Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - I could go the cliched route and tell you what the No. 1 song was when Morten Andersen broke into the National Football League in 1982 (probably something by Olivia Newton-John), or reveal how much a cup of coffee cost back then, or remind you that Ronald Reagan was in his second year in office. Some columnist hack somewhere will probably trot out that data for you in an effort to show just how old the recently re-signed 46- year-old Atlanta Falcons kicker truly is.

But Andersen really isn't that old in the big scheme of things. He's 19 years shy of the standard retirement age for Americans, and he's about 20 years younger than The Rolling Stones, who are still lurking about stages all over the world pretending to be in their early 20s. And it's not as if there haven't been successful athletes that have competed into their mid-40s, Roger Clemens, Jack Nicklaus, Nolan Ryan, and George Foreman foremost among them. Andersen isn't even the oldest player in NFL history, a distinction that still belongs to George Blanda, who played until the age of 48.

It's not like making it to the age of 46 is some kind of Guinness-worthy feat. I've met a lot of 46-year-olds, most of whom are wholly unworthy of being celebrated.

But I will still allow myself to get caught up in the nostalgia of the return of someone that played in the NFL back when I still thought of it as a game, and well before I started writing about collective bargaining agreements and personal seat licenses and cell phones hidden in goalposts.

I vividly remember affixing Andersen's sticker to the New Orleans Saints page of my Topps sticker book in the second grade. I also know for a fact that Andersen, still with the Saints, kicked me to more than a couple wins in the Nintendo version of Tecmo Super Bowl roughly six years later. I was one year out of college, sitting in an apartment two of my closest friends and roommates, pre-marriage or kids for any of us, when Andersen's field goal in the 1998 playoffs sent the Falcons to their first and only Super Bowl appearance.

Unlike me, Andersen's Falcons teammates probably won't go dusting off their well-worn memories at the site of the veteran from Denmark warming up at the Superdome on Monday night. Center Todd McClure, defensive end Patrick Kerney, and linebacker Keith Brooking are the only players that were on the team when Andersen last played for Atlanta in 2000. Thirteen current Falcons were not alive when Andersen appeared in his first NFL game in 1982. Head coach Jim Mora had not reached his 21st birthday. Michael Vick was 2.

But if I was any of them, I might sidle up next to Andersen and ask to hear some stories from a guy who received a firsthand look at the NFL's transition from a popular league into the national phenomenon we know today.

Maybe after thanking Andersen for his hard work on my behalf in Tecmo, I'd ask him what it was like to be a teammate to one of the Mannings.

Archie Manning.

Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:

NFL POWER POLL The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm

FANTASY - FIVE TO START

Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta (at New Orleans) - After handling pocket passers Charlie Frye and Brett Favre, the Saints are about to experience a whole different dimension with Vick.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami (vs. Tennessee) - Look for a determined effort for the 2005 No. 2 overall pick, who hinted at a breakout game last week.

Santana Moss, WR, Washington (vs. Houston) - Skins should be able to find a way to get him the ball against a young Texans secondary.

Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago (at Minnesota) - Grossman is becoming more comfortable throwing to him over the middle, as evidenced by their 10 hook-ups over the last two weeks.

Miami Defense (vs. Tennessee) - Playmakers Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas against the Titans' mistake-prone Kerry Collins, Vince Young, and Chris Brown? A no-brainer.

FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH

Chad Pennington, QB, N.Y. Jets (at Buffalo) - Bills defense looks like the real deal, and the Jets line will struggle to protect Pennington.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans (vs. Atlanta) - Falcons have allowed nine points in their first two games, and won't let up in a key divisional game.

Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis (vs. Jacksonville) - Fantasy stock shot up with his performance against the Texans, but the Jags defense will be tougher on him.

Antonio Bryant, WR, San Francisco (vs. Philadelphia) - He has back-to-back 100-yard games to his credit, but he'll have trouble getting downfield against the Eagles.

Jacksonville Defense (vs. Indianapolis) - Colts will always find a way to score points and move the ball, even against the Jags' tough defense.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. Miami (vs. Tennessee) - On the toughest suicide pool week of your life, the Dolphins are the only team resembling a sure thing.

2. Atlanta (at New Orleans) - Saints have the emotional element, but the Falcons have the talent.

3. Philadelphia (at San Francisco) - Eagles must come out strong following a tough loss, and figure to take out last week's frustrations on the young Niners.

