Rivers was horrific against KC last season
but the Chiefs secondary is in shambles to begin 2018.
Grab a Helmet
Drew
Brees vs TB: The Saints are the Vegas darlings in Week
1, as they are nearly double-digit favorites against a hapless Bucs
team. Anxious to erase the nightmare end to the 2017 playoffs, Brees
and the offense should be able to fire on all cylinders against
a Tampa defense that was dreadful last year, and an offense that
is likely to turn the ball over a few times with Ryan Fitzpatrick
at quarterback. Brees has been surgical against the Bucs in the
recent past, especially at home (22-27, 263-2 Wk9 ‘17). He’s lost
a little off the deep ball, but Brees, even at 39, is still one
of the best in the business. At home against an inferior opponent,
Brees is a great bet to finish as the overall QB1 this week.
Philip
Rivers vs KC: This game has the look of those classic
Sunday afternoon AFC West shootouts. The Charger secondary is banged
up, and young gun Patrick Mahomes comes to town, while the old sheriff
Rivers hits the field for his 15th season. Kansas City lost several
impact defensive players this offseason, and looks to be in transition
with young players at all levels. Rivers struggled mightily against
the Chiefs last year (1TD, 6 INTS, 2 games), but there is new personnel
on both teams. This game (48) has one of the highest over/unders
of the week, and I expect points to come in bunches. Start the old
man, and reap the value.
Andy
Dalton @ IND: I don’t foresee having Dalton in this spot
much this season, but I have to admit, the Bengal pass offense has
looked explosive in the preseason. The addition of a healthy John
Ross gives the passing game an element (speed) they’ve lacked, and
his emergence could open this offense up for everyone. The Colts
went heavy on offense in the draft, were dreadful on defense last
year, and have sputtered this preseason. I think we see a more aggressive
attacking offense from the Bengals, as they might have finally amassed
the personnel to do it. I think Dalton puts up QB1 numbers this
week in a close, surprisingly entertaining game.
Grab a Headset
Eli
Manning vs JAX: We are going to get to see just what
the new look Giants offense is capable of right off the bat. After
a horrific 2017, Manning is back in the saddle for a New York
team that’s got offensive weapons new and old, with the addition
of Barkley and the return of OBJ. In recent seasons Manning has
looked slow and skittish behind a leaky offensive line, and I
didn’t see enough in the preseason to believe the line has improved
enough. Against most defenses I think that unit can be sufficient,
but this Jaguars squad hosts the best defensive line east of the
Mississippi. I anticipate a very safe offensive game plan, with
short passes and mass amounts of Barkley. If the Jaguars back
end can hold up, Manning could have a rough Week 1.
Deshaun
Watson @ NE: Yes, Watson was drafted to be a QB1 this
season, and he lit up the Pats last year for a 301 yards and 2
touchdowns, but that was prior to his season ending injury. There’s
no doubt Watson has made an amazing recovery, but the fact remains
this is a road game against a Pats defense that should be much
improved after they played a host of back-ups to close out the
2017 season. The Houston offensive line is a bottom five unit,
and I worry that Watson’s early season mobility could be compromised.
There is more than a little rust to shake off after not playing
much in the preseason, and I’m sure this offense will score some
points, I’m just not ready to trust Watson to have a big game
this week.
Derek
Carr vs LAR: Everything coming out of Oakland (Vegas?)
lately has been rancid. Trading away Mack, cutting Bryant, and
trading for AJ McCarron all seem like desperation moves from an
organization that doesn’t know what it’s doing. Most
have their doubts Gruden can make a triumphant return to an NFL
that looks quite different then when he coached a decade ago,
and until I see otherwise, count me in as a doubter. Carr, and
this offense have regressed in recent years, I just can’t
believe that Gruden has the magic elixir to fix it. On paper,
the Rams have a hall of fame defense, and an offense that should
pressure teams to score points. I think the Raiders have trouble
doing both, and this buzzsaw of a defense coached by Wade Phillips
makes Carr and the Silver and Black nation their first victim.
