Ex-Redskins coach Norv Turner could be smiling at the expense of Daniel Snyder on Opening Day.

The game: Sunday, Sept. 9 (Redskins at Chargers).
The subplot: Daniel Snyder vs. Norv Turner.
The pressure is off Norv Turner, the former Redskins coach, but beating the Redskins would be more than satisfying for the Chargers' new offensive coordinator. What would hurt Snyder, who spent almost $100 million on players last year, would be seeing Turner settle into a nice situation playing with Doug Flutie and developing Michael Vick. Nobody knows the Redskins better than Turner.

The game: Monday, Sept. 17 (Vikings at Ravens).
The subplot: Dennis Green vs. Brian Billick.
Would last year's Ravens offense score 24 or more points against Dennis Green's decimated defense? Well, imagine what the Ravens can do with an upgraded quarterback (Elvis Grbac) and upgraded right tackle (Leon Searcy) and a second year to develop halfback Jamal Lewis and receiver Travis Taylor. Billick believes his offense can be top 10, and the Ravens might look even better if Green hasn't restocked the defense.

The game: Sunday, Sept. 23 (Raiders at Dolphins).
The subplot: Armstrong meets Miami.
Trace Armstrong found the fountain of youth in Miami and became a Pro Bowl starter after a 16½-sack season. Armed with a $5 million Raider signing bonus, Armstrong wants to make quarterbacks Jay Fiedler and Ray Lucas pay for the Dolphins not re-signing him.

The game: Sunday, Sept. 30 (Steelers at Bills).
The subplot: Bill Cowher vs. Tom Donahoe.
In Pittsburgh, coach Bill Cowher and personnel director Tom Donahoe grew apart to a point that owner Dan Rooney fired Donahoe. Will this be Donahoe's revenge or Cowher's statement that all is well without Donahoe?

The games: Sunday, Oct. 7 (Titans at Ravens) and Monday, Nov. 12 (Ravens at Titans).
The subplot: Reunion of AFC Central's new rivalry.
These games have become wars, but the Ravens have won the past two games. Knowing that they are at the top of the AFC Central, each team has started an arms race for talent. The Ravens get Elvis Grbac and right tackle Leon Searcy. The Titans got defensive end Kevin Carter to negate both acquisitions.

The game: Sunday, Oct. 28 (Bills at Chargers).
The subplots: Doug Flutie vs. Rob Johnson, Ralph Wilson vs. John Butler.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson continues to take shots at former Bills GM John Butler, who bolted to San Diego for more money. Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson couldn't get along in Buffalo, so the first thing Flutie would love to do is stab Johnson in the back by winning on his native California turf.

The game: Thursday, Nov. 22 (Broncos at Cowboys).
The subplot: Ex-Cowboys do Dallas.
It will be fun for Cowboys fans to see if Leon Lett and Kavika Pittman can return to Irving, Texas, on Thanksgiving Day and create some havoc on the field. With the Cowboys in rebuilding mode, Cowboys fans have to look to the little things to spice up the season.

The game: Monday, Nov. 26 (Buccaneers at Rams).
The subplot: Clash of the big free-agent spenders.
They have been among the most active teams this offseason, the Rams trying to rebuild the defense and the Bucs trying to rebuild their passing offense. How will Brad Johnson fair against the Rams' young, ever-changing defense?

The game: Sunday, Dec. 2 (Jets at Steelers).
The subplot: Kordell Stewart vs. Chad Pennington.
Hmmm. Kordell Stewart better have a good day with receiver Plaxico Burress because Steelers fans will be chanting, "Pennington, Pennington." The Steelers picked Burress over quarterback Chad Pennington last year.

The game: Saturday, Dec. 29 (Ravens at Buccaneers).
The subplot: Elvis Grbac vs. Brad Johnson.
All right, who made the right choice at quarterback? Was Elvis Grbac better than Brad Johnson in Baltimore, and did the Bucs steal the right guy in keeping Johnson away from the Ravens?

John Clayton is the senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.