Steelers at Browns
Steelers Keys For Success
1. Control the line of scrimmage. Even with a revamped offensive line, the Steelers will be a run-first offense. For Willie Parker to succeed, the Steelers must control the line. Look for Parker runs to set up Ben Roethlisberger passes in Week 1, so Pittsburgh will do its best to establish the run early. Look for the team to use two-tight end sets to force Browns outside linebackers Antwan Peek and Kamerion Wimbley near the line, allowing the blockers to more easily engage them and free up Parker to reach the corner.
2. Protect Roethlisberger. With more of an emphasis on the passing game this season, the Steelers' offensive linemen will be asked to play more of a finesse game. Protection will be key, not only to allow Roethlisberger time to go through his new progressions but also to keep him healthy.
3. Blitz Charlie Frye from the outside. In two games against Pittsburgh, both losses, Frye has been fairly effective, completing almost 55 percent of his attempts. However, he was sacked 13 times in those two games. Frye is mobile and can run away from pressure when flushed out of the pocket. Look for Pittsburgh to blitz from both edges, forcing him to stand in and take the sack or short step and rush his throws.
Browns Keys For Success
1. Establish the run with Jamal Lewis. Lewis was hoping for a long-term contract but instead got a one-year show-me sort of deal with Cleveland. In Week 1, he is sure to get plenty of chances to prove his worth because the Browns will look to establish the run and keep Frye out of difficult third-and-long situations.
2. Throw more to tight end Kellen Winslow. The Steelers will create pressure with multiple blitz schemes, particularly on third down. Frye must have a plan for getting rid of the ball, and Option 1 should be to hit Winslow on seam routes. With outside linebackers James Harrison and Clark Haggans likely blitzing and safety Troy Polamalu roving around, there should be space in the middle of the field.
3. Force Roethlisberger to win the game. The Browns' 3-4 defense is built to stop the run. If Wimbley and Peek can string out perimeter runs, it will create third-and-long passing situations for Roethlisberger. The Browns' blitz schemes will look to force Roethlisberger into quick throws and bad decisions, something he struggled with last season.
Eagles at Packers
Eagles Keys For Success
1. Stuff the run. With Vernand Morency (strained knee tendon) and Brandon Jackson (concussion) hobbled in preseason, neither running back has played enough to form any cohesiveness with the offensive line. The Eagles' defensive linemen will shoot gaps and look to get upfield penetration, neutralizing the Packers' zone-blocking scheme. By shutting down the run and making the Packers one-dimensional, the Eagles can turn up the heat on Favre and force some turnovers.
2. Use bunch formations. Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson are aggressive and prefer to play man-to-man, denying short routes to perimeter receivers. By utilizing bunch formations, the Eagles will force Harris and Woodson to play off the ball; if not, they easily could get picked and give up a big play on a slot receiver screen. By forcing Harris and Woodson to play off the ball, wide receivers Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis will have room to release to the inside for quick slants and crossing routes.
3. Slide protection toward Packers end Aaron Kampman. Kampman quietly has become one of the NFL's top pass rushers, combining both speed and power moves to keep opponents off-balance. The Eagles will look to neutralize him by sliding protection his way. Center Jamal Jackson will slide over to block defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, so right guard Shawn Andrews can help right tackle Jon Runyan against Kampman. The Eagles must do this sparingly because the Packers easily could counter by blitzing the undermanned Eagles on the other side of the formation.
Packers Keys For Success
1. Throw at the Eagles' linebackers. The Eagles have three new starters at linebacker: Second-year men Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong and veteran Takeo Spikes. Spikes is coming back from a torn Achilles' tendon, and Gocong is a former defensive end who will be making his first career start in Week 1. All three are overaggressive in coverage and are easily caught out of position, particularly against screen passes. Look for Favre to use a lot of screen passes and short slants to test the trio.
2. Move the pocket. The Eagles' defense is aggressive and will blitz often. The Packers have a young offensive line and an aging quarterback, and the coaches must not allow the Eagles to tee off on a stationary target. Expect offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to call a lot of rollouts and naked bootlegs, buying Favre extra time to find open receivers. Eagles defensive ends Jevon Kearse and Trent Cole must be sure to maintain their containment responsibilities and force Favre to pull up in the pocket.
3. Use a safety to cover running back Brian Westbrook. Westbrook is a matchup nightmare because he abuses almost all linebackers and many safeties in coverage. Packers free safety Nick Collins must play closer to the line and not allow Westbrook to shake loose after the catch. The problem with this strategy is it leaves the secondary undermanned to defend against downfield passes. Expect McNabb to take advantage and throw deep to Curtis and Brown.
