Carolina Panthers

• Carolina limps into Minnesota this week, fresh from a 20-6 thrashing by Atlanta and the impenetrable Warrick Dunn (29 carries for 132 yards). The Vikings (1-0) won an ugly one on Monday night against the Redskins. I see the Panthers and their defence dominating in this one, since Minnesota’s offence features one second-stringer-turned-starter in tailback Chester Taylor and one former retiree back from the dead, QB Brad Johnson. You can bet Carolina’s defence, helmed by ends Kris Jenkins and Julius Peppers, will be up to the challenge of decimating an offensive line helmed by behemoths Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Tiki Barber was astonishing in the Giant’s week one loss to the Colts, teaming up with bulky back Brandon Jacobs for 164 yards on the ground. But the Giants D couldn’t stop the Edge-less Indianapolis offence, a scenario likely to repeat itself in Philadelphia. The Eagles were in post-season form last week, firing on all cylinders versus Houston. Recently acquired wide-out Donte Stallworth was fabulous, rocking six catches for 141 yards and injecting the Eagles’ offence with an energy similar to that of a former Philadelphia receiver whose initials speak for themselves (T.O.). I see no reason why the Eagles won’t run all over the Giants, to the delight of a rowdy Philly crowd.

Oakland Raiders

• There’s drama afoot in Oakland, and it doesn’t even involve everyone’s favourite problem child, Randy Moss. Disgruntled receiver Jerry Porter, riding the pine in week one, was reportedly seen laughing while teammate Aaron Brooks threw an interception in the Raiders’ 27-0 debacle of a loss to San Diego. According to Porter, the proposition is sheer nonsense since he wasn’t even watching the game. These happy-go-lucky Raiders will continue to ride the circus train into Baltimore this weekend. The Ravens are fresh off of a 27-0 defensive masterpiece at the expense of the Tampa Bay Bucs. With the Raiders looking supremely out of synch (129 yards total offence last week), I don’t see them putting up a fight against the Baltimore defence.

Dallas Cowboys

• Sunday night’s game features a pair of coaching masterminds in Washington’s Joe Gibbs and Dallas’s Bill Parcells, both coming off close losses. The Cowboys opened up against Jacksonville looking like a team on a mission, jumping to a ten-point lead. Then Drew Bledsoe acted his 34 years and was picked off three times. I’m betting that Drew won’t be this bad again. On the flip side, the Dallas D didn’t look great against a punch-less Jacksonville offence, but against the inconsistent Mark Brunell and his disarray of offensive weapons, they should be more settled. Running back Clinton Portis won’t be fully loaded on Sunday, meaning the Skins will have to depend even more on Brunell. Bad news, Washington-the hosting Cowboys come out on top.