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2006 Week 1 games
In ten of this week's sixteen games, one of the teams has a new head coach. None of the new coaches are facing each other.
Dolphins @ Steelers- Charlie Batch gets nod at QB, with Big Ben out. Absence of WR Ward doesn't help matters any. Since he became starter, Pitt is 4-3 in games without Big Ben. Steelers covered just three of last 13 home openers, but did win last three SU, by 19,3,27 points. Miami covered first road game in 14 of last 17 years; they covered the last five times they opened season on foreign soil. Four of last five series totals were 33 or less; this is Dolphins' first visit to Pittsburgh (Jason Taylor's hometown) since '94. Miami won last six games in '05, but have new QB, new OC (Mularkey, who spent many years with Steelers).
Falcons @ Panthers- Carolina crushed Atlanta 44-11 in season finale last year, after Birds had been eliminated from playoffs week before; last year was first time Panthers swept season series since '97. Five of last six series totals were 37 or less; under is 11-5 in Atlanta's last sixteen road openers, 9-1 in Panthers' last ten season openers. Loss of Finneran for season hurts Vick's passing game; can rookie Norwood replace Duckett as inside runner? Panthers ran ball for 371 yards in two wins vs Birds LY. Carolina covered just two of last nine home openers; they've been 0-1 in six of last nine seasons. Atlanta is 4-2 in last six openers, with both losses in OT.
Saints @ Browns- It took all summer, but Browns finally found center, liberating Fraley from bench in Philly. Cleveland is 1-6 in openers; they lost only other time they favored in this spot. Cleveland went through five centers this summer, before finally getting Fraley from Eagles last week, which solidifies that position. New-look Saints have Brees at QB, two quality RBs and a lousy defense- they've won five of last six road openers, covered seven of last eight. In fact, Saints have been 1-0 five of last eight years. Frye started five games for Browns last year (2-3) scoring five TDs on 55 drives, one on last 37.
Seahawks @ Lions- New-look Detroit now has Martz' offense; problem for them here is, Seattle has faced this offense twice a year since they've been in NFC, playing Rams, so they'll know it better than Lions will. Seattle lost Super Bowl on this field, now they try to win road opener for 7th time in last ten tries. Under is 16-2 in Seattle's last 18 road openers. Lions covered eight of last ten home openers, winning last three SU. Detroit has been 1-0 in five of last nine years. Have Seahawks gotten over Super Bowl loss yet? This game was bet up from 3.5 to 6 during summer. How much will Seattle miss Hutchinson, who left via free agency?
Eagles @ Texans- Philly started 0-1 four of last five years, but after TO debacle last year, Eagles eager to start new era on right foot. Philly covered five of last seven as favorite in road opener; they're 12-6 vs spread in last 18 road openers. Teams met once, with Eagles winning 35-17 (-20.5) at Vet in '02. Texans figure to be better with Kubiak in charge; they averaged only 14.6 yards per opening drive last year, so having offensive head coach will help, but can rookies carry load running ball? WR Stallworth will spark Eagle offense that was 30th in 3rd down conversions last year.
Bengals @ Chiefs- How healthy is Carson Palmer? He looked good in preseason win over Packers, but that wasn't on road, vs all-out pressure of regular season game. Home team won six of last seven series games, with Bengals losing five of last six visits to this site (three of five losses were by five or less pts). Chiefs pounded Cincy 37-3 last year, in season finale that Bengals didn't need, while KC was taking out their frustrations for missing playoffs; Green was 23-29 for 335 yards passing. How different will Chiefs be with Edwards in charge? Will they defend better?
Bills @ Patriots- New England won last four series games by average score of 29-9; Bills lost last five visits to this site, by 10,10,31,23,5 points; only one of their last seven series totals at this site was higher than 37. In two losses vs Patriots last year, Buffalo scored only two TDs on 21 drives, scoring just nine points in five red zone drives. Pats scored 42 pts on seven red zone drives. Patriots are 3-0-1 vs spread in last four home openers; six of their last seven went over total. Bills are 2-6 in last eight road openers, with four losses by 13+ pts. First game as Buffalo coach for Jauron-suspect Losman gets nod at QB.
Broncos @ Rams- Home side won last six Bronco-Ram games, with Denver losing last three at the Rams (by 4,6,5 pts), dropping only visit to Dome 41-36 in '00 opener, Rams' first game as World Champs. Broncos are 3-4 in last seven road openers; they lost AFC title game at home, then they drafted QB Cutler, putting Plummer's future in Mile High jeopardy. Linehan begins Ram tenure here; they should be more sound on special teams and defense, and less explosive on offense. Seven of Rams' last nine home openers went over the total. This is third time in last seven years these teams met in season opener.
