Game of the week

New England at New York Jets, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview | Endzone

The line: Jets by 2½

The Patriots' hopes rest on Matt Cassel now. Good luck with that. (Getty Images)

Regarded as the best in the game at making adjustments, Belichick now adjusts to having Matt Cassel at quarterback -- and maybe that's not all that bad. Look for more of Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan on the run, and look for an "Us Against the World" mantra from the New England locker room.

Of course, none of that is exactly news to the Jets, who believe they have the weapons -- and the quarterback -- to end a seven-game home losing streak against New England. And maybe they do. But they must handle New England's front seven. If that happens, the Patriots' secondary is vulnerable. Brett Favre, come on down.

Something to consider: New England has held the Jets to 17 or fewer points in 10 of their past 11 meetings, including the playoffs.

Three games I'd like to see

Indianapolis at Minnesota, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The Vikes need Adrian Peterson to step up. (Getty Images)

The story: Both these teams were popular picks to win their divisions, yet each is 0-1 -- with Indianapolis looking stale against Chicago and Minnesota looking like a team in need of a quarterback against Green Bay. So there's an urgency here, with the Colts trying to get something going before meeting Jacksonville next week, and the Vikings trying to find something, anything, in Tarvaris Jackson's passing game.

I mention the pass because that could determine the outcome here, and tell me whom you would trust: Peyton Manning or Jackson? Uh-huh, me, too. If Aaron Rodgers can dissect the Vikings, what happens when Manning starts cranking up? Minnesota ranked dead last against the pass a year ago, and if the Vikes defend Manning as they did Rodgers you'll want to make early dinner reservations at Murray's. Minnesota's best defense: Adrian Peterson. The more he runs the less you see of Manning. Hey, Matt Forte shredded the Colts; Peterson could, too.

Something to consider: Minnesota has won five straight over the Colts at home.

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

Will Fred Taylor hit the century mark Sunday? (Getty Images)

The story: Pete Prisco keeps telling me that Jacksonville can't lose because of what's ahead, and that's Indianapolis. How do the Jags go there, he said, if they're 0-2? OK, so there's something of a must-win element to this game. But I still don't see how the Jaguars keep a wave of Buffalo defenders off their quarterback or their running backs. It didn't happen a week ago, and this just in: The Bills clobbered Matt Hasselbeck as much as the Titans did David Garrard.

This should come down to mistakes, and if Buffalo minimizes them it could be in for its first win in a road opener since 2003. I don't expect a lot of scoring, and I do expect a lot of hitting. People in Jacksonville question how the Bills can take the heat, but here's my question: Isn't the heat on the Jags?

Something to consider: The Bills were one of 10 teams last weekend not to allow 100 yards rushing. All 10 won.

San Diego at Denver, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview

Philip Rivers is the man at Invesco. (Getty Images)

The story: The Chargers are where they never were supposed to be after one game -- without a win, without Shawne Merriman and in danger of falling two games behind Denver in the AFC West. The club historically doesn't play well here, but tell that to Philip Rivers: He's 2-0 at Invesco. But Rivers isn't as much the concern as the Chargers' rushing attack in general, and LaDainian Tomlinson in particular. L.T. has 1,222 yards and 15 TDs in 14 starts against the Broncos and ran for 100 yards in three of his last four games against them. But he also has an injured toe that kept him out of practice this week.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall returns to the Denver lineup after a one-game suspension, and tell me whom you double team: Marshall or Eddie Royal. The Chargers might be spared the choice if they're as poor against the run as they were a week ago. Carolina shredded them for 149 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and did it with equal doses of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Look for Denver to try the same thing with a battery of backs.

Something to consider: Denver has won eight straight season openers at home.

Why Mondays shouldn't get you down

Philadelphia at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET Monday | Preview | Endzone

DeSean Jackson is quite the X-factor. (Getty Images)

The story: The NFC East is the toughest division in football, and here are two reasons why. Dallas you know about. The Cowboys looked absolutely magnificent in shredding Cleveland last week, rolling up nearly 500 yards in offense and humiliating a Browns team some ticketed to win the AFC North. The Eagles we're not so sure about, but they had an easy time with St. Louis, producing 522 yards against the overwhelmed Rams.

So here's what we have, folks: The top two offenses in football, the Nos. 2 (Eagles) and 4 (Cowboys) defenses and two of the best ballclubs anywhere. Tony Romo had his way with the Browns, but it will be tougher here -- Philadelphia has a legitimate pass rush, and the Eagles' defensive backs are physical. It will be tougher for Donovan McNabb and his cadre of no-name receivers, but watch out for rookie DeSean Jackson. He had 206 all-purpose yards last weekend and is a terror on returns.

