The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Broncos seek 1st 2-0 start since 2018 against skidding Jags
The Denver Broncos are seeking their first 2-0 start since 2018 when they play at Jacksonville on Sunday. The Jaguars are coming off a nightmarish opener in which they had 10 penalties, six dropped passes and looked mostly unprepared in coach Urban Meyer’s NFL debut. It was Meyer’s first season-opening loss in 18 years as a head coach. Jacksonville has hosted Denver twice in home openers (2007, 2010) and won both.
DENVER (1-0) at JACKSONVILLE (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Broncos by 6
SERIES RECORD: Jaguars lead 7-6
LAST MEETING: Jaguars beat Broncos 26-24 on Sept. 29, 2019, in Denver
KEY MATCHUP: Broncos pass rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb vs. Jaguars OTs Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor.
Miller and Chubb haven’t played together since Sept. 29, 2019, coincidentally against Jacksonville. Chubb missed the
rest of that season with a left knee injury, and Miller sat out all of 2020 after dislodging a tendon in his left ankle in practice. Chubb missed the opener last week with an ankle injury.
FANTASY TIP: After running for 101 yards and a touchdown in the opener, Melvin Gordon now faces a defense that gave up 160 yards on the ground against Houston. WRs Sutton and Tim
Patrick and TE Noah Fant are also worth starting.
HOUSTON (1-0) at CLEVELAND (0-1) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Browns by 12.5
SERIES RECORD: Texans lead 7-4.
LAST MEETING: Browns beat Texans 10-7 on Nov. 15, 2020. KEY MATCHUP: Texans LT Laremy Tunsil vs. Browns DE Myles
Garrett. These two have a history going back to college. Garrett recorded one-half sack in the matchup last year against Tunsil, who recently returned after being sidelined with COVID-19. Garrett had the virus last season with his sickness
derailing a push to win league Defensive Player of the Year honors.
FANTASY TIP: With Beckham out, speedy rookie speedy WR Anthony Schwartz could have a larger role with Cleveland’s offense than expected. He had three catches for 69 yards in his debut
and could be the long-ball threat Mayfield needs.
LAS VEGAS (1-0) at PITTSBURGH (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Steelers by 5.5
SERIES RECORD: Raiders lead 16-13
LAST MEETING: Raiders beat Steelers 24-21 on Dec. 9, 2018, in Oakland
KEY MATCHUP: Pittsburgh’s secondary against Raiders TE Darren Waller. Las Vegas QB targeted the 6-foot-6 Waller 19 times in the opener against the Ravens. The Steelers will need to throw
two bodies — and who knows, maybe three — to slow him down. FANTASY TIP: Expect first-year Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada to find creative ways to get Harris in space against a defense that allowed the Ravens to run for 189 yards last week even with Baltimore missing its top three running backs.
CINCINNATI (1-0) at CHICAGO (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: Bears by 4.5
SERIES RECORD: Bengals lead 6-5
LAST MEETING: Bears beat Bengals 33-7 on Dec. 10, 2017, in Cincinnati
KEY MATCHUP: Bengals RT Riley Reiff vs. Bears LB Khalil Mack.
The Bears are counting on more production from Mack coming off a nine-sack season — his second straight in single digits. The three-time All-Pro was a nonfactor in the opener.
FANTASY TIP: WR Ja’Marr Chase, the No. 5 overall draft pick, caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in an impressive debut. And the Bears had several breakdowns in the secondary against the Rams.
NEW ENGLAND (0-1) at N.Y. JETS (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Patriots by 3.5
SERIES RECORD: Patriots lead 69-54-1
LAST MEETING: Patriots beat Jets 28-14 on Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Massachusetts
KEY MATCHUP: Patriots OLBs Matt Judon and Josh Uche vs. Jets LT George Fant and RT Morgan Moses. Uche had a sack last week against Miami and Judon helped lead a Patriots defense
that pressured Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa into key mistakes. They’ll be looking to do the same to Wilson.
FANTASY TIP: Patriots TEs Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry should be started without hesitation. While they might be in a
timeshare — Smith caught all five of his targets last week for 42 yards, Henry all three of his for 31 yards — it’s clear both will be a big part of New England’s game plan. And they’ll face a Jets
banged-up safety group.
