​It’s amazing how fast time flies when it comes to football. For just a few weeks ago we were celebrating its return and just like that, we have reached the quarter-mark of the season and we are just now starting to see what most of the teams in this league are all about. The elite look elite, the bad look shockingly bad and everyone in between is working toward acquiring as many wins as they can to enjoy a post season berth. Which means this weekend’s slate of games are downright critical to some teams, as they try to continue to enjoy success or find their first real taste of it and that means we are in for some incredible matchups and here are the games and the storylines that I’ll be keeping my eye upon this weekend.
 
Is this the week when the Minnesota Vikings finally put it all together?
Let’s face facts, this Minnesota team does not resemble last year’s squad in the slightest. While they came out of the gate hot in week one, they’ve fizzled as of late with a tie in Green Bay and an embarrassing loss at home against the lowly Bills and it’s inherently clear at this point, that this team has yet to jell and work as one. So, is this the week where that happens? It’s possible, but I don’t have a lot of faith in that simply because they’re going up against the hottest team in the NFL right now in the Rams. But, if the Vikings defense can slow down Todd Gurley and confuse Jared Goff, and Kirk Cousins can take advantage of the depleted Los Angeles secondary, they’ve got a shot. But the Rams are incredibly talented, and my guess is, we will have to wait another week before we see Minnesota come together.
 
Can the New England Patriots rebound from their epic loss to the Lions this week?
While I know there’s been plenty of talk as to how New England has been 1-2 before and gone to the Super Bowl from having a poor record ad nauseum, I honestly have major concerns about this team. They look rattled, they are playing awful on offense and defense and they’re hosting a fearless Miami squad that is playing as though they have nothing to lose, and you know they licking their chops at the opportunity to make the Patriots 1-3. Which means I’m expecting the Dolphins to come out swinging and don’t be surprised if they follow the Detroit playbook and blanket the already thin New England receiving corps while feasting upon that awful secondary on their way to a 4-0 record.
 
Will the San Francisco 49ers be able to win a game without their star quarterback?
Any way you slice it, Jimmy Garoppolo really has changed the course of the 49ers for the better since his arrival and well, his loss is quite the huge deal. Because while the team is 1-2 right now, his leadership and toughness inspire this squad and since San Francisco really didn’t do much to bolster the quarterback position via free agency, I have concerns about this team’s ability to go anywhere or do anything with C.J. Beathard at the helm. He was just…bleh, last season and didn’t exactly inspire his squad to do better so unless he comes out and surprises on Sunday, expect another loss, and plenty more after that as the Niners remind the league of the importance of having a quality backup QB on the roster. 

Let’s be honest. There’s a lot of questions surrounding the Raiders at this point, like whether or not they can generate a pass rush, much less win a game, so the only reason this game is fascinating is because of the fact that this will be Baker Mayfield’s first career start for the Cleveland Browns and we’re all dying to know as to whether or not he can recreate the magic from last Thursday night on the road and honestly, I think he can. He had a level head coming into last week’s game and worried about executing the next play above all else and if he can do the same things this time around and take advantage of the opportunities and time that Oakland will give him when he’s on the field, then he will make two important things happens. He'll make the Raiders 0-4 and give the Browns their first win streak in forever. 

This is a game that has my attention, simply because I have no idea what’s going to happen at Quarterback for Tampa Bay. More than likely Jameis Winston will be available and active on Sunday, and undoubtedly serve as the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick. But considering how Fitzmagic fizzled on Monday Night against the Steelers, one has to wonder if Head Coach Dirk Koetter will be willing to bench ol’ Fitzy if the wily veteran struggles during this game in order to keep the positive momentum in Tampa Bay rolling, or if he will keep #14 on the field to keep things consistent until Winston is ready to return to the starting lineup. But, there is one other element that makes this game so fascinating, in that, regardless of who is under center, they have to figure out how to beat the now vaunted Chicago defense and survive the nightmare that is Kahlil Mack. Because if they can’t stop him, defensive play could potentially sway the game in Chicago’s favor. 

