3. Crabtree to put his holdout well behind him » Whether it was right or wrong for the San Francisco first-round draft pick to link his lengthy holdout and contract impasse to another certain rookie wide receiver from Maryland across the Bay in Oakland, it won’t take long for Michael Crabtree to prove he’s just as capable as Darrius Heyward-Bey. After all, Heyward-Bey has just two receptions this season. Expect that by halftime in Houston as Crabtree — despite just three weeks in camp, barely enough time to learn the game plan and even less of the San Francisco playbook — explodes onto the NFL scene in the way he’s been anticipated to the entire offseason. The San Jose Mercury News listed the debut receptions for Jerry Rice (four), Terrell Owens (zero) and Dwight Clark (one), just in case. — Craig Stouffer

Upset Special

Cardinals over the Giants

Picking Arizona to do well when traveling to the Eastern time zone seems like a bad idea. After all, they were 0-5 during the regular season under that scenario in 2008. But the Cardinals dispelled that myth with their memorable playoff win at Carolina last year. This week they have a tough test at the Meadowlands against an angry Giants team that was just embarrassed by New Orleans. Arizona is only going to add to New York’s misery with a win on Sunday night. The Cardinals feature one of the league’s best run defenses. And wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will have a big day against New York’s secondary with more than 100 yards and two touchdown receptions. — Brian McNally

Fantasy Watch

Five to Start

1. QB Ben Roethlisberger » The Steelers’ offense has changed into a much more pass-oriented attack. Big Ben leads the NFL in passing yards.

2. RB Ryan Grant » The Packers may need to establish the run with their pass protection problems and the Browns’ defense allows 165 rushing yards per game.

3. RB Laurence Maroney » The Pats’ running back by committee can be annoying, but Maroney had 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries last week.

4. WR Miles Austin » The Cowboys receiver turned a record-setting Week 5 into a starting job and may become Tony Romo’s favorite target.

5. WR Hakeem Nicks » The Giants rookie has a touchdown in the last three games and is facing a Cardinals’ defense that allows 265.2 passing yards per game.

Five to Sit

1. QB Donovan McNabb » As bad as the Redskins are, they only allow 169 passing yards per game and McNabb struggled last week against the Raiders.

2. RB Brandon Jacobs » The bruising back has lost carries to Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants play the Cardinals — the No. 1 run defense in the NFL.

3. RB Fred Jackson » The Bills’ back has racked up 415 rushing yards and 177 yards receiving, but only one touchdown to show for it.

4. WR Santana Moss » A new play caller in Washington and facing a good Eagles’ secondary does not bode well for the Redskins’ passing game.

5. WR Steve Smith » What has happened to the Panthers’ top receiver? He had one catch for four yards in a 28-21 victory over the Bucs last week.

— Jeffrey Tomik

Game to Watch

Vikings at Steelers, 1 p.m., FOX

Minnesota’s offense is as hot as any team in the league. The stats don’t tell the story for the Vikings’ offense — they’re ranked 14th in the NFL. But they’re second in points per game and have scored at least 30 points in four of their six games. Running back Adrian Peterson averages 5.2 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns. And 40-year-old quarterback Brett Favre has a 109.5 passer rating and is not taking the foolish chances he has in the past. But they’re facing the NFL’s third-ranked defense in the Steelers. However, they too have a good offense. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is emerging and averages 5.1 yards per carry. — John Keim

Examiner Power Rankings

— James Irwin