NEW ORLEANS (1-0) at CAROLINA (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: Saints by 3.5
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead series 28-25.
LAST MEETING: Saints beat Panthers 33-7 on Jan. 3, 2021, at New Orleans
KEY MATCHUP: Saints LDE Cam Jordan vs. Panthers RT Taylor
Moton. Jordan is a player who gave the Panthers fits in the early years. But Moton has helped neutralize Jordan, helping hold him to one sack in the past six games against Carolina. That’s one
of the reasons the Panthers gave Moton a $72 million contract extension earlier this offseason. Don’t be surprised if the Saints shift Jordan to the other side of the line for some pass rush plays. FANTASY TIP: Panthers WR D.J. Moore has had at least 80 yards receiving in each of his past five games against the Saints.
BUFFALO (0-1) at MIAMI (1-0) Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: Buffalo by 3
SERIES RECORD: Dolphins lead 62-55-1.
LAST MEETING: Bills beat Dolphins 56-26 on Jan. 3 in Orchard Park, New York.
KEY MATCHUP: Buffalo QB Josh Allen vs. Miami CB Xavien Howard. Two of the NFL’s best. Howard intercepted two Allen passes in a game in 2018 to fuel a Miami win; Allen hasn’t lost to the Dolphins in five matchups since.
FANTASY TIP: The teams combined for 141 points in their two
head-to-head games last season. Might be a good week to play Dolphins K Jason Sanders or Bills K Tyler Bass. Might also be a good week to keep the Miami and Buffalo defenses on the bench.
SAN FRANCISCO (1-0) at PHILADELPHIA (1-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: 49ers by 3.5
SERIES RECORD: 49ers lead 19-14-1.
LAST MEETING: Eagles beat 49ers 25-20 on Oct. 4, 2020, in San Francisco.
KEY MATCHUP: 49ers TE George Kittle vs. Eagles LBs. Kittle caught 15 passes on 15 targets for 183 yards and one TD vs. Philadelphia last season.
FANTASY TIP: Although the Eagles held TE Kyle Pitts to four catches last week, Kittle is a sure bet to have a productive day
even if he doesn’t match his spectacular performance against Philly last season.
L.A. RAMS (1-0) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: Rams by 4
SERIES RECORD: Colts lead 23-19-2
LAST MEETING: Rams beat Colts 46-9 on Sept. 10, 2017, in Los Angeles
KEY MATCHUP: Rams DT Aaron Donald vs. Colts LG Quenton
Nelson. How often these two square off Sunday is unclear. But when they do, it will be worth it to see the NFL’s two best at their respective positions.
FANTASY TIP: Stafford looked terrific last week, throwing underneath efficiently while successfully taking shots down the field against a solid Bears defense. The Colts defense struggled in coverage without three-time Pro Bowl CB Xavier Rhodes last week
and if Rhodes doesn’t play this week, it could be another long day.
MINNESOTA (0-1) at ARIZONA (1-0) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, Fox
OPENING LINE: Cardinals by 3.5
SERIES RECORD: Vikings lead 17-11.
LAST MEETING: Vikings beat Cardinals 27-17 in Minnesota on Oct. 14, 2018.
KEY MATCHUP: Arizona’s pass rush against Cousins. The Cardinals’ defense looked excellent against the Titans, specifically along the defensive line. The Cardinals added three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt during the offseason to help free Jones and it worked in the opening week. Jones and Watt get much of the attention, but Arizona’s line is deep with
Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Zach Allen, Corey Peters, and Michael Dogbe all making an impact.
FANTASY TIP: Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds remains a solid flex option, flashing the same run-pass versatility that made him valuable in 2020. He splits time in the backfield with James Conner but appears to be the strong side of the platoon. Edmonds had 63 yards rushing and 43 yards receiving with a touchdown in Week 1.
ATLANTA (0-1) at TAMPA BAY (1-0) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, FOX
OPENING LINE: Buccaneers by 11.5
SERIES RECORD: Falcons lead 28-27
LAST MEETING: Buccaneers beat Falcons 44-27 on Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa
KEY MATCHUP: Ryan vs. a young secondary that played much of Tampa Bay’s opener without two starters. To have a chance to keep pace with Brady and Tampa Bay’s potent offense, the Falcons will need a big day from Ryan. In his past six starts against the Bucs, the Atlanta quarterback has thrown for 1,938 yards and 12 TDs vs. two interceptions.
