Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Overview
The division champion Philadelphia Eagles will open their 2014 season at home against one of the worst teams from 2013. That being said, this Jaguars team will be ready to play in the season opener, and the Eagles would be wise to not overlook their visitors from the NFC South. Philadelphia is one of the most prolific offenses in football, and will be a tough test for the Jaguars.
While only the Eagles are considered a contender out of these two franchises, this is a very important game for the Birds due to their strength of schedule. Facing the NFC West is quite the task, so the Eagles must make the most of their dates with the AFC South.
Key Matchups
Cary Williams vs Cecil Shorts: On of the larger struggles for the Eagles’ defense last season was in the secondary, and the Jaguars have a more than capable crew at the wide receiver position. Shorts, Marqise Lee, and Allen Robinson are a formidable crop for any opponent, and will give Philadelphia its money’s worth on Sunday.
Red Bryant vs Jason Peters: Perhaps the best run-blocking tackle in the business will have his massive hands full with one of Jacksonville’s newest free agents in Bryant. Watching these two colossal humans batter each other to bits will be well worth the price of admission.
Zach Ertz vs Jonathan Cyprien: Concerning the red zone especially, this will be a fun battle to witness. Ertz is a breakout candidate with a tenacity for snagging high-arching throws, especially in the red zone. Cyprien, a fellow second-year defender, will have his hands full trying to corral the athletic tight end.
Final Prediction (Eagles 34, Jaguars 20)
Chip Kelly will have his team ready to go for their opening contest, and the Eagles should dispatch of the Jaguars as a true contender would. LeSean McCoy and the leading rushing unit from a year ago is back in full force, minus Lane Johnson, and will be more than an improved Jaguars front seven can handle.
Washington Redskins vs Houston Texans
Overview
An explosive offense will meet one of the best pass rushing offenses in football in this season starter. Robert Griffin III will be running for his life all game long as the like of J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney tear through the Redskins’ offensive line like a hot knife through butter. Only a rushing attack led by Alfred Morris will be able to stop the onslaught of one of the best young combinations of pass rushers in the NFL.
Neither team considered a contender to start the year coming off disappointing seasons in 2013, will either the Redskins or Texans start 2014 off on the right foot?
Key Matchups
DeAngelo Hall vs Andre Johnson: Two established veterans must dominate their competition for their respective teams to win in this one. Johnson is looking to prove he is still elite, while Hall must show he is still worthy of a roster spot.
David Amerson vs DeAndre Hopkins: Contrary to the other wide receiver battle, Hopkins and Amerson are young players looking for breakout seasons. Hopkins has the size advantage but Amerson is a bit quicker, meaning this battle will be won or lost at the line of scrimmage.
Tyler Polumbus vs J.J. Watt: Polumbus must stem the tide that is Watt if Washington will be able to get anything going on offense against the Texans.
Final Prediction (Texans 24 Redskins 20)
A dominant pass-rush matched with a destructive rushing attack will prove too much for a Redskins team struggling to find an identity. Though the offense is much improved, the void of talent on defense will prove fatal to the Redskins in this one.
Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers
Overview
The classical rivalry of offense versus defense takes center stage in this conference match-up between Super Bowl contenders and a team with less of a defense than Le’Veon Bell’s DUI case. Devoid of anything close to a playmaker on defense, the Cowboys must depend on an incredible offensive showcase to defeat the 49ers.
One of the best defensive teams in football, the 49ers should also be able to dominate on the offensive side this season after adding Steve Johnson and Carlos Hyde to Colin Kaepernick’s arsenal. Dallas is no slouch when it comes to the scoreboard, but this team will live and die on defense this year. Something Cowboy’s fans are not looking forward to.
Key Matchups
Michael Crabtree vs Brandon Carr: Coming off an offseason where he was repeatedly thrown to the wolves that are national media, Crabtree must prove he is a legitimate WR 1, and will have a chance to do just that against the veteran Carr. While Dallas plays mostly zone on defense, one on ones between these two will determine offensive output for the 49ers.
Bruce Carter vs Vernon Davis: Few can stretch the field like San Francisco’s tight end, who faces a coverage backer with tremendous speed. Davis is the key to the 49ers offensive production, so he must get the better of Carter in one on ones.
Tramaine Brock vs Dez Bryant: The Cowboys’ offense runs through Bryant, one of the most prolific playmakers in the game today. Brock must find a way to slow him down, or the 49ers could pay the price with a loss on the road.
Final Prediction (49ers 27 Cowboys 17)
Defense wins championships, and the Cowboys have none of it. The 49ers rejuvenated offense and stalwart defense will outclass Dallas at home in nearly every facet of the game. Up against a tremendous run defense, Dallas will turn to Tony Romo once again as a savior. Yet, San Francisco will prove that they are heading for a Super Bowl or bust by winning their season opener away from the bay area.
New York Giants vs Detroit Lions
Overview
A new-look offense and the same haggard front-seven on defense is what the Giants’ are bringing to the table in 2014. Opening the season with an away game in prime time is difficult, but Tom Coughlin’s championship pedigree will have his team ready for anything. Boasting a tremendous secondary but little else on defense, Detroit’s offense could prove too much for the boys in blue.
Either Andre Williams or Rashad Jennings will have to eat up some clock for the Giants, and keep Matthew Stafford and company off of the field if their team hopes for a victory here. Will Ben McAdoo’s west coast offense be up to par in the first game of the season for New York? Not if the preseason was any indicator.
Key Matchups
Calvin Johnson vs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: The league’s best receiver has both the size and speed to dominate any corner. Why should DRC prove any different? Megatron will resume his reign of terror in the season opener.
Ndamukong Suh vs Brandon Mosley: This should be quite the test for Mosley, who took over the starting guard position from the now-retired Chris Snee. Suh is possibly the most physical tackle in all of football, and New York’s rushing success will come on the back of Mosley in this one.
Justin Pugh vs Ziggy Ansah: As with the Suh-Mosley battle, the outcome of this foray will be either a successful pocket for Eli Manning to throw in, or pandemonium on passing downs. New York’s success in its first game will come on the backs of the team’s offensive linemen.
Final Prediction (Lions 34 Giants 13)
Completely out-gunned and out-classed, the Giants will turn back to the drawing board after this defeat on Monday Night Football. The Lions will dominate on both sides of the line, in addition to showing off areal prowess. Do not expect this one to be close.