THE GAMES

I was 10-6 in my picks last week, and had another tough week against the spread, going just 7-9. If the favored Panthers and Eagles could have held on after seeming to be in control in the fourth quarter, things would have ended up better. And if my grandmother had two wheels, she'd be a bicycle. I am now 19-13 (.594) straight up, and 13-19 (.406) with Vegas involved.

N.Y. Jets (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Buffalo -5)

Storylines: Home opener for Bills, who were edged by Patriots (19-17) and defeated Dolphins (16-6) in their first two contests...Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman, who is 1-3 in four career starts at Ralph Wilson Stadium, makes his first home appearance of the 2006 regular season...Buffalo joins San Diego as one of two NFL teams that have yet to commit a turnover in 2006...Bills have 10 sacks through their first two games, which leads the AFC...Jets quarterback Chad Pennington joins the Eagles' Donovan McNabb as the only two NFL signal-callers with 300-yard games in their first two outings of 2006... Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes (hamstring), who missed last week's win, considered questionable...New York wideout Laveranues Coles leads the NFL in receiving yards (253), and is one of three receivers (Marvin Harrison, Antonio Bryant) to post 100 receiving yards in his first two games of 2006...Jets running backs have accumulated just 150 yards on 52 carries (2.9 yards per carry) thus far.

Fast Fact: The home team has won the last seven installments of the Jets/Bills series, with the last road win in the series coming for the Jets, 37-31 in overtime, in 2002.

Prediction: Bills will play with emotion in their home opener, but Jets look like they're going to be a tough out each and every week. Bills 17, Jets 14.

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Green Bay (0-2) at Detroit (0-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Detroit -6)

Storylines: First-year head coaches Rod Marinelli (Lions) and Mike McCarthy (Packers) seeking their first NFL wins...Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre threw 55 passes in last week's 34-27 home loss to the Saints...Packers are 3-9 in September since 2002, and have not won a September game since 2004... Detroit has totaled just one touchdown in its first two games, and Green Bay has allowed an NFC-worst 60 points in two contests...Green Bay wideout Donald Driver leads the NFC with 249 receiving yards...Detroit running back Kevin Jones has totaled just 79 rushing yards in two starts, while quarterback Jon Kitna has yet to throw his first touchdown as a Lion...Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman has an NFL-high-tying four sacks through two games...Lions trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2002...Detroit wide receiver and 2005 first-round draft pick Mike Williams was a healthy inactive for the team's first two games...Lions safety Kenoy Kennedy (knee sprain) unlikely to play against Packers.

Fast Fact: In his last four games against NFC North opponents, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre has thrown zero touchdowns and totaled nine interceptions.

Prediction: Packers will hang against a suspect-quality Lions team, but Favre and company will make one too many mistakes to win. Lions 19, Packers 16.

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Washington (0-2) at Houston (0-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Washington -4)

Storylines: Two clubs seeking their first 2006 wins meet at Reliant Stadium... Redskins will be playing their second straight game in the Lone Star State, after losing at Dallas, 27-10, last Sunday...Washington running back Clinton Portis (shoulder), who missed last week's loss to the Cowboys, considered questionable...Redskins have just one offensive touchdown in their first eight quarters of play, and none in their last 20 series...Houston has allowed 701 passing yards through two games, most in the NFL....Washington cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen), who missed the team's first two contests, considered questionable for Week 3...Texans have not won a September home game since 2003...Houston rookie defensive end and No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams still looking for his first NFL sack...Redskins trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since losing their first five in 2001...Ephraim Salaam will start in place of Texans left tackle Charles Spencer (fractured tibia), who is out for the year.

Fast Fact: The Redskins are 0-2 in Houston all-time, losing games to the Oilers in 1975 and 1988.

Prediction: Redskins won't run up and down the field, but the Texans will have trouble moving at all behind their thin offensive line. Redskins 22, Texans 7.

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Jacksonville (2-0) at Indianapolis (2-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -7)

Storylines: Jacksonville, a 9-0 winner over Pittsburgh on Monday night, tries to avoid letdown in key AFC South contest...Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who leads the NFL in passing yards (676) as Week 3 begins, will face a Jacksonville defense that has five interceptions and has yielded a total of seven points in its last seven quarters...Indianapolis wideout Marvin Harrison is one of three receivers (Laveranues Coles, Antonio Bryant) to post 100 receiving yards in his first two games of 2006...Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis leads the NFL in interceptions (3) through two contests... Rookie Colts running back Joseph Addai scored his first career NFL touchdown last week...Jaguars were swept by the Colts last season...Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney (gluteus) listed as questionable for Sunday's game....Jaguars will be playing their first road game since losing, 28-3, to the Patriots in an AFC Divisional Playoff Jan. 7th.

