Buffalo (0-1) at Miami (1-0)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Dolphins by 7 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Bills 0-0-1; Dolphins 1-0.
Last week: Bills lost to Chargers, 16-14. Dolphins beat Colts, 24-15.
Worth watching: Dolphins RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar is coming off 108 yards rushing in the opener. The Bills need more than the 54 yards they got from RB Antowain Smith.
Outlook: Miami's tradition of winning its home opener -- 24-4 since 1970 -- won't die here. The Bills came close last week, missing a late field-goal try. Dan Marino won't let them come that close.
Notable: Bills are the only AFC East team with a winning record against Marino (15-12). Abdul-Jabbar needs two rushing TDs to pass Jim Kiick for third on Miami's career list with 29, three to pass Mercury Morris for second.
Injuries:
BILLS: Out: CB Marlon Kerner (knee-IR); LB Mark Pike (arm). Probable: QB Rob Johnson (head); DE Bruce Smith (knee); RB Thurman Thomas (leg).
DOLPHINS: Questionable: DE Lorenzo Bromell (knee); WR Charles Jordan (groin). Probable: QB Craig Erickson (elbow); S Calvin Jackson (hamstring); S Brock Marion (ankle); CB Jerry Wilson (ankle).
Cincinnati (0-1) at Detroit (0-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Lions by 7.
Vs. spread: Bengals 0-1; Lions 0-1.
Last week: Bengals lost to Oilers, 23-14. Lions lost to Packers, 38-19.
Worth watching: Bengals RB Corey Dillon is an absolutely furious runner, and he's well on his way to proving that his rookie season wasn't a fluke, getting 87 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee last week. Lions RB Barry Sanders, held to 70 yards (( by Green Bay, could double that this week.
Outlook: After starting with a loss at Green Bay, the Lions should be able to bounce back at home against the weakest team in the AFC Central. Despite pulling every imaginable form of the zone blitz out of the bag against the Oilers last week, the Bengals had no sacks and no interceptions.
Notable: Bengals have gone 9-48 in the season's first half since ++ 1991. Lions coach Bobby Ross is 3-0 against the Bengals.
Injuries:
BENGALS: Doubtful: LB Brian Simmons (knee). Questionable: WR James Hundon (ankle); RB Brian Milne (back).
LIONS: Out: DT Travis Kirschke (abdomen).
Philadelphia (0-1) at Atlanta (1-0)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 8 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Eagles 0-1; Falcons 1-0.
Last week: Eagles lost to Seahawks, 38-0. Falcons beat Panthers, 19-14.
Worth watching: Falcons QB Chris Chandler got off to a good start last week with 17-for-32 day. The Eagles' Bobby Hoying didn't: 9-for-23, one interception, 63 yards.
Outlook: Atlanta finished strong last season and has a shot at going 2-0, facing possibly the NFL's worst team. Chandler's passing and Jamal Anderson's running should shred an injury-marred defense.
Notable: Three of Hoying's seven career interceptions have been returned for touchdowns. Falcons have not allowed a 100-yard individual rusher in nine games.
Injuries:
EAGLES: Out: TE Jason Dunn (knee); C Steve Everitt (foot); RB Aaron Hayden (clavicle-IR); CB Bobby Taylor (shoulder). Questionable: CB Troy Vincent (quadriceps); RB Charlie Garner (ankle). Probable: S Matt Stevens (knee); DE Jon Harris (ankle); DE Greg Jefferson (fibula-ankle); CB Clarence Love (concussion); CB Allen Rossum (ankles); RB Duce Staley (neck); RB Kevin Turner (foot-elbow).
FALCONS: Questionable: S Devin Bush (knee). Probable: CB Juran Bolden (hamstring); LB Keith Brooking (thigh); DE John Burrough (foot); CB Randy Fuller (ankle); S William White (neck).
Dallas (1-0) at Denver (1-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., chs. 45, 5
Line: Broncos by 7 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Cowboys 1-0; Broncos 0-1.
Last week: Cowboys beat Cardinals, 38-10. Broncos beat Patriots, 27-21.
Worth watching: Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith indicated last week that he still has something left, rushing for 124 yards against the Cardinals. Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis was held to 75 yards rushing against New England, but he scored two touchdowns.
Outlook: The Cowboys have a chance to prove they can be contenders by giving the Super Bowl champs a fight. But that's the best they can expect. The Broncos have won seven of their last nine against NFC teams.
Notable: Smith passed O. J. Simpson for 10th place on the NFL's career rushing list with 11,356 yards. Broncos are 23-2 at home under coach Mike Shanahan.
Injuries:
COWBOYS: Out: RB Chris Warren (groin). Questionable: S Singor Mobley (foot); S Charlie Williams (thumb). Probable: DT -- Leon Lett (knee); WR Ernie Mills (foot); S George Teague (hamstring).
BRONCOS: Out: G David Diaz-Infante (knee); DE Ernest Jones (knee). Questionable: WR Justin Armour (knee). Probable: CB Darrien Gordon (shoulder).