FANTASY TIP: Bucs WR Chris Godwin, who had a team-high nine catches for 105 yards and one TD against Dallas, has eight TD receptions in seven games against the Falcons.
TENNESSEE (0-1) at SEATTLE (1-0) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Seahawks by 5.5
SERIES RECORD: Seahawks lead 10-7.
LAST MEETING: Titans beat Seahawks 33-27, Sept. 24, 2017, in Nashville.
KEY MATCHUP: Titans WR A.J. Brown and Seahawks WR DK Metcalf. The former Ole Miss teammates play their first game against each other in the NFL. Brown is coming off his first Pro Bowl season with 70 catches for 1,075 yards and 11 TDs. Brown had four catches for 49 yards and a TD in the opener. Metcalf didn’t get a target in the first half against Indianapolis but finished with four catches for 60 yards and a TD.
FANTASY TIP: With Rashaad Penny not expected to play because of a calf injury there is likely to be even less of a split of carries in Seattle’s backfield. Chris Carson rushed for 91 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry against the Colts and now faces a Titans defense that watched Chase Edmonds and James Conner combine for 116 yards rushing last week.
DALLAS (0-1) at L.A. CHARGERS (1-0) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Los Angeles by 1
SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 6-5.
LAST MEETING: Chargers beat Cowboys 28-6 on Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas.
KEY MATCHUP: Los Angeles OT Rashawn Slater vs. Cowboys DEs Dorance Armstrong and Tarell Basham. Slater didn’t allow a pressure in his first NFL start last week. After facing Washington’s Chase Young and Montez Sweat, Slater will be facing a Cowboys defensive line that is missing starters, DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. Lawrence broke a foot in practice Wednesday and could be out until November. Gregory tested positive for COVID-19. Coach Mike McCarthy didn’t
sound optimistic about Gregory before the first practice of the week.
FANTASY TIP: Chargers TE Jared Cook had five receptions for 56
yards in his Los Angeles debut last week. He could equal or surpass that total against a Dallas defense that has been beset by injuries and struggled to contain Tampa Bay’s Rob Gronkowski last week.
KANSAS CITY (1-0) at BALTIMORE (0-1) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, NBC
OPENING LINE: Chiefs by 1
SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 7-4
LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Ravens 34-20 on Sept. 28, 2020, in Baltimore
KEY MATCHUP: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes vs. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. All eyes will be on these two former MVPs when
they square off for a fourth straight season. Both teams had their issues defensively in Week 1, so there will be pressure on the quarterbacks to produce points as often as possible. Jackson may need to be at his absolute best for the injury-filled Ravens to have a successful season.
FANTASY TIP: Baltimore had problems covering Las Vegas TE Darren Waller, who had 10 catches for 105 yards. If that happens
again it could mean a big game for Kelce.
DETROIT (0-1) at GREEN BAY (0-1) Monday, 8:15 p.m., EDT, ESPN
OPENING LINE: Packers by 11.5
SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 62-54-3 (includes postseason) LAST MEETING: Packers beat Lions 34-27 on Dec. 13 in Detroit KEY MATCHUP: Packers WR Davante Adams vs. Lions secondary. Adams had a franchise-record 115 catches for
1,374 yards last year and also had 18 touchdown catches to match Sterling Sharpe’s team record. The Saints limited him to five receptions for 56 yards. Adams will be facing a
Detroit secondary that’s not at full strength without Okudah. The Lions starting cornerbacks will likely be Oruwariye and Ifeatu Melifonwu, a rookie third-round pick from Syracuse.
FANTASY TIP: Packers RB Aaron Jones rushed for 168 yards,
caught four passes for 68 yards, and scored three touchdowns when the Lions visited Green Bay last year. He has averaged 5.4 yards per carry against the Lions in his career. After Green Bay failed to produce any kind of rushing attack in its opening game, look for Jones to have a big performance Monday as the Packers look to establish the run.
— All betting lines are according to FanDuel SportsBook
— The Associated Press