The matchups

Lions at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 3.

Weather: Dome.

Lions: Lions can get lots of mileage out of WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, but what about rookie RB Kevin Smith?

Falcons: New coach Mike Smith relies on rookie QB Matt Ryan and new RB Michael Turner.

Fantasy outlook: Turner, key free-agent signee who backed up LaDainian Tomlinson previous four seasons in San Diego, gets his chance to be star.

Injury: Lions TE Dan Campbell is dealing with sore hamstring.

Bengals at Ravens

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 1 1/2 .

Weather: Sunny, 80 degrees.

Bengals: Will have to move through air until they find running game.

Ravens: This perpetually QB-challenged franchise forced to go with rookie Joe Flacco, which wasn’t plan few weeks ago.

Fantasy outlook: Ravens’ Willis McGahee, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season, should get plenty of work with rookie at QB.

Injuries: Bengals FB Jeremi Johnson is out for season with knee injury. … Ravens TE Todd Heap may be slowed with knee injury.

Jets at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m. CBS

Line: Jets by 3.

Weather: Chance of rain, 85 degrees.

Jets: New York has beaten Dolphins four straight and seven of eight, and Jets should be energized by addition of QB Brett Favre.

Dolphins: Ex-Jet Chad Pennington brings his weak arm to South Florida, but running game may help him.

Fantasy outlook: Jets WR Laveranues Coles, who has 10 career TDs vs. Dolphins, should benefit from Favre’s arrival.

Injury: Jets tackle Damien Woody is slowed by sore shoulder.

Chiefs at Patriots

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Patriots by 16.

Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees

Chiefs: Kansas City has all but announced rebuilding plan, and starting it vs. New England is unfortunate. Brodie Coyle gets call at QB.

Patriots: Tom Brady’s foot injury has been big news, but he practiced Wednesday and leads way as Pats start to atone for Super Bowl loss.

Fantasy outlook: Good day for Pats offense means big day for WR Wes Welker, who tied for NFL lead with 112 catches in ’07.

Injury: Pats TE Ben Watson has sore knee.

Bucs at Saints

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Saints by 3.

Weather: Dome.

Bucs: Strong secondary will make difference in key early NFC South meeting.

Saints: Drew Brees leads high-scoring offense, but how to use Reggie Bush?

Fantasy outlook: Bucs’ Joey Galloway has averaged 125.3 receiving yards and scored five TDs in last four games vs. Saints.

Injury: Galloway is nursing groin injury but is expected to play.

Rams at Eagles

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 7 1/2 .

Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees.

Rams: Rams need big game from RB Steven Jackson, but his holdout could affect him.

Eagles: Eagles have rebuilt around Donovan McNabb and home opener gives them chance to build momentum.

Fantasy outlook: Eagles’ Brian Westbrook led NFL with 2,104 total yards in ’07, and this defense can’t slow him down.

Injury: Eagles WR Kevin Curtis is out (sports hernia).

Texans at Steelers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 6 1/2 .

Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees.

Texans: Houston begins season with optimism, led by DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans.

Steelers: Pittsburgh, going for fifth straight opening day win, will rely on last year’s No. 1-ranked defense.

Fantasy outlook: Steelers WR Hines Ward averages 80 receiving yards vs. Texans.

Injury: Texans CB Dunta Robinson (knee, hamstring) starts season on physically unable to perform list.

Jaguars at Titans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 3.

Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees.

Jaguars: With David Garrard settled in at QB, Jaguars may be ready for deep playoff run.

Titans: Other than QB Vince Young, Titans lack enough big-play potential to score regularly.

Fantasy outlook: Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season, must carry load.

Injuries: Jaguars WRs Reggie Williams and Jerry Porter are still recovering from hamstring injuries. Williams may not be ready to play.

Cowboys at Browns

Time: 1:15 p.m. Fox 28

Line: Cowboys by 5 1/2 .

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees.

Cowboys: Super Bowl is Cowboys’ goal, and they could get there if Tony Romo throws 36 TD passes again.

Browns: Cleveland heads into season with seven-game home win streak and confidence it can outscore Dallas.

Fantasy outlook: Could be big day for TD passes; Terrell Owens caught 15 and Braylon Edwards 16 last season.

Injury: Browns RB Jamal Lewis has sore hamstring.

Panthers at Chargers

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 9.

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees.

Panthers: A healthy QB Jake Delhomme gives Panthers chance, but WR Steve Smith starts two-game suspension for punching teammate Ken Lucas.

Chargers: Overpowering offense makes Chargers a Super Bowl contender, and Panthers defense isn’t strong enough.

Fantasy outlook: LaDainian Tomlinson, who led NFL with 1,474 rushing yards last season, should get off to good start.

Injury: For all intents and purposes, Panthers’ Smith injured himself.

Cardinals at 49ers

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2 .

Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees.

Cardinals: Kurt Warner, the QB who wouldn’t give up, is back in starting lineup and can still throw ball.

49ers: J. T. O’Sullivan gets chance to lead 49ers, but he needs help.

Fantasy outlook: Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald had nine catches for 156 yards and two TDs in last game vs. 49ers and could do it again if Warner is on.

Injury: Cards DT Gabe Watson is dealing with sore knee.

Bears at Colts

Time: 5:15 p.m. NBC

Line: Colts by 10.

Weather: Chance of rain, 70 degrees. If it rains, dome will be closed.

Bears: It’s Kyle Orton’s turn to try to ignite offense without proven receiver and with rookie RB, second-round pick Matt Forte.

Colts: Colts in position to celebrate their first regular-season game in new Lucas Oil Stadium.

Fantasy outlook: Colts defensive unit should have big day against undermanned offense.

Injuries: Colts center Jeff Saturday is out with knee injury. … Bears DT Tommie Harris has sore knee, but likely will play.

Vikings at Packers

Time: Monday, 4 p.m. ESPN

Line: Packers by 2 1/2 .

Weather: Cloudy, 70 degrees.

Vikings: QB Tarvaris Jackson and free-agent signee Bernard Berrian could be potent pass-catch combination.

Packers: Brett Favre didn’t take any WRs to NY with him, so Aaron Rodgers has chance.

Fantasy outlook: Vikings’ Adrian Peterson will try to match his 5.6-yards per carry from rookie season.

Injury: Packers center Scott Wells may be out with back injury.

Broncos at Raiders

Time: Monday, 7:15 p.m. ESPN

Line: Broncos by 3.

Weather: Clear, 70 degrees

Broncos: Leading WR Brandon Marshall will miss first game for violating NFL conduct policy, and Denver needed him for fast start.

Raiders: Raiders don’t do too many things well, but they should run ball with Justin Fargas and top draft pick Darren McFadden.

Fantasy outlook: Fargas, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in ’07, rushed for 146 yards in last game vs. Broncos.

Injury: Raiders WR Javon Walker may be out with sore hamstring.