Let’s take a look at some games with potential story lines that could affect teams heading into the opening week of the NFL:
Miami at. Pittsburgh, 8:30pm ET Thursday
Obviously the biggest headline tonight is that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be suiting up for the Super Bowl champs. Charlie Batch did win two spot starts for the team last year, however, and isn’t completely inept to run the offense.
Pittsburgh loses arm strength and mobility with Batch (especially if he is forced from the pocket), but I believe the Steelers are going to dumb down the offense for Batch anyway. Watch for the Steelers to shove Willie Parker down Miami’s throat all game, but that might not be the best move considering the Dolphins strength is their front seven – the inexperience and newcomers in the secondary is the question mark.
Atlanta at. Carolina, 1pm ET Sunday
Even as well rounded and solid as the Carolina Panthers are, the loss of Steve Smith for this weekend is obviously huge. Smith is listed as questionable/doubtful for this Sunday’s NFC South clash with the Falcons after injuring his right hamstring in practice Wednesday. Smith was already bothered by a left hamstring injury in preseason.
If Smith can’t go, Atlanta may play WR Keyshawn Johnson one-on-one with Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall. That would allow the Falcons to bring eight men in the box on defense to load up against the Panthers’ DeShaun Foster (who gauged Atlanta for 296 yards and three touchdowns in two games last season).
Bringing their safeties up to help with the run may offset the loss of middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, who had both knees worked on early last week and may be out for a couple of weeks.
Dallas at. Jacksonville, 4:15pm ET Sunday
For all the preseason hoopla about Terrell Owens and whether or not Bill Parcells would play him Week 1 is apparently put to rest. Owens was not listed on the Cowboys’ injury report and all indications are that he will start in Jacksonville on Sunday.
San Diego at. Oakland, 10:15pm ET Monday
The Raiders announced that Alvis Whitted will start Monday night at receiver against San Diego.
Boy, if anybody told me at the start of minicamps that Randy Moss and Alvis Whitted would be the starting wide outs for Oakland in Week 1, I would have laughed in their face. Whitted has tons of speed, but even as bad as the Chargers’ secondary played last year, I think they can handle Whitted one-on-one while double-covering Moss on the other side.
Got a question or comment about your team or any games on the schedule? Post it and I’ll be happy to field any questions.
