24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

Welcome to another year of 24 Hours 'Til Sunday. Every Saturday morning (or late Friday in the unlikely event I've got big plans on Saturday -- "Bed Bath & Beyond, or Home Depot if there's time") I'll run through some last-minute notes about the upcoming NFL games. Injuries, likes and dislikes, random thoughts.

On to week 1!

Jaguars at Colts: The Jaguars have kind of had the Colts' number in recent years -- well, they've lost four of six, but they usually play them tough. Major issues with the Colts' secondary, guys out or playing hurt. I'd happily start Maurice Jones-Drew, who's fine, and all components of the Colts' passing game.

Lions at Saints: In my suicide pool this year I'm considering just picking the teams playing the Lions for a while. Watch it burn me in week 1. Regardless, I expect them to get pounded this week. Pierre Thomas won't play for the Saints, making Reggie Bush and Mike Bell the main guys in a powerful Saints' offense and worth starting. Brees, Colston, Lance Moore, Shockey, natch.

Eagles at Panthers: Two NFC hopefuls, but both suffered major preseason injuries -- Stewart Bradley for Philly's D, and Maake Kemoeatu for Carolina's. Since I own Steve Smith in almost every league, I'm very curious to see how good or bad Jake Delhomme plays. Sounds like Jonathan Stewart will play for Carolina, but I'm guessing he'll get limited reps given how much of the preseason he missed. No reason to avoid any key starters in this game, which to me looks like a 24-21 kind of battle.

Vikings at Browns: Ah yes, the Favre versus Mangini battle. I wonder if Mangini mildly regrets that his youngest two sons' middle names call to mind Bill Belichick and Brett Favre, given that things ended on kind of a bad note with those relationships. As for this game, I should think the Vikings will be able to just give the ball to Adrian Peterson and run away with a win, but I guess you never know for sure. One injury of note: Bernard Berrian is gimpy. Best avoided, may not play. It's assumed that Brady Quinn will start and could actually do OK -- we know the Browns won't be able to run the ball.

Jets at Texans: Moving along to the first of Favre's three former teams. I expect this game to be kind of high-scoring. It appears the Texans are this year's version of last year's Jaguars, i.e. a fashionable preseason pick. Sports Illustrated thinks they're going to win the AFC South! I mean, Wow. Anyway. I like the Jets' defense in general, but Houston's offense is a lot to handle and the Jets are short-handed due to suspensions. I like Leon Washington this week, although not as much as the guy who took him IN THE FIRST ROUND of a draft I was in last night, I guess because players you trade for in your dynasty league need to reward you right away. One injury of note, Kevin Walter is the dreaded "game-time decision." Good matchup, but I wouldn't use him unless I hear Sunday morning he's definitely good to go. Andre Davis would likely fill in.

Kansas City at Ravens: Will Matt Cassel start? A bigger question might be, will he finish? He's not 100 percent, and the Ravens are kind of scary defensively. I can't imagine going near anything associated with Kansas City's offense this week. For Baltimore, well, this is what you call your choice matchup for Ray Rice, Joe Flacco and Derrick Mason. And the Ravens D, obviously.

Broncos at Bengals: Kyle Orton's playing. Knowshon Moreno is less certain. He could either be sidelined, play a little bit, or get most of the snaps, who knows. The most likely scenario is a crowded committee of running backs for Denver. The second-most likely scenario is a big day for Cedric Benson and Chad Ochocinco. I guess Brandon Marshall is going to play, too. Could be an entertaining game if you like scoring and hothead wide receivers.

Dolphins at Falcons: No injuries of note. No idea how the Dolphins will use that No. 2 wideout spot between Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, and rookie Brian Hartline. Potentially tough matchup for the Falcons offense, but if you drafted Michael Turner, are you really going to sit him?

Cowboys at Buccaneers: I'm still laughing at Ian's Bucs capsule in the latest Weekly. A classic. Avoid all Bucs except I guess maybe Antonio Bryant, who should put up some garbage yards when the Cowboys go up 2 TDs.

Washington at Giants: This was a horrible game in week 1 last year -- why do we need to suffer through it to open yet another season? Oh well. No injuries of note. Probably not a lot of points, either.

49ers at Cardinals: Two other teams that seem to play in week 1 an awful lot. Not much to say about this game beyond the 49ers will be running it and the Cardinals will be passing it. Anquan Boldin is banged up. I'm guessing he'll play, but it's just a guess and he can't be used safely, unless he's fully cleared Sunday morning. The fact that he's banged up and the season hasn't even started tells you all you need to know about why he wasn't traded in the offseason and still hasn't gotten a new contract from the Cardinals, either.

Rams at Seahawks: Wasn't it just 2 years ago that Marc Bulger was a top-5 fantasy quarterback? Now he isn't even being drafted in most of my leagues. I had a 22-round draft recently and he wasn't drafted. Impressive. Anyway, he's got a broken finger but word is he's playing. Until of course the Seahawks break something else this week. I feel bad for Steven Jackson. I hope he's been getting his rest because he's going to be a very busy man. All that said, I believe in Steve Spagnuolo more than I believe in Jim Mora Jr. I don't get the Seahawk love. I see them as an old, flawed team that might go 6-10 if they stay healthy. Which they won't.

Bears at Packers: Two really talented young quarterbacks should take the game's oldest rivalry to a brand-new level in this one. Just think, a decade from now this could be considered one of the great quarterback matchups each season, and here's where it all begins. You know, maybe. Anyway, this should be the Game of the Week -- kudos to NBC for getting it. And although I liked John Madden fine, I'm all for Chris Collinsworth taking over. No injuries of note; Bears' running backs and tight end against Packers wideouts. Should be fun.

Bills at Patriots: T.O. vs. Randy Moss! Yeah, getcha popcorn blah blah. It actually is mildly interesting, although that's the only thing interesting in what figures to be a dog of a Monday night game where the Patriots leave tire treads all over the Bills' backs and do their part in starting the debate over how soon it will be before Dick Jauron gets fired. Hey, it's not Jauron's fault the offensive line is horrible, is it? Anyway, ugly game most likely. Especially for the Bills. Wes Welker has some kind of knee injury which the Patriots aren't divulging, so I'll be watching the updates on Sunday as closely as I can (while also decorating the house for my daughter's 2nd birthday party, I suppose I can't fault her for not knowing better).

Chargers at Raiders: I live on the East Coast and I have two kids under the age of 5. This game starts at, I don't know, 10:15 p.m.? I mean really, how am I supposed to watch this game, or enjoy it if I do, knowing one of my children is certain to wake me up before 6 a.m.? Answer, I will not. Raiders run defense is horrible and Chargers have 4 or 5 good running backs. I guess Richard Seymour might be watching it on TV.

Enjoy the games.

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