The circumstances are almost identical: both Saints home openers; both in Week 3, 364 days apart; both Monday Night Football games with lots of pomp and circumstance. Otherwise, they couldn't be more different. At this time in 2006, the Saints were 2-0 showing signs of the chemistry and talent that carried them to the NFC Championship game. In 2007, they're a disaster. They need the emotion of the Superdome far more now than they did last year, when the team was dealing with massive roster and coaching turnover and a perceived lack of ability.
It'll be important for the Saints to remember last year's game -- a dominant 23-3 victory over the Falcons that was a microcosm for the '06 season -- when they play the Titans, a team that also looks very different from last year. Suddenly the Titans are a sneaky team with a powerful rush and underrated defense, one of those teams that seems to hang around in close games and pull out wins when you don't expect them to.
Okay, quiz time. Question 1: How many of you, before the season started, looked at the NFL schedule and thought, "when the Eagles and Lions meet up in week three, one of those teams will be unbeaten while the other team will be winless?" I see a few hands up. Now on to Question 2: How many of you who raised your hand for question 1 actually thought the Lions would be undefeated while the Eagles would be winless?
[crickets]
Since the season has started, I haven't read a single person on the Internet write that Matt Millen should be fired. More people are likely calling for Andy Reid or Donovan McNabb's job these days. Some keys to the game after the jump.
2007 Records: Chicago Bears: 1-1 (t-3rd in NFC North) Dallas Cowboys: 2-0 (t-1st in NFC East) Last Game: Cowboys 37-Dolphins 20 Bears 20-Chiefs 10 When the Cowboys have the ball: This is an outstanding matchup of a big offensive line against a quick defensive front. Dallas has lit up both the Giants and Dolphins ... while the Bears have done a very good job locking down two of the best running backs in the game, LaDanian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson. Dallas will attempt to run both Julius Jones and Marion Barber against that stingy Chicago D. At the same time, Tony Romo won't be able to pick apart the Bears like he did New York and Miami. However, expect the Cowboys to look at matching up Jason Witten and Terrell Owens over the middle with Chicago's safeties.
49ers 17, Rams 16 Bucs 34, Saints 17 When the Rams have the ball: With the exception of Steven Jackson, this is an offense that got back on its prolific track last week, despite only scoring 16 points. The Rams were in a position to score more, but left 16 points on the field, 13 of which were due to turnovers. But no matter how affluent the passing game becomes, this team needs Jackson to run with success. He's just not getting it done and, judging by his outburst on the Rams' sideline last week, feeling frustrated over the team's inability to get the run game going. He apologized to teammates this week, but 100+ yards and a score are better ways of paving the roads of discontent.
But no one really knows what Bucs defense the Rams will be facing -- the swarming, retro-fitted version from last week that looked circa-'02 or the crew of deteriorating senior citizens we expected in the preseason? This is going to be a recurring theme throughout the season for the Rams, because of their M*A*S*H unit of an offensve line (who allowed six sacks last week), but if Tampa brings the blitz, the Rams won't be able to protect Marc Bulger or Jackson, and the Bucs looked plenty feisty last week.
Last Meeting: December 24, 2006: Texans 27, Colts 24. With the absence of Colts safety Bob Sanders, Texans running back Ron Dayne rushed for a career high 153 yards. David Carr did not fumble, throw an interception or get sacked--mostly because by that time of the season, the Texans had pretty much shut down the passing game.
When the Chiefs have the ball: Although it's in stark contrast to their usual gameplan, Kansas City may focus on the aerial attack this Sunday. Sure, Larry Johnson is a top five running back, but the Vikings have one of the best run defenses in the league, and seem to have a hard time stopping the pass. For that reason, victory rests on the shoulders of quarterback Damon Huard. And people can throw out all the negative stats and injury news they want, but Huard still has Tony Gonzalez and he's still completing over 65% of his passes.
Defensively, you know that Minnesota is well aware of their struggles in the secondary, and will likely focus on that heading into the game. Whether or not they can get things turned around remains to be seen, but at least they can go into it knowing their front seven will likely contain LJ.
Dec. 24, 2006. Panthers 10, Falcons 3. When the Panthers have the ball: They'll run, and then they'll run some more. The Falcons have given up 126 rushing yards per game so far this season, and the Panthers will do everything in their power to push Atlanta off the line, create some space for DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams and dominate time of possession. Jeremy Bridges is expected to return to the lineup at right guard, so that should help. Steve Smith and DeAngelo Hall will battle it out again, and Smith should win that battle at least once for a touchdown.
When the Falcons have the ball: This could be Joey Harrington's last stand in the NFL, and he'll be standing behind a line that has already allowed a league-high 13 sacks this year and facing a defense with a reputation -- if not a lot of results yet -- for quality pass-rushing. The Falcons will also try to get their ground game going. They're averaging a mere 3.4 yards a carry so far, and Warrick Dunn is starting to look like he's finally slowing down.
Last Meeting: November 17, 2003 – 49ers 30, Steelers 14. Tim Rattay torches an inept Steelers secondary, going 22-for-27 with a 61-yard touchdown to Terrell Ownes while future Steelers disappointment Kevan Barlow had a 78-yard touchdown run.
To get you ready for week 3, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the New York Giants-Washington Redskins preview ... with a somber video of possibly the most 'memorable moment' in the long series history.
2007 Records: New York Giants: 0-2 (t-3rd in NFC East) Washington Redskins: 2-0 (t-1st in NFC East) Last Game: Packers 35-Giants 13 Redskins 20-Eagles 12 Last Meeting: December 30, 2006 – Giants 34-28. The Skins trailed 27-7 at the half due to Tiki Barber's awesome game. Tiki rushed for a career high 234 yds and 3 TDs. Washington made a furious 2nd half comeback, but dug themselves too big of a hole to climb out of. When the Giants have the ball: It's hard to believe, but the Giants are one of the best first down teams in the NFL. The Giants average a league-best 8.16 yards on first down. New York's offense has been extremely effective despite injury woes to skill players. Expect the Giants to try to use Derrick Ward as much as possible ... giving Eli's arm a break. The Giants have been using more of the spread offense to allow Eli to see the field more and quicker. Plaxico Burress hasn't practiced all week but is expected to play.
2007 Records: Miami Dolphins: 0-2 (t-2nd in AFC East) New York Jets: 0-2 (t-2nd in AFC East) Last Game: Dallas 37, Miami 20 Baltimore 20, Jets 13 Last Meeting: December 25, 2006 – Jets 13, Miami 10. In a driving rainstorm Leon Washington gives the Jets a Christmas present with a dazzling 64-yard run after a screen pass to set up the winning kick. When the Dolphins have the ball: It's hard to guess just what the Dolphins are going to try to do on Sunday because they haven't done anything that's worked yet. Ronnie Brown has 65 yards rushing in two games and Trent Green's been picked off four times which leaves Cam Cameron trying to invent a new way to move the ball. He might not have to thanks to the Jets defense. They haven't stopped the run nor have they rushed the passer which gives Cameron his choice of ways to try and get Miami on track. Look for him to keep it simple early with the running game and then look to get Chris Chambers free deep on play-action. The Jets need to blitz, stunt, twist and turn every which way to disrupt the Dolphins. Failing that, they can just try to fool them into jumping offside but they need to do something that gets their defense going.
To get you ready for week 3, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints preview.
To get you ready for week 3, 
To get you ready for week 3, 
To get you ready for week 3, 
To get you ready for week 3, 
To get you ready for week 3, 
To get you ready for week 3, FanHouse 
To get you ready for week 3, 
