Breaking Down the Biggest Matchups to Watch in NFL Week 1

Football is a game of matchups. And it’s one of the factors that make the NFL so unpredictable.

A season ago, the Washington Redskins won just five games but two were against the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants, the second setback the last loss of 2011 for Tom Coughlin’s club.

That adage of “it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season” is factually inaccurate and the numbers will bear that out. If you have an advantage over your opponent, common sense says that it will continue until the other team figures it out.

So we take a look at what could be some intriguing battles on the opening week of the season. In some instances it’s player vs. player, in others player vs. coach and so on. And hopefully it makes watching the beginning of another season a little more intriguing.

In the immortal words of the Iron Chef, "Let the battle begin…”

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill vs. Texans Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips

The eighth overall pick in April’s draft won the quarterback competition during the summer, completing 41-of-78 passes for 414 yards, one score and one interception while being sacked four times this preseason.

And that last number may be the most significant in terms of what the former Aggie sees on Sunday in his return to the state of Texas. Phillips made quite an impact on the Texans a year ago as the team set franchise single-season records for fewest points allowed, as well as sacks.

It’s also safe to say that the Houston defense will take aim at right tackle Jonathan Martin, the rookie hoping to do his best to protect his fellow classmate of 2012.

Bills LDE Mario Williams vs. Jets RT Austin Howard

Green and White followers no longer have Wayne Hunter to kick around (or get around) anymore.

The Jets’ much-maligned right tackle was recently dealt to St. Louis for former No. 2 overall pick (2009) Jason Smith, a disappointment to date.

These days, Howard has the job. But it’s safe to say the inexperienced performer will have his work cut out for him on Sunday as there’s a new defensive line in Buffalo these days and the headliner is Williams, who’s seen his last two seasons with the Texans cut short by injuries. But make no mistake, he knows how to get to the quarterback.

This weekend will be challenging for both Howard and Williams, the former blocking the one-time overall pick and the latter figuring out just who will be behind center for the Jets from play to play. 

Redskins FS Madieu Williams vs. Saints TE Jimmy Graham

The addition of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was not the only significant change in the nation’s capital this offseason.

Washington’s defense was very respectable a year ago, but Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen opted to make a few changes in the secondary, with former first-round pick LaRon Landry now a member of the Jets.

So in steps both Brandon Meriweather and Williams and both defenders are well-traveled the last few seasons. And the latter could be getting plenty of exercise in the Superdome this weekend trying to track down Graham, who caught a team-high 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 scores a year ago in just his second season.

Regardless of who’s catching the ball from Drew Brees, the Redskins’ defense will be severely challenged. 

Patriots LT Nate Solder vs. Titans RDE Kamerion Wimbley

For a change, the talk in New England this offseason was not about the quarterback but exactly who was protecting Tom Brady.

We obviously know it won’t be longtime left tackle Matt Light, now retired, or former Pro Bowl right guard Brian Waters, who apparently has decided not to return to the team. You can also add veteran Dan Koppen to the list, the longtime center released by the team this offseason.

But back to that left side of the line, where star guard Logan Mankins appears healthy while second-year pro Solder seems overwhelmed. This Sunday, he’ll try to prevent Wimbley from making a bigger name for himself; the former first-round pick (Browns) who was released by the Raiders this offseason and looks to fix a pass rush that produced an AFC-low 28 sacks last season. 

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez vs. Arrowhead Stadium

Will there be a hero’s welcome per se for the most productive tight end and second-leading receiver in NFL history?

Of course, Kansas City is where the prolific pass-catcher made a name for himself for a dozen seasons before the Chiefs dealt Gonzalez to Atlanta in 2009.

This marks his first appearance against the Chiefs, and while there certainly will be cheers, they’ll disappear if he starts making Romeo Crennel’s defense, which will be minus Pro Bowl outside linebacker Tamba Hali, look bad.

So who will be in charge of keeping Gonzalez in check? Don’t be surprised if strong safety Eric Berry, who was lost after one week last season, draws the assignment.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher vs. Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz

We’re fairly confident that when these two head coaches shake hands both before and after this tilt, there won’t be a lot of theatrics.

That’s because Fisher and Schwartz know each other pretty well. Before taking over as Lions head coach in 2009, he spent 10 seasons in Tennessee with Fisher, the majority of that as the Titans' defensive coordinator.

It wasn’t long ago that Schwartz inherited a 0-16 team and in three years led them from two to six to 10 wins, securing a playoff berth in 2011. Now Fisher is in a similar boat, taking over a franchise that went 2-14 last season, while winning a combined 15 games since 2007.

As for this week, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford will be taking aim at a secondary that is very banged up at the moment. And he’ll get a big assist from Fisher.

Jaguars LT Eugene Monroe vs. Vikings DE Jared Allen

While running back Maurice Jones-Drew garnered most off the offseason headlines in Jacksonville, the second-biggest story in 2012 to date regarding the team had to do with the sudden development of their quarterback.

Last season, despite throwing more touchdown passes (12) than interceptions (11) during his rookie season, Blaine Gabbert was sacked 40 times and totaled 14 fumbles. And while so far this summer we haven’t seen the deer-in-the-headlights look from the Jaguars’ signal-caller that appeared to be an issue, this weekend in the Twin Cities could be the acid test to see of Gabbert has turned a corner.

