NFL 2008: Week 1 forecast

What to look for in Week 1 of the NFL season? High scores.

Offenses typically have the element of surprise the first 2-3 weeks of the season. Once defenses get current film, scoring levels off. I expect this season to be no exception, particularly with the amount of players who sat out significant portions of the preseason.

GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Dallas at Cleveland: Are the Browns ready for national TV? A fashionable pick to advance into the playoffs, the Browns begin a rough schedule with a stern test. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have fortified their lineup with LB Zach Thomas and CB Adam Jones in addition to rookie RB Felix Jones in order to make a Super Bowl run. The key matchup will be can the Browns' upgraded defensive line stop RB Marion Barber and pressure QB Tony Romo. If so, this will be interesting. If not, Dallas will win going away. The pick: Cowboys win a tough one on the road.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans: Last year's NFC South champion visits the favorite to win it this season. The Saints, who were briefly displaced by Hurricane Gustav, should have added incentive to not repeat 2007's 0-4 start. It's easy to discount the Bucs, who are not a flashy team, but this will be stiff test for the Saints, who rate a big edge in offensive firepower. The pick: the Saints.

NY Jets at Miami: The Jets' old QB - Chad Pennington - faces their new one - Brett Favre (that still doesn't sound right). New York acted in free agency like a team that expects play deep into the playoffs (and that was before obtaining Favre last month). The Dolphins acted like a team starting over. Miami will be better this season, but not on this day. The pick: The Jets.

GAMES WORTH A PEEK:
Minnesota at Green Bay: The first half of the Monday doubleheader features someone other than Favre starting at quarterback for the Packers for the first time since September 1992. That would be Aaron Rodgers, whom you might have read about this summer. Expect the Vikings to bring pressure from all angles because the Packers feature an elite receiving core.

Houston at Pittsburgh: The Texans believe they're close to being a playoff team. The Steelers perennially are one. This could be a meaningful tie-breaker game at season's end in the tight AFC.

GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Detroit at Atlanta: These will be two of the worst teams in the NFL. Mark it down.

Kansas City at New England: The Chiefs are rebuilding. The Patriots are mad ... and extremely talented. Not a good combination for KC.