The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 1

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hello again fellow football fans, and welcome to this year’s edition of The NFL Roundup and boy, what a perfect day to discuss some NFL Football. Because today is the day, Kickoff Weekend is upon us, and it will bring about a now seventeen-week journey/quest to reach the playoffs for a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. But since we are all excited for the opening weekend of our favorite sport, it’s best we waste zero time today and get right down to examining the top storylines hanging over this week’s games and the most fascinating ones to watch, well before the Cowboys and the Buccaneers get this new season underway.
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Will Trevor Lawrence make a splash this weekend?
It is definitely safe to say that the number one overall pick has a great deal of expectations riding upon their shoulders. Because that title indicates that they are one hundred percent pro ready and should make an immediate impact upon their team and that is what Jacksonville fans are hoping for when it comes to their new franchise QB, Trevor Lawrence. But the big question hanging over his NFL debut, is whether or not he will indeed make a splash and wow the crowd with a big performance and honestly, I’m not sure he will. Because pro ready or not, there’s a learning curve for every rookie, and #16 needed a little time to get up to speed in the preseason. So, I would venture to say his performance this weekend, will be decent but unremarkable and we should expect big plays from him later in the season… when he is finally comfortable under center.
 
Will the Cowboys look like a complete team at last?
Over the past couple of seasons, no team has had higher expectations surrounding it than the Dallas Cowboys. Because their roster is stacked with a top-tier franchise quarterback, a solid offensive line and a great running back. Plus, their defense can hang with the best of them. But despite having so much talent, they continue to come up short by way of bad coaching and injuries and well… fans everywhere and people in the organization are undoubtedly sweating tonight’s game. Because this one is on the national stage and this team needs to look like a complete squad at last, one that can win big prime time games and a victory over the defending champs would help with that perception… but will they accomplish that goal and look like a complete team? Honestly, I’m not so sure. So, my guess, is that we will get the same ol’ Cowboys tonight, the kind that show flashes of brilliance before blowing it during crunch time.
 
Will the Packers drama impact their play this weekend?
Make no mistake about it, things are sour in cheese country and not in the good Limburger way. Because despite making nice and coming to an agreement, the bad blood between Aaron Rodgers and the front office likely wasn’t resolved in the slightest. Especially when one considers he has an out in 2022 and that does leave one to wonder, if by chance that will spill over and cause some chaos on the field this weekend. Because players notice this stuff and it can lead to distractions and a lack of focus. But my guess is, once the team shakes off the rust and gets into the nit and grit of the game plan, things will be just fine, and Rodgers will work some magic with his arm. Because at the end of the day, #12 wants to win more championships and he will do what he can to make his team successful... and he'll also play at a high level, so he can look good for potential suitors in the new league year.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Denver Broncos at New York Giants
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, September 12, 2021 – 4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

Normally, the start of the NFL season is a relaxed and hopeful times for teams, where pressure isn’t on the head coach or the players to perform, but in this game… that’s simply not the case. For there is a lot riding on this one, for both teams. For the Giants, ownership needs to see GM Dave Gettleman’s picks, and coaching selections work out and quickly since they’ve provided him with a lot of patience and time and for the Broncos… well… Vic Fangio has to keep himself off the hot seat. Because the Broncos have never won in September under his watch and with a new General Manager in place and a restless Mile High City hoping for more, the Broncos need a big win to change the perception that perhaps another new head coach might be a necessity, and that need to perform on both sidelines, should provide fans everywhere with a quality game.

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina
Sunday, September 12, 2021 – 1 p.m. EST – CBS

Revenge games are a huge part of the NFL landscape, simply because they really do feature some intense play and some epic moments and that is precisely why this game is of note. Because the Jets, who unceremoniously traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers to select Zac Wilson as their new QB, make their way to Carolina this weekend. Giving both teams a chance at ugly, football style revenge. For if Wilson and the Jets manhandle the Panthers in their own stadium, they’ll feel vindicated in trading Darnold away and starting over fresh. But if Darnold plays some lights out ball and embarrasses the Jets with a stellar performance, well… he’ll make them look like fools for ever getting rid of him and really, in the end… it is the fans that win in regard to a game like this, because these games really do bring out the best in players and offer up some phenomenal football.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, Massachusetts
Sunday, September 12, 2021 – 1 p.m. EST – CBS

​This is another game filled to the brim with people that have something to prove. But instead of executives and coaches, this matchup features a pair of quarterbacks that are eager to get off to a hot start for several reasons. In the case of the Pats, newcomer/rookie Mac Jones is eager to cement himself as the heir apparent to Tom Brady and lighting up the scoreboard will help start that process and please fans of this storied franchise and as for the Dolphins… well, QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking to prove to the football world that he does indeed deserve to be under center for Miami. For there has been a lot of chatter about whether or not he can play at this level and a big win here should silence his critics. Either way, this one has the potential to be a supremely special game… one that could wow footballs fans with an epic score.