Ravens @ Buccaneers- Baltimore returns to scene of their Super Bowl title, to face Bucs' squad that is 1-3 in home openers under Gruden. Ravens lost last five road openers, outscored by average of 22-9, but McNair makes his Raven debut; he figures to be major upgrade over Boller; Baltimore turned ball over 36 times last year, and scored just 0.76 ppd on drives that started 80+ yards from end zone (28th). Their 21.6 ypd on opening drive of a half was 31st in league. Expect Fassel to be more aggressive with a poised vet at QB. Under is 7-1 in Ravens' last eight road openers, 13-2 in Bucs' last fifteen openers.
Jets @ Titans- Jets cut C Mawae loose for cap reasons, now they face him in first game of Mangini era, but Titans not only have QB controversy, they haven't even named starter for this game yet. Fisher won seven of his last nine home openers; only twice in last nine seasons have they been 0-1. Jets are 6-12 in last 18 openers, with five of their last seven road openers staying under total. Jets won last two series games, winning only visit here 24-3 in '98. Not sure if Titans will give rookie Young a series each half; if Collins starts, he's only been with club couple of weeks. Tennessee was outscored 102-35 on opening drives of a half last year, worst in NFL.
49ers @ Cardinals- I have hard time laying more than seven pts in Week 1. In Cardinals' last 22 games vs 49ers, they have won by more than seven points only twice. Arizona opens at home for first time since coming to desert, thanks to gorgeous new dome; they swept 49ers last year (by 17,7 pts) after losing seven of its previous eight series games. Niners won three of last four visits to desert (this game was played in Mexico last year). In last year's wins vs Niners, Arizona outgained them 867-388, with SF scoring one TD on 23 drives. Why was Edgerrin James in Miami Monday night? Do the Cardinals practice?
Bears @ Packers- Since taking over in Chicago, Lovie Smith is 3-1 vs Packers, ending 18-2 Packer series run; they won last two visits to Lambeau by 11,7 points. Last year, both series games were played in December, after Packers' ship had sunk; Bears outrushed Pack 274-165- they beat Pack at home even though they completed just six of 17 passes. Favre tossed 29 INTs last year, surrounded by bad team; now Javon Walker is in Denver, but Ahman Green is back at RB, and McCarthy is new coach. Will it help? Pack lost last three season openers, allowing 25.7 ppg; they're 1-6 vs spread in last seven home openers. Dogs covered six of their last nine openers.
Cowboys @ Jaguars- Dallas makes first-ever visit to this site; they won two of three games vs Jaguars at home, with all three games decided by six or less points. Cowboys hung on to win opener in San Diego last year, first time in six years they've been 1-0; they allowed 32.4 ppg in last eight road openers. Jax covered eight of last ten home openers; under is 8-3 in their last 11. Interested to see how much Owens plays in Week 1, after not playing much during summer games. One area cowboys need to address is opening drive of a half; they were outscored 74-38 on those last year. Rumors flying in media that Romo will finish season as starting QB, ahead of Bledsoe.
Colts @ Giants- Peyton vs Eli, first time two brothers have both started NFL game at QB. Both sides thinking Super Bowl; Giants are in much tougher division. Indy lost James to free agency; can they achieve any kind of balance with Rhodes/Addai splitting RB duties? Giants allowed TDs on only 16.8% of drives last year (10th), while Indy scored TDs on 33.3% of their drives (1st). Colts opening on road seventh year in row; they're 5-1 last six openers, and 6-1-1 as favorite in road opener. Giants won seven of last nine home openers, covering four of last five; they've been 1-0 six of last nine years. Viniatiei in Colts' new kicker, but he has injured ankle.
Vikings @ Redskins- Washington had awful preseason, losing Portis in opener, then getting drilled 41-0 by Patriots, but all that is forgotten with win here vs new-look Vikings, led by former Eagle offensive coordinator Childress. Minnesota lost four of last five visits to DC; five of their last 17 series games were in playoffs. Vikings lost three of last four Monday night games, but covered seven of ten as dog on Monday night. Skins are 2-7 in last nine Monday games, but they won last four home openers, by 8,3,6,2 pts. Childress has gone up against Redskins twice a year with Eagles, while Skins learning Saunders' new offense. This game has been bet down from 7 to 4.5 during summer.
Chargers @ Raiders- Rivers finally makes Charger debut, after two years on bench; Bolts won last five game vs rival Raiders, winning by average score of 29-14; three of their last four series wins were by 13+ points. Oakland is 7-0 in last seven Week 1 home games (1-10 on road) and 14-4 in last 18 home openers, but they have new coach, new QB and are just 7-15 in last 22 Monday games, 0-3 in last three (outscored 89-27). Last three Oakland home openers stayed under total. Chargers outscored Oakland 61-24 in two games last year, scoring six TDs on 21 drives, despite a -1 turnover ratio- they forced 10 3-and-outs on Raiders' 21 drives in those two games.