Chiefs at Texans
Chiefs Keys For Success
1. Make Larry Johnson earn his bigger, fatter paycheck. The Chiefs' motto in Week 1 should be to run, run and run some more to help set up the pass. Even after carrying the ball an NFL record 416 times last year, Johnson, because of long camp layoff, has fresh legs that will ready to be used often. It is time for him to earn his keep -- and his money. By running the ball down the Texans' throat, they will be less likely to blitz Huard. That will open up opportunities in the play-action passing game.
2. Double-team Andre Johnson. Cornerback Ty Law has the size and strength to redirect Johnson in coverage, but he will need safety help to handle Johnson's speed. Fellow Chiefs veteran corner Patrick Surtain is just the opposite. He will be able to run with Johnson, but he cannot contain him physically. Taking away Schaub's go-to-guy will make him pat the ball a few times and look elsewhere. Ask David Carr how that feels behind a similar Texans offensive line.
3. Punt away from rookie Jacoby Jones. Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt has a powerful leg, but he does not need to test the Texans' speedy rookie in Week 1. Jones is an absolute burner with an impressive first step and ample vision. Every time the ball is in his hands, he can be a momentum changer -- either with a drastic change in field position or with six points. Moreover, he doesn't get tired easily. Rumor has it that no Texan conditions himself better for game play than the young Jones, who also needs to be watched closely in three- and four-receiver sets.
Texans Keys For Success
1. Force Huard out of the pocket. The Texans' defensive linemen will slant and stunt inside in an effort to get Huard out of his comfort zone: the pocket. Trent Green is gone, Croyle got most of the snaps in camp and stalwart guard Will Shields retired. Huard has not been hit in a game that counts in a long time, and his mobility may be questionable for Week 1 with the calf injury he's battling.
2. Create manageable third-down situations. Running the ball effectively with Green on first and second down and not forcing the ball downfield in passing situations will give Houston its best chance to consistently move the chains. The Chiefs' linebackers -- Derrick Johnson, Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards -- all excel in pass coverage. Throw in Law and Surtain from the corners, and teams should have a tough time converting third-and-longs against the Chiefs all season long. Schaub needs to take advantage of both Green and tight end Owen Daniels in the passing game to help keep third down manageable.
3. Slow down Tony Gonzalez. Defensive ends Mario Williams and Anthony Weaver must attempt to redirect the Chiefs' tight end on every snap. The Texans' linebackers also will try to jam Gonzalez within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Gonzalez still serves as Huard's security blanket. With the season-ending foot injury to starting strong safety Glenn Earl, the Texans must help his backup, Jason Simmons. Gonzalez (6-5) dwarfs Simmons (5-9) by eight inches.
Titans at Jaguars
Titans Keys For Success
1. Use misdirection runs. Though the Titans' offensive line is much improved, the unit still is not physical enough to play smash-mouth football against Pro Bowl defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. Therefore, the Titans must use misdirection plays such as counters to hopefully catch them out of position. Also look to see Vince Young running the "read" option package he used to run at the University of Texas, which has many misdirection elements in it to counter the Jaguars' aggressiveness.
2. Throw short. Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow often uses downfield routes as a decoy to open up space for short passes. Look for many combination routes from four-wide receiver formations, with some receivers going deep and the others breaking off to the inside, looking for mismatches against linebackers. Expect tight end Bo Scaife to be Young's favorite target in the middle of the field, working against the linebackers.
3. Pressure David Garrard without blitzing. Last year, Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had to call a lot of blitzes because his defensive linemen alone weren't able to generate an effective pass rush. This forced the team to play a lot of man-to-man coverage. Now without cornerback Pacman Jones, the Titans lack the shutdown man-to-man defender to make that plan work. Expect Tennessee to use a lot more zone coverage this year. Schwartz figures to call a lot of line twists and stunts, instead of just a straight-ahead rush, in Week 1.
Jaguars Keys For Success
1. Communicate in pass protection. There are questions heading into Week 1 about the Jaguars' pass protection because starting center Brad Meester is out with a broken ankle and replacement Dennis Norman has struggled in his place. The offensive linemen must communicate effectively and be ready to adjust and negate twists and stunts from the interior pass rushers. The linemen do benefit in the decision to start Garrard, who is more mobile than Byron Leftwich.
2. Keep Young in the pocket. Part of what makes Young special is his speed and quickness allow him to extend plays and give his receivers more time to get open. The Jaguars' secondary will not be able to cover the receivers for seven or eight seconds, so the front four must keep Young in the pocket and make him throw. Defensive ends Bobby McCray and Reggie Hayward must keep outside contain and not bite on play-action rollouts. Henderson and Stroud as well as middle linebacker Mike Peterson must watch for Young escaping to the inside and be prepared to shed blocks and make the tackle.