​Divisional rivalries in prime-time are always a blast to watch, but this one has some extra meaning for the Denver Broncos simply because, they have to prove to their fans and quite frankly, their boss, the Duke, that they are in fact improving and it’s going to take an incredible showing on the field to keep that hope alive. Because their abysmal meltdown in Baltimore last week has doubt surrounding the future of this team once again. But if the Denver defense can actually get to Patrick Mahomes and disrupt his laser accuracy and if Case Keenum can settle down and execute on offense, then the Broncos have a chance to topple their division rival. But even if they don’t, the key here is improvement, they have to play disciplined and quality football. Because an ugly and sloppy loss will only infuriate an already unsettled Broncos Country.  

​If there’s one reason and one reason alone to watch NFL Football, it’s the element of surprise that comes with any particular game. You simply never know what’s going to happen when two teams take the field and the thrill that comes with watching incredible moments unfold before your eyes is simply unmatched in the sports world and really, that’s the best way to describe this past weekend of football. Because it was surprise after surprise from this week’s slate of games, making for some incredible stories to say the least, the kind that have all of us talking today. So, with that in mind, let’s revisit Week 3 one more time and discuss all the wild events that took place, and what we learned from this weekend’s games.
 
Baker Mayfield played quite the hero on Thursday Night Football. 
There were a lot of reasons for Cleveland Browns to be hopeful in the preseason, because Baker Mayfield looked solid for a rookie. He made all the right throws, and put some points on the board, but with it being preseason, everyone was left wondering, is really as good as he looks in exhibition games? Well the answer to that question is still maybe, because he’s only played one half of football, but wow…what a debut. The kid was simply lights out against the Jets, making big throws and great reads and while it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going help the Browns run the table, his performance electrified a fan base that’s been desperate to celebrate something and he will make the Browns better going forward, now that he’s been named the starter. 
 
The New England Patriots need to be worried about what was exposed in their loss to Detroit.
While I fully understand the fact that any team can lose on any given day they take the field, some losses simply shouldn’t happen, and the Patriots should not have lost their game against the Lions, but here we are. But what’s truly disconcerting about this loss, is how Detroit put all of New England’s weaknesses on display. Because the Lions showed the league how to handle the Patriots’ depleted receiving corps, and how to exploit their weak secondary and you know every single team is going to study that film to a tee. Which means that unless New England can get their passing game back on track and shore up those holes on defense, they may suffer more embarrassing losses as the weeks roll on. 
 
The Buffalo Bills finally woke up on Sunday. 
I think it’s safe to assume that every football fan out there was ready to forget about the Bills this season and with good reason; they’ve been downright awful in 2018. They were a joke in week one and the halftime retirement of Vontae Davis overshadowed another ridiculous defeat. But clearly, this team isn’t good with being viewed as a laughing stock, and they somehow pulled it together to defeat the mighty Vikings in their own house and well, this win was everything Buffalo fans could hope for and more. Josh Allen played some inspired football and that defense was dominant and if they can keep that up, then they will keep hope alive in upstate New York. 
 
Vance Joseph needs to take control of his team. 
Lost amidst a few questionable officiating calls in Sunday’s game, is the sheer fact that Denver Broncos Head Coach Vance Joseph, still has yet to truly take control of his team. His squad played some incredibly undisciplined football on Sunday, as they racked up stupid penalties to compliment sloppy play on the field and well, the time has come for Vance to be tough with these players and get them to settle down. Because to allow this kind of play to persist means that more meltdowns will happen as the season rolls on, which will of course translate to more losses and the end of Vance’s tenure as head coach, but honestly, I’m wondering as to whether or not Coach Joseph is up to the task, because these are issues that should have been fixed in training camp and sadly football fans in both Denver and around the nation will have to wait until Monday night to find out if Vance has figured out how to be the boss of his own team. Because if they play smart football against the Chiefs, we’ll know the meeting room was an uncomfortable place this week, but if the flags start flying, get ready for a long and sloppy season in the Mile High City. 
 
