NFL Week 1: 5 things to watch for on Sunday
5. How does Zeke look?
The Dallas Cowboys are hosting the New York Giants on Sunday, and Ezekiel Elliott will be there. After holding out through the entire summer, Elliott wrapped up a six-year extension and now, after Alfred Morris was released to create a roster spot, is set to make his 2019 debut. How rusty does Elliott look in this one, and does he get the lion’s share of the carries out of the chute?
4. Kyler Murray makes his debut
After being drafted No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, we get to see Kyler Murray for the first time in meaningful football. Murray is coming from the University of Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy in his only year as the starting quarterback. Playing against the Detroit Lions in his home stadium, Murray has the chance to be impressive early on, giving fans in the desert some long-term hope.
3. Chiefs O vs. Jaguars D
This is going to be a fascinating matchup. The Jacksonville Jaguars might have the league’s best personnel on defense. Josh Allen, Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell are all poised to be screaming off the edge, dealing with Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher and All-Pro right tackle Mitch Schwartz. Jacksonville will also have Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye on Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. Of course, the Kansas City Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, the league’s reigning MVP, at the controls. This should be an awesome contest.
2. Does Jacoby Brissett do a nice job?
After Andrew Luck’s shocking retirement, the Indianapolis Colts were left to turn to Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is in his fourth year — third with the Colts — and is hoping to prove he’s more than a quality backup. He’ll have his chance starting on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team with designs on hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February. If Brissett can engineer an upset, it would be a huge step towards Indianapolis moving on emotionally from No. 12.
1. Do the Browns look worthy of the hype?
We’ve heard from months about the Cleveland Browns. AFC North favorites and potential Super Bowl participants. Are they worthy of such talk, or does this prove to be a little early on an overblown story? Baker Mayfield and Co. are getting rolling against the Tennessee Titans, who are hoping to spoil the party. If the Browns are dominant, it’s only going to few the fire on the shores of Lake Erie.