Keys to victory for all Week 2 matchups

MORE GAME PLANS: Bengals at Browns | Falcons at Jaguars | Texans at Panthers | Raiders at Broncos | Jets at Ravens | Vikings at Lions | Chiefs at Bears | Cowboys at Dolphins | Chargers at Patriots | Bills at Steelers | Bucs at Saints | Packers at Giants | Seahawks at Cardinals | Redskins at Eagles | 49ers at Rams

Indianapolis at Tennessee

Joseph Addai had 143 total yards (118 rushing) and one touchdown in the Colts' blowout win against the Saints in Week 1. Michael Hickey/WireImage.com

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Colts' Game Plan

1. Run Joseph Addai early. The Titans don't want to get caught up in a shootout with the Colts and will use a combination of two-deep and half-rolled coverage to take away the Colts' dynamic duo of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne down the field. The Colts can force the Titans out of their soft zones by running Addai consistently early in the contest. Establishing the running game will create big play opportunities for Harrison, Wayne and Dallas Clark off play-action passes later in the game.

2. Use more double tight end sets. The Colts roll out several personnel packages during a game, but should feature their "12" personnel package exclusively versus the Titans. The double tight end set featuring Clark and Ben Utecht will give the Colts a big advantage in the running game versus the anticipated two-deep coverage that the Titans will use..

3. Maintain gap discipline versus the Titans' zone running game. Chris Brown and LenDale White combined for 261 rushing yards last week. Using a series of inside zone runs, the Titans took advantage of the Jaguars' overaggressive run defense by finding cutback lanes. The Colts' young defenders must attack their holes immediately to force the action and rely on their speed and quickness to run down ballcarriers from the back side.

Titans' Game Plan

1. Wear 'em down. The Titans must run the ball 30-35 times to wear out the Colts' undersized defensive line. A steady diet of power runs between the tackles will challenge a Colts' run defense playing without Anthony McFarland. The trio of Jacob Bell, Kevin Mawae and Benji Olson dominated a pair Pro Bowlers last week and should see this week if the Colts' defensive line can stand up to the pressure.

2. Get Vince on the edge. Vince Young is at his best when improvising on the run and the Titans should use his athleticism to put pressure on the Colts. By mixing in several bootleg and run action plays, Young will get a chance to use his dual threat potential to keep the offense ahead of the chains. The Titans typically use a high number of movement passes; expect them to do more versus the Colts to keep them off balance.

3. Bend, but don't break. Last season the Titans kept the Colts' in check by using a mix of soft zone coverage to force Manning to nickel and dime the ball down the field. This strategy tested Manning's patience and ultimately led him to force a couple of throws into coverage. Expect to see the Titans use a similar approach this year. They will concede small gains on the ground and play conservatively in the secondary to eliminate the big play. They have to make this game go late into the fourth quarter to have a chance to win.

Cincinnati at Cleveland

Bengals' Game Plan

1. Get off to a fast start. The Bengals no-huddle offense can strike quickly, and Carson Palmer loves to mix in high percentage passes with several deep shots early in a game to loosen up the coverage. Facing a Browns' secondary that surrendered four touchdowns last week, Palmer will look deep for Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the first quarter.

2. Use play-action. Rudi Johnson did not have a great game on Monday night, but his power running between the tackles sets up the Bengals vertical passing game. The Browns will enter the game intent on stopping Johnson after struggling to contain the Steelers' running game last week. The Bengals should take advantage of the Browns' increased attention on the rushing attack by using several play-action passes early in the game. The play-fakes should draw the Browns' linebackers up and create soft spots 15-18 yards behind them. Look for Houshmandzadeh to find plenty of room on deep crossing routes off full flow play-action fakes.

3. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. The Bengals should attack the Browns' hapless offense with an assortment of blitzes to take advantage of their shaky quarterback situation. Likely starter Derek Anderson has limited mobility and sending pressure from all angles will force him into numerous mistakes as he rushes his throws to avoid sacks and pressures. The Bengals' defense lives off turnovers and they have a terrific opportunity to force several versus the Browns' inept unit. Expect to see the Bengals dial up the blitz early and often.

Browns' Game Plan

1. Protect the quarterback. The Browns are facing a team that pressured Steve McNair all night long on an assortment of zone dogs and blitzes. The constant pressure forced McNair into several poor throws and numerous turnovers. With a new quarterback under center, the Browns have to provide solid protection to give him a chance. Look for the Browns to use a conservative passing game with only two or three people in the pattern. Keeping seven or eight blockers in should keep the Bengals from successfully getting into Anderson's face and give him a chance to hit a few high-percentage throws from a clean pocket.