Fast Fact: After allowing 29 points through their first five games of 2005, the Colts have surrendered 45 through their first two contests of 2006.

Prediction: Jags might indeed be the real deal, but they're still not beating Peyton Manning on the road on a short week. Colts 23, Jaguars 14.

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Tennessee (0-2) at Miami (0-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Miami -11)

Storylines: Dolphins and their struggling offense to face Titans and their porous defense...Miami quarterback Daunte Culpepper (69.2 passer rating) looking for his first win as a Dolphin...Miami running back Ronnie Brown has been limited to 100 yards on 30 carries (3.3 yards per rush) thus far in 2006...Titans seeking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2001...Miami has allowed 10 sacks through two games, including seven of quarterback Daunte Culpepper last week...Titans quarterback Kerry Collins has a 26.9 passer rating in his first two starts with Tennessee...Titans rookie quarterback and No. 3 overall draft pick Vince Young played significant minutes in last week's 40-7 loss to the Chargers, completing 7-of-19 passes for 106 yards including a 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Bennett in the fourth quarter... Tennessee traded disgruntled former No. 1 quarterback Billy Volek to San Diego on Tuesday.

Fast Fact: Over their last 20 NFL starts, Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and his counterpart, Miami's Daunte Culpepper, have identical records of 5-15.

Prediction: Dolphins have done nothing to indicate that a winning streak is imminent, but they'll look much better against the increasingly dysfunctional Titans.

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Chicago (2-0) at Minnesota (2-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago -3)

Storylines: Early-season control of the NFC North on the line at the Metrodome...Vikings trying to open 3-0 under first-year head coach Brad Childress...Minnesota, which has defeated Washington (19-16) and Carolina (16-13) in Weeks 1 and 2, attempting to beat a third straight 2005 playoff participant...Chicago has surrendered a total of seven points in its first two games...Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, who leads the NFL in passer rating (128.3) as Week 3 begins, will make his first live appearance against the Vikings since Sept. 26, 2004, when he tore his ACL in a 27-22 loss at Minnesota...Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards expected to start in place of Erasmus James, who is out for the season with a torn ACL....Bears in search of first 3-0 start since 1991, when they won their first four...Chicago running backs Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson have combined for 186 yards on 63 combined carries (3.0 yards per rush) without a touchdown in two games... Vikings last won their first two in 2003, when they started 6-0...Bears are looking for their first win in Minnesota since 2001.

Fast Fact: The home team has won the last eight installments of the Bears/Vikings series.

Prediction: Childress and company will get a heavy dose of reality against an opponent clicking on all cylinders. Bears 24, Vikings 12.

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Cincinnati (2-0) at Pittsburgh (1-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -2)

Storylines: Bengals face Steelers for the first time since their AFC Wild Card matchup on Jan. 8th, when Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer seriously injured his knee on a first-quarter hit from since-departed Steelers end Kimo von Oelhoffen...Road team won all three meetings between Bengals and Steelers in 2005, including Pittsburgh's 31-17 playoff win...Steelers trying to recover from Monday's 9-0 loss at Jacksonville, the first shutout for the team since 2003...Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger failed to lead a scoring drive in his first start after missing Week 1 following an emergency appendectomy...Bengals running back Rudi Johnson leads the AFC with 241 rushing yards...Cincinnati trying to start 3-0 for the second straight season...Steelers running back Najeh Davenport was active against Jacksonville last week but did not make his first appearance with the team...Bengals will be without two projected starting linebackers on Sunday, as Odell Thurman will serve the third game of a four-game NFL suspension and David Pollack is out for the year with a fractured vertebra suffered in last week's win over the Browns...Cincinnati center Rich Braham (knee bruise) out for Sunday's game.

Fast Fact: Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has just two touchdowns in 11 career meetings with the Steelers.

Prediction: Steelers can't afford to fall to 1-2 in the AFC North, and they are fortunate to be facing a Cincinnati team with some major injury problems. Steelers 28, Bengals 25.

