Indianapolis/Buffalo
We know all about Indy so forget about Manning, Harrison, and James. What you should be watching is whether Rob Johnson can get rid of the damn pig. Bills management made a godawful dumb decision to keep Johnson - looks like a quarterback but plays like Elton John - over a real quarterback. The Colts' defense is a sieve and if Johnson can't torch them for a few scores it is time to move Eric Moulds. Moulds is the only important player on that team but he needs help and if Barbie in shoulder pads can't play, Moulds is screwed.

Miami/Oakland
If the Dolphins are going to be a contender for the Super Bowl, they have to prove they can throw the ball effectively? Everyone is singing the praises of Jay Fiedler but we need more evidence that last season's goof is this season's surprise. We like Oronde Gadsden as a red zone target but either James McKnight or rookie Chris Chambers has to show they can play in the NFL. This will be McKnight's third chance, maybe it will be the charm, and rookie receivers usually spit the bit. Look for evidence. On the Raiders side we need a little sign that the defense is as good as always advertised. The Dolphins are not a big offense; the Raiders should hold them under 20 points. If they can't hold them under 20, stop making reservations to New Orleans, Tupelo, or wherever the NFL decides to hold the game.

Jacksonville/Tennessee
The most important thing to watch is the Tennessee running game. That is the gas that fuels the Titans engine. Ouch! If the Titans can't run against the Jaguars, it will be time to re-think all the predictions on Eddie George. And if they struggle running it places their defense on the field longer. The Jaguars have some nice weapons offensively and, if given a few more attempts, could damage the Titans. George had good games against the Jaguars last season, so look for another good game and anything less is scary.

Cincinnati/Baltimore
The Bengals will not be able to move the ball against the Ravens that we can be sure of, but how about the other way. The Ravens running game was pitiful Week 1 as Terry Allen - wasn't he playing when Butkus roamed the earth - no longer has the skills to play in the NFL. If the Ravens can't run, their chances for the big dance get very slim and this game may be closer than once thought.

Atlanta/Carolina
Forget Atlanta as there is no more boring team in the NFL right now. Oh yeah, we forgot the Michael Vick dope show. The man is a great athlete, not a great quarterback and will mix the occasional wonderful play with three plays that look as if he just landed on the planet and has no idea what to do with the oblong. The quarterback to watch is the one that won't get carded at the local pub - Chris Weinke. The Falcons have a reasonable set of cornerbacks and if Weinke can have another good game against the likes of Ashley Ambrose and Ray Buchanan then maybe he will get more promotions to do beyond "Hair Club for Men".

Cleveland/Detroit
Ever see a grown man naked? Sorry, I digress. What to watch here is whether the fat boys on the Lions offensive line can keep the Browns pass rush off Ty Detmer. The Lions offensive line is the exact opposite of how an offensive line for a West Coast offense should look. They are big, slow, and built to push people out of the way for the running game. They are not an agile unit - unless it is at the pregame buffet - able to pass-block. It was never more evident then against Green Bay Week 1 when they gave up seven sacks. Yeah Charlie Batch got the blame but seven sacks are seven sacks. The Browns may be to football what Gary Condit is to fidelity but they can sack the quarterback. Unless the hippos don tutus, Detmer will have no time for his poor man's Doug Flutie routine and could end up on the back of a flatbed truck.

Chicago/Minnesota
Forget the Randy Moss saga. He can play and will have a good game against the Bears who don't play the pass very well. What to watch is the way Dennis Green uses his running backs. Michael Bennett is the starter but Doug Chapman is getting a little more playing time with the first string. If Bennett can't penetrate the Bears defense and the Bears hang around - Vikings defense is unwilling to stop any team - look for Chapman to see more time.

Kansas City/New York Giants
There are so many things to watch about Kansas City you'd wish you were a fly. The Chiefs were not able to run Week 1 and the competition between Priest Holmes and Tony Richardson is getting hot. They also weren't able to pass the ball very well and now don't have Derrick Alexander. The Giants are vulnerable to the pass as anyone with a rookie at one corner and the overrated Jason Sehorn at the other. Include a passable but not exciting pass rush to the mix and the passing game is available but the Chiefs have only Tony Gonzalez as an NFL receiver. If you can get two or three televisions set up, look for whether rookie Marvin Minnis or journeyman Chris Thomas can get any air. If they can't, the Chiefs, and Trent Green, are in for a very long season. If you like to watch the whole game, the ongoing battle of Tiki Barber/Ron Dayne has entered its second season - a longer run on Broadway then "The Producers" - and Dayne is breathing down the smaller Barber's neck. If Barber can't move the ball, Dayne should be ready to step in.

