Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The matchups

By Terry Bannon Chicago Tribune

Bears at Panthers

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Bears 1-0, Panthers 1-0

Line: Panthers by 3.

Bears: Can they start the season with two straight road upsets? After shocking Colts, they’ll need more than 150 passing yards from QB Kyle Orton to complement rookie RB Matt Forte.

Panthers: Carolina comes in with momentum after pulling upset at San Diego. Panthers were only 2-6 at home last year.

Fantasy outlook: Forte rushed for 123 yards and 5.3-yard average in opener, showing great vision and feel for the game that should help him get extra yards.

Injuries: Carolina’s Rosario (foot) expected to play.

Titans at Bengals

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Titans 1-0, Bengals 0-1

Line: Bengals by 1.

Titans: Kerry Collins moves into starting QB role with Vince Young out and will try to control the tempo with short passes and the running game. Defense will keep Titans in many games.

Bengals: Offense looked terrible in loss to Ravens. Was it the Ravens or the Bengals? Carson Palmer due for a big game, and home opener would be a good time.

Fantasy outlook: Titans rookie RB Chris Johnson has become an immediate weapon with 127 total yards in opener (93 rushing, 6.2 average). Bengals’ Chad Ocho Cinco loves facing Titans, goes for third straight 100-yard game against them (135, 103).

Injuries: Young out a few weeks with knee injury. … Titans DT Albert Haynesworth (concussion) may be out.

Packers at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Packers 1-0, Lions 0-1

Line: Packers by 3.

Packers: Aaron Rodgers did a reasonable Brett Favre imitation in the opener.

Lions: Detroit didn’t play run defense in opening loss to Falcons. Now it faces Ryan Grant, no superstar but a guy who picked up 101 yards and one TD against the Lions in December.

Fantasy outlook: Packers’ Donald Driver had 10 catches for 147 yards vs. Lions in last meeting. Lions’ Calvin Johnson had seven catches in opener.

Injuries: Packers C Scott Wells (back), Lions LB Ernie Sims (ankle) questionable. Lions TE Dan Campbell (hamstring) out for year.

Bills at Jaguars

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Bills 1-0, Jaguars 0-1

Line: Jaguars by 5.

Bills: Second-year QB Trent Edwards looked solid in opening win over Seattle, but now Bills hit the road against a defense that will pressure him and stuff the running game.

Jaguars: With injury problems, Jaguars will have to get creative on offense. Fred Taylor needs to find some running room.

Fantasy outlook: Jaguars QB David Garrard will have to do more in the passing game than his 215 yards in opener.

Injuries: Jaguars have lost both starting guards, Vince Manuwai (knee) and Maurice Williams (biceps). They join center Brad Meester (biceps) on the sidelines.

Raiders at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Raiders 0-1, Chiefs 0-1

Line: Chiefs by 31/2.

Raiders: Looked like same old Raiders in opening blowout loss at home to Broncos. QB JaMarcus Russell will have to make a handful of big plays in the passing game to win.

Chiefs: Damon Huard, who has won eight of 12 as a starter at home, takes over at QB from Brodie Croyle. Chiefs started six rookies last week.

Fantasy outlook: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson goes for his fifth straight 100-yard game vs. Raiders.

Injuries: Coyle (throwing shoulder) is out. … Raiders RB Darren McFadden (shoulder) and DE Derrick Burgess (shoulder) questionable.

Colts at Vikings

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Colts 0-1, Vikings 0-1

Line: Colts by 11/2.

Colts: Loss to Bears showed Colts they’ll have to find a new formula to compensate for injuries on offensive line. Confidence may become an issue after such a surprising loss.

Vikings: Stud DTs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams should dominate inside, but will high-priced new DE Jared Allen show up this week?

Fantasy outlook: With OL problems, Peyton Manning will have to look more at Reggie Wayne, who had 10 catches in opener.

Injuries: Colts may have to go without TE Dallas Clark (knee) and are still missing C Jeff Saturday (knee). … Vikings tackle Art Hicks (elbow) may not play.

Giants at Rams

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Giants 1-0, Rams 0-1

Line: Giants by 81/2.

Giants: Giants put that maybe-they’re-not-that-good talk to rest. Super Bowl champs have won 10 straight road games and should be able to run and throw in this one.

Rams: Rams, 1-7 at home last season, didn’t show much life in blowout loss at Philadelphia. RB Steven Jackson still fights holdout rust.