2. Use double moves. The Browns need to take advantage of the Bengals' ball hawking secondary by throwing down the field off double moves. Corners Jonathan Joseph, Delta O'Neal and Keiwan Ratliff have a tendency to squat on intermediate routes and the Browns should test their discipline. Even if unsuccessful, the double moves will force the Bengals' corners to loosen up their coverage outside.

3. Limit the explosive plays. The Browns' defense was victimized by the big play last week against the Steelers. Facing the Bengals high-powered offense, the defense needs to limit the explosive plays (20 yards or more). Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have advantageous matchups outside and the Browns will need to keep a safety over the top to protect their corners. Forcing the Bengals to drive the length of the field with short passes or runs is the only way the Browns can stay in the game.

Atlanta at Jacksonville

Falcons' Game Plan

1. Test the Jaguars' run defense. After watching the Titans shred the Jaguars' defense for 282 yards on the ground, the Falcons need to see if the Jaguars have fixed the problems. Teams often copy winning game plans and the Falcons should feature the same series of zone plays that the Titans used effectively. Expect to see Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood get plenty of touches until the Jaguars prove that last week's performance was a fluke.

2. Throw the ball down the field. The Jaguars' defense will use a lot of eight-man fronts to take away the ball control offense. By crowding the line of scrimmage they will not only squeeze the Falcons' running lanes, but make it difficult for Joey Harrington to settle for short, high-percentage passes. To counter that strategy, the Falcons have to throw several balls down the field and have success.

3. Stop Maurice Jones-Drew. He's the most explosive player on the Jaguars' offense. His quickness to the hole and elusiveness make him a threat to score from anywhere. The Falcons have to bottle him up by using eight defenders in the box and paying special attention when the Jaguars use him in the passing game.

Jaguars' Game Plan

1. Stick to the basics. The Jaguars had one of the top rushing offenses in the league last season, but showed little commitment to the run during Week 1. Facing a Falcons' team that allowed rookie Adrian Peterson to rush for over 100 yards, the Jaguars should pound the Falcons with Fred Taylor and Jones-Drew. Having the tandem combine for 35 or more carries will result in a Jaguars' victory.

2. Make Joey Harrington win the game. The Falcons will try to protect Harrington by running Dunn and Norwood often with a mix of play-action passing to keep the defense honest. The Jaguars must take the running game away and make Harrington pass in obvious passing situations. Forcing him to throw on second-and-long or third-and-long will allow the Jaguars to bring a ton of pressure, which could lead to more Harrington mistakes.

3. Bracket Alge Crumpler. The Jaguars have to take Harrington's security blanket out of the game by using a series of brackets or double teams. Crumpler is Harrington's only dependable target. Take him away and the Falcons will turn to Joe Horn, Michael Jenkins or Laurent Robinson. The Jaguars corners match up well with this group and should have little trouble bottling them up without safety help over the top.

Houston at Carolina

Panthers' Game Plan

1. Move Steve Smith around. Expect the Panthers to use several creative formations and motions designed to get Smith in one-on-one coverage versus DeMarcus Faggins and Jamar Fletcher.

2. Increase the use of the 3-4. The Panthers have shown the 3-4 look during the preseason and broke it out for a few snaps versus the Rams. They should consider using it more. Lining Julius Peppers at OLB gives them the flexibility to bring him off the edge from either side and puts pressure on the offense to correctly identify several potential rushers (Thomas Davis, Dan Morgan and Jon Beason) coming from all angles. Remember, Matt Schaub has only three career starts.

3. Double Andre Johnson. The Texans bring a one-dimensional passing attack with Johnson as the focal point. With several unproven receivers in the lineup, the Panthers should roll their coverage to Johnson's side and take their chances with Jacoby Jones or Kevin Walter. If Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall are able to handle Jones or Walter in man coverage with Johnson attracting the double, Schaub will struggle finding open passing windows versus the Panthers.

Texans' Game Plan

1. Win on first down. The Texans' offense doesn't pack a lot of firepower, but is a capable of controlling clock behind the running of Ahman Green and efficient passing of Schaub. Facing the Panthers' formidable defense, the Texans have to stay ahead of the chains to keep the Panthers from unleashing their fierce pass rush. Expect to see the Texans use a mix of off-tackle runs and quick passes to pick up four or more yards on first down.