Dallas/San Diego
We know the Cowboys are a lost cause so all our viewing is on the Chargers. What is important here is the running game. The Cowboys surprised us by stopping the Buccaneers running game Week 1. If they can hold down the Chargers we will have a good idea that the Chargers aren't going to go very far despite a good defense. The passing game of the Chargers is going to be only, well, passable, but if the running game is superior then they can be a player. If not, then the Chargers will only be a Flutie sideshow. Tomlinson and the Chargers' offensive line are the game. Watch them.

New England/New York Jets
The Patriots stink. There is nothing to watch on that side of the ball. The Jets are interesting because they completed only two passes to wide receivers Week 1. There is growing concern that Vinny doesn't get the West Coast offense. We have no idea whether that is true or not but a lot of talk came from the Jets camp and it didn't mesh with Week 1's performance. We know little of his receivers, other than Wayne Chrebet. Chrebet is a tough, small receiver that will catch the ball where it is thrown. The others - Lavernaues Coles and Matthew Hatchette -- are mysteries. If they don't show themselves against the Patriots, they may never show themselves.

St. Louis/San Francisco
Kurt Warner has a bad thumb but we don't see that as an impediment to Rams success. The time to watch is when the 49ers have the ball. The 49ers have a problem at receiver and in the running game. They tried to replace Jerry Rice with J.J. Stokes but he came up hurt for Week 2 and now Tai Streets will get a chance. Mostly all Streets has done prior to this is keep the crutches manufacturers in business. If he gets significant play we can figure out if he can play. The running game for the 49ers had problems against the Falcons and if Garrison Hearst can't move the rock, Kevan Barlow is still available. Don't give up on Barlow, yet. The other piece of the puzzle is the Rams defense. If they were as good as they looked Week 1, particularly against the run, it would push the Rams to top dog status.

Philadelphia/Seattle
The Eagles lost a tough game against the Rams when they couldn't run the ball to save their life. Was that an aberration or is the offensive line sloppy? The Seahawks almost lost to the Browns, as their passing game was miserable. We know that the Browns are no great shakes defensively so the finger must be pointed at the Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck was everyone's dandy prior to the season's start but was miserable in the first week and the receivers weren't too hot either. If the passing game can't get off the ground, then the Seahawks are back to 2000 and another sad season. Trent Dilfer is not the answer, either. If the Eagles cannot run the football against the Seahawks it is time to re-think their ability to win over the long haul and Staley's ability to lead a fantasy team, as well.

Arizona/Denver
This is my favorite game of the week. Denver has new running back Mike Anderson, new wide receiver Eddie Kennison, and a defense that couldn't contain the weak ass passing game of the Giants. We expect that Anderson will run well most weeks and the Cardinals run defense is as good a place to start as there may be on the planet. Will Kennison go across the middle to catch a pass or does this open the game for tight end Desmond Clark? Kennison has caught a lot of insignificant balls the past few years and has a chance to contribute for the first time in his career. Will he? And Arizona is all questions. The running game, with its new offensive line, and the queries on who will be starting in the backfield for the long haul, is primary. Watch what Thomas Jones looks like. Can he hang onto the pig, does he dance in the backfield, and can he break a tackle are important points to evaluate. Also, is he in shape to play the full game - he had a physical problem at the end of the year and said earlier that he wasn't quite 100-percent, yet. How about Jake Plummer? What can we say about him? The once and future king to Joe Montana has lost his crown under a hail of interceptions. Can he regain the promise once showered on him or is he a stiff. With the Cardinals defense likely to give up points, Plummer has a chance to put up points as well. If he does, it could be the beginning of a cheap starting quarterback.

Green Bay/Washington
The Pack is back! That is what the cheeseheads would like you to think. Problem is there is little to watch for Green Bay other than whether fat Antonio Freeman can get open. If he can't get open then start downgrading Brett Favre. All eyes will be on Washington. After a week they already have a quarterback controversy. And the owner - Daniel Snyder - is not the most stable individual on the planet. The two players to watch are Stephen Davis - is he getting the ball - and Jeff George - can he connect with his receivers. We suspect that the Redskins try to pound the ball and use George for mainly long balls. This is what to watch and, of course, will the Packers allow it.

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