The Oakland Raiders are a team in crisis. 
At this point, you have to feel bad for Oakland fans. Their hopes were raised into the clouds with the announcement that Jon ‘Chucky’ Gruden was returning to the sidelines to coach this team, only to have those hopes dashed with odd personnel decisions and a horrible start to the season since they’re now 0-3 after losing to Miami. Which means this team is in a true crisis right now because they simply cannot finish games and they tend to implode once a team socks them in the mouth, and it will now be up to Coach Gruden to get his offense and his defense back on the right track if he wants to salvage this season, but he is going to have to work fast, since it’s rare for a team to do anything special with their year when they’re this far in the hole. 

​Week 3 in the NFL is quite the important time for football teams. Because this is the week when habits, both good and bad, start to take hold and every squad out there begins to solidify the tempo of their season. Of course, surprises can arrive for any franchise regardless of the time of year, but for the most part, the teams that stay healthy and continue to coach up the great things they’re doing…see a pattern of success emerge and the losing squads, well, they just keep screwing up and start their respective free fall. Either way, it means we are in for some exciting games as some squads work to pad their record, while others work to force an upset to show everyone what they are made of and that will make for some incredible storylines. So, without further ado, let’s look ahead to this weekend’s games and all the stories from the field that are about to unfold.
 
So, I ask again, is this the week when the Browns finally win?
You know, this is a question that is constantly on my mind at the moment simply due to the fact that the Browns are actually loaded with talent. There truly are some guys that can ball on this squad, and it’s frustrating to watch them let games slip away. Because once again, they blew it in New Orleans and at this point, it’s time for Head Coach Hue Jackson to start shaking things up to get results and in all honesty, if Tyrod Taylor can’t get the offense rolling in the first half of tonight’s game against the Jets, bench him. Put in the kid. Because what does Hue have to lose? Other than the support of the fan base and potentially his job. Either way, the answer to this question is ‘maybe’ once again because until the Browns pull their heads out of the turf and focus on execution, they’re going to continue to lose and frustrate fans everywhere.
 
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers finally come together as a team this weekend?
Let’s just be honest, and acknowledge the fact that Pittsburgh is a team in turmoil right now. You’ve got teammates going after Le’Veon Bell when it comes to his holdout. Antonio Brown felt the need to not show up to work on Monday and well, they stink on the field, which means this team needs to quit with the petty drama and get to work on winning games, but can they? I honestly don’t know at this point, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin needs to take control of his squad and get them to focus and really, the answer to this particular question will be answered on the field come Monday night. Because if the Steelers play inspired football during their game against Tampa Bay, we’ll know there’s unity and if not, well…it’s going to be a long and ugly and angry year in Pittsburgh.
 
Will Carson Wentz provide a much-needed offensive spark for the Eagles?
I hate to say it, but something has simply been off when it comes to the defending Super Bowl Champions. They simply have not been playing the same inspired football we saw from them all of last year and their offense is quite lethargic at the moment and well, it might be a good thing that QB Carson Wentz is returning to the lineup this Sunday. Because it’s my hope that he provides the O with the spark it so desperately needs right now, and I would fully expect that Philly will come out swinging with some deep shots early on in this game since Wentz can send the ball downfield with a flick of his wrist. So, if Wentz can put some points on the board and manage the offense well, expect the Eagles to have one hell of a good day and if not, well it may be back to the drawing board for this offense. 