Fantasy outlook: Giants’ Brandon Jacobs could be in for his second straight 100-yard game against a rushing defense that isn’t putting up much of a fight. .

Injuries: Rams have lost WR Drew Bennett to a broken foot. … Rams G Jacob Bell (hamstring) and DE Leonard Little (hamstring) may not play.

Saints at Redskins

Time: 10 a.m.

Records: Saints 1-0, Redskins 0-1

Line: Pick ’em.

Saints: If Reggie Bush can come up with 163 total yards every week, Saints will be in the playoffs. Drew Brees will have to spread the ball around with Marques Colston out.

Redskins: Redskins need to find a trigger on offense after scoring only one TD in opening loss to Giants.

Fantasy outlook: Redskins RB Clinton Portis should find running room against Saints if passing game can help just a little.

Injuries: Colston, Saints’ top WR, out 4-6 weeks with a thumb injury. … Saints RB Deuce McAllister (knee) may not play.

Falcons at Bucs

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Records: Falcons 1-0, Bucs 0-1

Line: Bucs by 7.

Falcons: Big off-season changes – rookie QB Matt Ryan, new RB Michael Turner – paid off big in opening win. Was it just the opponent (Lions), or will they be playoff contenders?

Bucs: Bucs staring at 0-2 start in division if they drop this one. They’ll have to find a way to stop the run and hope for a big game from QB Brian Griese.

Fantasy outlook: Turner’s 220-yard Atlanta debut means he’s the Falcon to stop until further notice.

Injuries: The years have taken a toll on 38-year-old Garcia (ankle). … Bucs LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring) also iffy.

Dolphins at Cardinals

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Records: Dolphins 0-1, Cardinals 1-0

Line: Cardinals by 61/2.

Dolphins: Dolphins must find a way to run the ball if they’re to pull upset.

Cardinals: Old-timers Kurt Warner and Edgerrin James got off to good starts and should keep it going against a suspect Miami defense.

Fantasy outlook: New Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano off to a fast start with eight catches.

Injuries: Dolphins rookie guard Donald Thomas is out with an ankle injury.

Chargers at Broncos

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Records: Chargers 0-1, Broncos 1-0

Line: Pick ’em.

Chargers: Last-play loss to Carolina leaves Chargers in a tough spot. But Chargers have won last four vs. Broncos by combined score of 147-53.

Broncos: Broncos have won eight straight home openers and are confident after easy opening win. Defense must do something it rarely does – contain LaDainian Tomlinson.

Fantasy outlook: Tomlinson has rushed for seven TDs in last four vs. Broncos, gaining 100 yards three times.

Injuries: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman finally agreed to have season-ending knee surgery after trying to play through injury last week.

Patriots at Jets

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Records: Patriots 1-0, Jets 1-0

Line: Jets by 11/2.

Patriots: Matt Cassel will make his first start since high school, but he has been hanging out in fast company, backing up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and Tom Brady in the NFL.

Jets: Brett Favre and his new teammates smell a major opportunity, though Pats’ defense can’t be taken lightly.

Fantasy outlook: WR Jerricho Cotchery has six catches in last four games vs. Pats and caught TD pass in opener.

Injuries: Brady out for season (knee). … Jets kicker Mike Nugent (kicking leg) out, replaced by Jay Feely.

Steelers at Browns

Time: 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

Records: Steelers 1-0, Browns 0-1

Line: Steelers by 6.

Steelers: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 10 TD passes in last five games vs. Browns.

Browns: Browns were embarrassed by Cowboys at home in opener, and this won’t be much easier.

Fantasy outlook: Willie Parker averages 122.6 rushing yards vs. Browns. Browns’ Braylon Edwards has 186 receiving yards in two games vs. Steelers.

Injuries: Roethlisberger has sore shoulder but is expected to play. … Browns have lost starting strong safety Sean Jones (knee surgery).

Eagles at Cowboys

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Records: Eagles 1-0, Cowboys 1-0

Line: Cowboys by 7.

Eagles: Eagles have won on their last two visits to Dallas, but they’ll have to score a bunch to make it three in a row.

Cowboys: Dallas had little trouble in opening win over Browns. Its defense will have to come up with another big outing.

Fantasy outlook: Cowboys rookie RB Felix Jones may see more action this week after gaining 62 yards, averaging 6.9 yards, with one TD.

Injuries: Cowboys RB Marion Barber (ribs) is iffy. … Cowboys CB Terence Newman (groin) and Eagles receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) questionable.