The NFL’s 75th season carries such universal appeal that baseball stopped to observe. Opening day, however, includes only one old traditional matchup. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles started playing in 1933. The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams started playing in 1937 when the Cardinals were in Chicago and the Rams in Cleveland, but they don’t meet every year.
Ten quarterbacks start for new teams. Two games feature four new quarterbacks-Atlanta’s Jeff George against Detroit’s Scott Mitchell and Houston’s Cody Carlson against Indianapolis’ Jim Harbaugh. The others are New Orleans’ Jim Everett, the Giants’ Dave Brown, Washington’s John Friesz, the Bears’ Erik Kramer, Minnesota’s Warren Moon and the Rams’ Chris Miller.
The NFC features one new network, Fox.
Games of the week
Vikings at Packers
Everybody should open in Lambeau Field. New Vikings QB Warren Moon has done it once before in 1986 with Houston. Packers nervous after losing four in a row to Vikings. “I’m not superstitious,” said coach Mike Holmgren, who has yet to beat the Vikings’ Dennis Green. Running games will help Moon and Brett Favre decide outcome. Vikings are relying on comeback by Terry Allen, Packers on ex-Buc Reggie Cobb. Noon.
Cowboys at Steelers
Barry Switzer debuts as Jimmy Johnson’s successor with only one mandate-win the Super Bowl or else. Some think this could be an early Super Bowl preview with both teams returning to the glory days. Pittsburgh’s offense is buoyed by a healthy Barry Foster and rookie receiver Charles Johnson. Steelers have best run defense Emmitt Smith has faced in more than a season. 3 p.m.
Raiders at 49ers
Monday night won’t get this good until Halloween in Soldier Field. San Francisco’s Jerry Rice needs three touchdowns to set the all-time NFL record, but the Raiders haven’t allowed the 49ers to score a single touchdown in their last two meetings, 1988 and 1991. This is another possible Super Bowl preview. Questionable Raider running game against questionable 49er run defense is a key, featuring ex-49er fullback Tom Rathman against ex-Cowboy linebacker Ken Norton. 8 p.m. Monday. WLS-Ch. 7.
Patriots at Dolphins
New England knocked Miami out of the playoffs in last season’s finale with QB Drew Bledsoe throwing four touchdown passes. Dolphins are concerned about the comeback of QB Dan Marino from an Achilles injury. “The biggest concern is I’m not being patient with myself. Instead of having a feel, I’m making my mind up before I throw,” Marino said after two interceptions against Vikings. He later told Warren Moon he didn’t feel confident planting his foot. 3 p.m.
Falcons at Lions
Can Jeff George make new coach June Jones look like a genius? Can Scott Mitchell make old coach Wayne Fontes look like a genius? Falcons also added Vikings pass rusher Chris Doleman. Mitchell, who made Erik Kramer expendable, completed 31 of 56 passes for 471 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions in the four exhibitions. Fontes says he has given Mitchell special instructions now that the regular season is beginning: “Touchdowns. Score touchdowns.” Mitchell has ex-Viking Anthony Carter on his side. Noon.
Cardinals at Rams
Two losing teams from last year, but Buddy Ryan is coaching one he thinks will make the Super Bowl. Ryan has concerns at running back, and his defense will take time to jell. Rams coach Chuck Knox has been quieter in assembling a team around new QB Chris Miller and two young all-pros, FB Jerome Bettis and DT Sean Gilbert. 3 p.m.
Games worth a peek
Buccaneers at Bears
Game of the week in Chicago. Bears coach Dave Wannstedt is anxious about the unpredictable nature of Tampa Bay’s Sam Wyche. Running game and stopping the run important for both teams because they have question marks in those areas. New Bears QB Erik Kramer will get introduced to the crowd, then introduce himself to his receivers. Noon. WFLD-Ch. 32.
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Oilers at Colts
Forgetting Warren Moon in Houston will be more difficult than forgetting Jeff George in Indianapolis, but new QBs Cody Carlson of the Oilers and Jim Harbaugh of the Colts have similarly tough tasks. Harbaugh hopes his handoffs to hugely touted rookie Marshall Faulk will provide a forgiving touch. Noon.
Chiefs at Saints
Once, Joe Montana and Jim Everett dueled when the Rams challenged the 49ers. Now, Montana is clinging to health and hope; Everett is trying to rekindle a career. Both defenses are trying to re-establish themselves with new faces after Kansas City lost 30-13 to the Bills in the playoffs and the Saints fell on their faces after a 5-0 start. Noon.
Eagles at Giants
Another comeback by Randall Cunningham has the Eagles hopeful against a Giants team with Dave Brown at QB instead of Phil Simms, a fixture since the late ’70s. But new Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie stunned his players by demanding 30 percent paycuts from several in an 11th-hour move that threatened to undermine any good will he generated after buying the team from Norman Braman. William Perry weighs an estimated 375. Noon.
Chargers at Broncos
This is WR Anthony Miller’s first chance to say hello to ex-teammates on Chargers. He and ex-Falcon Mike Pritchard are QB John Elway’s new targets. San Diego has either not taken the preseason seriously or isn’t very good. RB Natrone Means is player to watch. 7 p.m. TNT.
Games of the weak
Browns at Bengals
Ohioans are expecting better. With only one winning season between them in the ’90s, this rivalry is losing luster. Can QBs Vinny Testaverde and David Klingler revive it? The debut of No. 1 draft choice Dan Wilkinson of Cincinnati is main attraction. Noon.
Seahawks at Redskins
Another matchup between teams coming off losing seasons. Redskins new coach Norv Turner has picked QB John Friesz to start to shield top rookie Heath Shuler from impatient hometown scrutiny. Seattle might be a road team most of season until Kingdome is repaired. Noon.
Jets at Bills
Important only in New York, the Jets are in yet another rebuilding phase with new coach Pete Carroll, and is anybody ready for the Bills again so soon? They will be good again. 3 p.m. WMAQ-Ch. 5.