2. Increase Jacoby Jones' role. Preseason standout Jones flashed outstanding ability as a returner/receiver during the preseason and potentially could be a difference maker in this game. Using him on an assortment of reverses and screens will give him an opportunity to get the ball quickly in space. Based on the running skills Jones has displayed, it would be wise for the Texans to feed him the ball early to take the pressure off Andre Johnson.

3. Take away the Panthers' running game. The Panthers want to run DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams early to set up their vertical play-action passing game. Jake Delhomme is at his best when he is able to draw up linebackers with solid run fakes and hit Steve Smith or Drew Carter on 15-18 yard crossing routes over the middle. The Texans have to shut down the running game early and force Delhomme to throw versus their zone coverage. He has a tendency to force throws into coverage and will give them several opportunities to create turnovers.

Oakland at Denver

Broncos' Game Plan

1. Stay balanced. Despite Jay Cutler's 300 yard game last week, it is important for the Broncos to remain balanced versus the Raiders' aggressive defense. Derrick Burgess and Warren Sapp pose big problems for the Broncos offensive line and the Raiders will unleash their exotic blitz packages versus Cutler in obvious passing situations. Running Travis Henry relentlessly between the tackles will slow the Raiders' pass rush and lead to big plays down the field off play-action.

2. Get Cutler on the move. The Broncos took advantage of Cutler's athleticism last week by utilizing the option versus the Bills. Facing a fast and aggressive front seven, the Broncos should continue to get him on the move on bootlegs. This will prevent the Raiders from keying in on him in the pocket and bring an added dimension to the Broncos passing game. Look for Cutler to roll out early and find Daniel Graham or Brandon Marshall working across the field.

3. Blitz Culpepper. Josh McCown's injuries make it a strong possibility that Daunte Culpepper will make his first start on Sunday. Given that Culpepper has missed most of the past two seasons, the Broncos should come after him with a series of blitzes to test his mobility and courage. Though has shown signs of being the old Culpepper, he has always had a problem holding onto the ball when pressured. Expect the Broncos to dial up the blitz if Culpepper is under center.

Raiders' Game Plan

1. Take advantage of LaMont Jordan's versatility. Last week Jordan displayed the skills that made him such a highly sought after free agent a few years ago. He pounded the ball between the tackles with success and was a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Lane Kiffin should continue to take advantage of those skills by getting Jordan a combination of 25 touches during the game.

2. Maintain Gap discipline versus the Broncos zone running game. The Broncos' zone blocking scheme takes advantage of over-pursuing defenders and creates big cutback lanes on the backside. The Raiders' front seven has to stay disciplined while attacking their gaps to force the runner to bounce outside. If the Raiders are able to force Henry to bounce, they will have a chance to run him down.

3. Bring a variety of blitzes. Cutler has played well since being named the Broncos starter, but he only has six career starts heading into Sunday's contest. The Raiders should take advantage of his inexperience by bringing a variety of blitzes. Mixing up rushes from up the middle and off the edges will likely confuse him and lead to turnovers.

NY Jets at Baltimore

Jets' Game Plan

1. Feed Thomas Jones. Despite facing a vaunted Ravens' run defense, the Jets should feed Thomas Jones the ball repeatedly. That'll keep the Jets' offense balanced and eventually open up their passing game. With Kellen Clemens making his first start, it is important that the Jets not fall into a one-dimensional game.

2. Take advantage of Clemens' arm. The Jets' passing game is best described as a "dink and dunk" system with Chad Pennington under center. Expect to see a different passing game with Clemens in the lineup. His strong arm allows for more vertical throws to Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles. Taking more shots down the field should result in more points for the Jets.

3. Blitz Steve McNair. Expect to see the Jets bring pressure up the middle as they attempt to rattle McNair early. His groin injury could limit his mobility.

Ravens' Game Plan

1. Commit to the Running Game. The Ravens get into trouble when they deviate from their winning formula. (great defense+ solid special teams +strong running game= win) Brian Billick gets enamored with the pass and forgets to hand the ball off to Willis McGahee repeatedly. Facing a mediocre front seven, the Ravens should go back to pounding the football. McGahee has a history of success versus the Jets and Billick should give him the opportunity to wear down the defense.

2. Avoid silly mistakes. Despite their numerous turnovers on Monday night, the Ravens still had a shot to win at the end. McNair had a hand in most of the mistakes and should take a more conservative approach this week. By throwing the ball away or taking the sack, he will keep his team in the game.

