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1 INJURED QBS: The Colts' Peyton Manning missed the preseason with problems related to summer knee surgery and the Patriots' Tom Brady missed the preseason with a foot injury. Time to see if they're OK.

2 THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: There are new faces, a lot of big names and a lot of questions: Can running back Deuce McAllister, cornerback Mike McKenzie, middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and receiver Robert Meachem rebound from 2007 injuries? Will tight end Jeremy Shockey be a factor or loud and unproductive? And is the defense better? In '07 it allowed 5.8 yards per play and a 96.9 passer rating, both last in the league?

3 FAVRE'S FIRST GAME AS A JET: It's too late for BrettFavre to retire again. He's going to be under center today when the New York Jets play in Miami. Favre's challenge is simple enough. To be considered a success, all he has to do is take to the playoffs a team that finished 4-12 last season. Stranger things have happened in the NFL.

This Week's Big Thing

Watch out for the healthy Colts

One by one the Indianapolis Pro Bowlers returned to the field this summer. First came receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) on the opening day of training camp July24.

Then came defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) on Aug.18 and safety Bob Sanders (shoulder) on Aug.22. Finally, quarterback Peyton Manning (knee) hit the field Aug.26 for the first time this summer.

Only Harrison played during the preseason as the Big Four of the Colts were working their way back from injuries.

With all four finally in uniform together, coach Tony Dungy could visualize his team in 2008. And he likes what he sees.

“This should be our most talented team we've had here,” Dungy said.

That's saying a lot. The Colts were the NFL's best team in 2006, winning their first Super Bowl since moving to Indianapolis in 1984. They have won at least 12 games in a record five straight seasons. They've been to the playoffs an NFL-best six straight seasons.

And this is Indy's best team yet?

The Colts finished 13-3 last season despite losing an NFL runner-up 81 games by starters to injury. Harrison missed 11 of those games and Freeney seven. A return to health will make the Colts better in 2008. So will an extra year of experience on defense.

Indianapolis finished a surprising third in the NFL in defense last season despite lining up four first-time starters: tackle Ed Johnson, linebacker Freddie Keiaho and cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson.

In seasons past, the Colts always have been able to win games despite their defense. Dungy believes health will translate into improvement there as well. His defensive front seven missed a combined 24 starts because of injuries last season.

The Giants might be the defending NFL champion and the Patriots the defending AFC champion, but don't dismiss the Colts in 2008.

My 2 Cents

By Charles Chandler

A few Week 1 thoughts:

San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman's decision to try to play this season and go against the advice of numerous medical professionals is a prime example of how “now” oriented NFL teams and players can be. He's risking his entire career to play for a team that he believes has Super Bowl potential.

Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson, the No.1 pick in the 2007 draft, could be the breakout player of the year. A back injury hampered him last season, but he's well again and had a dynamite preseason.

It's still hard getting used to the idea of former Panthers and Texans coach Dom Capers working for Bill Belichick in New England. Capers, who's coaching the Patriots' defensive backs, is widely known for his integrity. The same can't be said for Belichick.

Look for Brett Favre not to skip a beat with the Jets. He's looked good during the preseason. Combined with the team's other offseason changes, he should make the Jets a legitimate playoff contender.

NFC South prediction: Carolina and New Orleans fight for the division title, with Tampa Bay a middle-of-the-road team and Atlanta still hurting.

There are folks around the NFL who think Miami is going to be better than expected under new coach Tony Sparano (and his boss, Bill Parcells). Not sure if I agree, but the Dolphins will be intriguing.

Did You Know?

Six teams made the playoffs in 2007 after missing the postseason in '06. The list: Green Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Washington.

Note

Rookie Ryan to

Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan gets his first NFL start for Atlanta, which has a new coach ( Mike Smith). The team has seven rookies and 19 players with no more than one year in the pros.

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