Week 1 Capsule

HOUSTON AT MIAMI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Miami by 13 1/2.

Introduction: It’s now or never for Coach Dave Wannstedt and the Dolphins. With one of the best defenses in the league, Miami believes it can win it all this season.

Plot: Ricky Williams left and Ricky Williams right will be the base of Miami’s attack, with quarterback Jay Fiedler throwing occasionally to receiver Chris Chambers. On defense, the Dolphins are expected to be better than last season with the addition of Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau and safety Sammy Knight. The Texans still have plenty of holes to fill, but they do have quarterback David Carr, one of the NFL’s best young passers.

Bottom line: Even if the Dolphin offense sputters, the defense is still strong enough to defeat the Texans by two touchdowns.

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TAMPA BAY AT PHILADELPHIA

Kickoff: Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7.

The line: Philadelphia by 3.

Introduction: Super Bowl champs get no respect. The Buccaneers are the defending NFL champions, but they open the season on the road as underdogs at the Eagles’ new Lincoln Financial Field.

Plot: The Eagles will be looking to avenge last season’s NFC championship game loss to the Buccaneers with a healthy Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Both teams have quick and aggressive defenses capable of dominating a game. Expect Tampa Bay to attack underneath with an assortment of quick passes to take advantage of the size of receivers Key- shawn Johnson and Joe Jurevicius.

Bottom line: If McNabb is able to get outside the pocket and make plays, the Buccaneers will have problems in a game expected to be tight.

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ST. LOUIS AT N.Y. GIANTS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 11.

The line: Even.

Introduction: Classic matchup of offense versus defense. With Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, the Rams have the league’s most explosive offense going against Michael Strahan and the Giant defense.

Plot: After missing much of last season because of injury, Warner is back at quarterback, and the offense should be clicking again. Quarterback Kerry Collins and running back Tiki Barber lead an underrated New York offense.

Bottom line: If the weather holds up, this could turn into a shootout, because the Ram secondary, which has been hit hard with injuries, may not be able to match up against the Giants’ solid corps of receivers in Ike Hilliard, Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey.

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SAN DIEGO AT KANSAS CITY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 2.

The line: Kansas City by 5 1/2.

Introduction: Kansas City running back Priest Holmes will not have a problem being motivated after signing a lucrative, four-year contract extension Wednesday.

Plot: Kansas City scored 58 points in two games against the Chargers last season and may have even an easier time Sunday against San Diego’s young cornerbacks. But expect the Chargers to also score big with running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees.

Bottom line: Kansas City quarterback Trent Green should have a field day going up against the Charger secondary, which will start rookie Sammy Davis and second-year man Quentin Jammer on the corners.

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OAKLAND AT TENNESSEE

Kickoff: Sunday, 5:30 p.m., ESPN.

The line: Tennessee by 3.

Introduction: Super Bowl hangover. The Raiders will be looking to get off to a strong start after getting blown out in the final game of last season by Tampa Bay.

Plot: Quarterback Rich Gannon will direct an Oakland offense that could be much better than last season’s if receiver Jerry Porter can develop into a force. Porter may be the X factor against quarterback Steve McNair and the Titans, who are primed to make another run to the Super Bowl after finishing a victory short last season.

Bottom line: The Titans threw the ball a lot last season, but they are still a running team with Eddie George, and if the Raiders can’t slow him down, their losing streak may continue.

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NEW ORLEANS AT SEATTLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Seattle by 3.

Introduction: After a strong finish last season, the Seahawks and Coach Mike Holmgren are counting on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to lead them into the playoffs. Holmgren believes Hasselbeck is ready to take the next step.

Plot: A year ago, the Seahawks dug a deep hole by losing their first three games. They’ll be looking to exploit a New Orleans defense that had major problems against the pass last season. The Saints will ride the arm of quarterback Aaron Brooks and the legs of running back Deuce McAllister.

Bottom line: The Saints overhauled their secondary during the summer, but they still have a few holes that Hasselbeck should be able to exploit if New Orleans is unable to mount a pass rush.

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NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Even.

Introduction: Bills have a Lawyer on their side. Former New England Pro Bowl safety Lawyer Milloy gets to face his old teammates.

Plot: The Patriots released Milloy this week, only to have him sign with Buffalo two days later. That may be a problem for New England quarterback Tom Brady, who has had to face Milloy every day in practice the last few seasons. Buffalo’s Drew Bledsoe leads a balanced offense, which features running back Travis Henry and wide receiver Eric Moulds.

Bottom line: Having home-field advantage in this AFC East showdown season opener should prove to be the difference for the Bills, who were swept by New England last season.

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MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Green Bay by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The start of Favre’s farewell tour? Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre is back after contemplating retirement over the summer.

Plot: The Packers still believe they’re one of the class teams of the NFC as long as Favre plays. But the key to Green Bay’s season will be Ahman Green, who rushed for 1,240 yards last season. Minnesota still has Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss, which always makes the Vikings a threat. With the addition of middle linebacker Chris Claiborne, Minnesota’s defense should be much better.

