NFL: WEEK 1
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
x-San Diego
W: 8
L 8
T 0
Pct. .500
PF 439
PA 347
AFC 7-5-0
NFC 1-3-0
Div 5-1-0
Comment The Chargers are finally healthy and start off with their favorite opponent, the Raiders. They’ve beaten Oakland 11 times in a row.
Denver
8
8
0
.500
370
448
5-7-0
3-1-0
3-3-0
The Mile High City loves its quarterbacks. Well, at least it used to. But they are still going to throw often, even with Kyle Orton.
Oakland
5
11
0
.313
263
388
4-8-0
1-3-0
2-4-0
JaMarcus Russell has a huge arm but needs the protection to prove it. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will play with a soft cast on his wrist.
Kansas City
2
14
0
.125
291
440
2-10-0
0-4-0
2-4-0
Going from Patriots to Chiefs wide receivers is a big comedown for Matt Cassel. Coach Todd Haley has shown he can game-plan with the best.
North
x-Pittsburgh
12
4
0
.750
347
223
10-2-0
2-2-0
6-0-0
Losing safety Troy Polamalu to a knee injury changes the Steelers defense in a big way. He could be sidelined three to six weeks.
y-Baltimore
11
5
0
.688
385
244
8-4-0
3-1-0
4-2-0
Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott are gone but the Ravens are still expected to field one of the elite defenses.
Cincinnati
4
11
1
.281
204
364
3-9-0
1-2-1
1-5-0
The health of quarterback Carson Palmer will make all the difference. He has been hurt two of the last three seasons.
Cleveland
4
12
0
.250
232
350
3-9-0
1-3-0
1-5-0
Quarterback Brady Quinn is sure hoping wide receiver Braylon Edwards’ hands are on straight. The Browns’ offense can only get better.
South
z-Tennessee
13
3
0
.813
375
234
9-3-0
4-0-0
4-2-0
No Albert Haynesworth to clog the middle at defensive tackle? No problem. The front four still generates a lot of pressure.
y-Indianapolis
12
4
0
.750
377
298
10-2-0
2-2-0
4-2-0
Peyton Manning could sure use rookie running back Donald Brown to step up. Anthony Gonzalez moves into Marvin Harrison’s starting spot.
Houston
8
8
0
.500
366
394
5-7-0
3-1-0
2-4-0
Steve Slaton should spice up Houston’s bland running attack. On defense, USC product Brian Cushing is expected to be a starting linebacker.
Jacksonville
5
11
0
.313
302
367
3-9-0
2-2-0
2-4-0
The Jaguars could be decent, but will anyone be watching? They run the risk of being blacked out for every home game this season.
East
x-Miami
11
5
0
.688
345
317
8-4-0
3-1-0
4-2-0
Two cornerbacks in first three picks? Got to shore up that pass defense.
New England
11
5
0
.688
410
309
7-5-0
4-0-0
4-2-0
Tom Brady makes his return. His shoulder should be fine.
N.Y. Jets
9
7
0
.563
405
356
7-5-0
2-2-0
4-2-0
Can Mark Sanchez keep his edge when games are real?
Buffalo
7
9
0
.438
336
342
5-7-0
2-2-0
0-6-0
If the Bills lose early, look for Coach Dick Jauron to get the boot. He’s already fired the offensive coordinator.
National Conference
x-Arizona
W 9
L 7
T 0
Pct. .563
PF 427
PA 426
AFC 7-5-0
NFC 2-2-0
Div. 6-0-0
Comment The Cardinals are trying to break the pattern of Super Bowl losers falling off the table the next season, but their division has improved.
San Francisco
7
9
0
.438
339
381
5-7-0
2-2-0
3-3-0
Frank Gore will get the ball early and often in Jimmy Raye’s offense. Coach Mike Singletary has worked on making his team tougher.
Seattle
4
12
0
.250
294
392
3-9-0
1-3-0
3-3-0
Protecting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s blind side is key for the Seahawks, who are without outstanding left tackle Walter Jones.
St. Louis
2
14
0
.125
232
465
2-10-0
0-4-0
0-6-0
The Rams are looking to notch their first division victory since the 2007 season. Their average 2008 NFC West loss was by two touchdowns.
North
x-Minnesota
10
6
0
.625
379
333
8-4-0
2-2-0
4-2-0
Brett Favre makes his improbable debut in purple. Watch how the Vikings use wide receiver Percy Harvin. The rookie is all over the field.
Chicago
9
7
0
.563
375
350
7-5-0
2-2-0
4-2-0
Running back Matt Forte will factor heavily into the game plan. Coach Lovie Smith changed defensive assistants at all three levels.
Green Bay
6
10
0
.375
419
380
5-7-0
1-3-0
4-2-0
The Aaron Rodgers-led Packers had the hottest offense in the preseason. The biggest change for them is on the other side of the football.
Detroit
0
16
0
.000
268
517
0-12-0
0-4-0
0-6-0
The retooled Lions, who were big shoppers in the free-agent market, aren’t as far away from winning as some might think.
South
x-Carolina
12
4
0
.750
414
329
8-4-0
4-0-0
4-2-0
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will test Philadelphia’s run defense, which is without standout middle linebacker Stewart Bradley.
y-Atlanta
11
5
0
.688
391
325
8-4-0
3-1-0
3-3-0
Can Matt Ryan match his great rookie season? Any quarterback would love to add tight end Tony Gonzalez to his arsenal.
Tampa Bay
9
7
0
.563
361
323
8-4-0
1-3-0
3-3-0
The comeback of running back Cadillac Williams is an amazing story. Byron Leftwich will keep quarterback job warm for rookie Josh Freeman.
New Orleans
8
8
0
.500
463
393
5-7-0
3-1-0
2-4-0
Drew Brees and the offense can score at a record pace. With Gregg Williams running the defense, the Saints are a contender.
East
z-N.Y. Giants
12
4
0
.750
427
294
9-3-0
3-1-0
4-2-0
With Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer gone, the pressure is on replacement wide receivers Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon.
y-Philadelphia
9
6
1
.594
416
289
7-5-0
2-1-1
2-4-0
Running back Brian Westbrook says he’s ready to roll despite no preseason action. On the other hand, right tackle Shawn Andrews isn’t.
Dallas
9
7
0
.563
362
365
7-5-0
2-2-0
3-3-0
Jerry Jones says the new stadium will give the Cowboys a boost. We’ll see. You know what they say? Scoreboard!
Washington
8
8
0
.500
265
296
7-5-0
1-3-0
3-3-0
For Coach Jim Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell, it could be win or walk. Albert Haynesworth makes his Redskins debut.
x-clinched division; y-clinched playoff spot; z-clinched conference
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.