This game is on my radar this weekend simply because, this is another big test for the Denver Broncos when all is said and done. They stunk on the road last year and while they’ve been an exciting team to watch through the first two weeks, they’ve yet to truly dominate on offense and defense and this, would be a good time to make that happen. Because if Case Keenum can finally drive the offense down the field with mistake free football and if the defense can smother the Baltimore offense, then the Broncos are going to be in for a dominating day. But if their play is sloppy like the past two weeks, then there’s a fair chance they will suffer their first loss of the season, which will bring forth all kinds of questions and doubt in Broncos Country, where the loyal fans of this franchise are desperate to see their team dominate once again. 

There’s nothing I love more than a contest that features two teams with something to prove and that’s precisely what I’m going to get in this game. On one hand, we have the Miami Dolphins who want to show the league that they’re for real and that their record is not a fluke in the slightest, which means they will come out swinging against an Oakland squad that has in fact, been quite the disappointment through two weeks since they cannot close out a game and are desperate for a win. Which means I’m expecting a knock down, drag it out football brawl between these two teams come Sunday and really, since these teams function so well on momentum, whichever team establishes a steady rhythm is the one that will likely walk away with the victory here. 

​This particular game has caught my eye for several reasons. First and foremost, you know New England is going to air it out early to wipe away the memory of last week’s loss, but also because Detroit is desperate for a win, which means they will likely do their best to stand up a New England squad that no one is scared of anymore. But of the many storylines this game presents, none are more fascinating than the fact that this is a ‘master and apprentice’ matchup since Matt Patricia is facing off against his old boss and games that feature that, tend to be a little more intense than the average contest and if Patricia can figure out how to out coach his former mentor, well that would go a long way into taking him seriously as a Head Coach in this league and perhaps turn around the fortunes of an already dismal season in Detroit. 

There is a certain comfort that comes about from the end of Week of 2 in the NFL. In that, it feels as though a proper routine for the rest of the year has arrived, since we all have our rituals on Sunday and there’s something magical about settling in to watch Sunday’s games in the manner that only you are used to as your favorite teams either elicit joy or fury. Football simply feels like home this time of year and for me, it’s all about discussing what goes on around the league with my friends and all of you because there’s just so much to absorb when it comes to this magnificent sport and with that in mind, let’s look back at this weekend’s slate of games one more time and recap the top stories from the field.
 
The Cincinnati Bengals are quite the early season surprise.
Truthfully speaking, the Bengals are a team that I rarely pay attention to in general simply because they tend to commit to mediocrity. They never make a splash in free agency; their drafts are usually unremarkable and their play during the season is nothing special either. They’re simply there, but this would be the year they seem to want to change that perception. Because through two weeks they’ve actually taken the time to play some hard-nosed football, and for their efforts on offense and defense, they’ve managed to scrape together an impressive 2-0 start to the season and really, what caught my eye, is how they manhandled the Ravens on Thursday Night since they played stout on both sides of the ball and while it is still early in the season, it may be worth keeping my eyes on this team because if they’re for real, they are going to bring more big time upsets to the table as the season rolls on.
 
Patrick Mahomes looks like a seasoned pro right now.
There were a lot of question marks surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs new play caller this offseason and with good reason. Alex Smith had established himself as a solid QB under center for KC and handing the reins to a raw kid seemed like a risky gamble, and when you combine that with some issues in training camp, you wonder if the guy is going to be worth his weight when he takes the field. But Mahomes has done plenty to silence the critics, by breaking NFL records through his first two games as a starter and I’ll give credit where its due because he looks like a seasoned veteran right now. He’s making all the right reads, and making all the throws you can ask for from a quarterback and well, it’s clear he’s going to have a bright future with the Chiefs and unless defenses can figure out how to disrupt him soon, he’s going to win a heck of a lot more games and help Kansas City solidify its record for a playoff run.
 
