While the technical kick-off the the 2008 NFL season began on Thursday, the de facto start begins in a couple hours. There are plenty of things everyone will be watching. This is what I'll be watching in addition to hoping for Week One validation of all my draft picks.
Detroit at Atlanta 1:00 PM
Players to Watch: WR Calvin Johnson & RB Kevin Smith, WR Roddy White & RB Michael Turner
Seattle at Buffalo 1:00 PM
Seattle: Nate Burleson & RBs Buffalo: RB Marshawn Lynch
Jacksonville at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Jacksonville: QB Dave Garrard Tennessee: RBs LenDale White & Chris Johnson
NY Jets at Miami 1:00 PM
NY Jets: QB Brett Favre Miami: RBs Ricky Williams & Ronnie Brown & WRs
Kansas City at New England 1:00 PM
QB Tom Brady & Offense Play Selection: In addition to the health of Brady's foot which can ruin the seasons of the two teams that drafted him and Randy Moss in the first round, I am curious to see how Bill Belacheck and his staff change their game plans. Is there any reason to believe the Pats will run more now?
Tampa Bay at New Orleans 1:00 PM
Tampa Bay: RB Warrick Dunn New Orleans: Saints Passing
St. Louis at Philadelphia 1:00 PM
St. Louis: RB Steven Jackson Philadelphia: WRs
Houston at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM
RBs for both teams
Cincinnati at Baltimore 1:00 PM
Cincinnati: RB Chris Perry Baltimore: QB Joe Flacco
Carolina at San Diego 4:15 PM
Carolina: RBBC San Diego: LaDanian Tomlinson's knee & WRs,
Arizona at San Francisco 4:15 PM
Arizona: QB Kurt Warner San Francisco: QB JT O'Sullivan and WRs
Dallas at Cleveland 4:15 PM
Dallas: RB Marion Barber Cleveland: Passing game
Chicago at Indianapolis 8:15 PM
Chicago: All the Bears' skills players Indianapolis: WR Marvin Harrison
MON, SEP 8
Minnesota at Green Bay 7:00 PM
Minnesota: Adrian Peterson Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers
Denver at Oakland 10:15 PM
Denver: Selvin Young/Andre Hall Oakland: Darren McFadden