NFL Week 1: A Key Matchup for Each Sunday Game
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) warms up. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. Buccaneers secondary
This is going to be an incredibly interesting battle between bitter rivals, and this matchup is filled with intriguing battles between receivers and DBs and star players in the trenches (such as Greg Hardy and Anthony Collins). Kelvin Benjamin is the guy I’m going to be watching the closest tomorrow afternoon, because he is the leader of the Panthers wide receiver corps and the success of the offense largely hinges on his ability to be an immediate playmaker. Benjamin has looked far less raw than we thought, and drops and inconsistent play haven’t manifested themselves. Big plays, however, have been evident from the explosive “X” receiver, who will draw a variety of assignments against a Cover 2 defense.
He’ll likely spend plenty of time finding soft spots against Alterraun Verner, who is a top-notch CB due to his playmaking ability; he’s one of the best zone coverage corners in the league. Verner will also play some man on Benjamin, so this will be a good test for him. If Benjamin can’t put forward a strong performance in the opener, then the Panthers could be in trouble against their much-improved rivals to the south.
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts: WR Demaryius Thomas vs. CB Vontae Davis
Hopefully most people are excited by the opener’s Sunday Night Football game, because a battle between two top AFC teams is always something special. The biggest storyline is undoubtedly the whole Peyton Manning vs. Colts and Andrew Luck angle, though it isn’t a homecoming game since it will be played in Denver. Luck vs. Manning isn’t actually an on-field matchup, but a rematch between Vontae Davis and Demaryius Thomas will be.
Wes Welker will be suspended for this game, and this will mostly help Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders earn even more targets from Manning. The unquestioned leader of the Broncos passing attack is top-five WR Demaryius Thomas, who will draw most of his assignments against Davis, who earned big bucks this offseason after helping Robert Mathis lead the Colts defense. With Mathis out, Davis is easily the best defensive player on the Colts, and he had an absolutely magnificent performance when the Broncos and Colts played last year. He kept Thomas and the Broncos WRs largely in check when matched up against them, and he was instrumental in their 39-33 “upset” victory (the Colts are too good to truly earn an “upset”, though I guess that counts in a way). If Davis can have a repeat performance, then the Colts could be in good shape due to their own explosive passing attack.