Vontae Davis made a classless move on Sunday.
There is something to be said about men who retire from the game, knowing full well that the game has passed them by and that they’re no longer playing at a high level. Because it takes guts to say you don’t have what it takes anymore to play the game, and there’s also a certain etiquette and class that comes with that epiphany. There’s a talk with the coaches, and a press conference to announce the end and well, I’m quite amazed that Vontae Davis couldn’t wait one more day to let everyone know he was done, rather than just…quit at halftime and walk out on his team. But, that’s exactly what he did and quite frankly, what he did was downright embarrassing. All he had to do was finish one game, and then step away, but instead, he couldn’t even handle that and rattled his team with this selfish and stupid act and well, that’s how he will always be remembered in the NFL, as a quitter, and that I suppose is the only solace to be found in seeing a grown man act like a child.
 
Jacksonville’s beatdown of New England, is quite the big deal.
Say what you will about Blake Bortles, but he put on a performance for the ages on Sunday, slapping around the Patriots defense to the tune of four touchdowns. And while this seems like nothing more than a little AFC Championship payback, this is actually bad news for the New England Patriots going forward. For starters, this exposed all kinds of weaknesses in their defense, the kind that other teams will want to exploit in the weeks to come and it also signaled the end of an era for New England. Because there was a time when teams feared Tom Brady and the Pats, where a touchdown from #12 would strike fear in the hearts of men. But a Super Bowl loss and this, shows that the league is no longer afraid of the Patriots. They know they can beat them and that may mean that New England is going to be in for quite the frustrating season.
 
Another week, another tie.
I have to admit, I’m quite amazed that we’ve watched two games in end in ties in two consecutive weeks simply because, this is a passing league now, with all kinds of protections for the offense, so…how the heck are top tier teams not able to close out a game? Obviously, kickers are playing a big part in this since we watched several field goals go wide in both of these respective games, but special teams aside, it’s shocking to not see a QB on either side finish the job with a touchdown or the kind of throw that allows for a kicker to enjoy a chip shot and well, here’s to hoping we see less ties in the weeks to come and teams push a little harder to execute critical plays in overtime because really, there’s just no need for ties in a league where passing is everything.  

You know, it really is quite the amazing feeling that settles in your bones once football returns to the national stage. Everything just feels right in the sports world, and the return of this incredible sport seems to brighten everyone’s day as football fans everywhere speak to the joy and the hope that their team brings them early on in the season as they wait to see if all the hard offseason work is going to pay off and deliver the wonder of a playoff run or a championship. It just seems as though we never run out of things to talk about when it comes to this sport and with Week 2 upon us, the buzz when it comes to our favorite teams is as strong as ever. So, without further ado, let’s stoke that fire further and look ahead to this weekend’s slate of games and all the top stories surrounding them.
 
Which of the seven new coaches will finally win their first game this weekend?
It was simply a rough opening weekend for all of the new coaches in the NFL this year since…none of them won, and well, I think we are all wondering at this point, which one of these rookie coaches are finally going to get over the hump and enjoy their first victory in the NFL? There’s of course, no easy answer when it comes to that question, but if I had to narrow it down to one guy, I’d have to put my faith in Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears. Because for one half of football this past week, he had the Packers in a tough place. Which speaks to his preparation and study of the team. Granted, it didn’t end the way he wanted it to and that’s okay, but the fact that his defense was ferocious and his offense effective, it’s clear Nagy is hungry to make a splash and I have faith that he will get his first W against Seattle this weekend.
 
Can the Jets keep the momentum from Monday night’s blowout win going?
The Jets have been a forgotten team for some time now since they consistently disappear from the playoff discussion as the season rolls on, but boy did they turn some heads on Monday Night Football. Because this team was downright ferocious against the Lions and regardless of the poor coaching on Detroit’s part, they took advantage of every mistake and executed in all three phases of the game and well, is this something they can repeat against Miami at home on Sunday? I would like to think so. Because I read a lot about their film study and preparation for the Detroit game and if they stick to that same regimen and Sam Darnold comes out and makes smart plays like he did in week one, then expect this team to turn heads again by going 2-0 against the Dolphins.
 