3. Confuse Clemens. Rex Ryan's defense is licking its chops with the prospect of Clemens making his first start. Given Clemens' inexperience, the Ravens will break out all of their complicated blitzes to daze and confuse him.

Minnesota at Detroit

Vikings' Game Plan

1. Use Adrian Peterson on screens. The Vikings will face a Lions' defense intent on stopping their running game. As the Lions use a variety of blitzes and an eight-man front to stack the line, the Vikings should counter by getting Peterson the ball on screen passes. His only reception last week resulted in a 60-yard score, so expect him to get more touches in the passing game.

2. Throw quick routes on first down. The Lions will make a strong effort to stop the run by walking the strong safety into the box. To take advantage of the single coverage outside, the Vikings will use quick routes off three-step drops. Throwing these passes will keep the Vikings ahead of the chains and get Tavaris Jackson in rhythm quickly.

3. Have a plan for the four-receiver package. Jon Kitna and the Lions riddled the Raiders' by using four receivers extensively. Taking advantage of the nickel and dime corners, Kitna nearly posted a 300-yard game. The Vikings will see a lot of this formation and should combat it by using a mixture of combination man/zone coverage to disrupt Kitna's rhythm. By varying their brackets on Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson and Mike Furrey, the Vikings may be able to bait Kitna into an interception. Look for Darren Sharper to lurk over the middle while reading Kitna's eyes. He is a master at picking off passes and will have plenty of chances.

Lions' Game Plan

1. Take Adrian Peterson out of the game. The Lions can't allow Peterson to get untracked. He dominated the Falcons last week as the Vikings gave him 20 touches on his way to 163 total yards. The Lions have to mix in a variety of eight-man fronts, featuring an assortment of blitzes, stunts and games to disrupt the zone blocking scheme. Limiting Peterson's yards and effectiveness will put the pressure on Tavaris Jackson to win the game.

2. Spread it out on early downs. The Vikings' defense is strong up the middle with Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway. They dominated the Falcons and could pose a similar problem to the Lions. To avoid that, the Lions should use their three or four receiver sets on early downs and force the Vikings to match up in space. The Patriots used this strategy successfully versus the Vikings last season and Mike Martz has a history of attacking stout defenses this way. Expect to see the Lions make it a track meet by using the spread formations extensively.

3. Mix in draws. The Lions love to throw the ball, but must remember to offset those passes by mixing in some draws and delays. The spread offense will naturally create some running room for Tatum Bell by taking some of the defenders out of the box. Martz has to take advantage by calling Bell's number on obvious passing downs.

Kansas City at Chicago

Chiefs' Game Plan

There's nothing tricky about the Chiefs' offensive attack, but that doesn't make it any easier to stop Larry Johnson. AP

1. Keep it simple. Given the Chiefs' struggles since preseason, Mike Solari would be wise to keep the game plan simple. Pounding the ball with Larry Johnson and throwing to Tony Gonzalez would go a long way towards solving those woes. Facing an attacking Bears' defense will be tough, but a persistent running game will open up the field for Gonzalez on play-action. The Bears had trouble with Antonio Gates last week, and Gonzalez is due for a big day. Look for the Chiefs to lean on their two best players in their matchup with the Bears.

2. Put hats on Benson. The Bears' starting running back enters the game with questions surrounding his toughness and durability. The Chiefs should test his mental and physical toughness by gang tackling him at every opportunity. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham wants to make every game a "fist fight" and will encourage his troops to be physical with Benson all day.

3. Test Rex Grossman's decision making. After watching Grossman's uneven performance versus the Chargers, the Chiefs will force him to make quick decisions by mixing in heavy pressure packages with conventional zone schemes. The constant changing of looks will throw off Grossman's rhythm and force a couple of errant throws.

Bears' Game Plan

1. Focus on L.J. The Chiefs offense begins and ends with Johnson. His powerful running sets the tone for the offense and enables Damon Huard to work off play-action. The Bears must snuff the running lanes by using an aggressive eight-man front on first and second downs. The Chiefs will take a deep shot versus the one-on-one coverage outside, but Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman can handle a Chiefs' receiving corps missing Eddie Kennison.

2. Play it Safe. The Bears are facing a team that will be hard-pressed to score points. With such a decided advantage, the Bears should run the football and take few chances in the passing game. A steady diet of Benson and Adrian Peterson, with an occasional deep throw to Bernard Berrian, should be enough to get the Bears a victory.

