NFL Week 1 preview

Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

He’s taking over for Donovan McNabb after three years of sitting behind him. Is he ready? When the Eagles first started shopping Kolb, team insiders said the players were confident in what he could do. And some, if not all, of them preferred him as a leader over McNabb. But Kolb has started only two games (with an 88.9 passer rating) and he’s facing a team many predict will contend for the Super Bowl in Green Bay. It’s in Philadelphia, so Kolb’s reception will be interesting to hear. — John Keim

Story lines

1. Are the Texans for real? » Last year, Houston had its first winning season since joining the NFL in 2002. But at 9-7 that didn’t equal a playoff berth. Can the Texans take the next step? They have one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks in Matt Schuab. Andre Johnson is generally regarded as the league’s top receiver. There’s talent all over the field. But in 2009, Houston also twice blew 17-point leads against the eventual AFC champion Colts, a team that has beaten the Texans in 15 of 16 meetings. Houston’s Week 1 opponent? Indianapolis at home. We’ll find out their true quality pretty quickly. It’s showtime. — Brian McNally

2. Player demonstrations » Before Thursday’s Saints-Vikings game, and after the National Anthem, players from both teams walked onto the field and held index fingers aloft in a show of labor solidarity. The demonstration was orchestrated by player reps from the teams, not the union. It will be interesting to see if other teams follow suit on Sunday. There was little reaction in New Orleans, but how will fans in other NFL stadiums react when they are more prepared to register their feelings on the possibility of a work stoppage? Will the players’ single finger be answered with a different single finger from the stands? — Kevin Dunleavy

3. Payday for Peyton & Donovan » It’s pretty safe to assume that since Tom Brady’s new contract (reportedly four years, $76 million) makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL, it will clear up the log jam for two of the league’s other quarterbacks. First off, it’s a sure bet that Peyton Manning will eclipse Brady’s money by the end of the year. However, closer to home, it should allow a better dialogue on Donovan McNabb’s extension with the Redskins. McNabb was never going to get more than Manning, but his ceiling will be impacted by Brady’s deal. In the end, these vets will get paid. — Leon Saffelle

Upset special

Lions over Bears

Jay Cutler’s inconsistency (27 TDs, 26 INTs) doomed the Bears last season — as did a rushing attack that averaged 93.3 yards per game (fourth-worst in the NFL). Still, we’re talking about the Lions, proud owners of a 2-30 record over the past two seasons, so any win for the Fighting Fords is considered an upset in our books. The skinny: Jahvid Best runs hog wild and Detroit’s revamped defense forces Cutler & Co. into a few costly turnovers. — James Irwin

Fantasy watch


Five to start

1. QB Matt Schaub » The Texans are playing against a Colts’ defense that allowed 160 points in four preseason games — 48 more than any other team.

2. RB Jerome Harrison » Last year the Bucs allowed 158.2 rushing yards per game and the Browns starter won’t have Montario Hardesty stealing carries.

3. RB Ahmad Bradshaw » The Giants back won the starting job over Brandon Jacobs for a reason — he averaged 4.8 yards a carry last season.

4. WR Chad Ochocinco » The Bengals are set for a shootout against Tom Brady and the Patriots. It will be the first look at the new WR duo: T.Ochocinco.

5. WR Malcom Floyd » Without Vincent Jackson, Philip Rivers will be looking for a new target on the outside. Why not the 6-foot-5 wideout?

Five to sit

1. QB Eli Manning » The Giants QB is facing a Panthers’ defense that only allowed 14 passing touchdowns all season last year.

2. RB LeSean McCoy » With a new quarterback, the Eagles may turn to their run game, but not this week against Green Bay — the best run defense last year.

3. RB Shonn Greene » The Ravens just don’t let backs run wild against them. Could Greene be the Jets player that pays for making Ray Lewis angry?

4. WR Brandon Marshall » The new Dolphins wideout tends to drop passes and faces a Bills’ defense that allowed the second fewest passing yards last year.

5. WR Anquan Boldin » The first victim of Revis Island. Also, with Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh joining Derrick Mason, who will get the passes?

— Jeffrey Tomik

Game to watch

Ravens at Jets, Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN

Two teams that think they can reach, and win, the Super Bowl. There’s been some smack talking already and the Jets have anointed themselves as seemingly the best team in NFL history. Sort of odd for a team coming off a 9-7 season. Their defense, though, is outstanding, but much will depend on QB Mark Sanchez’s development. Meanwhile, the Ravens have a terrific defense and a better QB in Joe Flacco. Both teams are powered by their run game, with New York’s Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson (who has something left) and Baltimore’s Ray Rice. — John Keim

Examiner Power Rankings

— Craig Stouffer