Is this weekend when the Browns FINALLY win a game?
It’s a little scary when one considers the fact that it really has been years since the Cleveland Browns enjoyed a victory in the NFL, but here we are, dealing with a squad that simply cannot seal the deal when it comes to a game and well, while one would expect fans to forget about a team that cannot win, all eyes are on this franchise right now. After all, they were the subject of Hard Knocks this offseason, they’ve invested some serious money on quality players and their best quarterback selection in the draft in years is waiting in the wings to take over for the franchise. So, is this it? Do they finally shock the football world and win a game? The answer is…maybe. Because unfortunately, they’re going up against the Saints, a team that is vastly more talented, but there is a chance. If they can score on offense and maintain the quality defense they did against Pittsburgh last week, then they will pull off one hell of an upset. But, they’re going up against Drew Brees, one of the league’s finest, so…it’s probably best we don’t hold our breath…

This game has my attention simply due to the fact that it could become a scoring fiesta. Because the Chiefs were simply clicking on offense in week one and you know they’ll be looking for a repeat performance against a Pittsburgh squad that looked lethargic at times against the Browns, but don’t count the Steelers out of this contest. Because when their offense executed against Cleveland, they were downright lethal which means, this might become quite the quarterbacking duel between Patrick Mahomes and Ben Roethlisberger and when all is said and done, the key to this game may flat out come down to which offense performs better in the Red Zone. Either way, this should be a fun one to watch. 

​As of late, NFC North contests have been producing some downright incredible games and this matchup looks like no exception to that rule. In part due to the fact that the Vikings are a well-oiled machine right now and they’re hungry to add to their win column. But they will face off against a simply magical Packers squad, one that has literally willed itself to wins on several occasions in the past couple of seasons, and this past Monday Night as well, and while Aaron Rodgers’ status is still up in the air right now with a knee sprain, I wholly expect him to be out there come game time, simply due to the fact that he has something to prove when it comes to his contract and his durability and having him and Kirk Cousins out on the field should lead to one explosive divisional matchup. 

I’m not one to usually watch prime time matchups that feature a pair of losing teams, but this one, has my attention for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s an NFC East Matchup, which have been known to get supremely competitive because no team in the division is a fan of the other and also because, both of these teams have something to prove. They were both outright embarrassed in their opening weekend matchups and they cannot be happy with that. Which means that the Giants need to show the football world they are indeed still talented and able to play at a high level and Dallas needs to show everyone that they can recreate the offensive magic that they wowed the football world with in Dak Prescott’s rookie year, and it is that hunger to prove something that should make this game worthwhile, and it should be fascinating to see which team rises to the occasion and gets their season back on track. 

​There are few weekends as explosive as Kickoff Weekend in the NFL and this year’s festivities certainly did not disappoint. Because we were treated to a weekend filled to the brim with exciting games and incredible moments that left us in awe, to the point where I know I was texting up a storm over everything I just witnessed, and as is always the case, this opening weekend of games gave us a true understanding of what our favorite teams are all about and what they’re made of and now that Week 1 is in the books, it’s time to discuss what we learned about our favorite teams as we reflect upon the wonder of Kickoff Weekend.
 
The Shawn Williams ejection sent a solid message to the rest of the league.
There’s been a lot of wonder surrounding just how the NFL is going to handle the new helmet rule that was introduced this offseason, specifically whether or not the referees would be as flag happy as they were in preseason when it came to the rule, and it would seem that judging from Sunday’s Bengals/Colts game that we finally have an understanding of how the rule is going to be enforced, which is the right way. Because Shawn Williams clearly made a point to lower the boom on Andrew Luck, so seeing the flag and seeing him get ejected was a satisfying moment indeed because it shows the refs have figured out how to call this properly and this disqualification should serve as a fine and solid message to every other player out there to keep it clean or forget about seeing the field. 
 
