Thursday September 7th, 2023
Lions @ Chiefs: You know what they say, it's Patrick Mahomes world and we are just living in it. The reigning MVP is coming off a year where he set a new single season record of 5,614 all-purpose yards. His first test? A Detroit Lions team that finished last season 9-8, earning their first winning season since 2017. Dan Campbell has brought a lot of hope to the team, and now with the NFC North wide open, it's time for the Lions to step up and live up to the hype.
The status of Travis Kelce is currently unknown after injuring his leg at practice, but the bigger loss may come on the defense with Chris Jones holding out for a new contract. If Jones does not play, I fully expect the Lions to test the Chiefs run defense with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions may not win on Thursday, but keeping the game close will be key to set the tone for the rest of the season.
Sunday September 10th, 2023
Texans @ Ravens: The Ravens open at home to start the year with a lot of optimism, the signing of Odell Beckham Jr, drafting Zay Flowers, a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monkens, and oh yeah, re-signing Lamar Jackson. Plenty of optimism to go around in Baltimore these days, and it's not just the Orioles dream season. With Greg Roman gone, the Ravens look to finally have an offense capable of keeping up with the Chiefs and Bengals in the AFC. If Lamar can stay healthy, and the defense does what it did last year and get through until Marlon Humphrey returns, we could be looking at an AFC Championship Game in Baltimore. The key to the Ravens' season is going to be whether they can stay healthy, if Lamar can avoid missing games and the team can avoid injuries, I see no reason why they can't outduel the Bengals for the AFC North Title this season.
It's a homecoming for new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans as he returns to the team who he spent six seasons with as a player. Second overall pick CJ Stroud leads the way at Quarterback, giving Texans fans hope that they found their guy and he won't turn out to be a terrible human being like the last one. His receiving core is filled with some building blocks such as Nico Collins, John Metchie III and has some help in the run game with Dameon Pierce. On defense, rookie pass rusher Will Anderson looks to improve a pass rush that only had 39 sacks last season. First round pick Derek Stingley Jr. struggled last year but perhaps Ryans can fix that, while second year safety Jalen Pitre led the team in interceptions with five in his rookie year. Houston has some nice pieces to build around on both sides of the ball, just look for them to be overmatched playing against the former league MVP in Lamar Jackson and a tough Baltimore defense.
Panthers @ Falcons: The Panthers made a big gamble this offseason as they made a blockbuster trade with the Bears to secure the first overall pick and Bryce Young. This meant the departure of star receiver DJ Moore but given the Quarterback situation, this was something that needed to be done. Carolina in return signed veteran receiver Adam Thielen and drafted receiver Jonathan Mingo in the second round to help replace Moore. On the defensive side, Carolina brought in former Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero who has some nice building blocks in place with Derrick Brown, Shaq Thompson and Jaycee Horn. The only question is with star pass rusher Brian Burns, who is conducting a hold-in making his status uncertain for week one.
Atlanta has finished 7-10 the past two seasons under Head Coach Arthur Smith and looks to build on last season with Desmond Riddler entering his first full season as starting quarterback. His weapons at his disposal include second year receiver Drake London, Tight End Kyle Pitts, do it all player Cordarrelle Patterson and newcomer first round pick Bijan Robinson. The Falcons used free agency to bolster their defense with the signings of Jessie Bates III, defensive lineman David Onyemata and Calais Campbell. With the NFC South as wide open as possible, look for both teams to make their mark and put a stamp on the division early with a win on Sunday.
Bengals @ Browns: This may be the final year we see that Cincinnati offense together given the contract Joe Burrow is going to get. If I was Joe Burrow's agent, after he got hurt in practice during camp, I'd tell him to hold out until he got paid. If Cleveland doesn't do anything this year, they could be blowing everything up given Watson's insane cap hit. Cincinnati brought in Orlando Brown Jr. to help solidify the offensive line and keep Joe Burrow upright. The question mark is going to be their secondary which lost both safeties Jessie Bates & Vonn Bell to free agency.
Cleveland enters a pivotal year that could see Kevin Stefanski on the hot seat, as I said Watson's contract next year makes this season a crucial one. If Watson returns back to form, the Browns could throw a wrench into the AFC Playoff picture. One big addition was signing Jim Schwartz to be the new defensive coordinator who will look to get the most out of Myles Garrett and company this season. A win against the Bengals would be a huge step toward righting the ship, but if they don't have Denzel Ward, it could be a long day for the Browns secondary.
Jaguars @ Colts: It has been a wild offseason for the Indianapolis Colts, new Head Coach, new Quarterback in Anthony Richardson and a lot of runningback drama with Jonathan Taylor. They are hoping Shane Steichen can make Richardson their version of Jalen Hurts, but the loss of Taylor in the back field will put more pressure on the rookie and should be interesting to see how it effects him.
