NFL Football on Thursday Night! What more could one ask for? How about a secondary that could hold down the Garcia/Owens connection. If your facing that tandem this week, best of luck. You could be down huge before the weekend even arrives. How's that for starting your fantasy season on a down note? Yep, Owens should absolutely explode this week in front of a nationwide audience. Actually, Owens could be playing sand lot football and explode against New York. The Giants will attempt to keep up through the air with Shockey, but they just don't have the firepower. Neither team will find great success on the ground. The Giants offensive line is horrid while the Giants defensive line will hold up fairly well versus Hearst. The only thing keeping this close is the location of the game. San Francisco will win going away.

The pick: 49ers 27-17.

In the battle of the McNs, Donovan McNabb is the obvious star of this contest. Ironic how McNair was one of the original 'new breed' of running QBs, but McNabb is a better version. Overall, though, don't expect many fantasy points to be scored here. Obviously, you play your stars (McNabb, George, etc.), but if you're looking for a sleeper this week run away from this game. Run away now! Can't help but shake the notion that this might be a very ugly game where neither team is satisfied with their play.

The pick: Titans 16-14.

Lots of Sure and Possible Starters here on a pair of teams that lately haven't been thought of as big-time fantasy producers. My favorite Martian is the man in this game as the interior of the Bills defensive line is suspect at best. Buffalo will counter by attempting to free up Moulds against New York's new pair of corners. They should have some success. Hopefully, you have better options than these two quarterbacks (although Bledsoe should be serviceable). Both will likely take some deep shots, but those deep shots don't always translate to good fantasy numbers. Finally, isn't it about 80 degrees too warm for this matchup? Seriously, aren't the Jets and Bills required to play where you can see your breath? Ah well, guess not.

The pick: Bills 14-12 (sorry Chase).

Fantasy tip of the week right here: If you own Shane Matthews this week, get ready to trade him. He will absolutely go off this week as 1) the Cardinals pass defense is pathetic and 2) Steve Spurrier would like nothing more than make a huge splash on opening week. You may be asking, "If Matthews is going to be so good, why should I deal him away?" To be honest, this is probably as good as it will get for the guy. After this week's games, he will be so overvalued the offers will probably pour in. You will make out like a bandit. But I digress. As you can see above, start your big Redskins this week. For the Cardinals, as long as he's healthy, David Boston is a monster and a must start, but he won't be able to match the overall effectiveness of a fired up Washington squad.

The pick: Redskins 38-17.

Oh my gosh. What a snoozefest. Will anyone other than Ravens and Panthers fans catch even a quarter of this game? Actually, will Ravens and Panthers fan even tune in? I'm just glad this clash of mighty titans isn't on Monday Night Football late in the season. Seems like luck runs that way sometimes. Anyway, with Weinke being benched in favor of the mediocre Rodney Peete, this may be the only time all season you'll se the Ravens as road favorites. Unless you are in amazingly dire straights, bench any and all Panthers as this Carolina offense is definitely not a go. Even the depleted Baltimore defense will impress here. On offense, Lewis and Heap should come up big.

The pick: Ravens 13-6.

Well, we'll find out real quick if the Vikings have turned over a new leaf or if the Bears 2001 season was a fluke. The average (at best) Bears offense is fortunate to open against such a poor defense as the Vikings. On the flip side, the potent Minnesota offense received a tough draw with the very good Chicago defense. In games like this, the stars usually rise to the top. Look for that to happen again here. Start your big guns. The MVP of this contest will boil down to Thomas or Moss. Either should help lead your fantasy team to victory this week.

The pick: Bears 27-24.

Are these two team mirror images or what? Unstable QB situations where both current starters were recently named as such. Each has an impressive running back on which to rely (and rely they will). Receiver corps on both squads are muddled. They each have underrated which are dominated by quality linebackers. Both of these teams are even carrying two kickers! Unreal. Anyway, play Tomlinson and Dillon. Hope you don't have to start Warrick or Conway. Don't even consider any other option here.

The pick: Bengals 17-14.

