The NFC Central Division on Sunday will get a quick favorite and the Vikings get a quick opportunity to learn if they can reverse some old bugaboos - grass and Soldier Field.
The Vikings and Bears are the co-favorites in the division, with Chicago seeking its seventh title in eight years. Minnesota won in 1989.The Bears also have won their last seven openers, the longest such streak in the NFL.
"I don't know which team is the best in the Central Division, but I guess we'll find out pretty quick," Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh said.
"We know it's important to get off to a good start," Chicago linebacker Mike Singletary said. "The fact we haven't lost at home in eight years probably is because we have such a great attitude."
In the last two years, the Vikings have a 1-12 record on grass fields on the road, with the only victory at Tampa Bay in 1988. In Chicago, they have lost six of their last seven games, including a 16-13, last-second defeat last year.
"We have to overcome a poor record on the road, especially outdoors," quarterback Wade Wilson said. "We have to go with a mindset, putting aside all distractions, all the things that have been said about our not being able to win on the road."
"It's going to be a banger," Bears coach Mike Ditka said. "It's not going to be for the faint of heart. This is a heavyweight fight. This is a challenge - to the victor goes the spoils."
Other NFL openers Sunday have Atlanta at Kansas City, Seattle at New Orleans, Tampa Bay at the New York Jets, Dallas at Cleveland, Philadelphia at Green Bay, Phoenix at the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Raiders at Houston, Miami at Buffalo, New England at Indianapolis, San Diego at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati at Denver, and Detroit at Washington. On Monday night, it's San Francisco at the New York Giants.
The Vikings, who finished a disappointing 6-10 last season, played their best game in a 41-13 victory at the Metrodome, a game Ditka tabbed as his "Horror Film."
"Just another psychological ploy of Ditka's," Minnesota coach Jerry Burns said. "He's a master psychologist. I'd like to learn a few of his tricks."
Elsewhere, the Broncos are putting a lot of emphasis on the opener with the Bengals.
Since Denver began making playoff appearances in 1977, it's won nine openers and subsequently went to the playoffs eight of those years. Conversely, the Broncos lost five openers, and they failed to reach the playoffs each of those years.
"I was in Dallas for 16 years, and we won the opening game all 16 years and we were in the playoffs for 15 of them," coach Dan Reeves said. "So winning the opener is really important. I think it gets you in the right frame of mind and sets the tempo for the whole season."
The Bengals are planning to use a revised form of their no-huddle offense against Denver, calling it "the Tempo."
It allows quarterback Boomer Esiason to call a play with a hand gesture or a single word.
"Now we find out how much we're committed to it," Esiason said. "We've used it for a few quarters here and there. I just hope we give it time and stick with it for four quarters. That's our personality."
Esiason used the new wrinkle during the preseason as he directed the Bengals to 11 scores. Coach Sam Wyche's new scheme allows the Bengals to run their no-huddle at different speeds, keeping the defense from getting into a rhythm.
While Cincinnati's offense has sparkled, the Dolphins struggled in the preseason under Dan Marino. In his seven quarters of preseason action, the Dolphins produced only three field goals.
In the final game, against the Saints, Marino had five completions in 18 attempts for 68 yards, with interceptions ending the first three series. Five days earlier, he signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension.
"There have been some throws that could've been made that he didn't make that he ordinarily makes," coach Don Shula said. "But I think Dan is the least of our problems. I know he's going to be there."
"It's just a matter of execution. We haven't been in sync," Marino said.
Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman will be facing a revamped Browns secondary that could give him the opportunity to show what his surgically repaired right arm is completely healed.
The Browns have four defensive backs out with injuries. Thane Gash and Mark Harper are out for the season, and Anthony Blaylock and No. 1 pick Eric Turner are out of the game. Gash has a neck injury and Harper a torn Achilles tendon. Turner, with a stress fracture in his leg, and Blaylock, with a broken hand, are out for at least a month.
"I still believe they've got some outstanding players back there," Aikman said. "Their corners are very good corners and they're going to make it tough on us."