3. Spread the field. With blocking tight end Kyle Brady gone and Marcedes Lewis and George Wrightster both better receivers than blockers, expect the Jaguars to use more spread formations in '07. They will flex out the tight ends or line them up in the slot. This will give them a free release off the line and allow them to get open in a hurry. Both Lewis and Wrightster, if covered by linebackers, have favorable matchups in Week 1.
Falcons at Vikings
Falcons Keys For Success
1. Run left behind Bryant McKinnie and Steve Hutchinson. With two of the most powerful run blockers in the NFL lined up on the same side, the Vikings should feed the ball to Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson on off-tackle runs to the left. Taylor has good quickness and vision. Peterson churns his legs upon contact and can pick up tough yardage. With McKinnie, the left tackle, and Hutchinson, the left guard, lined up over smaller defenders John Abraham and Rod Coleman (recovering from torn right quadriceps), there should be plenty of room to run.
2. Throw to the wide receivers. The Vikings lack a true No. 1 receiver. Troy Williamson, Bobby Wade and newly acquired Robert Ferguson do not scare any defensive coordinators. As a unit, though, they are solid enough as route-runners to get open for the strong-armed Jackson and make plays after the catch. By spreading the ball around to all receivers, Jackson will keep the defense off-balance and keep his team in the game.
3. Attack Harrington. Leslie Frazier, the Vikings' new defensive coordinator, played on one of the most aggressive defenses in NFL history -- the 1985 Chicago Bears. Taking a page from Buddy Ryan's playbook, the Vikings will look to attack Harrington at all cost. Cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin can hold their own in man-to-man coverage, so look for linebackers Chad Greenway, Dontarrious Thomas, Ben Leber and E.J. Henderson to be in Harrington face all day.
Vikings Keys For Success
1. Get Alge Crumpler involved early. The Falcons lack a lot of offensive threats, but Crumpler provides a safe haven for Harrington and has some of the NFL's softest hands. Crumpler runs smart routes and understands how to get open against man-to-man and zone coverage. Harrington must throw to Crumpler early in Week 1 to keep Vikings safeties Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith from ignoring the middle of the field and flying outside to help the cornerbacks.
2. Get a big return. Allen Rossum is one of the NFL's fastest players and a threat to score on every touch. Special teams coach Jerry Rosburg must devise a solid scheme to take advantage of the Vikings' unspectacular coverage units. Backup linebackers Marcus Wilkins and Stephen Nicholas serve as the primary lead blockers on the Falcons' return units and should be able to get the offense good field position.
3. Unleash rookie Jamaal Anderson. The Vikings' right tackle position is dicey; neither Ryan Cook nor Marcus Johnson is a good option. Anderson, the Falcons' first-round pick, was a terror in the preseason. When facing the likes of Cook or Johnson, Anderson should be able to use his long arms and tremendous leverage to get under their pads and force them back into Jackson.
Broncos at Bills
Broncos Keys For Success
1. Run between the tackles. Buffalo's defensive front is built around rushing the passer and forcing turnovers, sacrificing size for speed. Ends Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay take their initial steps upfield and can be walled off on inside running plays. Look for Henry to pound the ball up the middle.
2. Use more two-tight end sets. With injuries and weaknesses at wide receiver and a desire to use more one-back sets, coaches will have two tight ends on the field more than usual. Newcomer Daniel Graham provides the reliable target Cutler must find quickly to take pressure off linemen by making Buffalo balance its defensive front.
3. Double-team wide receiver Lee Evans. Evans became Losman's unofficial go-to guy last season, ending with a bang with 12 receptions for a 17.4-yard average in the final two games. The weakness of the Bills' passing game is its lack of a vertical threat at tight end. Expect the Broncos to double-cover Evans in most situations to make Losman go through his progressions to find a checkdown target.
Bills Keys For Success
1. Bounce runs to the outside. Denver ends tend to get caught peeking inside in the running game, allowing an offensive tackle or tight end to seal them off so the ball carrier can bounce outside. Lynch has the vision and explosion to get beyond the tackle box, especially to his left. That will put pressure on Broncos cornerbacks to stop the run.
2. Use misdirection in the passing game. Broncos linebackers are quick in pursuit but can get caught up in misdirection plays, especially on passes that affect their ability to cover. Losman has the foot speed to run bootleg counter-action plays that will allow him to hit underneath receivers while avoiding the Broncos' talented secondary.