3. Win the Kicking Game. This game figures to be low scoring, so the kicking game will be essential. Last week the Chiefs had several miscues in the kicking game (Eddie Drummond's fumble and a missed field goal), so the Bears should look to capitalize on the shaky unit. Devin Hester is always a threat, but the kicking of Robbie Gould may be the key to the game.

Dallas at Miami

Cowboys' Game Plan

1. Run, Run, Run. The Cowboys offense clicked on all cylinders last week behind the combined rushing efforts of Julius Jones and Marion Barber III. Facing a Dolphins' team that gave up 191 yards, the Cowboys should run early to set up the play-action passing game.

2. Tighten up on defense. The Cowboys need to solve their defensive woes and quickly. With Terrence Newman unlikely to return this week, Jacques Reeves and Anthony Henry must step up their games versus Chris Chambers and Marty Booker. Henry has been capable in the past, but the Cowboys may consider sending FS Ken Hamlin over the top to protect Reeves. Playing more zone would limit their blitz package, but the Cowboys have to eliminate the big plays in the passing game.

3. Keep pressure on Green. The Cowboys' secondary play will dictate how aggressive defensive coordinator Brian Stewart can come after the Dolphins, but getting pressure on Trent Green is critical. Playing behind a makeshift offensive line, Green has struggled finding his rhythm. The Cowboys have to find a way to get DeMarcus Ware involved as a rusher and will use a variety of blitzes to get him one-on-one matchups off the edge. Look for the Cowboys to bring the heat early and keep it on if their secondary can hold up.

Dolphins' Game Plan

1. Get Ronnie Brown untracked. The Dolphins' running game never got going versus the Redskins, but should be more effective this week. The loss of Jason Ferguson severely weakens the Cowboys up the middle, so look for Brown to receive a heavier workload.

2. Take several deep shots. The Cowboys' secondary was torched for over 300 yards last week and gave up several big plays to Plaxico Burress. With speedsters in Chambers and Ted Ginn, Jr., the Dolphins should take several downfield shots at Reeves and Anthony Henry. Look for play-action passes with Chambers or Ginn running deep crossers early in the game.

3. Put pressure on Tony Romo. He had an impressive performance last week by exploiting the blitz. The Dolphins have to find a way to create pressure without exposing their defenders to one-on-one matchups with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. Dom Capers is a masterful zone blitz architect, so expect him to bring Jason Taylor and Joey Porter off the edge with a soft zone or two-deep coverage behind.

San Diego at New England

Chargers' Game Plan

1. Mix up pressure with coverage. Tom Brady is masterful at running a quick rhythm passing game versus the blitz when he can anticipate it coming. The Chargers want to apply pressure, but must do a great job of not tipping their hand. Keeping Brady off balance is the key to disrupting the Patriots offense, so expect the Chargers to show a variety of pre-snap looks to disguise their coverage.

2. Feature LT and Gates in the passing game. The Chargers' offense clearly revolves around their dynamic duo, so the Patriots will attempt to shut down the running lanes and force Phillip Rivers to beat them with his arm. To counter that strategy the Chargers have to find a way to get LaDainian Tomlinson and Gates involved in the passing game. Gates will get his looks down the field on option routes, but look for Norv Turner to use LT on screens and short crossing routes to simply get him touches.

3. Take several deep shots to Vincent Jackson and Craig Davis. With the Patriots focusing their efforts on containing Gates and Tomlinson, Rivers should take a few looks at Jackson and Davis, who'll see single coverage all day. A big play by them would alleviate the pressure on the Chargers' big guns. Look for Jackson or Davis to run a double move early in an attempt to catch the Patriots' napping.

Patriots' Game Plan

1. Dictate the tempo. The Chargers' base defense is formidable, so the Patriots will try to force them into sub-packages by using some different looks early. Last week, the Patriots used some multiple tight end sets to throw off the Jets, but this week their three and four receiver sets would appear to be advantageous. Look for the Patriots to spread the field to keep the Chargers' base defense off the field.

2. Slide protection to Shawne Merriman. The Chargers' pass rusher feasts off blocking matchups versus running backs and tight ends. Merriman is too strong and powerful to be blocked by a skill position player, so the Patriots will limit his one-on-one opportunities by always sending an offensive lineman to his side in protection. Making Merriman work against a bigger guy is the best strategy to keep him off Brady.

