Steven Jackson vs. Lions run defense
Let’s face it - with Jackson the Rams have the semblance of an NFL offense. Without him at 100 percent it can get pretty ugly, especially since Sam Bradford completes less than 54 percent of his passes to a less-than-mediocre group of receivers. The Rams are just too limited and too inexperienced.
Detroit’s defense overall was mediocre last season (23rd overall, giving up 367 yards a game), but St. Louis is very one-dimensional.
Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints (-7, 50)
Saints’ quick defense vs. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III
Tough opener here for the kid, who like Michael Vick, will succumb to the urge to flee the pocket when things get uncomfortable. The Saints will move heaven and earth to keep RG3 inside the hash marks and see how good he is at reading defenses.
One area of concern for New Orleans: Injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (sprained ankle) insists he’ll be ready to go.
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans (+6.5, 47)
Titans QB Jake Locker vs. the Patriots pass rush
That’s right. New England’s pass rush. The Pats’ defense has undergone a makeover and instead of flooding the passing lanes with up to seven DBs and giving ground like the French in WWII, they will attack more with newcomers Chandler Jones and Don’t’a Hightower going after Jake Locker.
The Titans have turned the page at QB, sitting (for now) vet Matt Hasselbeck and moving to Locker, who has thrown all of 66 career passes and completed barely half of them. Locker has never thrown a pick and NE’s Kyle Arrington led the NFL with 11 INTs last year.
Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans (-11.5, 43)
Dolphins’ overall lack of talent vs. Houston’s playmakers
Will someone please take his talent to South Beach? The Dolphins are desperate for someone who can move the chains. The contrast between Houston’s mother lode of talent (Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, Arian Foster) and Miami’s talent-free roster will be on full display.
Plus, Houston’s defense (No. 2 last season, allowing 285.7 yards per game) gets to go against a rookie QB (Ryan Tannehill).
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