Bears at Colts 7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch. 5, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Colts by 9 1/2
Weather: Chance of rain, 70(degrees) (If rain, dome will be closed)
THE BUZZ
Bears: It’s Kyle Orton’s turn to try to ignite offense without proven receiver and with rookie RB, second-round pick Matt Forte.
Colts: Colts in position to celebrate their 1st regular-season game in new Lucas Oil Stadium.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Colts’ defensive unit should have big day against undermanned offense.
THE PICK
COLTS 34, BEARS 16
MATCHUP
Lions at Falcons Noon Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32 Line: Lions by 3
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ
Lions: Lions can get lots of mileage out of WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, but what about rookie RB Kevin Smith?
Falcons: New coach Mike Smith relying on rookie QB Matt Ryan and new RB Michael Turner.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Turner, key free-agent signee who backed up LaDainian Tomlinson previous 4 seasons in San Diego, gets chance to be star.
THE PICK
LIONS 23, FALCONS 17
MATCHUP
Bengals at Ravens Noon Sunday
Line: Bengals by 1 1/2
Weather: Sunny 80(degrees)
THE BUZZ
Bengals: Will have to move through air until they find running game.
Ravens: This perpetually QB-challenged franchise forced to go with rookie Joe Flacco, which wasn’t plan few weeks ago.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Ravens’ Willis McGahee, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season, should get plenty of work with rookie at QB.
THE PICK
RAVENS 21, BENGALS 20
MATCHUP
Seahawks at Bills Noon Sunday
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Line: Bills by 1
Weather: Partly cloudy, 70(degrees)
THE BUZZ
Seahawks: Seattle breaks in new-look running game, led by Maurice Morris and Julius Jones, as coach Mike Holmgren opens his final season.
Bills: Can QB Trent Edwards lead Bills to the playoffs? He’s getting chance.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Bills RB Marshawn Lynch should improve on 4.0-yard average of ’07 and needs to keep pressure off Edwards.
THE PICK
SEAHAWKS 24, BILLS 20
MATCHUP
Jets at Dolphins
Noon Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Jets by 3
Weather: Chance of rain, 85(degrees)
THE BUZZ
Jets: New York has beaten Dolphins 4 straight and 7 of 8, and Jets should be energized by addition of QB Brett Favre.
Dolphins: Ex-Jet Chad Pennington brings his weak arm to South Florida, but running game may help him.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Jets WR Laveranues Coles, who has 10 career TDs vs. Dolphins, should benefit from Favre’s arrival.
THE PICK
JETS 28, DOLPHINS 20
MATCHUP
Chiefs at Patriots
Noon Sunday
Line: Patriots by 15 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80(degrees)
THE BUZZ
Chiefs: Have all but announced rebuilding plan, and starting it vs. New England is unfortunate. Brodie Coyle gets call at QB.
Patriots: Tom Brady’s foot injury has been big news, but he practiced Wednesday and leads way as Pats start to atone for
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Good day for Pats’ offense means big day for WR Wes Welker, who was tied for NFL lead with 112 catches in ’07.
THE PICK
Patriots 34, Chiefs 13
MATCHUP
Bucs at Saints
Noon Sunday
Line: Saints by 3.
Weather: Dome.
THE BUZZ
Bucs: Strong secondary will make difference in key early NFC South meeting.
Saints: Drew Brees leads high-scoring offense, but how to use Reggie Bush? FANTASY OUTLOOK
Bucs’ Joey Galloway has averaged 125.3 receiving yards and scored 5 TDs in last 4 games vs. Saints.
THE PICK
Saints 24, Bucs 17
MATCHUP
Rams at Eagles
Noon Sunday
Line: Eagles by 7-1/2.
Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Rams: Rams need big game from RB Steven Jackson, but his holdout could affect him.
Eagles: Eagles have rebuilt around Donovan McNabb and home opener gives them chance to build momentum.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Eagles’ Brian Westbrook led NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage in ’07, and this defense can’t slow him down.
THE PICK
Eagles 30, Rams 17
MATCHUP
Texans at Steelers
Noon Sunday
Line: Steelers by 6 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Texans: Houston begins season with optimism, led by DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans.
Steelers: Pittsburgh, going for 5th straight opening day win, will rely on last year’s No. 1-ranked defense.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Steelers WR Hines Ward averages 80 receiving yards vs. Texans.
THE PICK
Steelers 23, Texans 20
MATCHUP
Jaguars at Titans
Noon Sunday
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Line: Jaguars by 3
Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Jaguars: With David Garrard settled in at QB, Jaguars may be ready for deep playoff run.
Titans: Other than QB Vince Young, Titans lack enough big-play potential to score regularly.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season, must carry load.
THE PICK
Jaguars 24, Titans 17
MATCHUP
Cowboys at Browns
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32.
Line: Cowboys by 5 1/2
Weather: Sunny 75 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Cowboys: Super Bowl is Cowboys’ goal, and they could get there if Tony Romo throws 36 TD passes again.
Browns: Cleveland heads into season with 7-game home win streak and confidence it can outscore Dallas.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Could be big day for TD passes; Terrell Owens caught 15 and Braylon Edwards 16 last season.
THE PICK
Cowboys 30, Browns 27
MATCHUP
Panthers at Chargers
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Chargers by 9
Weather: Sunny 75 degrees.
THEH BUZZ
Panthers: A healthy QB Jake Delhomme gives Panthers chance, but WR Steve Smith starts 2-game suspension for punching teammate Ken Lucas.
Chargers: Overpowering offense makes Chargers a Super Bowl contender, and Panthers’ defense isn’t strong enough.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
LaDainian Tomlinson, who led NFL with 1,474 rushing yards last season, should get off to good start.
THE PICK
Chargers 31, Panthers 17
MATCHUP
Cardinals at 49ers
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2.
Weather: Sunny 70 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Cardinals: Kurt Warner, the QB who wouldn’t give up, is back in starting lineup and can still throw ball.
49ers: J.T. O’Sullivan gets chance to lead 49ers, but he needs help. Lots of it.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald had 9 catches for 156 yards and 2 TDs in last game vs. 49ers and could do it again if Warner is on.
THE PICK
Cardinals 28, 49ers 20.
MATCHUP
Vikings at Packers
6 p.m. Monday
TV: ESPN.
Line: Packers by 2 1/2.
Weather: Cloudy 70 degrees.
THE BUZZ
Vikings: QB Tarvaris Jackson and free-agent signee Bernard Berrian could be potent pass-catch combination.
Packers: Brett Favre didn’t take any WRs to NY with him, so Aaron Rodgers has chance.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Vikes’ Adrian Peterson will try to match his 5.6-yards per carry from rookie season.
THE PICK
Packers 24, Vikings 23.
MATCHUP
Broncos at Raiders
9:15 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670 (joined in progress at 9:30).
Line: Broncos by 3
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
THE BUZZ
Broncos: Leading WR Brandon Marshall will miss 1st game for violating NFL conduct policy, and Denver needed him for fast start.
Raiders: Raiders don’t do too many things well, but they should be able to run ball with Justin Fargas and top draft pick Darren McFadden.
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Fargas, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in ’07, rushed for 146 yards in last game vs. Broncos.
THE PICK
Raiders 24, Broncos 20
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