3. Throw several looks at Rivers. The Patriots used a creative game plan to disrupt the Chargers quarterback during the playoffs and should follow a similar script this week. They disguised their coverage and mixed in different personnel groups to keep him off balance. The Patriots' 3-4 has always been tough to solve, but the addition of Adalius Thomas brings added flexibility. Look for a creative wrinkle featuring Thomas lined up at a different spot this week.

Buffalo at Pittsburgh

Bills' Game Plan

1. Find an offensive rhythm. The Bills struggled moving the ball last week as J.P. Losman passed for less than 100 yards and Lee Evans was held to five yards on two receptions. Against the Steelers, both need to play better for the Bills to have a shot. The Steelers will come at Losman with an aggressive blitz package. He needs to make them pay by connecting with Evans on quick slants or seam posts. Look for Steve Fairchild to get both involved early by throwing several high-percentage passes on first down.

2. Get Marshawn Lynch touches. The Bills must stay balanced on offense to keep the Steelers from overpowering their offense. Taking advantage of Lynch's versatility as a runner/receiver will keep the Steelers from loading up on Losman. Expect the Bills to use an assortment of screens, draws and swing passes to counter the Steelers' pressure and get Lynch the ball in space.

3. Hold it together on defense. The Bills enter the game without three starters from opening day (Ko Simpson, Coy Wire and Jason Webster). Despite losing those players last week, the Bills still held the Broncos to only 15 points. Facing the Steelers' diverse offensive package will be difficult, but look for the Bills to scale back their defensive scheme to allow their young guys to play fast.

Steelers' Game Plan

1. Bring back "Blitzburgh". The Steelers hounded the Browns all day long with relentless pressure from all angles. Facing an emotionally challenged Bills' team, the Steelers should attack them with a persistent blitz package to put them on their heels. The Bills' offense never found its rhythm last week, so expect defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau to try to keep them down by bringing the heat.

2. Be patient on offense. Ben Roethlisberger will have to be patient this week against two-deep coverage. The Bills will rely on their front four to pressure the passer while dropping seven defenders into zone. Roethlisberger will have to take the underneath throws until he can find a favorable matchup down the field. Attacking with a "dink and dunk" approach will test his patience, but forcing throws will lead to turnovers.

3. Bottle up Roscoe Parrish. The Bills' struggles on offense were eased by the stellar performance of Roscoe Parrish in the kicking game. His 74-yard touchdown return enabled them to stay in last week's game. The Steelers have to keep him from providing the Bills with good field position.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

Saints' Game Plan

1. Get Brees in rhythm. The Saints will face the same two-deep scheme that gave them problems in Indianapolis. But the Saints can take advantage of the scheme by utilizing short crossing routes and check downs to patiently work up the field. After working underneath, Brees can take shots down the seam to a tight end or slot receiver.

2. Stick with the run. After giving up on the running game early against the Colts, the Saints should make a bigger commitment to running the football versus the Bucs. Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are capable of breaking off big runs when given enough opportunities. Plus, abandoning the run forces Brees to throw primarily versus two-deep looks, which limits his ability to take shots down the field. A commitment to the running game this week will result in several big plays for the Saints.

3. Make the Bucs play in the phone booth. The Bucs' offense is a ball control, horizontal passing game that doesn't take many shots down the field. The Saints should squeeze the Bucs' offense by putting eight defenders in the box and clamping down on the receivers outside. Since the Bucs rarely attack vertically, crowding the line of scrimmage will put enormous pressure on the offensive line and should allow Will Smith and Charles Grant to crash off the edges.

Bucs' Game Plan

1. Sit in Tampa-two. The Colts' defense showed the rest of the NFL how to play the Saints. The Bucs' should copy this strategy by sitting in two-deep coverage and forcing the Saints to drive the length of the field with short passes. The Bucs have enough speed at linebacker to rally quickly versus underneath throws and limit their yards after catch. This strategy will ultimately frustrate Brees and result in a turnover later as he forces a ball into coverage.

2. Drive the Cadillac. The Bucs must run Cadillac Williams to have any chance of winning. When he has carried the ball 20 or more times, the Bucs are 9-0. Facing a Saints' team that had difficulty slowing down Joseph Addai, the Bucs should pound Williams between the tackles on a variety of zone runs.

3. Test Jason David. After giving up three long touchdowns versus the Colts, David will enter the game with a target on his back. His confidence is sure to be shaken and he will probably play a little tentative to start the game. Look for several double moves and deep throws headed in his direction as the Bucs look for a quick score.

