Ignore the NFL's manufactured pre-game "entertainment" and concentrate instead on the electric atmosphere in America's most unique city Thursday night. Brush back the irrational and all too trendy vitriol against Brett Favre, and enjoy the NFC Championship rematch featuring two of the top teams in the league. The opening week's premier game is available to all viewers nation-wide instead of being overshadowed in Sunday's overflowing schedule. It's Christmas Eve for grownups!
NFL Ruminations:
The Dolphins and Bears are the NFL's two most overrated teams heading into the season. With offensive line woes, a headcase quarterback, and an aging defense, the Bears are set up for a freefall in the sendoff season for coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo. I'm not buying talk of a breakout year for mediocre quarterback Chad Henne, and the Dolphins have major questions on defense with six new starters and no pass rush.
Don't sleep on the Lions. The offense is legitimately loaded with the league's most physically dominant receiver, a legit game-breaker in the running game, and an improving franchise quarterback. The defense is still at least a year away, but this will be a fun team to watch this year.
My Super Bowl pick: Vikings over Ravens.
Fantasy Football Predictions:
MVP: Chris Johnson, Titans
Rookie of the Year: Jahvid Best, Lions
Comeback Player of the Year: Steve Smith, Panthers
Breakout Quarterback: Joe Flacco, Ravens (Runner up: Matthew Stafford)
Breakout Running Back: Arian Foster, Texans (Runner up: Darren McFadden)
Breakout Receiver: Johnny Knox, Bears (Runners up: Mike Wallace, Dez Bryant)
High Scoring Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
High Scoring Running Back: Chris Johnson, Titans
High Scoring Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson, Lions
High Scoring Tight End: Jermichael Finley, Packers
Bold Predictions: Max Hall takes over as the Cardinals' starting QB by mid-season and leads his team to the NFC West title. ... Arian Foster finishes as a Top-10 fantasy back. ... Percy Harvin places in the Top-10 at wide receiver. ... Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith South finish 1-2 at wide receiver. ... Dez Bryant sends Roy Williams to the bench by mid-October. ... Zach Miller finishes as a Top-5 tight end. ... Michael Vick starts over a healthy Kevin Kolb at least once. ... Alex Smith won't be quarterbacking the 49ers by the end of the season. ... Steven Jackson plays all 16 games. ... Jamaal Charles turns Thomas Jones into an afterthought. ... Brandon Marshall falls out of the Top-20 at receiver. ... Vincent Jackson is traded by the Oct. 19 deadline.
Last-minute drafters can still get the latest projection updates in Rotoworld's draft guide.
NEWS OF THE DAY:
Incumbent starter Fred Jackson (hand) is expected to be available in a limited capacity Sunday, but coach Chan Gailey removed suspension in the Bills backfield by naming C.J. Spiller his starter against Miami. Early predictions call for Spiller to receive 20+ touches in addition to his work on returns. It remains to be seen if Spiller will see that kind of workload on a week-to-week basis once F-Jax returns to full capacity, but the rookie is a rock-solid RB2 this week. Jackson and Marshawn Lynch belong on fantasy benches until further notice.
Despite a vague report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that there were ongoing "questions and doubts around the league" on Maurice Jones-Drew's knee, the Jags' offensive focal point isn't even listed on this week's injury report. "There is no injury," Jones-Drew insisted. "It's a non-issue. It's a rest issue. We've been working hard since April, and coaches and I decided it was better to rest." We have MJD ranked as a top-three back in this week's matchup against a weak Denver front seven. Still, his knee is a situation to monitor throughout the season and owners will sleep more soundly after handcuffing him to Rashad Jennings.
Beat writer Jerry McDonald, perhaps the most reliable voice on the Raiders, has predicted multiple times that Michael Bush (thumb) will not be able to play Sunday. Bush has been practicing with heavy wrapping, however, and coach Tom Cable said he was "shocked" to hear opinions that his big back's status was in doubt. Cable believes Bush has a "real chance" to play at Tennessee on Sunday. We've learned not take Cable's word as gospel on injuries, but Bush is at least questionable to play. As a Darren McFadden owner in multiple leagues, I'm taking him out of my starting lineup until I know for sure that Bush will sit out this week.
Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday with what the Cardinals' website characterizes as a "bruised knee." Coach Ken Whisenhunt downplayed Wells' absence, saying he anticipates having his early-down back in action at St. Louis Sunday. As long as he's not a dreaded game-time decision, Wells is worth using as a high-upside RB2 against a subpar Rams defense.
The NFL's Special Master is expected decide "within a week or so" if the Chargers can keep Vincent Jackson on the Roster Exempt list through Week 6. A ruling in V-Jax's favor would allow him to play in Week 4, making him more attractive to interested teams. Several reports indicate that Jackson will never play for the Chargers again, and GM A.J. Smith is said to be vehement about keeping his former No. 1 receiver out of the AFC.
Editor's Note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.
Two-Minute Drill: Coach Jeff Fisher confirmed that he has no concerns about Chris Johnson being overworked this season. ... Coach Gary Kubiak reiterated that Owen Daniels (limited, knee) is unlikely to play more than 25 offensive snaps this week. It's less than half of his normal workload. ... Xavier Adibi has been announced as Brian Cushing's replacement at strong-side linebacker for the first four games. ... Justin Forsett will be Seattle's primary punt returner to open the season, with Leon Washington handling kickoffs. ... Mike Williams will start at split end in the Seahawks' season opener. ... Dolphins signed Clifton Smith to take over for Nolan Carroll and Davone Bess on kickoff and punt returns respectively. ... The Browns have taken Josh Cribbs off of coverage duty on punts and kickoffs, signaling an intention to increase his offensive role. ... Trevor Scott has overtaken Matt Shaughnessy to be the Raiders' starting right end, with Quentin Groves moving into the lineup at weak-side linebacker. ... The Redskins are reportedly seeking a second-round pick in return for Albert Haynesworth. Good luck with that.
Red Zone: Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Demaryius Thomas (foot) both practiced without limitations Wednesday. ... Josh Freeman (thumb) was held out of practice as a precaution, but he's fully expected to start Sunday against the Browns. ... Donovan McNabb (ankle) practiced without restrictions. ... Larry Fitzgerald (knee) participated fully in Wednesday's practice. ... Randy Moss was held out of practice with an illness, but it's believed to be a non-issue. ... Panthers WR Steve Smith (arm) was a full participant, as expected. ... Vernon Davis (knee), Pierre Garcon (undisclosed), and Laurent Robinson (foot) are not on the injury list this week. ... Steve Slaton (turf toe) is practicing and will play in a third-down role against the Colts. ... Laurence Maroney missed practice with a groin injury. ... Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma (groin) and CB Tracy Porter (leg) are both listed as probable for Thursday's game. ... Giants SS Kenny Phillips (knee) is now practicing without restrictions. He will start the opener against Carolina. ... Bears FS Major Wright is ready for game action after having the pin removed from his surgically repaired left index finger. ... Rams SS James Butler has resumed practicing after missing nearly all of August with a sprained MCL. ... Shawne Merriman (Achilles) is in danger of missing Monday's game.