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Carolina (0-2) at Tampa Bay (0-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Carolina -3)

Storylines: Two NFC South rivals and 2005 playoff participants looking to shake off their early-season disappointment at Raymond James Stadium... Carolina receiver Steve Smith, who has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, considered questionable for Sunday... Panthers last started 0-3 in 1998, when they lost their first seven en route to a 4-12 finish... Buccaneers last opened 0-3 in 2004, when they dropped their first four... Buccaneers have scored a league-low three points through two games, and join the idle Raiders as the only NFL teams who have yet to score a touchdown... Carolina has only one touchdown in its first eight-plus quarters...Buccaneer quarterback Chris Simms has thrown an NFL-high six interceptions, and has a NFC worst 40.0 passer rating this year...Tampa Bay is last in the NFL in rushing offense (33 yards per game)...Carolina first-round draft pick DeAngelo Williams rushed 13 times for 74 yards and a touchdown last week but is not expected to start against Tampa...Panthers and Bucs are 31st and 32nd, respectively, in NFL rushing defense...Road team won both installments in last year's home-and-home...Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan (concussion) won't play.

Fast Fact: The Panthers are 3-0 at Raymond James Stadium since 2002, including a 34-14 victory in Week 9 of last season.

Prediction: Their desperation is equal, but Carolina's talent is superior to that of Tampa Bay. Panthers 23, Buccaneers 13.

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Baltimore (2-0) at Cleveland (0-2), Sunday, 4:05 (Baltimore -6)

Storylines: Browns play first game since tight end Kellen Winslow publicly criticized the team's offensive approach on Monday...Ravens seeking their first 3-0 start in franchise history... Cleveland trying to avoid first 0-3 start since 1999, when they began 0-7...Ravens have allowed an NFL-low six points through two games, and are one of three teams (Falcons, Broncos) who have yet to surrender a touchdown as Week 3 begins... Baltimore also leads the NFL in total defense (152 yards per game), rushing defense (32.5 yards per game), takeaways (9), and turnover margin (+8)...Browns quarterback Charlie Frye is 1-3 in home starts in his career, with the only win coming in Week 17 of the 2005 season against Baltimore...Cleveland running back Reuben Droughns (shoulder) and cornerback Gary Baxter (chest muscle) both considered questionable for Sunday...Ravens quarterback Steve McNair has a 74.6 passer rating in 2006.

Fast Fact: Since 2002, the Ravens are 2-7 in AFC North road games.

Prediction: Young Browns offense figures to be intimidated by re-energized Baltimore defense. Ravens 21, Browns 10.

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St. Louis (1-1) at Arizona (1-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -4)

Storylines: Winner of this NFC West battle will either keep pace or pull even with division-leading Seattle...Rams have just one touchdown in their first two games...Arizona running back Edgerrin James has just 137 yards on 44 carries (3.1 avg.) with one touchdown in his first two games with the Cardinals...Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who won two MVP Awards and led the Rams to a Super Bowl win in 2000, will face his former team for the third time...St. Louis running back Steven Jackson joins the Falcons' Warrick Dunn as one of two NFL backs with 100-yard games in each of his first two outings of 2006...Cardinals have been whistled for a league-high 22 penalties through two contests...Rams left tackle Orlando Pace (concussion) considered doubtful for Sunday, and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (elbow) is questionable...St. Louis offensive line, which also lost center Andy McCollum (knee) for the season, has allowed nine sacks in its first two games...Road team won both ends of last year's home-and-home.

Fast Fact: Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner completed 56-of-81 passes (69.1 percent) for 612 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in two meetings against St. Louis, his former team, last season.

Prediction: Warner and the Arizona offense will get back on track against a St. Louis team that looks unsure of itself and has some key injuries. Cardinals 27, Rams 18.

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Philadelphia (1-1) at San Francisco (1-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Philadelphia -6)

Storylines: Eagles make their first appearance since last Sunday's harrowing loss to the Giants, when they allowed a 24-7 fourth-quarter lead to morph into a 27-24 overtime loss...Philadelphia leads the NFL in sacks, with 13 through two games, while San Francisco has allowed just one sack thus far...Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee) and tight end L.J. Smith (shoulder) both listed as questionable for Sunday...Niners wideout Antonio Bryant has gone over 100 yards receiving in each of his first two outings with San Francisco, and joins Laveranues Coles and Marvin Harrison as the only players to post 100-yard games in their first two contests of 2006...Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb joins the Jets' Chad Pennington as the only two NFL signal- callers with 300-yard games in their first two outings of 2006...Eagles defensive end Trent Cole, who is expected to start following the season-ending knee injury suffered by Jevon Kearse last week, has an NFL-high-tying four sacks through two games.

