The weekends just became a little bit longer as college football Saturdays will now turn into NFL Sundays which will turn into Monday Night Football. The NFL kicked off its season Thursday night with New England edging Indianapolis 27-24.
So now that preseason games are out of the way and fans have had a chance to see their teams in action, it is time to start filling out the scheduled lineup for this weekend.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
Sure it isn't the most marquee matchup this weekend, but for many Badger fans, the chance to watch Lee Evans on the field for Buffalo makes this an exciting game. Drew Bledsoe continues at the helm for the Bills despite having a rough 2003 season, but has a strong set of running backs to rely on, including Willis McGahee.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were one of the hottest teams early last season. Even without star running back and former Badger Michael Bennett, Minnesota started off winning its first six games and seemed unstoppable, but finished the season losing seven of its last 10 games.
Bennett once again starts the season on the sidelines but the Vikings should have enough offensive power to stay competitive with Daunte Culpepper at quarterback and Randy Moss receiving. Last year Minnesota had one of the best offenses, but may meet its match against Dallas. The Cowboys let go of quarterback Quincy Carter, replacing him with veteran Vinny Testaverde. Dallas also signed Tennessee's Eddie George.
N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
After five years, Badger fans may finally get to see some real playing time for Heisman trophy winner and former Badger back, Ron Dayne. Dayne started only 11 games in the last three seasons, but after a surprising preseason, the Giants are giving Dayne another shot.
Tiki Barber joins Dayne in the backfield, as the Giants look to quarterbacks Kurt Warner and rookie Eli Manning. They'll have a tough time against the Eagles, the NFC East champ for the past three seasons. Donovan McNabb resumes his position as the Eagles quarterback and now has former San Francisco 49er Terrell Owens to throw to. Owens had 80 receptions for 1,102 yards last season.
Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback Jeff Garcia is gone, and so is Terrell Owens which combines for a brand new look-and not necessarily a good one-for the 49ers. Without much name recognition, the main reason to watch this game lies with one man-Michael Vick. The Falcon's QB missed 11 games last season, but if he can return to his 2002 form when he had 16 touchdowns and threw for close to 3,000 yards, the Falcons should be in good shape this season. Sunday's game should be a good indication of how ready Vick is.
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers
Packers. Monday Night Football. What more could you ask for?
The Panthers are looking to prove last year was not a fluke and that even though most couch-potato fans can not name the starting lineup, they are a legitimate team. At the same time, Brett Favre hopes he has one last season left in him, especially after promising Packer backers that he could lead them to a Super Bowl this season.
After last year when the Pack seemed to have everything in place, the Packers managed to blow it with the Eagles at 4th-and-26.
While Packer fans might not be ready to admit it, Favre is getting older, and while still one of the best quarterbacks in the game, this might be his last season to get that second Super Bowl ring.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
The Bears have plenty of new faces on the sidelines. There is new Head Coach Lovie Smith and a young starting quarterback Rex Grossman, who took over the position at the end of last season. Defense was a big weakness for the Bears, who should be helped by Smith's background in defense and the additions of Tommie Harris and Adewale Ogunleye. Questionable is Brian Urlacher who has been sidelined all season, and the Bears' reliance on David Terrell now that the Bears' top receiver, Marty Booker was traded in favor of some power on defense.
Detroit continues to struggle, last year finishing 5-11, and QB Joey Harrington has not been the answer the Lions have been looking for. Even better news for Bears fans-Detroit is in the midst of a 24-game road losing streak.
Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans
Ricky Williams is gone. Eddie George is gone. Suddenly the matchup between the Dolphins and the Titans is a little less interesting. As if mother nature knew the mundaneness of the game, she added a little kink with the premiere weather disaster-a hurricane. Hurricane Ivan is expected to hit Miami sometime Sunday, and neither rain nor sleet nor 160 mph winds will stop the NFL, so the game has been moved to Saturday.
The last time the Dolphins were forced to change a game time was in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit the coast.
ESPN reports that the Titans' only concern was being able to get out of Miami after the game.
Other matchups
Other opening week games include Oakland at Pittsburgh, Seattle at New Orleans, Cincinnati at New York (AFC), San Diego at Houston, Baltimore at Cleveland, Tampa Bay at Washington, Arizona at St. Louis and Kansas City at Denver.
