NFL Week 1 Preview

OK, so this one is a bit late.

One trend to look for in the early weeks of the season, particularly Week 1, is a lot of high scores and unexpected heroes. Happens every year. Someone, some team will emerge and make the football-viewing world take notice.

We can only hope a majority of Sunday's and Monday's games are as compelling as Thursday night's Steelers victory over the Titans was.

TRIVIA TIME: You probably know Brett Fave surpassed Dan Marino as touchdown pass king two seasons ago. Whom did Marino pass on the NFL career TD pass list? (Answer below, and extra credit if you can name the two teams he played for)

GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Philadelphia at Carolina - Two NFC playoff teams who harbor designs on deep postseason runs again. Can the Eagles' defense contain the Panthers' ground attack? Will Carolina have an answer for Donovan McNab and Brian Westbrook?
Miami at Atlanta - Two more playoff teams meet in an intriguing inter-conference matchup. The Dolphins win with defense, while the Falcons' formula leans heavily on a potent offense behind RB Michael Turner and QB Matt Ryan.
Chicago at Green Bay - The Bears' acquisition of QB Jay Cutler and the development of the Packers' young players - especially on offense - have these two teams solidly in the NFC North title discussion. The NFL's oldest rivalry is a clear statement game.

GAMES OF THE WEAK:
What were the league's schedule-makers thinking? Both Monday night games could be blowouts by halftime. Expect San Diego to run wild at Oakland after New England lights up Buffalo. ... St. Louis at Seattle also has the makings of a clunker.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Fran Tarkenton (formerly of the NY Giants and Minnesota Vikings)

Welcome back NFL!