Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
Nov 26, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) watches the game against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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5 quarterbacks primed for huge games this week

Matt Verderame NFL

Looking at the NFL Week 1 matchups, these five quarterbacks could put up monster numbers to get their respective seasons rolling.

5. Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers

Darnold has a chance to prove the New York Jets were the problem in Week 1 when he faces his old team in Charlotte. The Panthers have a good bit of talent around him in receivers Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore, along with former All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. Meanwhile, the Jets are still rebuilding and it shows in the secondary, with only safety Marcus Maye being a plus player.

4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

We’ll be talking plenty about the Cardinals-Titans game this weekend. Both offenses have plenty of ways to attack the opposing defenses, and that’s certainly true for Arizona. Look for Murray to attack Jackrabbit Jenkins and Caleb Farley early and often when targeting DeAndre Hopkins, a three-time First-Team All-Pro. The Cardinals can also look for Christian Kirk and A.J. Green in the passing game, giving this affair all kinds of shootout potential.

3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes is going to make frequent appearances in this feature. The Chiefs are one of the most loaded offenses in the game, headlined by Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Tyreek Hill. In Week 1, Kansas City welcomes in the Cleveland Browns, who added talent to their secondary with safeties Grant Delpit (back from injury) and John Johnson III, and corners Greg Newsome and Troy Hill. However, are they gelled and ready for this unit? Tough task.

2. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

The Titans are loaded up with weapons, ranging from running back Derrick Henry to receivers A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. Against Arizona’s secondary, which is essentially star safety Budda Baker and a bunch of question marks, Tannehill should be throwing for a good chunk of yardage. If the Titans defense also fails to hold up, this could be an aerial show in Nashville with both signal-callers going at it for four quarters.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers

Garoppolo has had to endure an offseason of Trey Lance coming to San Francisco, signaling the end of his era in town. Yet in Week 1 he gets the perfect team to face in the Detroit Lions, who are in the beginning of a full-scale rebuild. Garoppolo should have no problem making a statement on Sunday, targeting receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk along with now-healthy tight end George Kittle.

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