Sep 7, 20238 min read

Gridiron Talk: Are You Ready?

Football on the grandest stage is officially back! Football fans rejoice.

The NFL Opening Kickoff is electric every year. A filled docket full of storylines; faces in new places; and the competitive demeanor flowin' rapid rather in the stands or on the gridiron. Straight up electricity from the very first ring of the bell, and I got you covered with some noise to expect as we start the Opening Kickoff tonight in Kansas City.

NFL Opening Weekend has the hype it has every year due to the 17 game schedule. Every game is important. Winning the first game of the season is a huge tone setter and something every team looks to conquer. The slate of games for Week 1 this season comes with major noise with some great matchups. Seven divisional matchups; primetime triple threat; and a thick meat of late-afternooners. The action will be fast and furious, I picked out two games in particular that I believe will bring major noise.

For me, nothing beats a NFC East clash on Sunday Night Prime Time. Football Night in America's credits hit; screen flips; and Carrie Underwood takes the stage to set the mood. Just nothing like it; the Cowboys and Giants are ready to write another chapter on SNF.

This Giants squad going into the season needs recognition, and are ready to demand it. I expect last year's NFL Coach of the Year, Brian Daboll, to come in prepared and able to push their narrative. The front office made some great moves to bolster a roster that saw the playoffs last year. The team is better, and the staff is better. Giants defense will play a big part in their chances of victory, and the play of Daniel Jones will as well. Saquon Barkley might be in for a big game, I will explain that in the quick huddle portion.

Dallas sure won't have an easy night at the office as they travel to The Meadowlands to face those football Giants. Dak Prescott will need to be on his a-game orchestrating the offense against a Giants defense that improved in the middle portion of the field. We know that Cowboys offense will look different with Brian Schottenheimer taking over for Kellen Moore (now OC for LAC). Will it be a positive or negative difference is the question to be answered.

Cowboys defense will be relentless as they try to force Daniel Jones to a bad outing. Micah Parsons being the usual difference maker that he is will decide the Cowboys fate. If the Giants turn the ball over, they give Dallas the dub. A great matchup to have start the season on SNF prime time. The rivalry; the intrigue; and the storylines have this clash shining bright on the menu. A big game for both squads as they look to set a loud tone in the NFC East.

We got an offensive slugfest ready to take over the late afternooners on Sunday. I expect a full out air-raid with each team having a nuclear bomb of 50+ or two. I'd be stunned if the matchup doesn't have 40+ combined points in score. Haymaker after haymaker- just full puncture.

Kellen Moore takin' the OC job in Los Angeles gives Justin Herbert some real intrigue for 2023. Now that Herby has his payday, he is looking to take the next step. Moore should help him get there. The Chargers offense will have more balance and structure. Herbert was handicapped in that system and still put up the numbers that he did. Look for him to start the season off with a bang against a Dolphins defense that was shaky against the pass last season. Austin Ekeler will be a player to watch as we see how he fairs in Kellen Moore's system and plans.

Dolphins have the two most dangerous homerun hitters in Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle. Both guys are happy to have Tua Tagovailoa back under center who missed a good chunk of last year due to his concussion debacle. With a lackluster running game, Tua will have to air it out. If the protection clears, the 'Fins can have some explosive plays. Look for the turnover game to be key in this matchup. Both defenses should be in for a long afternoon. Football fans that adore offense will adore this game. Let the fireworks begin.

With rookie QB's making their debuts; high quality position players on prove its; and paid stars ready to show their value: there is many players seeking big performances to watch out for. I have three guys I think will have big time week one performances.

RB Saquon Barkley - NYG:

Saquon had all sorts of attention in the offseason along with Josh Jacobs, as both players threatened to hold out the season after not receiving long term extensions after being tagged. Both players smartly decided to sign one year deals so they can prove their value one final time rather than sitting out. Barkley's first game on his prove it agenda comes in the first SNF clash of the year against his squad's hated rival- the Cowboys.

I have Saquon penciled in to have a big game and to be a difference maker in the outcome. Look for him to make impact both rushing and receiving against a Dallas defense that have the capacity to shut down the Giants receivers. He should have his fantasy owners happy.

C Frank Ragnow - DET:

Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones is officially OUT tonight (contract holdout) versus the Lions giving Detroit a major opportunity to make the Chiefs pay (perhaps literally). Lions will show exactly how valuable Chris Jones is for that Chiefs' defense. The man that will have the most responsibility in that task is the Lions heartbeat on the o-line, C Frank Ragnow. Frank the tank having a big night at the office can help the Lions to victory if their defense can tame Pat Mahomes (even without Kelce). I want to see Ben Johnson be relentless calling the offense to hurt the Chiefs up the middle. You have to exploit that replacement and the now created weakness to that defense. If Lions win, Ragnow is a big part of the victory. Cha heard.

