’s healthy last week, rushing for 81 yards and TD.

The buzz: This could be Super Bowl preview. Panthers have to show home opener loss to Saints really was an upset, but it won’t happen here.

49ers (1-0) at Eagles (0-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 13.

Last meeting: 49ers won 31-28 (OT) at Philadelphia on Dec. 21, 2003.

Key stat: Eagles have won 16 of last 19 after loss.

Fantasy factor: 49ers’ Tim Rattay will have tough time repeating opening performance (2 TDs, 0 INT). Eagles’ Brian Westbrook goes for 8th straight game with 100 combined yards.

The buzz: Surprising 49ers catch Eagles at wrong time. Donovan McNabb took beating Monday night but won’t need much practice for this one.

Falcons (1-0) at Seahawks (0-1)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Seahawks by 1.

Last meeting: Seahawks won 28-26 at Seattle on Jan. 2, 2005.

Key stat: Seahawks have won last 2 home openers.

Fantasy factor: Falcons trying to get 2nd-year WR Michael Jenkins more involved (3 catches in opener). Ex-Bear Bobby Engram still catching ‘em for Seahawks (8 in opener).

The buzz: After an emotional Monday night victory over Eagles, Falcons regroup for long trip. It’s asking a lot.

Rams (0-1) at Cardinals (0-1)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 1.

Last meeting: Cardinals won 31-7 at Arizona on Dec. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Cards were 5-3 at home in ‘04, winning last 2.

Fantasy factor: Rams’ Torry Holt still one of NFL’s best (10 catches in opener). Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald becoming big-time threat (13 catches, TD in opener).

The buzz: If Rams can’t win at San Francisco, it makes you wonder. Kurt Warner faces old team, but Arizona defense key.

Dolphins (1-0) at Jets (0-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Jets by 5 1/2 .

Last meeting: Jets won 41-14 at New York on Nov. 1, 2004.

Key stat: Jets have won 6 of last 7 vs. Miami at home.

Fantasy factor: Ex-Bear Marty Booker has at least 4 catches in last 5 games. Is Jets’ Chad Pennington (0 TDs in opener) healthy?

The buzz: Jets need Curtis Martin to dominate on ground. Is that ex-Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler warming up for Jets?

Browns (0-1) at Packers (0-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Packers by 6.

Last meeting: Packers won 30-7 at Green Bay on Dec. 23, 2001.

Key stat: Browns 1-7 on road in ‘04.

Fantasy factor: Reuben Droughns emerging as key runner for Browns. Packers need WR Donald Driver to make big plays.

The buzz: Loss of WR Javon Walker to knee surgery big blow to Pack’s offense. But not big enough to matter in this one.

Chargers (0-1) at Broncos (0-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Broncos by 3.

Last meeting: Chargers won 20-17 at San Diego on Dec. 5, 2004.

Key stat: Broncos have won 12 of last 16 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Chargers Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates should have instant impact after 1-game team suspension for holding out. Broncos’ Ashley Lelie had 4 catches for 105 yards in last meeting.

The buzz: Both teams reeling after upset losses in openers. Home field makes difference.

Chiefs (1-0) at Raiders (0-1)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Chiefs by 1.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 31-30 at Kansas City on Dec. 25, 2004.

Key stat: Chiefs have won last 4 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson showing he can make part-time role pay – 110 yards, 2 TDs in opener. Raiders QB Kerry Collins tossed 3 TD passes in opener.

The buzz: Chiefs’ new-look defense off to a good start. So is KC’s familiar offense.

Saints (1-0) at Giants (1-0)

Time: 4:30 p.m. Monday

Line: Giants by 3.

Last meeting: Saints won 45-7 at New Orleans on Dec. 14, 2003.

Key stat: Saints go for 1st 2-0 start since ‘02.

Fantasy factor: Giants’ Plaxico Burress an immediate factor for Giants (5 catches, 1 TD). Saints’ Deuce McAllister already has 2 rushing TDs.

The buzz: Saints’ home game moved because of Hurricane Katrina. Tough for them to come up with second straight emotional road win.

Redskins (1-0) at Cowboys (1-0)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday

Line: Cowboys by 6.

Last meeting: Cowboys won 13-10 at Dallas on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Bill Parcells is 12-6 in regular season vs. Joe Gibbs.

Fantasy factor: Mark Brunell, who passed for 325 yards, 2 TDs in game vs. Dallas last year, gets start. Cowboys’ Drew Bledsoe leads NFL in passing.

The buzz: Redskins fortunate to get by Bears, and now they’re rushing into QB change. Washington hasn’t won in Dallas since ‘95.