Fast Fact: The 49ers' 42-3 loss to the Eagles last season was their most decisive defeat since a 59-14 setback to the Cowboys on Oct. 12th, 1980.

Prediction: Eagles will be motivated to get past last week's debacle, and the Niners will have trouble consistently protecting Alex Smith. Eagles 28, 49ers 17.

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N.Y. Giants (1-1) at Seattle (2-0), Sunday, 4:15 (Seattle -3)

Storylines: Giants and Seahawks play rematch of memorable 2005 meeting, when three missed field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime by New York kicker Jay Feely contributed to a 24-21 Seattle win...Seattle wide receiver Deion Branch, acquired in a trade from New England on Sept. 11th, expected to make his debut with the Seahawks...New York is one week removed from a 30-24 overtime win at Philadelphia, a game that saw Tom Coughlin's team erase a 24-7 fourth-quarter deficit...Seattle running back Shaun Alexander (140 yards, 1 TD) is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this season...Giants quarterback Eli Manning ranks among NFL leaders with a 101.5 passer rating...Seahawks have allowed just one touchdown through two games... Seahawks have won 11 straight at Qwest Field since a 27-20 loss to the Rams in a 2004 NFC Wild Card game... Giants wideout Amani Toomer leads the NFL with 17 receptions...Seattle last opened a season 3-0 in 2004.

Fast Fact: Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren is 4-0 head-to-head against the Giants' Tom Coughlin in his career.

Prediction: Giants outplayed the Hawks in last year's matchup, and this year's game will show as much on the scoreboard. Giants 20, Seahawks 19.

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Denver (1-1) at New England (2-0), Sunday, 8:15 (New England -6)

Storylines: Broncos and Patriots face off in a rematch of a Jan. 14th AFC Divisional Playoff, won by Denver, 27-13, at home, to hand New England quarterback Tom Brady his first career postseason loss...Broncos are one of three NFL teams (Falcons, Ravens) who have yet to allow a touchdown as Week 3 begins...Denver has totaled one touchdown in its first two games... Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has zero touchdown passes, four interceptions, and a 38.6 passer rating through two contests...New England wide receivers have a total of just 12 receptions through two contests...Denver wide receiver Rod Smith expected to play after suffering a concussion in last week's 9-6 overtime win over the Chiefs...New England running backs Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney have combined for 304 rushing yards in the team's first two games...Patriots last started 3-0 in 2004, when they won their first six and went on to win the Super Bowl.

Fast Fact: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is 2-8 in his career against the Broncos (regular season and playoffs).

Prediction: Denver defense has played extremely well thus far, and that unit will keep Broncos in the game as Plummer's struggles continue. Patriots 16, Broncos 13.

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Atlanta (2-0) at New Orleans (2-0), Monday, 8:30 (Atlanta -3)

Storylines: New Orleans will play its first game at the Louisiana Superdome since a preseason game against Baltimore on Aug. 26th, 2005, just before Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast... Since last playing in New Orleans, the Saints have played 23 games (regular season and preseason) in a total of 16 different facilities, including 10 "home" contests at five different sites... Falcons and Saints sit tied atop the NFC South as Week 3 begins...Saints head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees, and running back Reggie Bush are among those set to make their New Orleans debuts...Morten Andersen, the 46- year-old recently-signed kicker who played with the Saints from 1982 through 1994, expected to kick for Atlanta...Falcons seeking first 3-0 start since 2004, when they won their first four...With a win, the Saints would match their win total from the entire 2005 season...Falcons are one of three teams who have yet to allow a touchdown (Ravens, Broncos) as Week 3 begins...Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards as Week 3 begins, and joins the Rams' Steven Jackson as one of two backs with 100 rushing yards in his first two outings of 2006...Atlanta defensive end John Abraham (groin) considered questionable...Saints last started 3-0 in 2002.

Fast Fact: Saints running back Deuce McAllister has 100-yard games in five of his six career outings against the Falcons.

Prediction: Atlanta pass rush will limit effectiveness of Brees and the New Orleans attack, and Vick will have a field day against Saints' front seven. Falcons 24, Saints 14.