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Crabtree to celebrate homecoming By: David John (SL)


San Francisco receiver Michael Crabtree can make an impact back in Dallas with a touchdown on Sunday in the NFL.

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3pts Tampa Bay to beat Carolina

3pts Michael Crabtree to score a TD anytime v Dallas

New England at Miami (1800BST)

Sky's coverage on Sunday kicks-off in South Florida in the AFC East as the Patriots look to continue their domination in the division following five straight titles.

That said, the Dolphins will obviously be attempting to bridge the gap this season with it looking very much like crunch time for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehil has suffered behind a disjointed offensive line for the most of the time he has been in the league - he was sacked another 58 times in 2013 - and the men paid to protect him still look to be a work in progress with Pro Bowl centre Mike Pouncey unavailable at the moment following summer hip surgery.

There is some upside this with Bill Lazor arriving in Miami as offensive co-ordinator and his influence could certainly help Tannehill get moving in the right direction bearing in mind Lazor's good work in developing Philadelphia's Nick Foles.

It is also hoped as well some chemistry finally develoips between quarterback and number one wide receiver Mike Wallace. They apparently hooked up for a couple of long receptions during practice this week but it counts for real now and some sort of productivity is well overdue.

New England got into the game as four-point favourites boosted by the news that oft-injured elite tight end Rob Gronkowski is ready to go. A huge match-up issue for any defense, Gronk was limited to just two catches for 27 yards in this fixture last season but one or two absentees from the hosts' defense is going to make a repeat of that tough.

Darelle Revis and Brandon Browner are quality additions this season to the Patriots defense in a bid to shore up the seconday as they try and make it eight wins out out nine against the Dolphins - but the latter did come out on top in their latest encounter as mentioned above back in December.

I expect the class of the division to prevail though once more but a couple of better bets elsewhere this weekend mean I shall keep the powder dry.

Verdict: Miami 17 New England 24


San Francisco at Dallas (2125BST)

There does seem to be a bit of a difference of opinion depending on who you listen to as to how the Cowboys will fare this season.

An 8-8 record for three consecutive seasons rather masks the level of talent on this team - particulalrly on offense - and one or two more favourable plays when it mattered could well have seen them make a couple of appearances in the post-season.

But head coach Jason Garrett remains under close scrutiny despite owner Jerry Jones' claims otherwise and he is among the market leaders to be the first in his position to get the bullett. So some early wins are going to be key.

But a defense that was little short of shambloic last year could actually be even worse with team captain Sean Lee already on Injured Reserve while DeMarcus Ware has taken his pass rushing skills up to Denver.

But if those who remain can rally to the cause and give Tony Romo, (returns from back surgery) Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray on the other side of the ball some support then a surprise or two could be in the offing.

They face a stern early test against a 49ers side perennially in the play-offs although they have had one or two off-field distractions themselves to cope with as the season approaches which will see defensive standouts Aldon Smith and potentially Ray McDonald missing on Sunday.

On a more positive note, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been rewarded with a lucrative new contract and his dynamic, athletic approach to the position should see him improve further.

My angle in on this game involves Kapernick's favourite target Michael Crabtree.

He may have come off second best to Seattle's Richard Sherman in the NFC Championship game but remains one of the best players at his position and enters the new campaign in good health - almost.

He has suffered an 11th hour tweak to a calf muscle but fully expects to play - hugely important for the Dallas native as head coach Jim Harbaugh described this game as "a big deal" to him.

This will be his first time he plays competitively in Arlington and there are going to be lots of friends and family in attendance which should make the occasion one he rises to.

He looks a very good option to score a touchdown anytime.

Verdict: Dallas 21 San Francisco 27

Best of the Rest:

Tampa Bay host last season's NFC South winners Carolina and the latter look worth taking on against a new-look Buccaneers.

Lovie Smith has taken over has head coach and he teams up again with his old ally from Chicago Josh McCown, who has been been given a shot as starting quarterback rather than being a back-up at the Bears. He certainly deserves a crack after recording 13 touchdowns to just one interception in relief of the injured Jay Cutler.

The Panthers are predicted in most quarters to regress somewhat after last year. They have manged to retain their fearsome front seven on defense - which ranked second to the Seahawks - but it is on offense where they could face problems.

Their quarterback Cam Newton has had ankle surgery while he is also battling a rib problem in the lead-up to a game where he goes into battle with a new set of receivers following the exit of Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr.

So Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery step in to fill the void and they will hardly have defenses quaking as a tandem of veteran possession receivers.

Punters seemed to have caught on to the deficiences of the Panthers as Tampa have been well supported but they still look worth an interest for the win at 4/6 in a lowish-scoring encounter.