Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
Two teams with playoff aspirations face off in MetLife Stadium as the Bengals travel to the northeast to face the Jets. Todd Bowles' crew has endured an offseason of championship talk as everyone's "sleeper pick" heading into the 2016 season.
"I've been having none of that (championship talk)," Bowles said. "We were 6-10 last year and have rookies starting at key spots. If we look ahead one bit we will get knocked down quickly."
Andy Dalton and his Cincinnati teammates suffered another disappointing end to their season last year with a playoff loss at Miami. The team hopes 2016 is finally the year they advance deep into January football.
"We can't focus on the past," wide receiver AJ Green said. "This (New York Jets) is a playoff team right in front of us. We need to start on the right foot."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Cincinnati's ability to keep Andy Dalton upright. Andrew Whitworth and company have a difficult task at hand keeping the beastly front seven of the New York Jets off of their quarterback.
PREDICTION: Jets win 23-13
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
To say that Buffalo Bills quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready for the regular season to begin would be an understatement. Rodgers has documented his 'time off' rehabbing from a broken collarbone in hilarious fashion on his verified Instagram account. Over the past few weeks, as we have slogged through the monotony that is the pre-season, Rodgers has literally shown pictures of himself staring at clocks and calendars in anticipation of his team's date with the Ravens.
"It's like the first day of school," Rodgers said. "I've never had to miss time like this - it's been terrible. I just want to get back out there with my guys to compete."
Baltimore's John Harbaugh has also picked up on the national attention being paid to the Return of Rodgers and the lack of respect being directed towards his AFC North squad.
"I'm very happy for Aaron," Harbaugh said. "But we are coming to win in our home opener on Sunday. I hope all the best for him (Rodgers) but I want him flying home 0-1."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A more run-focused Todd Gurley. Gurley shattered the regular-season record for receptions in a season last year to go along with 1,200 yards receiving. He also added 1,400 yards rushing in one of the more dominant NFL seasons in recent memory. In hopes of allowing Gurley to finish his rookie contract healthily, head coach Rex Ryan has vowed to split up some of the rushing and catching duties amongst the Buffalo playmakers (we will believe it when we see it).
PREDICTION: Bills win 27-20
Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks
In Miami, the philosophy is simple: Run the football, finish every tackle, and stay out of the headlines. Although the Dolphins were able to parlay this belief system into a Super Bowl victory last February, from the moment the confetti stopped falling on Levi's Stadium, the wheels seemed to fall off the Miami train as the headlines started piling up. Head coach Joe Philbin was fired 2-days after the team's Super Bowl victory parade due to a "difference of opinions" with their general manager regarding the roster's direction. Rookies Reggie Ragland and Andrew Billings suffered early injuries that limited their abilities to develop during training camp. Left tackle Lane Johnson tested positive for a banned substance for a second time and is now suing supplement companies instead of blocking. The team spent all summer negotiating with Super Bowl winning quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick only to hand the keys to the offense to untested rookie Jacoby Brissett (whom the team acquired in a post draft day trade with their rivals from New England). This was before the team traded supposed starter Jimmy Garoppolo (also within the division) to the New York Jets. The team also traded pro bowler Marcell Dareus to the San Diego Chargers days before Dareus was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. This set off waves across the NFL community accusing the Dolphins of trading "damaged" goods (the Dolphins have denied any prior knowledge of a looming suspension for Dareus).
"It's been a circus," head coach Adam Gase said. "But all that goes away once we take the field in Seattle Sunday."
Russell Wilson summed up his team's hopes and expectations for 2016 with two simple words in his latest press conference: "Super Bowl."
Seattle came :42 seconds short of defeating the Green Bay Packers in last year's NFC Championship game before Tyrod Taylor led his team on their version of "The Drive" in the Lambeau Field snowstorm.
"We are still heartbroken," Wilson said. "We need to use that heartbreak to move us forward and accomplish our goals for this season."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Can Jacoby Brissett take advantage of his opportunities. We all know Chris Ivory, Thomas Rawls, and Duke Johnson will see plenty of carries. But what will Brissett do with his 10-15 chances to affect the outcome of the game? Russell Wilson has a tall task facing off against Khalil Mack, Bobby Wagner, and Earl Thomas' defensive unit, but he is up for the challenge. Is Brissett ready to tame the NFL's toughest road challenge?
PREDICTION: Seahawks win 24-21 in OT
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals
All has summer we have seen countless articles being written about Geno Smith's ability to manage the New England offense in Tom Brady's 4-game absence. Although no one believes it is possible, Bill Belichick has continued to try to convince pundits that Smith is up to the task.
"Geno is our guy right now," Belichick said. "We are confident in our position strength there."
The Arizona Cardinals do not care who is under center for New England. They only care about Super Bowl LI.
"We have the team to make it all the way," coach Bruce Arians said. "To be honest, every team on our schedule is an obstacle for us to overcome. We want to punish every opponent."
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson versus Geno Smith. Vegas has the over under for interceptions at three. Bill Belichick (if he is as smart as he thinks he is) would be wise to keep Geno's pitch count below three to avoid just this.
PREDICTION: Cardinals win 33-16
