St. Louis welcomes the NFL back to Busch Stadium for the first time since Dec. 13, 1987, when the undefeated Rams host the New Orleans Saints.
Week 2 features good division games, individual matchups and reunions. It’s Dan Marino vs. Drew Bledsoe in New England and John Elway vs. Troy Aikman in Dallas. Cleveland’s Vinny Testaverde gets his first shot at beating his old Tampa Bay teammates. Detroit defensive tackle Henry Thomas and line coach John Teerlinck return to Minnesota.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Dolphins (1-0) at Patriots (1-0)
Marino and Bledsoe had a memorable 39-35 shootout last year won by the Dolphins, who swept the series. The teams are expected to compete for the AFC East title and Bledsoe calls it “a very big game for us. Whoever wins can take the driver’s seat early.” Rookie running back Curtis Martin gave Patriots’ running game a big boost in opener. Ch. 5, Noon.
Saints (0-1) at Rams (1-0)
New Orleans quarterback Jim Everett gets to see his old team’s new St. Louis home. It’s the first sellout for the Rams in a home opener since Sept. 23, 1990, vs. Philadelphia in Anaheim, and the first at Busch Stadium since a Cardinals-Cowboys game on Sept. 29, 1986. Pay attention to Rams WR Isaac Bruce. Noon.
Lions (0-1) at Vikings (0-1)
This is bigger for the losing team than for the winner. Somebody will fall to 0-2 in the NFC Central. Detroit WR Herman Moore is questionable with an ankle injury. New Lions defensive line coach John Teerlinck, a Chicago native who was with the Vikings: “I saw on the film the Bears pushing the Vikings around and I had a pain in my heart. Especially in Chicago. We always beat ’em in Chicago. We had two games down there where we had eight and nine sacks. We owned ’em in Chicago. And to see that happen hurt me, but that’s history.” Ch. 32-Fox, Noon.
Buccaneers (1-0) at Browns (0-1)
In six seasons in Tampa Bay, Vinny Testaverde had a 24-48 record. With the Browns, he’s 13-8. Of Tampa Bay coach Sam Wyche, Testaverde said: “Sam and I had a great relationship. He’s one of my all-time favorite coaches. I’m sorry things didn’t work out and we couldn’t have been together longer.” Home opener for Browns gives them edge. Bucs open at home next week against Bears. Noon.
Broncos (1-0) at Cowboys (1-0)
Elway and Aikman met in the preseason last month, but this is the first encounter in a regular-season game. The Broncos have lost DT Michael Dean Perry for several weeks with a knee injury. WR Anthony Miller also is questionable, but the Cowboys have lost top CB Kevin Smith for the season. They still have RB Emmitt Smith. Broncos stopped Thurman Thomas last week. Ch. 5, 3 p.m.
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Packers (0-1) at Bears (1-0)
In four meetings, the Dave Wannstedt Bears are 1-3 against the Mike Holmgren Packers, but the Bears’ offense has scored only one touchdown in the four games, after the Packers were ahead 27-0 in last year’s 33-6 rout. The Bears have averaged just 77 yards rushing, 140 yards passing and 12 first downs in the four meetings. Conversely, Green Bay has averaged 174 yards rushing, 214 yards passing and 23 first downs. The Packers’ offense is still feeling its way. QB Brett Favre needs LT Ken Ruettgers, nursing a back injury. Ch. 7, Monday night, 8 p.m.
GAMES WORTH A PEEK
Raiders (1-0) at Redskins (1-0)
Popular Washington QB Gus Frerotte beat the Cardinals last week and gets to start while Heath Shuler’s shoulder mends. If he plays well, coach Norv Turner has an interesting decision. Raiders QB Jeff Hostetler lost LT Gerald Perry (arm). The two teams have played only once in the ’90s, in 1992. Noon.
Steelers (1-0) at Oilers (1-0)
The Steelers were hit hardest of all by injuries when they lost CB Rod Woodson (knee) for the season and QB Neil O’Donnell (finger) for at least two or three games. That leaves QB Mike Tomczak to deal with Oilers head coach Jeff Fisher, who teamed with Tomczak on the 1985 Bears. But QB Chris Chandler (shoulder) is questionable, too, which would leave the Oilers with another ex-Bear, Will Furrer. Noon.
Giants (0-1) at Chiefs (1-0)
The Giants thought they were improved until they were steamrolled by the Cowboys 35-0. The public thought the Chiefs were bad until Joe Montana replacement Steve Bono lit up the Seahawks 34-10. If Chiefs RB Greg Hill, who got 109 yards last week, can follow in Emmitt Smith’s footsteps, the Giants are in trouble again. Noon.
Colts (0-1) at Jets (0-1)
The teams have split the last two years, and it would be a great disappointment to the Colts if it happened again. Colts lost to Bengals last week on field goals without giving up a single third-down conversion. Jets were blown out by Miami, as expected. Both teams are banged up at defensive tackle, which should favor Colts RB Marshall Faulk. 3 p.m.
Falcons (1-0) at 49ers (1-0)
Eddie DeBartolo Jr. owns two teams: The 49ers ruled the Falcons by the combined score of 92-17 last year. Sacking the Panthers nine times may have boosted Falcon confidence, but it wasn’t a clear picture. WR Jerry Rice goes wild against this team. Defending world champions aren’t interested in losing home opener. 3 p.m.
GAMES OF THE WEAK
Seahawks (0-1) at Chargers (0-1)
Nobody remembers second place. The Chargers are beat up, but no more so than the Seahawks. It is the home opener for the Super Bowl runners-up and QB Stan Humphries must be drooling after watching Chiefs QB Steve Bono tear up the Seattle defense last week. 3 p.m.
Jaguars (0-1) at Bengals (1-0)
Suddenly, the Bengals don’t look like underdogs to the expansion teams. The Jaguars played the Oilers close, but lacked offense, good news for the banged-up Bengals defense, which held the Colts’ Marshall Faulk in check last week. Home opener for Bengals, who are less likely now to hear boos. 3 p.m.
Panthers (0-1) at Bills (0-1)
Carolina General Manager Bill Polian takes his new team back to the Bills he built. After giving up nine sacks to the anemic Atlanta pass rush, the Panthers go against Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett and Bryce Paup in a “Welcome Home, Bill” opener for Buffalo. At least the Panthers have popular ex-Bills QB Frank Reich, TE Pete Metzelaars and WR Don Beebe on their side. Noon.
Eagles (0-1) at Cardinals (0-1)
Dog game of week. Both teams lost big to underdogs Tampa Bay and Washington, respectively, giving scant promise of better things to come. But Buddy Ryan’s teams always start slow and finish fast. As for Ray Rhodes, he would love to spoil Ryan’s home opener. Eagles RB Ricky Watters is glad he’s on the road. TNT, 7 p.m.