Hot-shot quarterbacks highlight NFL Week 1

Each week, Green Valley News intern and NFL fan Andrew Kneeland will spotlight five Sunday NFL games that feature captivating match-ups and intriguing subplots.

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons, 10 a.m., CBS

If the Falcons had a respectable defense, they’d be one of the five best teams in the league. Then again, if the Falcons had a respectable defense, today’s match-up wouldn’t be as entertaining as it will be.

Last year, Atlanta was ranked 28th against the run. The Falcons used their first-round selection to draft Peria Jerry, but he can’t single-handedly revamp the entire defense. The Dolphins also have a poor defense, so expect Falcons’ runningback Michael Turner to put up monster numbers.

Atlanta’s sophomore quarterback Matt Ryan has apparently spent the entire summer studying film and displaying great dedication. New target Tony Gonzalez will take some pressure off the reliable Falcons’ offensive line with quick slant routes, but the talented Roddy White will provide the deep scoring threat that may prove to be the difference in this game.

New York Jets at Houston Texans, 10 a.m., CBS

This game will feature the regular-season debut of the Jets’ rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. While playing on the road is never desirable, Sanchez played for USC, so I doubt anything will faze him.

Protecting him is another story. One of the biggest unanswered questions of the game is whether or not the real D’Brickashaw Ferguson will show up. The offensive lineman surrendered just four sacks last year, but allowed more than 23 the previous two seasons. He will be facing off against defensive end Mario William, and without his quality blocking Sanchez may have a very tough day, even with the best efforts of Jericho Cotchery and Dustin Keller.

Matt Schaub of the Texans is thrilled at the prospect of facing the Jets without Shaun Ellis and Calvin Pace, their top two pass-rushers, who are both suspended for today’s game. Schaub should have all the time he needs to find Andre Johnson, who is talented enough to tear apart the Jets’ pass defense.

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 1:15 p.m., FOX

Super Bowl losers are 3-12 against the spread in their first game the following season, and the Arizona Cardinals may have difficultly breaking that trend.

Aging Kurt Warner looked every bit like a 38-year-old in the preseason, throwing three interceptions and losing three fumbles, and both Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston have been hampered with injuries, although both are expected to play.

Larry Fitzgerald appears to be the only completely healthy receiver Arizona has, and his challenger today is the athletic San Francisco cornerback Nate Clements.

San Francisco was solid against the run last year, so the Cardinals won’t be able to display Chris “Beanie” Wells as often as they’d like, which means they will have to throw the ball down the field.

The 49ers will be forced to remain on the ground, however, as the Niners struggle to find a passing attack. Runningbacks Frank Gore and Glen Coffee will provide the majority of San Francisco’s offense.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, 5:20 p.m., NBC

Three teams in the classic “black and blue” division have new quarterbacks this year, and a new chapter of the historic rivalry has started. Tonight’s premiere matchup between the Jay Cutler-led Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers has all the making of another classic dogfight.

Cutler, formerly of the Denver Broncos before pouting his way to the Windy City, takes control of a team void of many receivers. The Bears obviously boast the open-field threat of Devin Hester, but Cutler’s primary targets will be tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark.

Green Bay’s new 3-4 defense will also be on showcase tonight. Their talented linebacking trio of Aaron Kampman, AJ Hawk, and Nick Barnett, along with cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson will do their best to make Cutler’s debut a forgettable one.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers appears poised to take a step toward cracking the elite quarterback fraternity alongside names like Brady, Brees, Manning and Roethlisberger. With All-Pro wideout Greg Jennings, the Bears’ defense will have its hands full with Green Bay’s firepower.

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, Monday 4 p.m., ESPN

“Get your popcorn ready!” Both Patriots’ receiver Randy Moss and Bills’ new wideout Terrell Owens love big matchups, and few games will be getting as much attention as this Monday night game.

One of the biggest storylines going into the game is the return of Tom Brady to regular season football. In the first quarter of last year’s opening game, Brady injured his knee and missed the remainder of the season. Fortunately for them, Matt Cassel was able to lead them to a respectable finish. This time around, though, the only viable backup the Patriots have is Brian Hoyer.

The Bills have assembled one of the worst offensive lines in NFL history and have given them the task of protecting the 25-year-old Trent Edwards. If that’s not a recipe for disaster, I don’t know what is. Adding Owens to the receiving corps will certainly help, and he and Lee Evans will attempt to salvage a potentially awful Bills season before it even begins.

Andrew Kneeland is a junior at the Arizona Virtual Academy. He is an intern at the Green Valley News.