Something to consider: When the Cowboys' Marion Barber has 11 or more carries Dallas is 20-1.

Crummy game of the week

Oakland at Kansas City, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

Can Huard freshen a stinky matchup? (Getty Images)

The story: I'm not sure which is worse: Watching A-Rod destroy the New York Yankees or suffering through Bay Area pro football. The problem is: There's no relief in sight in either direction, with the Yankees stuck with A-Rod for years and the 49ers and Raiders showing no signs of a pulse. This year's Raiders look like last year's Raiders, which means the only race Oakland is in is with St. Louis for the No. 1 draft choice.

Kansas City has its own issues, including a broken quarterback, but at least the Chiefs have a clue where they're going. They drafted well, their rookies played well a week ago and their future is bright. Maybe they don't win all that many this season, but at least they'll be competitive. I'd say the same for Oakland if it would start scheduling De La Salle High.

Something to consider: Damon Huard is 8-4 as a starter at home and 2-0 against the Raiders. When he has a pass rating of 100 or more his teams are 8-0.

Upset of the week

Patriots over the Jets | Preview | Endzone

The story: First, let me apologize for picking Oakland last week. I never, ever envisioned the '62 Mets showing up in pads, and somehow I forgot that the Raiders have been as good on Monday nights lately as Dustin Hoffman was in Ishtar. Anyway, I'm asking for a mulligan.

OK, fine, now let's try this again. I'll take New England because there is more than a little history, raw nerves and emotion to this series, and because I've seen clubs that lose star players respond better immediately after the setback than over the long haul. Don't ask me why, they just do. This game is not so much about Brett Favre as it is Bill Belichick, and let's say I trust him to produce a game plan to frazzle Favre and make life as uncomplicated as possible for his quarterback, Matt Cassel.

Games within the games

1. Belichick vs. Favre. The 21st-century version of Who Do You Trust?

2. Jay Cutler vs. Philip Rivers. The last time these two met there was a war of words and gestures -- with Rivers doing the yelling and Cutler allegedly doing the gesturing. Welcome to Round 2.

3. Marcus Stroud vs. Jack Del Rio. Stroud says this is "just another game," which is sort of like saying that Michael Phelps is just another swimmer. If you believe it's just another game for Stroud, then maybe you'd like to buy World Series tickets at Yankee Stadium.

4. Carson Palmer vs. The Irresistible Force. A week ago the Titans engulfed David Garrard, sacking him seven times. Tell me how much respect they give Chris Perry and the league's 27th-best rushing attack. Duck, Carson.

5. Terrell Owens vs. Asante Samuel. The Eagles added Samuel to beef up their pass defense. This is the weapon he must defuse, and here's why: In 10 Monday night games, Owens has 12 TDs.

Five guys I want to be this weekend

1. San Diego QB Philip Rivers. He's 4-0 against Denver, completing 70 percent of his passes for a 119.6 passer rating.

2. Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. The Packers have an NFL-best 49 wins in road openers, and now the best news: They get to make it 50 at Detroit.

3. Kansas City RB Larry Johnson. He goes for his fifth straight game of 100 or more yards rushing against Oakland. From what I saw of the Raiders last week, he might get there by the first quarter.

4. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin. He's working on a 10-game winning streak on the road and draws the long straw with St. Louis.

5. New Orleans QB Drew Brees. He looks for his fourth straight road game with three or more touchdowns.

Just a hunch

If Jacksonville doesn't clean up its pass protection the Jaguars will lose to Buffalo, and I have the numbers to prove it. In last week's season openers seven clubs had four or more sacks, including Jacksonville's opponent, Tennessee. All seven won. And if it's Buffalo's Kawika Mitchell who produces a sack you can turn out the lights. Mitchell's teams are 9-0 in his career when he has a sack, and he did in last weekend's defeat of Seattle.

Meaningful numbers

The Cleveland Browns are up against the wall, not because they're 0-1 but because they're 0-1 and have to play Pittsburgh. The Steelers have all sorts of ownership issues, but not when it comes to Cleveland. They've owned the Browns for years, winning the last nine against them -- including six in Cleveland -- and 15 of the past 16. Furthermore, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is 7-0 against the Browns, with 10 TD passes in his last five starts against them. If Cleveland's pass rush is anything like what it was against Dallas, Big Ben strikes again and again.

Where we will be

• Pete will be in St. Louis to help with the autopsy on the Rams.
• I will be at Giants Stadium to serve as the Patriots' video director.
• Mike Freeman will be at Giants Stadium to serve as the Jets' video detector.