Lions to drop first game on Sunday
Philadelphia too strong to lose to upstart Detroit during week three's marquee game
Unbeaten Philadelphia is the latest team to try to tackle 2-0 Detroit a team that went 10-38 the past three seasons.
Included: an opening-day win in Chicago that ended an NFL-record 24-game road losing streak.
The Lions, who face Philly at home, are getting help from a very strong draft class, led by wide receiver Roy Williams, running back Kevin Jones and linebacker Teddy Lehman. That has partially offset injuries to two of last year’s top-grade rookies: Charles Rogers and Boss Bailey.
The youngsters are smart, too.
“We’ve won just two games, that’s all,” Williams says. “Come back in the 14th game of the season, when we have a winning record, and I’ll show more excitement.”
The Eagles are not invincible, but will prevail, 24-17.
Green Bay (plus 6) at Indianapolis
Brett Favre vs. Peyton Manning for just the second time: They met in Green Bay four years ago and Favre won 26-24. MANNING, 26-24
Dallas (plus 2) at Washington
Bill Parcells is 11-6 against Joe Gibbs, winning 11 of the last 14 meetings. COWBOYS, 11-6
Tampa Bay (plus 3) at Oakland
Warren Sapp’s revenge. RAIDERS, 10-6
Pittsburgh (plus 1) at Miami
A rookie QB for Pittsburgh, a dismal offense for Miami. Unless there are defensive TDs … DOLPHINS, 5-3
Jacksonville (plus 6) at Tennessee
The Jaguars have managed to win twice despite scoring just 20 points. … TITANS, 17-6
San Francisco (plus 11) at Seattle
Seattle was 8-0 at home last year. … SEAHAWKS, 20-13
Baltimore (minus 3) at Cincinnati
Carson Palmer played cautiously last week but still led a game-winning drive. Reprise. … BENGALS, 16-13
Chicago (plus 91/2 ) at Minnesota
Tough to win back-to-back in Green Bay and Minneapolis. … VIKES, 27-10
Houston (plus 81/2 ) at Kansas City
Neither team is what it was supposed to be, but K.C. is closer to its potential. … CHIEFS, 26-13
Cleveland (plus 3) at Giants
Kellen Winslow’s injury spoiled a Hurricanes’ reunion with Jeremy Shockey. … GIANTS, 23-15
San Diego (plus 10) at Denver
From 1-0 to 1-15? The Chargers aren’t that bad, but … BRONCS, 34-20
Arizona (plus 10) at Atlanta
Arizona isn’t Minnesota. … FALCONS, 33-11
New Orleans (plus 7) at St. Louis
Early season travails again for the Saints. … RAMS, 32-14