If you’ve read any bit of the previous two seasons of the Match-Up Mania, it’s scathingly obvious I have fun writing about the NFL. In that spirit, I loosed a sigh of relief as I began typing the 2015 season debut. No more education on the Ideal Gas Law, no more research on the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement or lessons how legal proceedings with are run in arbitration. I can go back to being The Student of the Game and studying the very thing I enjoy — football.
Regardless of how I feel about Greg Hardy’s suspension, Dez Bryant videos (that apparently don’t exist), or Tom Brady handling soft balls, it’s time to return to action. Here are the week’s most intriguing games for NFL Week 1
Steelers vs. Patriots
In previous season-opening editions of the MuM, it’s an unwritten rule that I include the opening game itself. Not only for the excitement factor of surviving that time of year where the most exciting thing to text my buddies about is women’s tennis, but the recent trend is this contest features the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Beyond the opportunity to make yet another comment about Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll and the worst offensive play call in Super Bowl history, what does that matter? Because through the outcome of this contest, we can form an early and knee-jerked opinion about the likelihood of the New England Patriots and their chances to repeat. But hey . . . this is the fun of being a fan.
As it turns out, due to his apparent alleged efforts to destroy evidence and despite thumbing his nose at the NFL at every turn, Patriots’ Quaterback Tom Brady won’t miss this start after the NFL suspended him 4 weeks due to Deflategate. Bad news for the Pittsburgh Steelers who lost several key pieces to their defense including former Steeler mainstay and possible ZZ Top fan, defensive end Brett Keisel, as well as the man most likely to play the lead role in a live-action Tazmanian Devil film, safety Troy Polamalu.
But don’t count the Steelers out. The Patriots have their own defensive Pro Bowlers who have departed since the champagne stopped flowing. With Darelle Revis and Brandon Browner both parting from their spots at cornerback as arguably the best duo in Foxboro in at least a decade, the Steelers’ Antonio Brown and Heath Miller will be easier targets for 2-time Super Bowl Champion signal caller “Big Ben” Roethlisberger to spread the Pats defense, now without defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. This sets the stage for whoever is carrying the ball in lieu of suspended starting running back and future fragrance spokesperson, Le’Veon Bell to produce. (Seriously, I dare anyone to say his name without thinking it’s not already a brand of Calvin Kline cologne . . . or at least should be.)
In light of all that, I catch myself narrowing this down to a shootout and when that happens, it comes down to the passers. And as much as I like Big Ben’s talent, and despite their release of Hall of Fame-worthy wide receiver Reggie Wayne, I struggle to vote against Tom Brady and the actual MVP of the New England franchise, tight end Rob Gronkowski. I expect we’ll be hearing Boston fans barking about justice being served and their hero’s exoneration (despite still waiting for a good explanation for Spygate a decade-ish later) as the Patriots demonstrate that they are still a playoff team, but not necessarily a lock to repeat.
Chiefs vs. Texans
For all you fans out there who love defense, this game will be an absolutely treat. Beyond those ten or so people that actually exist (not counting myself or anyone in my family), if you love quarterback play, the top billing is . . . the Chiefs Alex Smith? Wait — don’t leave . . . they’ve replaced Dwayne Bowe at the wide receiver position with Jeremy Maclin which should add at least two more touchdowns on the year to that group. This will make the wide receiver corps’ total TDs in 2015 . . . two. Never mind. The only reason to watch the Chiefs on offense is running back, Jamaal Charles.
Regularly, Charles is 40% or more of the Kansas City offense . . . even when opposing defenses know he’s coming. I look forward to seeing what happens when he goes up against the Texans’ defense that features lineman and universal NFL man-crush, J.J. Watt. On its own, an interesting pairing, but when we add former Patriot and world’s fastest immovable object, Vince Wilfork at defensive tackle, that makes things more difficult. Then, the cherry on top. . . the return of linebacker, Jadaveon Clowney. Suddenly, it looks like one of the NFL’s most complete offensive weapons is starring in a summer camp slasher film where he won’t just have an arrowhead on his helmet, but a his entire body will have arrows slung at it.
