Grant’s Slants: KC Chiefs-Browns prediction and o-line comparisons
By Grant Tuttle
Top 5 (Non-Chiefs) Games of Week 1
1. Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thursday night)
I never like to admit my excitement to watch the Cowboys. The so-called “America’s Team” has woefully underperformed in the past several seasons. Every year Skip Bayless and Cowboy nation pound the table and declare Dak Prescott’s Cowboys as contenders. Now we get to watch them in the first game of the year and determine whether anything has changed. Dallas has a talented roster and it would be a major disappointment if they were not at the top of the NFC East by season’s end.
On the flip side, Tom Brady is still an old man by NFL standards, yet somehow he keeps winning. Another offseason of media members calling for his demise and downward trend this season has come and gone. Now, we get to start the Brady experience over again for the 22nd time. As Tampa Bay and Brady try to repeat a Super Bowl run, they find themselves in what will likely be a dogfight in Week 1.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills
Pittsburgh and Buffalo had different paths in 2020. Pittsburgh started hot and finished the season on a slide. Buffalo seemed to get hotter by the week. Now in 2021, both teams get a chance to start the season against each other.
The Steelers are hoping to revive Ben Roethlisberger after what seemed like a career ending season. On defense, Pittsburgh will likely be stellar once again which makes the matchup with Buffalo all the more intriguing.
Buffalo, of course, enters the season on the back of Josh Allen and the passing game. Although they were not able to get past Kansas City in the AFC Championship, the squad is poised for another run at the Super Bowl.
3. Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints (Played in Jacksonville, FL)
Aaron Rodgers may be starting his own “Last Dance” in Green Bay. After a tumultuous offseason with Packers leadership, Rodgers ultimately decided to come back for another year. The Packers have been a solid team for several seasons, but Rodgers and company have only delivered one Super Bowl during their reign. The Packers get a chance to show that they are a team to reckon with in week one against a new-looking Saints team.
While Sean Payton is still running the show in New Orleans, there is a new quarterback in town. After Drew Brees retired, the Saints offered up a training camp competition between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Winston edged Hill out at the end after an impressive preseason showing. Now the Saints get an opportunity to show whether they can be as successful post-Brees.
4. Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans
Kyler Murray, year two. Julio to Tennesse to pair with AJ Brown. This game has the makings of a shootout. While Arizona has had a lot of ups and downs under Kliff Kingsbury, their offense has some serious talent. DeAndre Hopkins is no longer the only receiver that can get it done in Arizona. The Cardinals have added A.J. Green and speedster Rondale Moore to the receiving corp.
On the flipside, Julio Jones is a Tennessee Titan. After an offseason trade, the veteran now finds himself on a high-powered offense balanced between A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry. Tennessee will have an opportunity to present themselves as one of the NFL’s best offensive units in Week 1.
5. Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington Football Team
Death, taxes, and the Chargers being an offseason darling. Justin Herbert got off to a great start last season when he was given the opportunity. Now many expect him to take the next step. With Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler in the fold, the Chargers could be an offensive force. In Week 1, they meet with a defensive force known as the Washington Football team.
Last season under the leadership and strength of Ron Rivera, Washington found itself in a playoff game. Now with some more experience under their belt, they look to wreak havoc on offenses on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to find the best version of himself. This game looks like one that could go down to the wire.