Season's greetings

The focal point of one of the NFL's biggest trades ever (Randy Moss) goes up against the franchise that does everything right (Patriots).

Eventually, the Raiders will be a dominant offense. One game isn't going to be a pure indicator of how well their offense will perform this season. Oakland will be able to move the ball, but New England's defense will be too tough in the red zone.

Jerry Porter may have to sit out the season opener because of a hamstring injury. But the Raiders won't miss him that much, not with the kind of quality receivers they have in Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel.

Prediction: New England. The Patriots always play teams close. In the fourth quarter, one of New England's marquee players will make a big play. One of them always does.

It's a matchup of great offense against great defense, except that Indianapolis has played pretty well the last couple of times it has faced Baltimore.

I think the Ravens can slow down Peyton Manning because they can match up with the Colts' weapons. I especially like the matchup of Deion Sanders on Brandon Stokley in the slot. I don't think any team in the league has a nickel back like Sanders. That's one of the reasons why Baltimore's defense can give Indianapolis' offense more problems than anyone.

The addition of ex-Eagles defensive tackle Corey Simon makes the Colts a better team. His presence will make things easier for defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. Can you imagine those two guys rushing off the edges with Simon occupying the middle? Opposing offenses sure can't.

Prediction: Indianapolis. Given the lack of reps Jamal Lewis has gotten in the preseason, the Ravens will have to rely on the arm of Kyle Boller. That's why I'm picking the Colts. I don't think Baltimore will be able to score enough points.

How many different blitzes can Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson come up with to slow down Michael Vick? He'll have people coming from everywhere.

The thing that I love about Philly's defense is that it can play man-to-man coverage against Atlanta's receivers, who are young and talented but still somewhat ineffective. So look for the Eagles to be very aggressive in their pass coverage and blitz schemes.

The matchup I'll be watching is Jevon Kearse against Vick. The Falcons can't single-block Kearse, not on that fast turf in the Georgia Dome. Kearse should be able to negate some of Vick's improvising, and I think the Eagles will move Kearse from left end to right end so he can get in Vick's face when he scrambles to the left.

As the season goes on, the Falcons will get rookie wideout Roddy White involved in the offense. But for now, Vick will look for Michael Jenkins down the field. Jenkins is capable of being that deep threat while he evolves into a complete receiver.

Prediction: Philadelphia. I'm picking the Eagles because of T.O. He's the most dominant receiver in the game, and he'll do something special just for Monday night.

Adding one of the premier cornerbacks in Ty Law gives the Jets the opportunity to diversify their coverages. Second-year defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson can now be aggressive in his play-calling when he chooses to do so. And with a healthy John Abraham, the Jets have a lethal combination on defense with a premier rusher and a premier cover guy.

The first thing the Chiefs' defense has to do against the Jets is take away the run. We know the Jets are going to run with Curtis Martin and try to isolate Laveranues Coles one-on-one on the outside. I don't think Kansas City's defense will get the credit earlier on, but we'll look back later this season and say, "Wow, this defense is improved."

Jets quarterback Chad Pennington is coming off shoulder surgery, but I think he will be fine. I think his shoulder has had time to heal. The biggest thing for Pennington will be new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who'll really take him to another level.

Prediction: N.Y. Jets. The Jets will be able to run against Kansas City. They will be the team that finally unseats the Patriots as AFC East champions.

I think playing a football game is the best thing for the Saints right now. Game day will be a time when the Saints won't be thinking about everything else that has been going on in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

I'll be watching how New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks fares against Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, who is on the verge of doing some special things. He could turn into the NFL's elite defensive player this year.

Prediction: Carolina. With everything the Saints have had to deal with – and the fact that the Panthers will have a chip on their shoulder after being knocked out of playoff contention by New Orleans last season – will prove to be too much for Jim Haslett's club.

The Lions don't need to bring in another veteran quarterback to replace injured backup QB Jeff Garcia. Joey Harrington is the starter and has shown signs of promise. I think he'll only get better.

Harrington doesn't need another QB pushing him for the starting job. There's already enough pressure on him. He has the ability to be an NFL starting quarterback, and now he has an up-and-coming group of receivers. He has self-imposed pressure. I think that's enough to motivate him to get better.

The Packers will score a lot of points this season, but they'll have to run the ball to ease the burden on Brett Favre. They'll also have to be able to stop the run. As long as Favre is healthy, Green Bay will remain a playoff contender, but he'll have to get some help from the defense.

Prediction: Green Bay. It'll come down to the final drive and Favre will have the ball in his hands. No one in their right mind would ever bet against Favre driving down the field.