In ten of this week's sixteen games, one of the teams has a new head coach. None of the new coaches are facing each other.
Dolphins @ Steelers- Charlie Batch gets nod at QB, with Big Ben out. Absence of WR Ward doesn't help matters any. Since he became starter, Pitt is 4-3 in games without Big Ben. Steelers covered just three of last 13 home openers, but did win last three SU, by 19,3,27 points. Miami covered first road game in 14 of last 17 years; they covered the last five times they opened season on foreign soil. Four of last five series totals were 33 or less; this is Dolphins' first visit to Pittsburgh (Jason Taylor's hometown) since '94. Miami won last six games in '05, but have new QB, new OC (Mularkey, who spent many years with Steelers).
Falcons @ Panthers- Carolina crushed Atlanta 44-11 in season finale last year, after Birds had been eliminated from playoffs week before; last year was first time Panthers swept season series since '97. Five of last six series totals were 37 or less; under is 11-5 in Atlanta's last sixteen road openers, 9-1 in Panthers' last ten season openers. Loss of Finneran for season hurts Vick's passing game; can rookie Norwood replace Duckett as inside runner? Panthers ran ball for 371 yards in two wins vs Birds LY. Carolina covered just two of last nine home openers; they've been 0-1 in six of last nine seasons. Atlanta is 4-2 in last six openers, with both losses in OT.
Saints @ Browns- It took all summer, but Browns finally found center, liberating Fraley from bench in Philly. Cleveland is 1-6 in openers; they lost only other time they favored in this spot. Cleveland went through five centers this summer, before finally getting Fraley from Eagles last week, which solidifies that position. New-look Saints have Brees at QB, two quality RBs and a lousy defense- they've won five of last six road openers, covered seven of last eight. In fact, Saints have been 1-0 five of last eight years. Frye started five games for Browns last year (2-3) scoring five TDs on 55 drives, one on last 37.
Seahawks @ Lions- New-look Detroit now has Martz' offense; problem for them here is, Seattle has faced this offense twice a year since they've been in NFC, playing Rams, so they'll know it better than Lions will. Seattle lost Super Bowl on this field, now they try to win road opener for 7th time in last ten tries. Under is 16-2 in Seattle's last 18 road openers. Lions covered eight of last ten home openers, winning last three SU. Detroit has been 1-0 in five of last nine years. Have Seahawks gotten over Super Bowl loss yet? This game was bet up from 3.5 to 6 during summer. How much will Seattle miss Hutchinson, who left via free agency?
Eagles @ Texans- Philly started 0-1 four of last five years, but after TO debacle last year, Eagles eager to start new era on right foot. Philly covered five of last seven as favorite in road opener; they're 12-6 vs spread in last 18 road openers. Teams met once, with Eagles winning 35-17 (-20.5) at Vet in '02. Texans figure to be better with Kubiak in charge; they averaged only 14.6 yards per opening drive last year, so having offensive head coach will help, but can rookies carry load running ball? WR Stallworth will spark Eagle offense that was 30th in 3rd down conversions last year.
Bengals @ Chiefs- How healthy is Carson Palmer? He looked good in preseason win over Packers, but that wasn't on road, vs all-out pressure of regular season game. Home team won six of last seven series games, with Bengals losing five of last six visits to this site (three of five losses were by five or less pts). Chiefs pounded Cincy 37-3 last year, in season finale that Bengals didn't need, while KC was taking out their frustrations for missing playoffs; Green was 23-29 for 335 yards passing. How different will Chiefs be with Edwards in charge? Will they defend better?
Bills @ Patriots- New England won last four series games by average score of 29-9; Bills lost last five visits to this site, by 10,10,31,23,5 points; only one of their last seven series totals at this site was higher than 37. In two losses vs Patriots last year, Buffalo scored only two TDs on 21 drives, scoring just nine points in five red zone drives. Pats scored 42 pts on seven red zone drives. Patriots are 3-0-1 vs spread in last four home openers; six of their last seven went over total. Bills are 2-6 in last eight road openers, with four losses by 13+ pts. First game as Buffalo coach for Jauron-suspect Losman gets nod at QB.
Broncos @ Rams- Home side won last six Bronco-Ram games, with Denver losing last three at the Rams (by 4,6,5 pts), dropping only visit to Dome 41-36 in '00 opener, Rams' first game as World Champs. Broncos are 3-4 in last seven road openers; they lost AFC title game at home, then they drafted QB Cutler, putting Plummer's future in Mile High jeopardy. Linehan begins Ram tenure here; they should be more sound on special teams and defense, and less explosive on offense. Seven of Rams' last nine home openers went over the total. This is third time in last seven years these teams met in season opener.