3. Use more blitz packages. Denver's offensive line is so banged up a tight end was forced to play tackle in exhibitions. Even if the line is at full strength by Week 1, players' timing will be off. Buffalo has had problems stopping the run and can increase rookie middle linebacker Paul Posluszny's effectiveness by sending him through the line.
Patriots at Jets
Patriots Keys For Success
1. Control the line of scrimmage. The Patriots' shift to more of zone-blocking scheme to better fit new feature back Laurence Maroney's skills. If Maroney is successful, Tom Brady will have time to locate second and third options in the passing game.
2. Throw to the wide receivers. Brady has a few big play-weapons on the perimeter. He'll throw downfield to Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth early but not often. Most of the wide receivers' big plays will come from short catch-and-run routes. Look for Wes Welker to have a bigger impact than Moss and Stallworth in Week 1.
3. Blitz the left side of the Jets' line. Left guard Adrian Clarke still is raw, and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson still needs to add bulk. Clarke and Ferguson figure to get some help from the tight ends, but New England is sure to load up on that side with various blitz combinations to cause assignment breakdowns.
Jets Keys For Success
1. Run the ball. With thumper Darian Barnes at fullback and Thomas Jones at tailback, the Jets will have more of a power running game in '07. Two-tight end sets will allow for more double-team opportunities and better blitz pickups. The young offensive line returns with what the coaches say is an upgrade at left guard -- Clarke in for recently-traded Pete Kendall.
2. Pressure Brady. Brady is not at his best on the move and taking hits. The Jets must not allow Brady time to throw downfield to new burners Moss and Stallworth. Jets outside linebacker David Bowens' quickness will be used primarily in nickel packages and should improve the Jets' pass rush.
3. Use run blitzes. Blitzing New England's new zone-blocking schemes will take away the seams Maroney is so adept at locating and exploiting. Multiple personnel grouping and blitz packages, along with multiple fronts, will disrupt the Patriots' timing and recognition. The Jets also should use one or two blitzes from defensive backs
Dolphins at Redskins
Dolphins Keys For Success
1. Spread the ball around. Cameron wants to utilize all his weapons. He does not have a slew of standout wide receivers, so he will rely on Trent Green to calmly read the coverage and hit checkdown targets. Miami has some talent on offense, and Cameron must find ways to create mismatches and spread the ball around the field. It will be important for Cameron to specifically involve wide receiver Chris Chambers, a potential No. 1 receiver despite a subpar '06 season.
2. Throw to tight end David Martin in the red zone. Martin was signed away from Green Bay in the offseason to help improve Miami's red-zone scoring efficiency -- it ranked 24th in the NFL last season. Martin is a good blocker and a big target with sure hands. The Redskins will tighten up in the red zone and bring a safety into the box to help contain running back Ronnie Brown, which should open up play-action passes to Martin over the middle.
3. Disguise defensive fronts. Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers must make use of versatile defensive end Jason Taylor and disguise formations. Taylor's ability to play end or outside linebacker is the key to Miami's hybrid 4-3/3-4 scheme, which could confuse a young quarterback such as Washington's Jason Campbell. Campbell is in his first full season as a starter and might struggle to read the defense, which should help Miami's secondary, the weakest link in an otherwise tough unit.
Redskins Keys For Success
1. Establish the run early. As the running game goes, so goes Joe Gibbs' offense. The Redskins like to run stretch plays and allow Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts to look for running lanes and use their cutback ability to find open holes. Portis has the potential to make a big play on every touch. Betts will get more carries this season and use his power to complement Portis. Their ability to read cutback lanes will be a positive indicator as to whether or not the Redskins will be able to run the ball effectively. A strong running game early will help freeze the Dolphins' linebackers and thus open up play-action passes.
2. Throw deep to Santana Moss. Moss is one of the league's most electric receivers. Deep balls to Moss stretch the field and open up space for the running game and midrange passes over the middle to No. 2 receiver Antwaan Randle El and tight end Chris Cooley. The deep ball will make Miami's secondary remain in coverage longer and therefore limit their ability to provide run support.
3. Pressure Trent Green. Green is known for being consistent, but he can be rattled with pressure in his face. With the Dolphins looking to stretch the field in Cameron's scheme, there will be sack opportunities. Redskins end Andre Carter must lead the pass rush and bring consistent pressure off the edge. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams runs an aggressive scheme with heavy pressure on quarterbacks. If Green is forced to rush throws, expect big plays from a healthy Redskins secondary against an average Dolphins receiving corps
Panthers at Rams
Panthers Keys For Success
1. Pressure Marc Bulger without blitzing. The Panthers must pressure the quarterback with only the front four, particularly ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. Bulger has many options in the passing game and will pick apart the defense if allowed to set his feet and throw downfield. If Carolina must resort to blitzing to pressure Bulger, Steven Jackson could dominate the game as a runner and as a receiver on swing passes.