Carolina (0-1) at New Orleans (1-0)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Panthers by 4.
Vs. spread: Panthers 0-1; Saints 1-0.
Last week: Panthers lost to Falcons, 19-14. Saints beat Rams, 24-17.
Worth watching: Danny Wuerffel makes his third career start at quarterback for the Saints. Can Carolina's Kevin Greene continue his strong start? He had three sacks against the Rams.
Outlook: Mike Ditka's team surprised everyone but themselves with an upset win at St. Louis. If Billy Joe Hobert weren't out for the season with an Achilles' injury, the Saints might've been favored.
Notable: Greene needs two sacks to pass Richard Dent (137 1/2 ) for third on all-time list. Saints have sacks in 50 straight games.
Injuries:
PANTHERS: Out: C Frank Garcia (knee); CB Michael Swift (leg). Doubtful: WR Donald Hayes (shoulder). Questionable: WR Rae Carruth (foot); NT Les Miller (knee); S Damien Richardson (ankle). Probable: LB Lamar Lathon (knee); QB Shane Matthews (shoulder); WR Muhsin Muhammad (finger).
SAINTS: Out: QB Billy Joe Hobert (Achilles'-IR). Doubtful: DT Julian Pittman (ankle); QB Heath Shuler (toe); DE Troy Wilson (knee). Questionable: LB Don Davis (hamstring); LB Mark Fields (eye); S Chris Hewitt (shoulder). Probable: RB Aaron Craver (stomach virus); CB Alex Molden (hamstring).
San Diego (1-0) at Tennessee (1-0)
Time: 1:01 p.m.
Line: Oilers by 7 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Chargers 0-0-1; Oilers 1-0.
Last week: Chargers beat Bills, 16-14. Oilers beat Bengals, 23-14.
Worth watching: Ryan Leaf became the first rookie quarterback to start and win an opener since John Elway in 1983, even though he was basically along for the ride (16-for-31, one touchdown pass, two interceptions).
Outlook: The Oilers make their regular-season debut in Nashville, playing before the first sellout crowd in their two seasons in Tennessee. The atmosphere won't hurt, but RB Eddie George's running will make the difference.
Notable: Chargers coach Kevin Gilbride was Oilers offensive coordinator from 1990-94. Oilers look for first 2-0 start since 1991, when they won the AFC Central.
Injuries:
CHARGERS: Out: CB Paul Bradford (knee); CB Dwayne Harper (shoulder).
OILERS: Out: G Eric Norgard (shoulder-IR). Doubtful: C Mark Stepnoski (knee). Questionable: DT Henry Ford (knee); CB Steve Jackson (groin-knee); CB Darryll Lewis (knee); CB Samari Rolle (neck).
Tampa Bay (0-1) at Green Bay (1-0)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., chs. 45, 5
Line: Packers by 7 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Bucs 0-1; Packers 1-0.
Last week: Bucs lost to Vikings, 31-7. Packers beat Lions, 38-19.
Worth watching: Brett Favre is especially tough against the Bucs. In the last four regular-season meetings, he has completed 69.7 percent of his passes. Can the Bucs' Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn generate a running game?
Outlook: This is a big game for the Bucs, who are coming off a blowout loss at Minnesota last week, but they won't be able to avoid an 0-2 start in the NFC Central. Green Bay expects to get more than 38 yards rushing from Dorsey Levens, who held out until the week before the opener.
Notable: Bucs QB Trent Dilfer has started 49 straight regular-season games, second among active QBs to Favre's streak of 94.
Injuries:
BUCS: Out: WR Bert Emanuel (ankle). Probable: QB Trent Dilfer (shoulder-thigh); WR Jacquez Green (turf toe); DE Tyoka Jackson (shoulder); S John Lynch (rib).
PACKERS: Out: LB Antonio London (knee). Probable: WR Roell Preston (hip); T Ross Verba (ankle).
N.Y Giants (1-0) at Oakland (0-1)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 2.
Vs. spread: Giants 1-0; Raiders 0-1.
Last week: Giants beat Redskins, 31-24. Raiders lost to Chiefs, 28-8.
Worth watching: Raiders QB Jeff George has been nursing a hyperextended elbow but will play. Giants DE Michael Strahan is off to a good start, recording two sacks and returning an interception for a touchdown last week.
Outlook: The Giants' defense had to be happy with QB Danny Kanell, who turned Redskins turnovers into points on offense. But like last season, the Giants won't win without a running game that can chew up some time on the clock. But unless George finds holes in the Giants' secondary, New York will win with its stellar defense.
Notable: This is teams' first meeting in Oakland since 1973. Giants have held seven of past nine road opponents to 20 points or fewer.
Injuries:
GIANTS: Questionable: S Brandon Sanders (foot). Probable: LB Jessie Armstead (ankle); LB Marcus Buckley (hip); TE Al Pupunu (knee).
RAIDERS: Questionable: S Louis Riddick (quadriceps). Probable: S Anthony Newman (groin).
Chicago (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Steelers by 11 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Bears 1-0; Steelers 1-0.