Green Bay at New York Giants

Packers' Game Plan

1. Find an offensive identity. The Packers offseason concerns continued to plague them during the regular season opener. Unable to muster a running game behind Brandon Jackson, Brett Favre was forced to throw the ball more than 40 times. Relying on the veteran signal caller to carry the offense on his arm is a recipe for disaster as the Packers move forward. Look for the Packers to scale back the passes and give Jackson an opportunity to establish himself as the workhorse versus the Giants' weak run defense. The Cowboys were successful running leads to the weak side, so expect the Packers to follow suit.

2. Pressure Jared Lorenzen. The Packers face a quarterback with only three pass attempts in his three-year career and are champing at the bit to get after him. Not only Lorenzen inexperienced, but also his size and lack of mobility make him a sitting duck in the pocket. Look for the Packers to send rushers from every angle as they attempt to rattle him early.

3. Challenge Plaxico Burress. The Giants' big play receiver took advantage of soft coverage last week en route to 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Packers' terrific cornerback tandem of Al Harris and Charles Woodson will challenge Burress by playing press coverage exclusively. Burress' size advantage can pose a problem, but Woodson and Harris are crafty veterans with enough savvy and ball skills to compete with him. Burress will make his share of plays, but the Packers will make him work to get open.

Giants' Game Plan

1. Rely on the running game. Despite the absence of starting running back Brandon Jacobs, the Giants must rely on the running game to carry them. Derrick Ward flashed big-play ability while filling in last week, but he needs to be a major factor with Lorenzen starting at quarterback. Expect the Giants to try to pound a Packers' run defense that allowed Brian Westbrook to gain over four yards a carry.

2. Selectively take shots down the field. The Giants enter the game knowing the Packers will come after their young quarterback. Anticipating the blitz, the Giants will take some shots down the field to catch the Packers in single coverage. Hitting on a deep route early will boost Lorenzen's confidence and slow the Packers' aggressive blitz.

3. Make the Packers one-dimensional. The Packers struggled to run the ball versus the Eagles and had to throw the ball over 40 times with marginal success. Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spent time with the Eagles and will mirror the game plan that kept the Packers out of end zone. Look for a ton of blitzing as the Giants attempt to force Favre into several miscues.

Seattle at Arizona

Seahawks' Game Plan

1. Get Deion Branch involved. The Seahawks top target was held without a catch last week. But that should change this week given the favorable matchup against Eric Green and Rod Hood. Both are competitive, but lack the quickness to stay with Branch on intermediate routes. Look for the Seahawks to motion Branch into a bunch formation so that he can use his quickness to run away from them on crossing routes.

2. Blitz Leinart off the edges. The Seahawks' underrated defense has several quality pass rushers with Patrick Kerney, Daryl Tapp and Julian Peterson. Facing a Cardinals' offensive line that had problems picking up rushers versus the 49ers' 3-4 last week, the Seahawks should use a variety of blitzes off the edge. The combination of Peterson and Kerney or Tapp on a twist will eventually result in a free rusher off the edge.

3. Take care of Edgerrin James. Despite the presence of two Pro Bowl receivers outside, the key to stopping the Cardinals offense starts with containing James. In the last meeting between the two teams, James rushed for over 100 yards and allowed the Cardinals to run a balanced offensive attack on their way to an upset win. Look for Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill to shoot gaps on their way to clogging holes in the middle.

Cardinals' Game Plan

1. Throw on first down. The Cardinals want to run the ball, but should flip their approach versus the Seahawks. Anticipating eight-man fronts, the Cardinals should throw on first down to take advantage of the single coverage. That should keep them ahead of the chains and allow them to run James on second-and-short or third-and-short situations.

2. Get Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald untracked. The Cardinals dynamic duo got off to a slow start versus the 49ers. Both averaged fewer than 10 yards a catch and had minimal impact on the game. Against the Seahawks, the Cardinals have to find a way to get both several touches. Expect Ken Whisenhunt to call more crossing routes to allow Boldin and Fitzgerald to use their size advantage.

3. Throw new looks at Matt Hasselbeck. Cardinals' defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast loves to get creative with his game plans. And their new 3-4 allows Pendergast to implement more imaginative looks. Expect to see Pendergast attack Hasselbeck with an approach that hasn't been shown on tape. Based on the Cardinals personnel, a five-man line could be a scheme that he springs on the Seahawks.

