Colts at Texans
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Colts by 3.
Synopsis: This is the Texans' home opener, after a previously scheduled game was postponed because of hurricane damage to the stadium. Indy tries to get its uncharacteristically pedestrian offense going (No. 17 in yards per game, 313, and No. 28 in scoring, 17.3 point). The Colts had last week off to try to regroup and have a good shot to do so because the Texans allows 341 yards, No. 25 overall.
Pick: Texans 26, Colts 24.
Titans at Ravens
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Titans by 3.
Synopsis: Tennessee is 4-0 for the first time in franchise history, and QB Vince Young will back up Kerry Collins even though Young returned to practice recently after rehabbing a sprained knee. Collins is the starter as long as he keeps winning, which will be tough to do here. Baltimore has the NFL's top-rated defense (186.7 yards/game allowed) and is 2-0 at home. But Ravens RB Willis McGahee suffered a rib injury last week and doesn't figure to be at full speed if he even plays.
Pick: Ravens 17, Titans 13.
Chargers at Dolphins
Time/TV: 11 a.m., KCNC (4)
Line: Chargers by 6½.
Synopsis: Miami had a week off after its shocking win at New England. But can it regain that momentum as it faces another of the NFL's top teams? LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored 2 second-half TDs last week to help rally the Chargers past Oakland, faces a defense that permits only 90.3 yards a game on the ground. Miami's offense has improved and the intrigue here is if Miami will direct snap the ball again to RB Ronnie Brown, who scored 4 TDs and threw for 1 vs. New England.
Pick: Chargers 26, Dolphins 20.
Chiefs at Panthers
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 6.
Synopsis: Chiefs RB Larry Johnson finally had a breakout game (198 yards, 2 TDs), but that was vs. the woeful Denver defense in an upset win last week. Before thinking he'll repeat, note that KC's offensive line is banged up this week and Carolina has faced elite runners -- Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner -- and held each under 100 yards. The Panthers' offense is clicking with WR Steve Smith back from his suspension, but the offensive line is badly beaten up this week.
Pick: Panthers 20, Chiefs 13.
Redskins at Eagles
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Eagles by 6.
Synopsis: Washington comes off its big upset win in Dallas and tries to stay away from a letdown as it faces the NFL's 3rd-ranked defense (245.5 yards/game allowed). Philly sorely missed RB Brian Westbrook last week in a loss to Chicago, but he hopes to return. Washington will be minus DE Jason Taylor and probably CB Shawn Springs, which should help Philly's passing game.
Pick: Eagles 20, Redskins 12.
Bears at Lions
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Bears by 3½.
Synopsis: Detroit has its first outing since much-maligned GM Matt Millen was fired and is last in the NFL in defense (430.3 yards/game) and 26th in offense (289.0 yards). QB Jon Kitna faces a defense that allows 20 points per game and is minus DT Tommie Harris (team-imposed suspension).
Pick: Bears 24, Lions 23.
Falcons at Packers
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Packers by 7.
Synopsis: Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers has a sprained right shoulder, and it probably won't be known until warmups whether he can start. If not, Matt Flynn gets his first NFL start. Atlanta loves to run the ball (Michael Turner's 422 yards and 105.5 per-game average lead the NFL), but most comes at home. He gets just 49 yards a game on the road.
Pick: With Rodgers, Packers 24, Falcons 16.
Without Rodgers, Falcons 20, Packers 17.
Seahawks at Giants
Time: 11 a.m.
Line: Giants by 7½.
Synopsis: Seattle's injury-ravaged receiving corps finally gets some men back (Bobby Engram, Deion Branch), and their absence is a big reason QB Matt Hasselbeck ranks 22nd in the league in passing yards per game (183.7). NY is without WR Plaxico Burress, who has been suspended by the team for a game for missing a meeting.
Pick: Giants 26, Seahawks 16.
Bucs at Broncos
Time/TV: 2:05 p.m., Fox
Line: Broncos by 3.
Synopsis: Tampa QB Brian Griese returns to face one of his former teams in a matchup of 3-1 teams in what could be a shootout. Denver QB Jay Cutler was the AFC's offensive player of the month for September, when he had three 300-yard games and 9 TD passes. Griese faces the AFC's worst-ranked defense (408.8 yards/game allowed), which gave up 33 points last week to a KC club that was averaging 11.5 points.
Pick: Broncos 28, Buccaneers 23.
Patriots at 49ers
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 3.
Synopsis: New England has its first outing since being blown out by Miami, and the Pats' struggling offense should wake up because the team and new QB Matt Cassel had time to retool while it was off last week and now faces SF, which gives up 24.2 points per game. But the 49ers have perked up offensively under coordinator Mike Martz -- who'll have some tricks for Pats coach Bill Belichick, an old nemesis.
Pick: 49ers 23, Patriots 20.
Bills at Cardinals
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 1.
Synopsis: Arizona QB Kurt Warner tries to bounce back after a strange game in which he passed for 472 yards but had 5 turnovers in a wild loss to the Jets. He'll have to do without WR Anquan Boldin, who suffered a sinus fracture. But he'll be helped by the absence of ailing Bills CB Terrence McGee. Buffalo QB Trent Edwards faces a defense that gave up 6 TD passes to Brett Favre a week ago.
Pick: Cardinals 27, Bills 20.
Bengals at Cowboys
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 16½.
Synopsis: This looks like the mismatch of the day, as Cincy is winless and potent Dallas will be mad after its upset loss to Washington. Bengals QB Carson Palmer plans to play after missing the last game (sore elbow). The Cincy defense, which ranks No. 19, will be on the run against the NFC's top-ranked offense (416 yards a game).
Pick: Cowboys 33, Bengals 13.
Steelers at Jaguars
Time/TV: 6:20 p.m., KUSA (9)
Line: Jaguars by 4.
Synopsis: Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger plans to play despite a shoulder injury and figures to be handing to RB Mewelde Moore, a third stringer who moves up because of injuries to those ahead of him. Jacksonville will try to pound the ball on the ground, because Pittsburgh is without NT Casey Hampton (groin) and DE Brett Keisel (calf).
Pick: Jaguars 23, Steelers 16.
Monday Vikings at Saints
Time/TV: 6:40 p.m., ESPN
Line: Saints by 3½.
Synopsis: Saints QB Drew Brees already has thrown for 1,343 yards, most in the NFL, with 8 TDs and faces a defense that is stellar vs. the run but is No. 17 vs. the pass. The Vikes haven't scored more than 20 points this year and figure to need more than that to win here.
Pick: Saints 28, Vikings 23.