2. Convert on third down. The Panthers ranked 30th in the league in third-down conversions last season, and look for new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson's new scheme to create more opportunities and options in '07. The new zone-blocking scheme will yield a higher success rate for running backs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams, and Davidson's ability to create mismatches with varied formations on passing downs should help the team sustain drives, especially against St. Louis' suspect secondary.
3. Move the pocket. The Panthers were terribly predictable in recent seasons, especially on five-step drops. With the Rams relying heavily on stunts and blitzes to pressure the quarterback, look for Davidson to use Jake Delhomme on bootlegs and rollouts in Week 1 to minimize the effectiveness of the blitz and to buy more time to look downfield.
Rams Keys For Success
1. Score touchdowns in the red zone. Jeff Wilkins is a fine kicker and had a fantastic season in '06, but the Rams settled for too many field goals last year. Despite the presence of Jackson, St. Louis struggled in the red zone. To fix that, the team signed wide receiver Drew Bennett (6-5, 206) and pass-catching tight end Randy McMichael (6-3, 250). Look for the Rams to throw more often inside the 20, allowing Bennett and McMichael to use their size and speed to create mismatches near the goal line.
2. Eliminate penalties. Only two teams were penalized more often than the Rams (116 times) last year. To make the most of their offensive firepower, the team must play with more discipline and focus on both sides of the ball. With coach Scott Linehan in his second season and only limited personnel changes this offseason, look for a much cleaner game from the Rams in '07.
3. Stop the run. The Rams allowed an NFC-most 145.4 yards rushing last year. The team drafted defensive tackle Adam Carriker in the first round and traded for end James Hall to bolster the line, and both players fit well in coordinator Jim Haslett's attacking scheme. Look for the defensive linemen to use their quickness to penetrate the gaps and occupy multiple blockers to protect the linebackers and allow them to run to the ball and make tackles.
Bears at Chargers
Bears Keys For Success
1. Establish the run inside. The Bears are a run-first team and need a successful inside running game to set up play-action passes and keep the Chargers' offense off the field. The onus will be on the Bears' offensive line to open up running lanes against the Chargers' imposing front three. The matchup inside between center Olin Kreutz and Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams could decide the outcome of the entire game.
2. Use more two-tight end sets. The Bears now have two legitimate pass-catchers at tight end -- rookie first-round pick Greg Olsen and nine-year vet Desmond Clark. Expect to see them on the field together in Week 1, making outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips play closer to the line of scrimmage and prevent the tight ends from moving around during the pre-snap cadence. Clark and Olsen also figure to be the primary checkdown receivers whenever Grossman is under duress.
3. Pursue to the ball. Part of what makes the Bears' defense an elite unit is the collective speed of the linemen and linebackers, who constantly chase down ballcarriers. In facing All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, all defenders must work hard on every play, take good angles in pursuit and fill potential cutback lanes. The Chargers will look to counter the Bears' aggressiveness with screen passes and draw plays, so the Bears must remain disciplined and not overrun plays.
Chargers Keys For Success
1. Attack safety Adam Archuleta. Though back playing in a comfortable Cover-2 scheme, Archuleta remains a run stopper who is a liability in coverage. All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates will work out of the slot often and run plenty of routes down the middle of the field to split the safeties and put Archuleta in compromising positions.
2. Contain Devin Hester. Hester no longer is just the NFL's most dangerous return man. This year, he also will play wide receiver in the Bears' three- and four-receiver sets. On special teams, the Chargers must kick away from Hester -- even if it means giving up huge chunks of field position -- and trust that their defense will keep the Bears' offense off the scoreboard. As in, the Bears are far more likely to score on a Hester kickoff/punt return than they are to drive the field on the Chargers' elite defense. When Hester enters the game at wide receiver, the Chargers should run a four-deep umbrella because safeties Marlon McCree, Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle lack the speed to run with Hester.
3. Pressure Grossman. Grossman allegedly spent the offseason becoming a more cerebral quarterback, trying to improve his reads and decision-making skills. However, there isn't much any quarterback can do when he has defenders in his face all game. The Chargers' front seven must confuse the Bears' offensive linemen with their aggressive, 3-4 zone-blitz scheme and rattle Grossman. Expect the Bears to use more shotgun formations to give Grossman extra time to make decisions.
