You wouldn't think a game between teams that were a combined 5-27 in 2007 would be an opening weekend highlight, but this is. That's because Brett Favre, traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets after his unretirement soap opera, is one quarterback. Chad Pennington, displaced by Favre in New York, will start for Miami. Adding to the intrigue is Bill Parcells pulling the strings in Miami, with Tony Sparano his hand-picked coach.

"There are lot of reasons to want to watch this game, I guess," Favre said. "But the bottom line is it's football. It's Jets vs. Dolphins."

Skeptics say Favre, 38, had it right when he retired. But he's coming off one of his best seasons and remains a marvel of durability -- counting the postseason, he'll start his 276th consecutive game this afternoon, extending an NFL record for quarterbacks.

Says former Steeler Joey Porter, now in his second season in Miami: "I'm excited because I know he can't run too fast."

This already has been a notable week for Favre. Despite being with the Jets barely a month, he was voted one of the team's offensive captains. "The question of how he's adjusting, how he's fitting in with the guys has been clearly answered by the fact that his peer group -- I don't know how peer groups work with that age differential -- but the kids voted for him," coach Eric Mangini said.

The Indianapolis Colts may have Peyton Manning back for their opener against the Chicago Bears, but they have some major concerns with their offensive line. They're missing Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday (knee) and starting left guard Ryan Lilja (knee). They're also without their top draft pick, guard Mike Pollak (knee)

The Colts will christen Lucas Oil Stadium tonight vs. the Bears. The stadium's signature feature: a sliding window to one end that serves as a real-life billboard for the city. Cost of the stadium that has drawn raves: $720 million.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) and Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) will become just the 14th and 15th rookie quarterbacks to start an NFL opener since 1980 when they do so today. "Everybody gets an opportunity, and you take it and you run with it," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said after naming Flacco as his starter.

The NFL this week recognized Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson's legal name change to Chad Ocho Cinco, and the new name now joins the No. 85 on his jersey. Dave Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has his own take on the switch.

Wrote Thomas: "Headline writers across America are wishing that T. J. Houshmandzadeh would have changed his last name instead of Johnson."

Carson Palmer will have a new look in the Bengals' opener at Baltimore. For the first time, he'll be wearing a protective visor on his facemask. ... Fifteen rookies made the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man roster. Eleven are expected to be active for the game today vs. New England. Give the points. ... The 49ers added quarterback Alex Smith (shoulder) to their injury report yesterday and list him as doubtful for the opener.