INSIDE THE NFC CENTRAL.(National Football Conference Central news)(Statistical Data Included)

GAME OF THE WEEK

Miami at Minnesota. Daunte Culpepper had an impressive debut against the Bears--on the ground. The Miami defense and secondary, anchored by Sam Madison, Brock Marion and Patrick Surtain, will provide a bigger test. Miami's offense probably will test the Vikings' secondary, too.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Lions RB James Stewart vs. the Redskins' front seven, Herman Moore's absence takes away one of the passing game's biggest weapons, and Stockar McDougle's injury weakens the Detroit offensive line. That again puts more pressure on Stewart, who had 78 yards vs. New Orleans.

ON THE SPOT

Will Vonnie Holliday and Green Bay's defensive fine be able to put any pressure on Bills QB Bob Johnson? The Packers' defense didn't have a sack in the preseason or in Week 1 against the Jets. It's an obvious weak link.

KEEP AN EYE ON

The return of Charlie Batch. Bobby Ross went with Stoney Case in the opener, although Batch was available. The Lions felt no need to rush Batch's return from a broken kneecap, but he should be ready for the Redskins.

ROOKIE REPORT

The versatility that made Brian Urlacher such an attractive player on draft day, ironically, might have kept him from winning a starting job in Chicago by opening day. But he'll find himself starting at middle linebacker eventually.

FEARLESS FORECAST

The Bucs will silence all doubts about their Hardy Nickerson-less defense with a dominating performance against the Bears. There are questions about Tampa's ability to stop the run, but the Bears' run game also has questions.

FANTASY SOURCE

Is Cade McNown the hottest young fantasy quarterback around? He won't be this week when the Bears go to Tampa Bay and a swarming Bucs defense pressures and hassles him all day. Find McNown a spot on your bench this week and throw someone else in the fire.

For more fantasy football go to fantasy.sportingnews.com

Chicago

0-1: T 4th

Smith, Johnson will renew rivalry with one-on-one duel

Thomas Smith is the team's most physical cornerback, and he will be asked to lock on to Tampa Bay WR Keyshawn Johnson most of the game. It will be a renewal of the matchups from their Bills-Jets days. Smith's weakness continues to be bad hands, which accounts for how he had only six interceptions through seven seasons in Buffalo.... Coaches might say otherwise, but James Allen moved ahead of Curtis Enis as the No. 1 running back against the Vikings. The real indicator was not so much his running, which is more effective than Enis', but his blocking. Enis is an outstanding pass blocker, but Allen repeatedly remained in the game against Minnesota as the one back in passing situations and stepped up to block linemen and linebackers, with decent results.... Tampa Bay was too fast for QB Cade McNown last year and pressured him out of his rhythm. But McNown has worked on pocket presence and is much better about letting his linemen engage and hold their blocks without him running into a rush lane.... Rookie TE Dustin Lyman is expected to get plenty of playing time as soon as he recovers from a painful shoulder. …