Lions at Raiders
Lions Keys For Success
1. Establish Tatum Bell. Detroit picked up Bell from Denver in the trade for cornerback Dre Bly, and it's a good thing Bell was included in the trade. Bell enters the season as the starter, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz must get Bell going in the running game to keep the Raiders' defense honest. Guards Edwin Mulitalo, a free-agent pick up from Baltimore, and Damien Woody are road graders who can move defensive tackles Warren Sapp and Terdell Sands. With center Dominic Raiola chipping up to block undersized middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, the Lions can at least keep the Raiders from playing a designated pass defense every down.
2. Use Johnson from the slot. The Raider' Nnamdi Asomugha is a big cornerback who matches up favorably against Roy Williams. Fabian Washington has the size and speed to lock down Mike Furrey. By putting Johnson in the slot, he will have the advantage over nickel backs Duane Starks or Chris Carr. The Raiders might use safety Michael Huff in the slot to cover Johnson, but Johnson still would have the size and speed advantage. Look for him to have success with crossing routes and deep-in routes when the Lions use three-receiver sets.
3. Stay basic on defense. Lions coach Rod Marinelli learned the cover-2 scheme as an assistant in Tampa Bay. Against the Raiders, the Lions should not blitz much and just work on playing fundamentally sound. By playing gap-conscious defense with athletic linebackers Paris Leno, Boss Bailey and Ernie Sims, the Lions must make the Raiders nickel and dime their way down the field. Safeties Kenoy Kennedy and Idrees Bashir must keep the ball in front of them and simply make the sure tackle and not give up big plays.
Raiders Keys For Success
1. Get LaMont Jordan going early. Jordan was a lost soul last year under former coach Art Shell, and his numbers took a nosedive. New coach Lane Kiffin needs Jordan to be a major force, at least until backup Dominic Rhodes comes off his suspension. By using Jordan up the middle behind center Jake Grove and guards Robert Gallery and Cooper Carlisle, this will set up play-action passes later in the game.
2. Go deep. Owner/GM Al Davis always has favored the downfield passing game, and it has a great chance for success against Detroit in Week 1. The loss of Bly leaves Stanley Wilson and Fernando Bryant starting at cornerback. Bryant is a journeyman, and Wilson has yet to establish himself as top-notch cornerback. Look for Culpepper/McCown to throw vertical routes to Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter.
3. Blitz, blitz, blitz. The Lions have many offensive weapons with Williams, Furrey, Johnson and Shaun McDonald. But they lack a pass-catching threat at tight end and their running game is pedestrian without Kevin Jones, who is out with an injury. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan must get defensive ends Derrick Burgess and Quentin Moses in as many one-on-one rushing matchups as possible by blitzing safeties Michael Huff and Stuart Schweigert. By forcing Jon Kitna's hand, Asomugha and Washington might get easy interceptions.
Buccaneers at Seahawks
Buccaneers Keys For Success
1. Pressure the quarterback. Tampa Bay drafted defensive end Gaines Adams in the first round and signed free-agent lineman Kevin Carter as part of an effort to improve its weak pass rush from last season. Considering stud Seahawks left tackle allowed a career-high 10 1/2 sacks in 2006 and the Bucs are looking for a return to form, look for plenty of blitz pressure off the edge, particularly to Jones' side, despite his reputation as a great backside blocker. The Bucs can bring pressure from linebacker as well as from the cornerback blitz with Ronde Barber.
2. Establish a ball-control offense. The Bucs are at their best when they can control the tempo of the game. With Garcia leading the offense, the Bucs want to run the ball often with Cadillac Williams and establish their short passing game with Garcia throwing to tight ends Alex Smith and Anthony Becht on seam patterns and to wide receivers Joey Galloway, Maurice Stovall and David Boston on crossing routes.
3. Stretch the field with a vertical passing game. Seattle has had a significant personnel turnover in the secondary with the addition of safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell. After defending against a steady dose of dink and dunk passes, the speedy Galloway will test them deep to see how well they have adjusted to their new system. Garcia has the arm to reach Galloway in stride, and Gruden has more confidence in Garcia than any Bucs quarterback in recent memory.
Seahawks Keys For Success
1. Establish the running game. Alexander will pound away at the middle of a Bucs defense that has been vulnerable to quick hits behind an offensive line anchored by Jones. Alexander seems to get stronger the more he carries the ball, while the Bucs have concerns about the durability of middle linebackers Barrett Rudd and Ryan Nece.
2. Protect the backside for Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck will try to stretch the field with wide receivers Deion Branch, D.J. Hackett, and Bobby Engram, particularly against Bucs safeties Jermaine Phillips and Will Allen, who have had trouble stopping the deep pass. Hasselbeck will need time to let his receivers finish their routes and will be counting on Jones and left guard Rob Sims for adequate blindside protection.
