NFL: WEEK 1

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

x-San Diego

W: 8

L 8

T 0

Pct. .500

PF 439

PA 347

AFC 7-5-0

NFC 1-3-0

Div 5-1-0

Comment The Chargers are finally healthy and start off with their favorite opponent, the Raiders. They’ve beaten Oakland 11 times in a row.

Denver

8

8

0

.500

370

448

5-7-0

3-1-0

3-3-0

The Mile High City loves its quarterbacks. Well, at least it used to. But they are still going to throw often, even with Kyle Orton.

Oakland

5

11

0

.313

263

388

4-8-0

1-3-0

2-4-0

JaMarcus Russell has a huge arm but needs the protection to prove it. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will play with a soft cast on his wrist.

Kansas City

2

14

0

.125

291

440

2-10-0

0-4-0

2-4-0

Going from Patriots to Chiefs wide receivers is a big comedown for Matt Cassel. Coach Todd Haley has shown he can game-plan with the best.

North

x-Pittsburgh

12

4

0

.750

347

223

10-2-0

2-2-0

6-0-0

Losing safety Troy Polamalu to a knee injury changes the Steelers defense in a big way. He could be sidelined three to six weeks.

y-Baltimore

11

5

0

.688

385

244

8-4-0

3-1-0

4-2-0

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott are gone but the Ravens are still expected to field one of the elite defenses.

Cincinnati

4

11

1

.281

204

364

3-9-0

1-2-1

1-5-0

The health of quarterback Carson Palmer will make all the difference. He has been hurt two of the last three seasons.

Cleveland

4

12

0

.250

232

350

3-9-0

1-3-0

1-5-0

Quarterback Brady Quinn is sure hoping wide receiver Braylon Edwards’ hands are on straight. The Browns’ offense can only get better.

South

z-Tennessee

13

3

0

.813

375

234

9-3-0

4-0-0

4-2-0

No Albert Haynesworth to clog the middle at defensive tackle? No problem. The front four still generates a lot of pressure.

y-Indianapolis

12

4

0

.750

377

298

10-2-0

2-2-0

4-2-0

Peyton Manning could sure use rookie running back Donald Brown to step up. Anthony Gonzalez moves into Marvin Harrison’s starting spot.

Houston

8

8

0

.500

366

394

5-7-0

3-1-0

2-4-0

Steve Slaton should spice up Houston’s bland running attack. On defense, USC product Brian Cushing is expected to be a starting linebacker.

Jacksonville

5

11

0

.313

302

367

3-9-0

2-2-0

2-4-0

The Jaguars could be decent, but will anyone be watching? They run the risk of being blacked out for every home game this season.

East

x-Miami

11

5

0

.688

345

317

8-4-0

3-1-0

4-2-0

Two cornerbacks in first three picks? Got to shore up that pass defense.

New England

11

5

0

.688

410

309

7-5-0

4-0-0

4-2-0

Tom Brady makes his return. His shoulder should be fine.

N.Y. Jets

9

7

0

.563

405

356

7-5-0

2-2-0

4-2-0

Can Mark Sanchez keep his edge when games are real?

Buffalo

7

9

0

.438

336

342

5-7-0

2-2-0

0-6-0

If the Bills lose early, look for Coach Dick Jauron to get the boot. He’s already fired the offensive coordinator.

National Conference

x-Arizona

W 9

L 7

T 0

Pct. .563

PF 427

PA 426

AFC 7-5-0

NFC 2-2-0

Div. 6-0-0

Comment The Cardinals are trying to break the pattern of Super Bowl losers falling off the table the next season, but their division has improved.

San Francisco

7

9

0

.438

339

381

5-7-0

2-2-0

3-3-0

Frank Gore will get the ball early and often in Jimmy Raye’s offense. Coach Mike Singletary has worked on making his team tougher.

Seattle

4

12

0

.250

294

392

3-9-0

1-3-0

3-3-0

Protecting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s blind side is key for the Seahawks, who are without outstanding left tackle Walter Jones.

St. Louis

2

14

0

.125

232

465

2-10-0

0-4-0

0-6-0

The Rams are looking to notch their first division victory since the 2007 season. Their average 2008 NFC West loss was by two touchdowns.

North

x-Minnesota

10

6

0

.625

379

333

8-4-0

2-2-0

4-2-0

Brett Favre makes his improbable debut in purple. Watch how the Vikings use wide receiver Percy Harvin. The rookie is all over the field.

Chicago

9

7

0

.563

375

350

7-5-0

2-2-0

4-2-0

Running back Matt Forte will factor heavily into the game plan. Coach Lovie Smith changed defensive assistants at all three levels.

Green Bay

6

10

0

.375

419

380

5-7-0

1-3-0

4-2-0

The Aaron Rodgers-led Packers had the hottest offense in the preseason. The biggest change for them is on the other side of the football.

Detroit

0

16

0

.000

268

517

0-12-0

0-4-0

0-6-0

The retooled Lions, who were big shoppers in the free-agent market, aren’t as far away from winning as some might think.

South

x-Carolina

12

4

0

.750

414

329

8-4-0

4-0-0

4-2-0

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will test Philadelphia’s run defense, which is without standout middle linebacker Stewart Bradley.

y-Atlanta

11

5

0

.688

391

325

8-4-0

3-1-0

3-3-0

Can Matt Ryan match his great rookie season? Any quarterback would love to add tight end Tony Gonzalez to his arsenal.

Tampa Bay

9

7

0

.563

361

323

8-4-0

1-3-0

3-3-0

The comeback of running back Cadillac Williams is an amazing story. Byron Leftwich will keep quarterback job warm for rookie Josh Freeman.

New Orleans

8

8

0

.500

463

393

5-7-0

3-1-0

2-4-0

Drew Brees and the offense can score at a record pace. With Gregg Williams running the defense, the Saints are a contender.

East

z-N.Y. Giants

12

4

0

.750

427

294

9-3-0

3-1-0

4-2-0

With Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer gone, the pressure is on replacement wide receivers Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon.

y-Philadelphia

9

6

1

.594

416

289

7-5-0

2-1-1

2-4-0

Running back Brian Westbrook says he’s ready to roll despite no preseason action. On the other hand, right tackle Shawn Andrews isn’t.

Dallas

9

7

0

.563

362

365

7-5-0

2-2-0

3-3-0

Jerry Jones says the new stadium will give the Cowboys a boost. We’ll see. You know what they say? Scoreboard!

Washington

8

8

0

.500

265

296

7-5-0

1-3-0

3-3-0

For Coach Jim Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell, it could be win or walk. Albert Haynesworth makes his Redskins debut.

x-clinched division; y-clinched playoff spot; z-clinched conference