Last week: Bears lost to Jaguars, 24-23. Steelers beat Ravens, 20-13.
Worth watching: Will Bears RB Curtis Enis be able to catch his breath long enough to carry more than 12 times? Will Steelers QB Kordell Stewart have a record-setting day against the Bears' defense?
Outlook: The Bears scared heavily favored Jacksonville last week, which no doubt got Pittsburgh's attention. Too bad for the Bears, who can't sneak up on this Super Bowl contender. Only a slew of big plays can save them in this one.
Notable: Bears' defense has held opponents to 10 points or fewer in three of the past six games. Steelers have won eight of past nine at home, the only loss coming in the AFC title game to Denver.
Injuries:
BEARS: Probable: DE Shawn Lee (finger).
STEELERS: Out: WR Jahine Arnold (collarbone); S Bo Orlando (hamstring); CB Deshea Townsend (knee). Questionable: LB Earl Holmes (calf); LB Mike Vrabel (ankle); RB Jon Witman (back). Probable: DT Oliver Gibson (ankle); DE Nolan Harrison (ankle); QB Kordell Stewart (toe).
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 8.
Vs. spread: Vikings 1-0; Rams 0-1.
Last week: Vikings beat Bucs, 31-7. Rams lost to Saints, 24-17.
Worth watching: The entire Minnesota offense, especially WRs Cris Carter and Randy Moss, each of whom caught two touchdown passes against Tampa Bay, and QB Brad Johnson, who showed no ill effects from neck surgery that ended his 1997 season early.
Outlook: Mismatch of the week? The Rams couldn't even defend their home field against the lowly Saints last week. So how can they hope to contain Minnesota's offense, which has potential Pro Bowl players all over the place?
Notable: Carter needs four catches to pass James Lofton for sixth on NFL's career list. Rams, NFL's most penalized team last season, had 10 for 105 yards last week.
Injuries:
VIKINGS: Questionable: DE Stalin Colinet (neck); RB Harold Morrow (hamstring). Probable: WR Chris Carter (calf).
RAMS: Out: WR Az-Zahir Hakim (hand); LB Roman Phifer (hamstring). Questionable: C Mike Gruttadauria (knee); C-G Tom Nutten (elbow). Probable: C John Flannery (knee); S Toby Wright (knee).
zTC
Arizona (0-1) at Seattle (1-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Seahawks by 8.
Vs. spread: Cardinals 0-1; Seahawks 1-0.
Last week: Cardinals lost to Cowboys, 38-10. Seahawks beat Eagles, 38-0.
Worth watching: Arizona will start Andre Wadsworth, the third pick in the draft, at left defensive end after only one week of practice.
Outlook: The Seahawks fattened up on the lowly Eagles in their opener, and unveiled a potential rushing star in rookie Ahman Green. Arizona's offense was a no-show at Dallas last week.
Notable: Cardinals are 5-0 lifetime vs. Seahawks, the last two games being decided in overtime. Seahawks' Ricky Watters has 11 100-yard rushing games vs. NFC East, but none against the Cardinals.
Injuries:
CARDINALS: Doubtful: DE Jerry Drake (back); C Allen DeGraffenreid (ankle). Questionable: LB Tony McCombs (clavicle). Probable: T Anthony Clement (back); G Jerome Daniels (knee); CB Aeneas Williams (ankles).
SEAHAWKS: Doubtful: LB Anthony Simmons (knee). Questionable: TE Carlester Crumpler (groin); DT Cortez Kennedy ankle); LB Dean Wells (calf); T Grant Williams (elbow). Probable: CB Shawn Springs (hip).
Indianapolis (0-1) at New England (0-1)
Time: 8:20 p.m., ESPN
Line: Patriots by 10 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Colts 0-1; Patriots 1-0.
Last week: Colts lost to Dolphins, 24-15. Patriots lost to Broncos, 27-21.
Worth watching: Colts QB Peyton Manning was respectable in his debut, throwing for 302 yards in the loss to Dan Marino and the Dolphins. This week he shares the spotlight with a fellow NFL No. 1 draft pick, Drew Bledsoe.
Outlook: New England should easily bounce back from its tough Monday night loss at Denver. The Patriots' only serious weakness is their running game, where rookie Robert Edwards showed promise by carrying 13 times for 50 yards and a touchdown in the opener.
Notable: Colts coach Jim Mora is 3-0 at Foxboro Stadium. Bledsoe is 7-2 vs. Colts with nine touchdown passes in the past four meetings.
Injuries:
COLTS: Out: RB Zack Crockett (knee); WR E.G. Green (elbow). Doubtful: DT Steve Martin (ankle); DE Kendell Shello (ankle); RB Lamont Warren (ankle). Probable: RB Keith Elias (shoulder); DT Ellis Johnson (shoulder); TE Marcus Pollard (wrist).
PATRIOTS: Out: CB Steve Israel (knee); LB Bernard Russ (jaw). Doubtful: LB Marty Moore (rib). Questionable: TE Ben Coates (ankle).
Pub Date: 9/13/98