Ravens @ Buccaneers- Baltimore returns to scene of their Super Bowl title, to face Bucs' squad that is 1-3 in home openers under Gruden. Ravens lost last five road openers, outscored by average of 22-9, but McNair makes his Raven debut; he figures to be major upgrade over Boller; Baltimore turned ball over 36 times last year, and scored just 0.76 ppd on drives that started 80+ yards from end zone (28th). Their 21.6 ypd on opening drive of a half was 31st in league. Expect Fassel to be more aggressive with a poised vet at QB. Under is 7-1 in Ravens' last eight road openers, 13-2 in Bucs' last fifteen openers.
Jets @ Titans- Jets cut C Mawae loose for cap reasons, now they face him in first game of Mangini era, but Titans not only have QB controversy, they haven't even named starter for this game yet. Fisher won seven of his last nine home openers; only twice in last nine seasons have they been 0-1. Jets are 6-12 in last 18 openers, with five of their last seven road openers staying under total. Jets won last two series games, winning only visit here 24-3 in '98. Not sure if Titans will give rookie Young a series each half; if Collins starts, he's only been with club couple of weeks. Tennessee was outscored 102-35 on opening drives of a half last year, worst in NFL.
49ers @ Cardinals- I have hard time laying more than seven pts in Week 1. In Cardinals' last 22 games vs 49ers, they have won by more than seven points only twice. Arizona opens at home for first time since coming to desert, thanks to gorgeous new dome; they swept 49ers last year (by 17,7 pts) after losing seven of its previous eight series games. Niners won three of last four visits to desert (this game was played in Mexico last year). In last year's wins vs Niners, Arizona outgained them 867-388, with SF scoring one TD on 23 drives. Why was Edgerrin James in Miami Monday night? Do the Cardinals practice?
Bears @ Packers- Since taking over in Chicago, Lovie Smith is 3-1 vs Packers, ending 18-2 Packer series run; they won last two visits to Lambeau by 11,7 points. Last year, both series games were played in December, after Packers' ship had sunk; Bears outrushed Pack 274-165- they beat Pack at home even though they completed just six of 17 passes. Favre tossed 29 INTs last year, surrounded by bad team; now Javon Walker is in Denver, but Ahman Green is back at RB, and McCarthy is new coach. Will it help? Pack lost last three season openers, allowing 25.7 ppg; they're 1-6 vs spread in last seven home openers. Dogs covered six of their last nine openers.
Cowboys @ Jaguars- Dallas makes first-ever visit to this site; they won two of three games vs Jaguars at home, with all three games decided by six or less points. Cowboys hung on to win opener in San Diego last year, first time in six years they've been 1-0; they allowed 32.4 ppg in last eight road openers. Jax covered eight of last ten home openers; under is 8-3 in their last 11. Interested to see how much Owens plays in Week 1, after not playing much during summer games. One area cowboys need to address is opening drive of a half; they were outscored 74-38 on those last year. Rumors flying in media that Romo will finish season as starting QB, ahead of Bledsoe.
Colts @ Giants- Peyton vs Eli, first time two brothers have both started NFL game at QB. Both sides thinking Super Bowl; Giants are in much tougher division. Indy lost James to free agency; can they achieve any kind of balance with Rhodes/Addai splitting RB duties? Giants allowed TDs on only 16.8% of drives last year (10th), while Indy scored TDs on 33.3% of their drives (1st). Colts opening on road seventh year in row; they're 5-1 last six openers, and 6-1-1 as favorite in road opener. Giants won seven of last nine home openers, covering four of last five; they've been 1-0 six of last nine years. Viniatiei in Colts' new kicker, but he has injured ankle.
Vikings @ Redskins- Washington had awful preseason, losing Portis in opener, then getting drilled 41-0 by Patriots, but all that is forgotten with win here vs new-look Vikings, led by former Eagle offensive coordinator Childress. Minnesota lost four of last five visits to DC; five of their last 17 series games were in playoffs. Vikings lost three of last four Monday night games, but covered seven of ten as dog on Monday night. Skins are 2-7 in last nine Monday games, but they won last four home openers, by 8,3,6,2 pts. Childress has gone up against Redskins twice a year with Eagles, while Skins learning Saunders' new offense. This game has been bet down from 7 to 4.5 during summer.
Chargers @ Raiders- Rivers finally makes Charger debut, after two years on bench; Bolts won last five game vs rival Raiders, winning by average score of 29-14; three of their last four series wins were by 13+ points. Oakland is 7-0 in last seven Week 1 home games (1-10 on road) and 14-4 in last 18 home openers, but they have new coach, new QB and are just 7-15 in last 22 Monday games, 0-3 in last three (outscored 89-27). Last three Oakland home openers stayed under total. Chargers outscored Oakland 61-24 in two games last year, scoring six TDs on 21 drives, despite a -1 turnover ratio- they forced 10 3-and-outs on Raiders' 21 drives in those two games.
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