Washington at Philadelphia

Redskins' Game Plan

1. Run, Run, Run. The terrific tandem of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts combined for 157 yards on 34 carries versus the Dolphins. Against the blitz-happy Eagles, the Redskins should pound the ball relentlessly between the tackles. An effective running game neutralizes the blitz. Also, the Eagles failed to slow the Redskins' rushing attack in their last meeting as Betts ran for 171 yards on 33 carries. Expect to see the Redskins follow the same plan on Monday night.

2. Get Santana Moss the ball. The Redskins' wideout had a quiet opening day, but should see his role increase. The Eagles will leave their corners alone in coverage as they attempt to pressure Jason Campbell with as many as seven rushers. Facing a heavy volume of blitzes, Moss will get several opportunities to make plays in space. Look for the Redskins to get him the ball quickly on quick screens and hitches to take advantage of his speed and quickness.

3. Focus on containing Brian Westbrook. The Eagles offense revolves around the versatility of Westbrook. His dynamic skills as a runner/receiver make him a threat out of the backfield, so the Redskins have to account for him at all times. Look for Washington to bracket Westbrook with linebackers when he is in the backfield and to use LaRon Landry or Sean Taylor to cover him when he's split out wide.

Eagles' Game Plan

1. Get Donovan McNabb in rhythm. McNabb simply has to get off to a fast start. Washington defensive coordinator Greg Williams loves to bring pressure on early downs, so the heat will be on McNabb to make sound decisions. To get McNabb into a good rhythm, expect to see the Eagles featuring the quick game (slants, hitches and quick outs) on early downs to take advantage of the Redskins off coverage. Completing a few of these throws early will give McNabb the confidence to attack down the field later.

2. Put the game in Jason Campbell's hands. The Redskins want to protect their young quarterback by running the ball and throwing in favorable situations. The Eagles have to contain Portis and Betts on early downs and make Campbell throw on long yardage situations. Getting the Redskins behind the chains will allow the Eagles to unleash Javon Kearse, Trent Cole and Takeo Spikes off the edge.

3. Solve the punt return woes. Despite having a poor performance on offense, the Eagles lost last week due to two miscues in the return game. With so much riding on this divisional game, the Eagles should consider using Brian Westbrook as their primary punt returner. As a returner he will be exposed to some big hits, but Andy Reid can ask Westbrook to fair catch every ball and avoid the costly special team mistakes.

San Francisco at St. Louis

49ers' Game Plan

1. Feed Frank Gore. Running Gore versus the Rams has been a successful strategy for the 49ers. He averaged 130 yards in their two meeting last season and is facing a team that gave up over 160 yards to the Carolina Panthers last week. The 49ers should test the Rams soft run defense by running Gore early and often on Sunday.

2. Use Play-Action. The 49ers keep their game plan simple last week versus the Cardinals, but should use more play-action in their match up versus the Rams. Gore has hurt the Rams in the past and they will pay special attention to slowing down the 49ers running game. Their added attention to Gore should open up the play-action passing game for Smith. Look for Smith to connect with Darrell Jackson and Vernon Davis off play-action.

3. Slow Torry Holt. The 49ers will focus on stopping the Stephen Jackson, but the need to make sure to keep an eye on Holt. The crafty veteran has hurt them in the past and they can't allow him to get away from them on Sunday. Corners Nate Clements and Walt Harris are coming off solid performances versus the Cardinals, but they need to bring their A game versus Holt and the Rams.

Rams' Game Plan

1. Get Stephen Jackson into the groove. Jackson struggled last week after sitting out all of the preseason. Showing signs of rust, he never got untracked and had two costly fumbles. Facing an improved 49ers' defense, Jackson must find his groove for the Rams to win on Sunday. Expect Scott Linehan to get him a ton of touches as a runner and receiver.

2. Open up the offense. Mark Bulger once directed the Rams' high powered offense under former head coach Mike Martz. But Linehan chose not to open up the offense versus the Panthers last week. After posting only 161 passing yards while average less than four yards and attempt, the Rams would be wise to take more shots down the field. Holt and Isaac Bruce are still capable of having big days, so look for Bulger to take more deep shots this week.

3. Stop the run. Gore's effectiveness sets the tone for the 49ers' offense. He not only pounds the ball effectively, but his running allows Alex Smith to throw versus favorable coverage. The Rams need to make the 49ers' one-dimensional by shutting down Gore's running lanes and forcing Smith to beat them with his arm. They didn't look good on run defense last week, but expect Jim Haslet to have his defense fired up to face Gore.