NFL: A Look at Week One’s Big Games

Attention football fans, we have officially made it to the NFL season! It has felt like a century ago the Kansas City Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in Miami. According to latest NFL odds on Sports Betting Dime, Kansas City are also (-112) favorites on the spread. The reigning champions go up against the Texans for the opening game of the season.. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the first time teams will play in a live game.

Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Reigning champs Kansas City open the season against Deshaun Watson and the Texans. These two teams last met in the playoffs with Kansas City coming back after being down big early. Mahomes and company ended up dropping 51 on a stunned Texans team. Houston has to have revenge on their mind. For Watson, it’ll also be about justifying his massive payday. They will have to do it without their best offensive weapon, DeAndre Hopkins.

As for Kansas City, special things happen when the ball is in Mahomes’ hands. If Kansas City’s defense can keep Watson off the field, the Chiefs should walk away with their first victory of the season. Arrowhead Stadium is one of only two stadiums allowing fans to attend. To anyone going to the game, please wear a mask and sanitize your hands!

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

After their embarrassing early exit in the playoffs, the Ravens definitely have something to prove this season. They were the best team during the regular season, but not in the big games. Quarterback Lamar Jackson must show that his impressive season was not just a one-time show. Last season, Jackson put up ridiculous numbers against Cleveland; killing them with both his arm and legs.

The Cleveland Browns boast some impressive talent on their roster, but they have absolutely nothing to show for it. Cleveland has a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski who could be the guy to make it all come together. The Browns are going to need to have a big offensive showing to keep up with last year’s number one ranked offense. In the offseason, Cleveland added tight end, Austin Hooper, as an additional weapon for Baker Mayfield. The pandemic has forced teams to conduct virtual meetings and the Browns have an entirely new coaching regime. It will be interesting to see how long it takes all teams to gel, but especially a defense as talented as the Browns.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

It’s going to be strange to see Tom Brady in a Bucs uniform, but 2020 has been a strange year. Brady, along with his unretired tight end Rob Gronkowski, will face off against Drew Brees and the Saints. It feels like a heavyweight match when these two face off. These are two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time who always leave it all on the field.

Tom Brady has absolutely nothing left to prove, but in a way he does. The biggest “knock” on Brady has always been that he can’t win without Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick. Brady will get a chance to win a ring with a new head coach, Bruce Arians, and prove any remaining haters wrong. This is one of the most talented rosters Brady has played with in recent years. The Bucs just added running back Leonard Fournette to add another option to their offense.

The Saints have dominated the NFC South the past two seasons with their firepower offense. After allegedly trying to trade him, the Saints are looking to lock up star running back Alvin Kamara to a long-term deal. The trade rumor never made much sense considering how talented Kamara is. He is a clear part of New Orleans future after Brees hangs it up.