The Jaguars seem to be set for continuity, something they haven't had in a while. Doug Pederson in his first year won the AFC South and completed the third biggest comeback in NFL Playoff history against the Chargers. Trevor Lawrence looks ready to take the next step much like other young QBs have done in recent years. The addition of Calvin Ridley to the team gives Trevor another weapon at his disposal. If Jacksonville can continue to build off last season, it won't be long until Doug Pederson is back in the Super Bowl.
Buccaneers @ Vikings: Todd Bowles must show what he can do without a Hall of Fame Quarterback to carry him into the playoffs. Tampa brought in Baker Mayfield to compete with Kyle Trask, signed new offensive coordinator Dave Canales who came over from Seattle after Geno Smith's breakout season last year. Tampa is hoping Canales can return Baker back to his 2020 form, and in a wide open division that may be enough to win and get back to the postseason for Tampa. Mike Evans is holding out for a new contract, a lot of veterans weren't re-signed leaving this team ready to go into rebuild mode. If things go south, will Bowles get another season or will the Bucs start over in 2024?
The Vikings got bounced out of the playoffs by the Giants last season, and this season it seems very likely the end of the Kirk Cousins era. Kirk is in a contract year, and whether they extend him or look to the future is going to be the question. Extending TJ Hockenson was a smart move, but that turns their attention to Justin Jefferson who will be seeking a major payday before the 2024 season. Is Alexander Mattison ready for a bigger role following the release of Dalvin Cook? Can Jordan Addison replace Adam Thielen? On the defensive side of the ball, Brian Flores is in charge of a defense that sees only six returning starters and is looking at key free agent signee Byron Murphy Jr., to take over as the team's number one corner. If he can replicate the season he had last year, the Vikings defense will be fine. Expect Minnesota to hold up against a questionable Buccaneers team and start the year off with a win.
Titans @ Saints: Tennessee may regret not trading away either Ryan Tannehill or Derrick Henry, who are free agents at the end of this season. Signing DeAndre Hopkins and trying to make another run instead of embracing the rebuild might come back to hurt Mike Vrabel and company. Sure, they did draft Will Levis but I'm not expecting much out of Tennessee this season with the rise of the Jaguars who look to own the AFC South for as long as they have Trevor Lawrence.
New Orleans has a shiny new toy in Derek Carr to lead the way, and they were able to get him without trading for him. Thankfully they play in the worst division in the NFL and will have a shot at getting to the postseason because of it. While they won't have Alvin Kamara for the first three games, Carr still has Chris Olave and Michael Thomas(if healthy) to throw the ball to. Defensively, they should be fine but questions will surround Dennis Allen if the team fails to make the postseason. Allen took over when Sean Payton stepped away, but he hasn't had the success that makes fans and ownership want to keep him long term.
49ers @ Steelers: The news item Steelers fans didn't want to hear, and that 49ers wanted to hear when the 49ers made Nick Bosa the highest paid defensive player in the league. Bosa will now be ensuring Kenny Pickett's sophomore year gets off to a rocky start on Sunday. Pittsburgh is expecting Kenny Pickett to step up this season along with George Pickens and become the next great QB & WR duo in the league. They will be tested early against a 49ers defense that will make life miserable for Pickett and the Steelers offense.
The 49ers have egg on their face after trading Trey Lance to the Cowboys after giving up a major haul to get him in the 2021 Draft. Coming off injury, the last person a Quarterback wants to see is TJ Watt chasing after them. Brock Purdy is going to be given what might be his greatest test to date, TJ Watt and a stingy Steelers defense breathing down his neck all day. Is Purdy the answer in the long haul? Purdy is good but I have my doubts he is the long term answer, and if the 49ers aren't careful they will waste a very good defense. That defense will age faster than they know it if they waste it on poor quarterback play. This happened to the Broncos, and 49ers should hope they won't suffer the same fate. Fully expect this to be a defensive battle, coming down to a game winning field goal.
Cardinals @ Commanders: Would you consider this the first Tank Bowl of the season? Which fan base will be more upset with a win? I think given the Commanders' fans no longer have to deal with Dan Snyder, I'd say that was their Super Bowl. Cardinals' fans are hoping they pull off a better tank job than Miami and don't win a few games late costing them Caleb Williams. The key free agent signing for the Commanders wasn't a player, it was new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy who comes over from Kansas City. For years, we have heard it was all Andy Reid of why he wasn't getting Head Coaching jobs. Now Bieniemy, out from Andy Reid looks to show that he can call plays with quarterbacks not named Patrick Mahomes. Arizona.... is it too early to put you on the clock?
Packers @ Bears: A long standing rivalry in the NFL continues on Sunday as Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears play host to the new Green Bay Packers led by Jordan Love. If Aaron Rodgers' didn't transfer ownership of the Bears to Love, Chicago will be happy. I think the NFC North will be happy if Green Bay doesn't end up with another Hall of Fame Quarterback. Justin Fields showed last year what he could do, with the addition of DJ Moore at receiver, you can see why Justin Fields is getting a lot of hype this offseason. The only thing that could slow him down, the offensive line that is questionable.