The Cleveland Browns…played…a game on Sunday. 
I’m honestly not sure what to think of the Browns performance on Sunday. On one hand, they looked like the Browns of old at times, making foolish mistake after foolish mistake and at other times, they looked like the rough and tumble team we came to know on Hard Knocks. But while it is nice to see a little fight in this team, all that matters are wins and losses and unfortunately, the Browns were unable to accomplish either feat on Sunday and well, that’s a shame because this should have been a win for Cleveland. They had the Steelers right where they wanted them on several occasions and could have locked up the win no problem, but once again, the Browns simply didn’t get the job done. Granted, many see this as progress, but if Cleveland wants to transform themselves into a winning franchise, they have to start finishing games rather than settling for mediocrity. 
 
It’s early, but it might be time to hit the panic button in Detroit. 
While I fully understand it’s a sixteen-week season and that first-year coaches are going to stumble before they find their groove, I have some serious concerns with what I saw from the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. After all, this is a team that fired Jim Caldwell as their Head Coach because it was widely believed that Caldwell couldn’t get this team over the hump, so they brought in defensive dynamo Matt Patricia from New England to skipper the squad and well…they looked like they took quite the step back last night. At no point did this team look organized or prepared in the slightest when it comes to the mistakes they made and all of that falls upon the Head Coach and the fact that his team was blown out in embarrassing fashion by the Jets and that Coach Patricia looked disengaged and out of sorts himself as his team was manhandled on national television, means that Detroit fans may be in for a long season and it may be time to hit the panic button up north, since there’s a fair chance the Lions made a terrible mistake in making a coaching change this offseason. 
The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of a quality wide receiver. 
It is inherently obvious that the Dallas Cowboys have some serious talent on their roster offensively, since we’ve seen this squad decimate defenses by air and by land with their passing and rushing games respectively. But, it became painfully clear on Sunday afternoon that the loss of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten turned out to be quite the big deal after all because this dynamic offense quickly became one dimensional without a potent passing attack. The Panthers simply knew that if they covered the unremarkable Dallas receiving corps that they would force Dallas into run heavy situations, something they could handle as well, and their plan paid off since Dak and the boys were unable to do much with the ball. Which means, this team needs a talented wide receiver and quickly and I’m hoping that the Cowboys front office is going to be scrambling in the next few weeks to find their all-star quarterback a quality wide out that can stretch the field and bring back the dynamic feel to Jason Garrett’s offense. 
 
Aaron Rodgers once again demonstrated the value of leadership at the quarterback position. 
It goes without saying that Aaron Rodgers has been known to accomplish miracles on the field, and he did just that on Sunday night with some incredible throws and quality play once again. But, his ability to lead his team to an amazing comeback victory goes beyond his ability to throw the ball the length of the field with a flick of his wrist, he inspired his teammates to play better and come together and that’s a huge deal. Because the Packers did not play well during the first half of this game, but whatever Rodgers said to his boys in the huddle clearly took care of any nerves or any worries on their part because they were working together as one past that point and the offense’s play in turn influenced the defense as well and once again, #12 reminded the league of how important it is to have a QB under center who knows how to lead his team in a time of crisis and let’s be honest, watching him launch the ball without planting his feet was pretty darn awesome as well.  

Ah, it’s a glorious day to be a football fan, because this is it ladies and gents. After six long and painful months without football, the game has finally returned to the center stage. Now the games count, and the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy begins anew as thirty-two teams do their best to see if the draft, free agency and all the work they put in this offseason will finally come to fruition and well, I couldn’t be happier. Because Kickoff Weekend is truly a magical time to say the least, one filled to the brim with incredible matchups and stories that leave us talking for days on end and with that in mind, it’s time to preview all of those things as we dissect the top stories from the field and look ahead to which games will truly captivate us as the 2019 NFL Season gets underway.
 