3. Force the Bucs to throw downfield. Seattle will concentrate on stopping the Bucs' rhythmic offense by having Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson, and Leroy Hill stuff the run and force Bucs receivers off their routes on crossing patterns. This will allow the Seahawks to dictate the flow of the game by getting the Bucs away from their short passing game. By doing so, Seattle will unleash an all-out pass rush from ends Kerney and Bryce Fisher.
Giants at Cowboys
Giants Keys For Success
1. Locate outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. Phillips plans to utilize Ware the same way he did Shawne Merriman last year in San Diego, lining him up all over the field and putting him in the best position to confuse and abuse the quarterback. The Giants will shift protection toward Ware but could struggle to succeed because Ware will move often before the snap. Center Shaun O'Hara must find Ware on every play and communicate the protection calls to his linemates. Manning also must keep his eyes on Ware and hit his "hot" receivers in a hurry if the protection breaks down.
2. Use more cover-3 schemes. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would prefer to use a bump-and-run, man-to-man coverage scheme but lacks the capable personnel. Therefore, he will run more three-deep schemes, dropping a third defender deep to take away the downfield routes. This will limit the big-play possibilities of Cowboys wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn (if healthy) and tight end Jason Witten.
3. Utilize play-action fakes. Cowboys safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin are talented but love contact and always are quick to sniff out the run and step up to deliver big hits. Manning should use plenty of play-action fakes in Week 1, hoping to catch Williams and/or Hamlin peeking in the backfield just long enough for wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer to get behind them for a big gain. Hamlin's job is to patrol center field and not bite on such fakes, but Manning is sure to test him and see if he has learned any new discipline.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Use more screen passes and draw plays. The Giants' new defensive scheme is more aggressive than the old one. The linemen are asked to shoot gaps with the linebackers attacking the line of scrimmage rather than reading and reacting. The Giants' defense was inconsistent in preseason, sometimes looking dominant and sometimes giving up big plays. The Cowboys will allow the Giants' linemen and linebackers to penetrate upfield and catch them off-guard with draw plays and screen passes, and there should be plenty of running room for Julius Jones and Marion Barber III.
2. Control the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys still use a 3-4 alignment, but Phillips' scheme is much more aggressive than Parcells' version. The Giants' offensive line is athletic but can get overwhelmed by aggressive defenses. The Cowboys will look to pierce the line and force running back Brandon Jacobs to stutter and/or make cuts in the backfield, preventing him from getting a full head of steam.
3. Use three- and four-receiver sets. Last year, the Cowboys used plenty of two-tight end sets with Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano, but expect a different approach in Week 1. The Giants' secondary got banged up in preseason and has limited depth. The Cowboys should take advantage by using three and four wide receivers to force the Giants to use substandard nickel and dime personnel. This should create mismatches everywhere in the passing game and further limit the Giants' ability to stop the run.
Ravens at Bengals
Ravens Keys For Success
1. Establish the Willis McGahee Era. McGahee didn't do much in preseason, but the pieces are in place for him to have a strong debut for Baltimore. Running left -- behind tackle Jonathan Ogden, guard Jason Brown and center Chris Chester -- the Ravens can collapse defensive end Justin Smith and defensive tackle John Thornton inside and use fullback Justin Green to pick off outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty. This should allow McGahee to use his solid short burst to slash through the hole and get into the secondary.
2. Throw to tight end Todd Heap over the middle. Bengals middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks struggles in coverage, and Heap can get off the snap and get down the middle of the field to take advantage of the mismatch. Heap shows great quickness and hands, and he runs crisp routes. He can run an "arrow" route directly at Brooks, get the linebacker on his hip and then pivot to the sideline and catch easy passes for solid gains.
3. Blitz up the middle. Bengals left guard Stacy Andrews is a new starter, center Eric Ghiaciuc lacks true strength and right guard Bobbie Williams can be beaten by speed rushers. Nose tackle Kelly Gregg can use his quickness against Williams, and massive end Haloti Ngata should tie up both Ghiaciuc and Andrews. This should free up inside linebackers Bart Scott and Ray Lewis to blitz up the gut of the Bengals' offense. It would cause quarterback Carson Palmer to slide laterally in the pocket and toward outside rushers Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce.
Bengals Keys For Success
1. Get Rudi Johnson going early. The Bengals must establish Johnson early in the game by attacking the right side of the Ravens' defensive line. Running behind tight end Reggie Kelly -- one of the league's best blocking tight ends -- Johnson can wear down the defense. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth and Andrews are massive players who can move piles. Andrews, taking over for free-agent departure Eric Steinbach, has the strength to hold the point of attack against Ngata. With Whitworth blocking Suggs, and Kelly chipping and then hitting the second level to block outside linebacker Jarrett Johnson, who is attempting to fill Adalius Thomas' shoes, this will leave fullback Jeremi Johnson to lead on Lewis and spring Rudi Johnson for big gains.
