5 Best NFL games to watch on Sunday in Week 1
By Lucas Schuh
NFL Week 1 is officially underway and these are the best games to watch on Sunday.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, every major sports league aside from the NFL had returned to action prior to Thursday night. Unlike other leagues, though, the NFL never had to put their season on hold. They canceled the preseason games and limited practice but NFL Week 1 was always in sight and it finally kicked off on Thursday night as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans.
It’s been quite the offseason throughout the league. Tom Brady left the New England Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. But then the Pats surprised everyone by then signing 2015 MVP Cam Newton to replace him. Elsewhere, the Texans traded star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for David Johnson and a second-round pick, a trade that was widely panned throughout the league.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Offseason aside, though, the 2020 season is going to be unlike any other before it with the effects of COVID-19, meaning teams won’t have fans, travel will be different and so will practices. But football is back. And these are the best games on Sunday in NFL Week 1.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
Prior to the offseason, it seemed as if the Buccaneers were just one piece away from being a playoff-caliber team. Tampa Bay had two top-tier wide receivers with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, an underrated defense with young and improving pieces and a solid offensive line. The one spot that was troublesome was quarterback as Jameis Winston couldn’t stop giving the ball away.
Tom Brady solves that issue as the Bucs added an all-time great and certain future Hall-of-Famer to replace Winston. Last season, it’s worth noting that Brady didn’t play up to his standards but he was also held back by the weapons (or lack thereof) around him. That’s no longer a concern with Godwin, Evans, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate and his familiar favorite target, Rob Gronkowski.
With this new situation, Brady and the Buccaneers would likely be the favorites to win almost any division in the NFL. Unfortunately, they’re in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints, a team that is one of the league’s best on paper. And that’s also their Week 1 opponent.
Both sides of the ball are terrific for the Saints. Drew Brees is another future inductee into Canton but he’s protected well. His offensive line is phenomenal and Michael Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL while the team also added Emmanuel Sanders this offseason. As for the defense, a strong secondary is in place while the secondary is deep, especially with the offseason addition of Malcolm Jenkins.
Certain players for both teams in this game have been unable to practice but this game is undoubtedly one to watch on Sunday. Not only should it be great football but early-season playoff implications are in play.