Will the Oakland Raiders play well this weekend after their rough offseason?
I distinctly recall that Raiders fans everywhere rejoiced over the fact that Jon ‘Chucky’ Gruden was returning to helm the team after a decade away from the game since he was regarded as a quality coach for the team back in the day, but it would seem the honeymoon between Raiders fans and Coach Gruden has come to an end. After all, this past week Gruden helped influence a mega trade that sent all-star Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears and while it’s one thing to anger your fan base, the football world has not talked enough about how this kind of move can influence players as well. Because that locker room has to be rattled over the Mack trade and one has to wonder, will this team rise to the occasion and show the football world that one superstar does not make a team? Or will they come out of the gate looking like a shaken squad? Time will tell of course, but this team’s performance will be one to watch this weekend.
 
Can Tom Brady maintain his high level of play this season?
Yes, I fully understand that’s a broader question, one that extends far beyond this first week but it’s one we need to ask now. Because while Brady does still play at a high level, Peyton Manning’s run with Denver serves as a reminder that Father Time finds every player at some point or another and well, considering some of Brady’s errant throws last year and his sub-par performance in Super Bowl LII, one has to wonder if time is starting to creep into his bones. Granted, I don’t expect the Pats to lose against the Texans this weekend since they are far superior talent wise but keep an eye on Brady and his style of play on Sunday. Because if more errant throws show up, or he just outright seems ‘off’, then we might be looking at the beginning of the end of a storied and magical career.
 
Will the Eagles be able to replicate last year’s synergy right out of the gate?
There’s a lot of reasons for Eagles fans to be excited about this year’s team since several key contributors from last year’s championship run are back to defend the title. But considering how the preseason went for this team, one has to be concerned about whether or not this team is going to run like the well-oiled machine it was last year. Nick Foles seemed quite out of sorts all preseason long and something about this team didn’t quite jibe like it did last year. Which means that this team needs to jell and jell quickly against a hungry Atlanta offense and defense and if they can’t find that synergy quickly tonight, then there’s a fair chance tonight’s banner raising opening game will end in sorrow, with the Falcons opening up the season 1-0. 

This game is fascinating for one reason, and one reason alone…the quarterbacks. Because both of these teams believe they have found their franchise guy in both Jimmy Garoppalo and Kirk Cousins respectively and there’s good reason for both teams to be excited about these guys since they are in fact, dynamic quarterbacks. But this game serves as the rubber hitting the proverbial road and the key to this game is likely going to be which QB shakes off the opening day jitters and lets their inner field general shine. Because that guy is the one who is going to dissect the opposing defense and lead his team to victory and it is going to be quite interesting to see which one of these highly paid quarterbacks figures it out first because when they do, they’re going to put on one hell of a show.   

Let’s be honest, when it comes to this game, all eyes are going to be upon the Dallas Cowboys. Because this promising team, where Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott dominated the NFL in their rookie years, took quite the step back last year, going 9-7 and missing the playoffs on inconsistent play from those aforementioned players. Which means that there are in fact, doubts about these stars and in order for them to shake those doubts and make everyone believe that they are in fact, the real deal, they’ve got to come out swinging against the Panthers this weekend. Which means we need to see progress from Prescott when it comes to how he reads a defense and how he responds to pressure and for Elliott, well we simply need to see more of that vision and finesse that we came to know and love his rookie year. If they can both accomplish those goals, then we are in for quite a treat this weekend and if not, well…then we will see how this season goes for Dallas. 

​Speaking of teams/players that have something to prove, let’s take a moment and talk about the Denver Broncos, because this is another team that had quite the disappointing season last year and is in desperate need of a hot start to the season. Because it’s inherently clear that Vance Joseph is in the hot seat and this time around, he’s been given all the tools to succeed since General Manager John Elway brought in last year’s surprise quarterbacking hero Case Keenum and bolstered both the offense and defense with his best draft since 2011. Which means that Broncos fans and the football world are expecting a solid showing this weekend and a win and if Denver dominates the Seahawks at home, all will be right in Broncos Country. But if things go south this weekend, expect people to start calling for Joseph to be replaced and for the turmoil that surrounded this team last year, to continue.