2. Throw deep to Chad Johnson. Johnson has vowed to return to elite form, and getting open downfield against Baltimore is a good start. When lined up against hobbled cornerback Samari Rolle, who missed part of training camp with a sprained ankle, Johnson must set up Rolle with a quick fake to the inside and then go deep. A long Palmer-to-Johnson connection is sure to get the home crowd into the game.
3. Blitz Ravens quarterback Steve McNair. McNair has a strong arm, but leg injuries in recent years has significantly hindered his ability to scramble. By blitzing linebackers Jeanty, Brooks and/or Landon Johnson on most pass plays, the onus will be on McNair to get the ball out early. That should allow cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal, Johnathan Joseph and rookie Leon Hall opportunities to jump short routes for interceptions. The Bengals' linebackers also are not as good in coverage, so blitzing them keeps them from making mistakes in coverage.
Cardinals at 49ers
Cardinals Keys For Success
1. Establish a power running game. Arizona is trying to change its offensive personality. The power running game involves attacking the middle of the defense with the offensive linemen, tight end and fullback. The Niners also have questions at defensive tackle, may start rookie inside linebacker Patrick Willis and their outside linebackers struggle to hold the point against the run. The Cardinals must place the first block into the foundation that Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm want to build for this offense and organization. The "smashmouth" play calling of Whisenhunt and matchups of interior linemen on defensive linemen, tackles on outside linebackers and the fullback attacking the linebackers will set the tone for the game.
2. Protect the quarterback. The strength of the Cardinals personnel is still with their receiving corps and their talented young lefthanded QB, Matt Leinart. The offense will use fewer three- and four-receiver sets, especially on first and second down, but we can still expect a good dose of them on third down. Regardless of the number of receivers, the key for the Cardinals' pass game is protection. They must give Leinart enough time to read the coverage and find the open man. The protection scheme starts up front with the linemen, but almost always includes the backs and/or tight end and sometimes will even include wide receivers. This group must work together to see, recognize and execute their blocks to stop the pass rush. In addition, the Cardinals must keep the 49ers guessing on defense with a mixture of run and pass plays.
3. Stop the run. Pendergast had a unit that struggled to stop the run last season. This offseason he retooled his scheme, but that is only part of the story. He has the personnel down the middle to only play the run effectively but to flat-out stuff the run. The coaches and players must completely buy into the system and execute the techniques with 100 percent effort. The defenders must understand their assignments in the running game and attack both the blockers and runner. It is critical for the Cardinals to eliminate a portion of the 49ers' offense and by stopping the run, they put another block in the foundation that Whisenhunt is trying to build.
49ers Keys For Success
1. Execute in the passing game. The Niners must involve all the skill positions in their passing attack. They have an excellent tight end in Vernon Davis who can give defenses major matchup problems and their wide receiver corps now has two good starters in Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle, not to mention nice depth to employ good multiple-receiver formations. The key to the 49ers executing in the passing game starts with Hostler and continues with Smith, the team's rising star at quarterback. Hostler must excel at mixing personnel groupings, formations and types of passes (dropback, play-action, screens). Next, Smith must read the coverage and find the open target, or if pressured quickly, escape and find the checkdown to get some positive yards. The passing game is critical for the Niners, because the Cardinals will game-plan to shut down the Frank Gore-led rushing attack. If San Francisco can successfully move the ball with the pass while involving all the skill groups (wideout, tight end, running back), then as the Cardinals adjust their defensive plan, the Niners can counter back with Gore running the ball more often.
2. Keep the Cardinals' receivers from getting big yardage after their catches. 49ers cornerback Nate Clements, a former Bill, was the team's huge free-agent signing of the offseason and gets to prove his worth in his first regular-season game. Arizona has two outstanding starting wide receivers in Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Unfortunately for the Niners, these receivers will catch some passes regardless of the corner in coverage. The Niners' secondary must swarm to the ball and tackle the Cardinals' receivers immediately after their catches. This will limit the damage of a big play and make the Cardinals sustain long drives to score points.
3. Attack the edges of the defense. Gore should be back to form for this Week 1 prime-time showdown of division rivals. The Cardinals' defensive strength is up the middle with solid interior linemen and linebackers and Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson. The Niners will use a variety of running schemes (outside zone, power, toss) to attack the Cardinals' outside linebackers and corners. In addition, look for a reverse from Battle to slow down the backside pursuit and further open up the edges for Gore to attack.