The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 1

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Well football fans, this is quite the proud day. For after months of worry and concern over the possibility that the 2020 NFL Football Season might never see the light of day, Kickoff Weekend is upon us at last, and that is a great cause for celebration. Because this is something that people need right now, and it will definitely lift up our spirits in these trying teams because football just brings joy to people’s hearts. But while we can talk all day about how amazing it is that American’s new pastime is getting underway this weekend, there are a lot of incredible storylines hanging over Week 1, that need to be discussed. So, it is best we get right down to it and dive deep into all of the compelling storylines and matchups that await us this weekend.
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Will empty stadiums have any influence on how the game is played?
Make no mistake about it, there are going to be some weird elements that accompany watching football this weekend, and one of serious note, is that a great deal of NFL Stadiums will conduct their games without a single fan in the stands. Which is wild, because as long as this writer has been alive, NFL stadiums have been packed to the gills with rowdy fans that love their hometown team. But hey, safety first, and this is the right decision to keep COVID-19 from spreading among these hearty fans. But some teams, use the roar of the crowd to their advantage. Especially on defense. Leaving one to wonder if by chance, being fan-free will have an impact on this weekend’s matchups and the answer is likely; yes. But only to a certain degree. Because once the players find a rhythm (more on that in a second) and realize they have to dig deep and execute, they’ll worry more about the next play and do their thing.
 
Will a lack of preseason games make for some sloppy play?
Speaking of other big changes to the sport in 2020, one cannot forget that the entire preseason was cancelled this year as a safety precaution. Which means all 32 teams have only conducted practices since they reunited for an extended training camp and well, every football fan knows that the preseason is a great time for veteran players to knock off the rust and get a feel for the game, and that definitely leaves one wondering if the quality of play is going to suffer in Week 1 because of the fact that these guys haven’t faced a live opponent just yet. And sadly, the answer to that question is going to be a resounding yes. Because they need to find a rhythm and they need live plays to make that happen. So, don’t be shocked when some of the plays this weekend look sloppy and be patient with the mess. Because there’s a fair chance these matchups will get better as they go along, once muscle memory kicks in.
 
Will Tom Brady thrive in a new offense?
Twenty years is a ridiculously long time to play in this league, and only handful of players have reached that incredible milestone. But what’s even more rare than that, is playing for the same team for that same amount of time, and these are feats that Tom Brady has managed to accomplish during his storied career. But now as a new season gets underway, #12 is a new city and working under a new offense and well, everyone is wondering if he is going to be able to continue to thrive as he has for decades now or if this change is going to be something of a disaster and well, we truly won’t know until game time. But if Peyton Manning’s switch to Denver is any indicator, he will do just fine. Because the man is a seasoned pro and knows football inside and out, the only real concern here; is whether or not Father Time is going to take a little polish off of that arm. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

If there is one thing that football fans can never go wrong with, it’s a delightful rematch from the playoffs and that’s precisely how the NFL is kicking off the 2020 campaign. Because these two teams met up in the Divisional Round last year, with Kansas City emerging as the victor. But it’s a new year, where anything can happen, and the Texans are hoping that means they can emerge as the victor in this game. But the Chiefs are no slouch. After all, they are defending champion and they have swagger on their side and that means this game has the potential to be one hell of an opening kickoff game. Because it features two dynamic quarterbacks that thrive on their air attack and if neither team properly addressed their suspect secondaries from 2019, the scoreboard might light up. But truth be told, I expect Kansas City to dominate this game. Simply because this is a grand opportunity to establish the fact that they’re still the team to beat and knocking around a conference opponent on opening night is a great way to send that message to the league.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, MA
Sunday, September 13, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

Now this is a game that is definitely of interest, because of the New England Patriots. Because for the first time in twenty years, they are heading into a game without a star/future hall of fame quarterback at the helm, and that changes everything for this squad. Because the mystique surrounding this team is suddenly removed and they seem beatable without #12 taking the field. Which means there is a fair chance that Miami is going to come out swinging in this game and try to establish a little dominance early on, and they just might. Simply because no one knows what to expect from the Patriots defense or their offense in the slightest and if they stall or struggle to find a rhythm, the Dolphins will feast. Because they’re eager to get an early lead in the AFC East and offer up a little payback against a team that has dominated them for ages and truly, it is going to be interesting to see what the New England Patriots look like when they take the field on Sunday, without a legend under center.

Monday Night Football – Game #2
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
8:10 p.m. EST – ESPN

​This is a game that piques one’s interest, simply because of the Denver Broncos. Because this is a team that had quite the incredible offseason, and only one area of the team remains untouched by John Elway’s massive overhaul of the squad; quarterback. For the team really does believe they’ve found their franchise QB in Drew Lock and the grand changes that came to this team were designed to benefit this young and dynamic quarterback. For he has weapons galore on the offensive now, and the defense has been revamped in multiple ways to give the offense an advantage and it will be quite exciting to see what this team does when it takes the field, and if they can overcome their shortcomings. For offensive line is still an area of concern and sadly, now the pass rush is as well. But, if the team can compensate for those issues, they will be a force to be reckoned with, and they could start the season off with a huge win over a playoff team.