Bottom line: If the Vikings can run the ball with Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith, this could be the upset special of the day, or at least a closer game than most people expect.

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JACKSONVILLE AT CAROLINA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Carolina by 4.

Introduction: The return of Jack. First-year Jacksonville Coach Jack Del Rio, who coached the Panther defense last season, will make his NFL head-coaching debut against his former team.

Plot: The Jaguars and Panthers, who both entered the NFL in 1995, will be facing each other for only the third time. Each team will start a veteran quarterback, Mark Brunell for the Jaguars and Rodney Peete for the Panthers. Expect running backs Fred Taylor of Jacksonville and Stephen Davis of Carolina to get plenty of carries.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for excitement on offense, this isn’t the game for you. But it will work out fine for Carolina Coach John Fox.

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INDIANAPOLIS AT CLEVELAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Cleveland by 1 1/2.

Introduction: Cleveland welcomes another King James. Indianapolis running back Edgerrin James is healthy again, and the Colt offense revolves around his ability to run and catch the ball.

Plot: To complement James, Coach Tony Dungy features one of the NFL’s best passing combinations in quarterback Peyton Manning and wideout Marvin Harrison. But for the offense to work, the line has to block, and that will be difficult against Cleveland’s defensive front, led by end Courtney Brown. Cleveland has a solid group of receivers in Quincy Morgan, Kevin Johnson and Dennis Northcutt.

Bottom line: This will be one of the better matchups of the day, with Manning making the difference.

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DENVER AT CINCINNATI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Denver by 6.

Introduction: It’s time for the Bengals to start moving up. Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis will make his NFL head coaching debut against a Denver team that enters the season with high expectations.

Plot: Jon Kitna will get the start at quarterback for the Bengals with USC Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer waiting in the wings. Lewis does not have a great deal of talent to work with, but he does have some quality players on defense in end Justin Smith and linebacker Brian Simmons. However, they face a solid Denver team that will open with a new quarterback in Jake Plummer.

Bottom line: The Bengals will be better under Lewis but not good enough to beat teams such as Coach Mike Shanahan’s Broncos.

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CHICAGO AT SAN FRANCISCO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11.

The line: San Francisco by 7.

Introduction: Gimpy Garcia. San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia has had a difficult exhibition season because of health problems, but he’ll try to shake them off against the Bears.

Plot: Under new Coach Dennis Erickson, the 49ers will be more of a running team with backs Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow. This will not go over well with receiver Terrell Owens if he’s not thrown the ball enough. The Bears open with Kordell Stewart at quarterback, which means they don’t know what to expect.

Bottom line: Don’t be surprised to see Stewart have a huge day passing to receivers Marty Booker, David Terrell and Dez White against the 49ers’ suspect secondary.

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ARIZONA AT DETROIT

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Detroit by 4.

Introduction: Familiar faces in new places. Michigan native Steve Mariucci will make his coaching debut with the Lions and running back Emmitt Smith and quarterback Jeff Blake will play their first game for the Cardinals.

Plot: Mariucci takes over a team that struggled to a 3-9 record last season when rookie quarterback Joey Harrington was the starter. Arizona will count on Smith and Blake to lead the rebuilding Cardinals, who will start more than their share of young players. Arizona was 4-0 in the exhibition season.

Bottom line: Mariucci is one of the best coaches around when it comes to getting the most out of his players, and the Lions should be ready to take it to the Cardinals in their home opener.

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ATLANTA AT DALLAS

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Dallas by 2.

Introduction: Falcons are sick without Vick. Pressure will be on Atlanta quarterback Doug Johnson, who replaces injured starter Michael Vick, to carry the Falcons against Coach Bill Parcells and the Cowboys.

Plot: Parcells decided that quarterback Quincy Carter gives Dallas the best chance to win. He’s hoping Carter can get the ball downfield to the Cowboys’ solid group of receivers against a decent Atlanta secondary. The Falcons will be looking to run the ball with Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett.

Bottom line: Johnson may not have Vick’s athletic ability, but he can throw. If the Falcons can protect him, Atlanta has a good chance of spoiling Parcells’ debut in Dallas.

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BALTIMORE AT PITTSBURGH

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Pittsburgh by 5.

Introduction: No more Kordell to blame. After several frustrating years with Kordell Stewart as starting quarterback, the Steelers will open the season with Tommy Maddox.

Plot: The Steelers are loaded with talent on offense, but they’ll be tested by the defensive-minded Ravens and middle linebacker Ray Lewis. Pittsburgh’s offense will have a different look with running back Amos Zereoue, who has replaced Jerome Bettis as the starter. Baltimore will start rookie Kyle Boller at quarterback and rely on running back Jamal Lewis.

Bottom line: Pittsburgh’s Bill Cowher doesn’t always have his team ready to start the season (the Steelers opened 0-2 last season) and the Ravens are a lot better than people think.