What an intriguing matchup. The Kansas City offense struggled to find consistency in the preseason and teams don't normally 'get right' by playing the Browns. They'll definitely need to control an active Cleveland front seven to have any chance here (something easier said than done). Still, Holmes should produce adequate combined yardage numbers, and Morton and Gonzalez will catch most of the remaining receiving yardage. Expect Cleveland to work with a short field most of the day and try to win the game with Phil Dawson. The return of Gonzalez almost makes this a toss-up.

The pick: Browns 15-14.

Yeah, the Falcons won the regular season matchup with Green Bay last year. No, it won't happen this year. A quick glance at the 'Sure Starters' table shows almost every starting GB skill player .... and their defense .... and their kicker. This could be ugly early and hideous late. Play all your Packers but find another game to watch.

The pick: Packers 34-6.

Is week one too early to be the most important game on your schedule? If Indianapolis wants this division (duh..."if"?), they really need to handle Jacksonville here. One things apparent, the Colts offense should roll. Manning, James, Harrison, Pollard, and Vanderjagt are obvious every week starters, but you should really feel good with their potential this week. A pair of Jaguars (Taylor and the just-back Smith) will try to keep pace, but the Colts will just be too much to handle.

The pick: Colts 33-24.

You just have to feel for the Lions. They appear to be trying to improve. They really do. They took a QB early. They brought in three new starting receivers. They're making an effort. This week, though, we won't be able to tell if the 2002 version is any better than the horrible 2001 squad. Miami's defense is just too good here. If you are relying on any Lions, I'm sorry, but you'll have to look elsewhere this week. On the other hand, if you have Dolphins on your roster, you are sitting pretty with this matchup. Start all of your big Fish.

The pick: Dolphins 27-10.

If you have a friend that is on the fence when it comes to watching football, then get a new friend. You don't idiots like that in your life .... unless they have money. Seriously, set that buddy down in front of this contest. They'll be hooked big time. What a game this should be. Not only are both offenses primed with play-makers, but so are the defenses. Without question, you must start anyone who is anyone in the game. Even the kickers will rock and roll here. The only questions can be found in the Denver backfield (surprise, surprise, surprise) and in McCaffrey's return from that nasty leg break.

The pick: Denver 28-27.

This is a good soft matchup for the Oakland Geriatrics to lube up for action after a lackluster preseason. They probably won't set the world on fire this week, but Gannon and company should easily post starting quality numbers. If Dilfer were taking snaps, this game would be a good view. As it stands, with Hasselbeck starting, look for Seattle to attempt to ride Alexander to victory. It won't be enough. You have to pity Jackson and Robinson until Dilfer comes back from injury. Things will be spotty at best in the meantime.

The pick: Raiders 21-10.

Jon Gruden's Buccaneers will be an energetic bunch this year. That spells trouble for a team like New Orleans. The current Saints defense simply will not be able to handle Tampa Bay's offense. This looks like a good week for Johnson and Johnson as the New Orleans secondary puts fear in no one. For those of you playing quarterback by committee, if Johnson the Brad is part of your combo, he's likely your play. On the other side of the field, Brooks will be held largely in check, but McAllister and Horn should each be decent for you.

The pick: Buccaneers 24-14.

The quest for rushing supremacy begins in a very soft spot for Smith as the mammoth Dallas offensive line will dominate the undersized Texans defensive front. Better hide the youngsters as this beating will get ugly. The passing game will also be available for Dallas, but they likely will not go to it as there will be little need. For Houston, you have to feel for them with regards to their offensive line. After selecting Boselli and Young in the expansion draft, they thought they had a solid pair of tackles. Neither are ready to play. That leaves the Dallas defensive line primed for domination. The Texans will not be able to run with any consistency, and Carr will be pressured into oblivion. Don't be surprised if he's on the bench when the final second ticks away. All the Cowboys haters are praying for a Houston victory here. Not gonna happen.

The pick: Cowboys 30-3.

This will be a nasty all out slugfest. Pittsburgh is looking for a little pay back, and New England is looking to defend. The only real difference between last year's AFC Championship tilt is a fully healthy (at least for the moment) Bettis. His numbers won't be impressive at game's end, but the threat of him carrying the ball will mean so much for the Steelers. Having the Bus running will take a ton of pressure off of Stewart (and we all know how he responds to pressure). That should decrease the number of Pittsburgh turnovers. The real difference, however, will be the Steelers defense. They will not let Brady beat them.

The pick: Steelers 17-14.