That’s not to say the Texans have an easy win on their hands here. Arian Foster, their top running back, is out due to a training camp injury. This leaves the likes of quarterback, Brian Hoyer and running back, Alfred Blue to try and lead this offense to some production. Sure, their new top wide receiver, 3rd-year man DeAndre Hopkins, may be fine filling the void at wide receiver left by Andre Johnson, but the Houston franchise will continue a tradition whose best starter at the quarterback position was mediocre at best, Matt Schaub. Truth is Blue may find success as their boy for the next few weeks, but that’s a big load to carry as Foster’s years at the position have already shown us. And all those average-at-best accolades moving the ball will try to produce against a defense that has put Pro Bowlers from each level of the defense (line, linebackers, and defensive backs).
Bascially, this game comes down to who makes fewer mistakes and who does the best to capitalize. Sure, most football games are decided by this, but they’ll be so many mistakes, in my view, maybe it’s best to say that the defense that scores the most points wins. If that’s the case, I’ve got J.J. and company pulling this one out.
Saints vs. Cards
This is one of those listings where I trust a portion of the people reading this will take me for some kind of fool. Why is this a featured Match-Up?
From the point of view of the Arizona Cardinals, I’ll admit, on paper, not much has changed on their roster. However, the fact that they will be featuring a start from quarterback, Carson Palmer for the first time in about 10 months is enough to celebrate. Their running game may not be much improved either despite their effort to add a spark acquiring Pro Bowl offensive guard and renowned run blocker, Mike Iupati, who is out for 6 weeks.
The good news for Arizona, the defense hasn’t changed much either. Sure, defensive end Darnell Dockett is no longer on the roster — or even a productive asset anymore as his recent release from San Francisco might suggest in what amounted to a $2 million grab-n’-go. But that defensive crew will still be an amazing anchor for the team as they, too, recover from injury.
On the other end, the New Orleans Saints are attempting to change their entire identity as a team. They shipped star tight end Jimmy Graham, the previous favorite target of quaterback, Drew Brees for center, Max Unger as part of an effort to feature a bit more power in an offense previously renowned for their airborne finesse. On top of that, they have revamped their defense adding players such as Brandon Browner and Danelle Ellerby.
The Cardinals are a solid early litmus test for how successful this transition has gone for the Saints. While I think the Cards will win the contest, I see New Orleans being taken seriously with their new identity here after.
Honorable Mention:
Seahawks vs. Rams
This one doesn’t have any real science to it, there are 3 questions this game will answer. First, can the Seahawks handle this much scrutiny of their contracts and compensation in the public eye? The key to this team’s persona, in my view, is “us against the world”. If it becomes “I’m better than the respect my contract gives me” and Seahawks’ players act more like Kam Chancellor as a hold out in training camp, problems could arise from my Seahawks Super Bowl winning prediction I’ve made this season.
Second, can Russell Wilson do good things with a bonafide receiving talent? Tight End Jimmy Graham’s arrival from the Saints makes him the best receiver threat Wilson has ever been paired with since Percy Harvin, who missed more games than he played. The expectation would be that Graham’s individual stats would increase from an injury-impeded 2014. But he must prove a good enough blocker for a run-based team while playing twice as many games against the NFC West compared to last year to be a true success. Also,Wilson has a chance to prove himself as a quarterback that rivals top-level players as Drew Brees now that he possesses such an asset. The point is I am anxious to see how Seattle will make use of their new weapon.
Lastly, from the Rams’ point of view, is Nick Foles about to be exposed as a system passer? When he first came on the scene in 2013, Foles posted a touchdown to interception ratio that defines precision rivaling a Swiss time piece. But life is different in the NFC West. Where the defenses are stronger, faster, meaner, and gets more press than someone chucking the ball all over the field (unless they are named Russell Wilson).
While this will be a close game in St. Louis, I believe the answer to all of the main questions above are “yes”. The performances here will set a tone for both teams and how they start their season.
