Opening day is so good the NFL will have trouble duplicating the matchups in coming weeks.
The Raiders return to Oakland for their first regular-season game since 1981 and face the defending AFC champion Chargers.
St. Louis marks its return to the NFL for the first time since 1987 when the Rams debut in Green Bay.
Jacksonville opens against Houston and could become the first expansion team to win its inaugural game since the Minnesota Vikings and rookie Fran Tarkenton pummeled the Bears and rookie Mike Ditka 37-13 in Minneapolis in 1961.
Games of the week
Vikings at Bears
A rematch of the NFC playoff game last January in the Metrodome, both teams believe they are improved and ready to take the next step. Their problems and goals are similar: Can they run and can they stop the run so they can rush the passer? The Vikings are trying to replace leading rusher Terry Allen. The Bears are trying to get rookie Rashaan Salaam into the flow. The Vikings lost defensive tackle Henry Thomas. The Bears lost defensive end Trace Armstrong. 3 p.m., FOX.
Chargers at Raiders
The Raiders expect Oakland to provide the kind of home-field advantage that will enable them to overtake the Chargers in the AFC. New coach Mike White replaces former Oakland hero Art Shell. The Chargers have struggled with injuries, including abdominal surgery to coach Bobby Ross. 3 p.m.
49ers at Saints
The defending champions open at the home of their perennial NFC West chasers. They will find out if losing leading rusher Ricky Watters makes it any more difficult for Steve Young to play catch with Jerry Rice. The Saints boast a better, quicker defense with ex-Eagles cornerback Eric Allen. Noon.
Cowboys at Giants
The Giants get to find out if they have closed the gap in the NFC East. Cowboys have won five of the last six and have scored at least 30 points four times. This is a good place for Emmitt Smith to test his sore hamstrings and let the whole nation watch. Tyrone Wheatley’s sore ribs leave the New York stage to Herschel Walker and Rodney Hampton. Monday night, Ch. 7.
Bills at Broncos
Two 35-year-old quarterbacks who have lost seven Super Bowls between them, Jim Kelly and John Elway, still harbor hopes of a run for the ring. Mike Shanahan brings the 49er offense to town. 7 p.m.
Games worth a peek
Rams at Packers
St. Louis is back on the map, but the Rams have so many new coaches they might look lost for a while. Rich Brooks comes from Oregon. Offensive coordinator Jack Reilly was with the Raiders last year. Defensive coordinator Willie Shaw was with the Chargers last year. The Packers also have to find out about life after Sterling Sharpe. Noon.
Lions at Steelers
Scott Mitchell has looked very good in preseason without Barry Sanders, who will join him in testing the AFC’s best defense last year. The Lions’ revamped defense also will test the Steelers without Eric Green and Barry Foster. Noon.
Bengals at Colts
More Top Picks Chimeneas
Jolted by the loss of Ki-Jana Carter for his rookie season, the Bengals have to face a Colts’ team rejuvenated by the arrival of last year’s top rookie runner, Marshall Faulk. New quarterback Craig Erickson brings big expectations to Indy. Noon.
Panthers at Falcons
Turn your heads, geography teachers. This NFC West matchup signals the start of a new era in the Southeast. Or is that the Southwest? Coached by former Steelers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers, the Panthers get their first glimpse of the real world.Noon.
Browns at Patriots
Rematch of last year’s AFC playoff game won by the Browns. This was the game that made Vinny Testaverde, until he lost to the Steelers. Patriots’ quarterback Drew Bledsoe is ready to have a big third season with ex-Giant little man Dave Meggett on his side. Noon.
Buccaneers at Eagles
New Philadelphia coach Ray Rhodes gets to test his defense and No. 1 draft choice Mike Mamula against Bucs’ new quarterback Trent Dilfer. Bucs’ No. 1 pick Warren Sapp must help stop ex-49ers running back Ricky Watters. Noon.
Games of the weak
Cardinals at Redskins
New Arizona quarterback David Krieg checks out Buddy Ryan’s patience against No. 26 defense. Washington quarterback Heath Shuler must face Ryan’s blitzers. 3 p.m.
Oilers at Jaguars
Houston won a league-low two games last year, so Jacksonville couldn’t have a better opener in the revamped Gator Bowl. New Oilers’ coach Jeff Fisher, an ex-Bear, measures his all-remodeled team against Tom Coughlin’s brand new one. Noon.
Chiefs at Seahawks
Without Joe Montana, the Chiefs are underdogs to the Seahawks and new coach Dennis Erickson. Steve Bono, 33, gets his chance to see if he can follow Montana as well as Steve Young did. 3 p.m.
Jets at Dolphins
Until last year’s Dolphin sweep, the Jets had won five of six in this series. New coach Rich Kotite is in a small minority of optimists who think the Jets are any good at all. 3 p.m.