WR Garrett Wilson - NYJ:

This is pretty simple, Garrett Wilson is in a big position to make some massive impact for that new looking Jets' offense and I expect it do be right off the bat. I have been vocal on my opinion that Aaron Rodgers will be on a decline this season, which I still stand on. However, he isn't going to be awful. Rodgers has the sling still. Obviously. AR12 betters Garrett Wilson's stock and we will see that during the mega clash versus the mighty Bills come Monday night.

I'm not sure on how much balance we see from Nathaniel Hackett's Jets offense on Monday night, against a Bills team that can lite up the scoreboard on any night. Do they manage Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall? Or do they run them rapid? Hard to say, I feel like Buffalo won't give them an option. If it's a shootout, Wilson has a gigantic game. Rodgers is going to want to target him 12-15 times a game and those around the league think that will bolster Wilson into a top wideout and fantasy player. Wouldn't be surprised if his line shows 10+ receptions and over 100 yards receiving against the Bills.

To wrap this thing up, I have some quick no huddle offense to put the rock in the endzone. I have three headlines that have my highest interest for the opening weekend of games. All three will have impact going into the coming weeks.

Hut 1: Rookie QB's

We have three rookie QBs in the deep waters making their NFL debuts this weekend in Anthony Richardson (IND); C.J. Stroud (HOU); and Bryce Young (CAR). I have predicted all three of their teams to lose, and you know I think all three will struggle, I already went on that rant.

Bryce Young has the best chance to cruise to a week one dub as the Panthers go into The A to take on their rival Falcons. That clash will be close the entirety of the game, but I predict the Falcons to win by a FG. Riddler and Bryce Young will have a pick or two each. Richardson and the Colts have a test against rival Jaguars & I predict the Ravens to pull away in the second half against a new looking Texans squad. I will be keeping a close eye on the three as they make their debuts. I know I am critical, I still hope they prove me wrong!

Hut 2: Easy Progress

Off the first hut I wrote in the regards of the rookies having important opportunities this week, but there is also several year 2 and 3 quarterbacks that have prepared themselves to take that next step. I think Chicago's Justin Fields & Washington's Sam Howell are two that do it this season, and they start their climb this week with some easy progress.

Justin Fields and his Bears welcome their rival Packers to Soldier Field to kick off the season. A golden game for Fields to thrive in to create a tone setter to begin the season. Bears showed flare in the preseason with several sparks of big plays off the arm of Fields and by the feet of 'em. Fields is eager to create some highlight plays with his new receiver, DJ Moore. Fields is ready to put things in over-drive to lite the flame in Chicago and get fans excited for things to come- beating the Packers in the home opener is a perfect way to do it.

Sam Howell earned the starting job in Washington and is now making his second pro start to open the season. The Commanders have the thin-winged Cardinals coming into town to open things up. A great team to play in Howell's first time as a true starter. Howell was lackluster in his lone start last season only throwin' 169 yards on 11-19 with a pick/toudy a piece.

Starting things up against the Cards' is perfect, not too nerve-racking besides the common butterflies. Howell has a chance to take a big early step playing against a bottom-ten defense against the pass. There is a great arsenal of skill players on that Washington sideline, they should have a great home opener.

Hut!: Back Your Sh** Up!

Sean Payton made some enemies over the off-season when he ranted on the mess that Nathanial Hackett and his staff left him in Denver. Oh you didn't know? Check it:

"He broke a coaching code"; "Needs to keep my coach name out his mouth"; yeah yeah yeah. Nonetheless, Sean Payton does need to back his sh** up. That's the bottom line. People will be saying it every week, not just this week. Payton's Broncos welcome the Raiders to Mile High in a tone settin'; early divisional clash. Great time to start backing that talk up.

I picked the Broncos mostly because Josh McDaniels is meh. It will be a tight game. With the Raiders now adding Jimmy G under center, the Raiders come in with a guy who can manage the game with balance. Payton's defense needs to limit stupid mistakes and tame the middle of the field. Let's see how he has that defense prepared. If Russell Wilson has an awful game and the Broncos get routed: this cat is going to HEAR it. I don't have an issue with him being vocal. I don't even have an issue if it was chirp talk. I like that. I don't like those not backin' that talk up. Mmm, that I have an issue with. I have picked the Broncos, I'm bettin' on Sean P's talkin'. Hopefully he doesn't find himself looking stupid, because people will be ready with them pitchforks. Cha heard.

It's time to rejoice, football is officially back. The intensity. The thrill. The competitiveness. All the adored traits that make up the sport of football are back ready to entertain your living rooms. So... are you ready? Are you ready for football!?