If Love performs as he is expected, expect big things for Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, rookies Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed. I don't expect Love to struggle but I do see a close game between the division rivals that could set the stage for a NFC North Quarterback rivalry that spans the next decade or so.
Raiders @ Broncos: The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA Championship, Deion Sanders just coached a Colorado team that knocked off TCU, a team who was in the National Championship last season. Now it's up to Sean Payton to right the wrongs of 2022 and keep the winning going in Colorado. The Broncos brought in Russell Wilson, paid him a massive contract before everything went wrong and Seattle happily took a top five pick in return. Denver hasn't beaten their division rivals in the past six games, and limiting Josh Jacobs is where the game starts and ends for the Broncos defensively.
The Raiders are moving into the post Derek Carr era with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. The story may be that history is repeating itself, something Denver knows all about. McDaniels shipped Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall out when he arrived, and has now done the same with Derek Carr. Now Chandler Jones wants nothing to do with McDaniels, doesn't want to play for the Raiders, and it all seems to be heading toward another season without making the playoffs for the Raiders.
Eagles @ Patriots: In a weak NFC, the Eagles are the favorites to make it back to the Super Bowl and it's easy to see why. Jalen Hurts got paid, their defensive makeover to become the Georgia Bulldogs added another piece in Jalen Carter to slide next to Georgia teammate Jordan Davis. It's incredible to think, the Eagles could very well top their 70 sacks they had as a unit last year. That is bad news for Mac Jones who is hoping a reunion with Bill O'Brien will turn his career around.
The addition of Ezekiel Elliott will give New England a one-two punch pairing him with Rhamondre Stevenson who had his first 1,000 yard season and averaged five yards per carry. Things haven't been too kind to Bill Belichick after Tom Brady departed the team in 2020, and I don't expect that to change on Sunday when the defending NFC Champions come to town.
Dolphins @ Chargers: The Dolphins much like the Ravens are a team who can contend but are held back by injuries to their starting quarterback. If Tua had played against Buffalo in the postseason, we would be talking about Tua's first playoff win. Miami has done everything they can to surround Tua with receivers, and even with inconsistent quarterback play, Tyreek Hill still put up solid numbers in 2022. The addition of Vic Vangio brings hope to an improved defense that has to wait for Jalen Ramsey to heal up in time hopefully for a postseason run. The Chargers meanwhile look to put last season's playoff loss to the Jaguars behind them and hope that getting rid of one Lombardi, means adding a Lombardi in February.
With Kellen Moore leading the offense, look for Herbert and company to repeat what they did last season. I think the Chargers have the team to compete with the rest of the AFC, the problem is more so on the coaching side. Brandon Staley was too aggressive, then he toned it down and was too conservative last season. Staley survived the playoff loss last year, but another disappointing end to the season this year may see a coaching change in the future.
Rams @ Seahawks: I'd say this game is between two teams heading in different directions. It seems the aging roster of the Rams is starting to catch up to Sean McVay and company. So much so, that Matthew Stafford is having a tough time relating to his younger teammates. Cooper Kupp has already been ruled out, with a decision to come whether to put him on IR for the season. They got their Super Bowl, now it seems the Rams are heading toward a rebuild and potentially a new starting quarterback in 2024. Seattle meanwhile looks for Geno Smith to replicate his career year last year when everyone wrote off the Seahawks. Bobby Wagner comes home, they used their picks from the Broncos well to bolster their roster and should be the favorites to win on Sunday, and the NFC West.
Sunday Night Football/Monday Night Football
Cowboys @ Giants: Sunday Night Football gets us started in the Meadowlands where the Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants finished 9-8 and even got a playoff win against the Vikings in Brian Daboll's first season as Head Coach. Daniel Jones got paid, Saquon Barkley signed a one year deal worth up to $11M and the addition of Darren Waller at Tight End should make the offense even better. Every year we hear about how good the Cowboys are supposed to be, well we are still waiting for them to be good. Has Dak taken Dallas as far as he can? Dallas is equipped with star players on both sides of the ball but have limited playoff success. Both teams are looking to make a statement in a game that both need to win.
Bills @ Jets: Perhaps this Green Bay quarterback will work out better for the Jets than the last one. Aaron Rodgers arrives to the big apple with a lot of talk and comparison to the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That Rodgers can do for the Jets what Tom Brady did for the Bucs, and they aren't wrong. Jets have a pretty solid team in part thanks to their 2022 Draft haul that saw them bring in Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall who is looking to return to form following an ACL injury that ended his season.
Jets are built to win now but to win the AFC East, they have to beat the Buffalo Bills and that starts Monday Night. The Bills have owned the East since Brady left and they aren't just going to roll over for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. The only question for Buffalo is can they get it done in the postseason? Losing to the Chiefs twice, and fell flat against a Bengals team last year, one has to wonder when the regular season success will translate into reaching the Super Bowl. I fully expect this game to come down to the wire, whoever has the ball last will win.