As everyone knows, Allen led the league with 22.0 sacks in 2011 and not only forced four fumbles but recovered just as many. And if Monroe can limit those times the Vikings’ defender turns the corner, Gabbert can take aim at that Minnesota secondary.

Browns QB Brandon Weeden vs. Eagles Defensive Line

Will it be deja boo-boo all over again?

Back in late August, the rookie signal-caller saw this very Philadelphia team and after getting off to a decent start wound up feeling the heat. Weeden was sacked three times and fumbled twice in the first quarter against the Birds as that deep defensive front poured in on him more times than not.

So who’s to think it will be any different this time around? Some of that could depend on the performance of rookie running back Trent Richardson, who will see his first action in a Browns uniform after missing the preseason. Despite the gaudy sack total from a season ago, Juan Castillo’s unit was exploited by teams which took advantage of the Eagles’ aggressiveness up front, hence their mediocre ranking against the run in 2011.

Let the chess game begin.

Colts RB Donald Brown vs. Bears LB Lance Briggs

We all saw that first play from scrimmage by the Colts in the preseason, when rookie quarterback Andrew Luck quick-flipped a pass to Brown over the middle and the Colts’ runner did the rest.

Now it’s for real and that means a date with a Bears’ defense that’s sure to get after the Indianapolis quarterback. So while wideouts Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie, as well as tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, will be amongst Luck’s top targets, don’t discount Brown not only as a runner but as a pass-receiving target as well.

And the talented Briggs, named to his seventh straight Pro Bowl this past season, could be very busy in coverage as teammates Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije look to get in Luck’s face early and often.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson vs. Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson

It’s yet another example in Week 1 of a rookie quarterback going up against a very good defense.

Very quietly, Ray Horton’s unit totaled 42 sacks last season and was a very big part of the team’s 7-2 finish a year ago. And they hope to make life miserable for the promising signal-caller, who was nothing less than impressive this summer.

The other Wilson in this game, the guy who’s been named to five Pro Bowls, can not only be found all over the field, but also many times in the opposing backfield trying to get to the quarterback. Still, despite 26 interceptions and 22.5 sacks during his stellar career, Wilson had only one pick last season and no sacks for the first time since 2007.

You get the sense that latter number may change this weekend.

49ers WR Randy Moss vs. Packers CB Tramon Williams

Once upon a time, the former Vikings Pro Bowl performer used to make Lambeau Field a regular stop.

These days, he’s simply looking to make a comeback.

The 49ers were looking to revamp their wide receiving corps, and they may or may not have achieved that depending on the performances of not only Moss but Mario Manningham as well. But we’ll give the former the benefit of the doubt given Jim Harbaugh’s extremely brief but impressive track record with his team.

It will be a new-look secondary for the Packers with veteran Charles Woodson moving to safety. And Williams and the Green Bay defensive unit will be looking for make amends for a down year in 2011.

Panthers QB Cam Newton vs. Buccaneers MLB Mason Foster

Last season, the Tampa Bay defense didn’t have a lot of success against a lot of teams and really had their issues with the Panthers’ record-setting rookie.

In last season’s first meeting, Newton threw for one score and ran for three touchdowns. Three weeks later, the Carolina quarterback threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score. All told, Ron Rivera’s club outscored the Buccaneers a combined 86-35.

Speaking of rookie seasons, Foster turned in a decent performance himself by leading Tampa with 126 tackles in 2011. And while he’ll be busy trying to slow down DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert all afternoon, he obviously needs to focus his attention on the multi-talented Newton as well. 

Steelers CB Ike Taylor vs. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas

Last season’s memorable playoff matchup in Denver would be an afternoon the Steelers defender would love to forget.

Thomas totaled four receptions for 204 yards, catching passes of 51, 58, 15 and 80 yards by game’s end, the latter complete with a stiff arm on Taylor that enabled the Broncos’ wideout to score on Denver’s first play in overtime for the 29-23 win.

Once again, free safety Ryan Clark won’t be around for the Steelers. Then again, exit Tim Tebow and enter Peyton Manning, who may have different plans for Taylor and company on Sunday evening.

Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. Ravens CB Lardarius Webb

It’s a golden opportunity for Marvin Lewis’ team to get off on the right foot and avoid the skepticism surrounding last season’s playoff appearance.

Cincinnati got off to a 6-2 start but lost five of its last seven games, a pair each to the Ravens and Steelers, as well as the playoff-bound Texans. And Lewis’ club was a quick out in the Wild Card game, another loss to Houston.

Last season, Green missed the teams’ first meeting in Baltimore and a few weeks later, was limited to two receptions for 26 yards when the Ravens visited Cincinnati. Webb led Baltimore in passes defensed last season (20) but covering the Bengals’ wideout is a chore for anyone, especially if the Ravens’ pass rush isn’t up to snuff due to the early-season absence of Terrell Suggs. 

Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Raiders QB Carson Palmer

It was not a pretty season for either the Chargers or Raiders, both whom finished 8-8 and 3-3 within the division, while both of their quarterbacks had problems holding onto the football.

The Bolts committed 28 turnovers a year ago and 25 came via Rivers, who was picked off a career-high 20 times and lost five fumbles. On the other hand, Palmer only played in 10 games last season and was also quite generous, coughing up the ball 17 times, including 16 interceptions.

So while these two signal-caller won’t actually battle against each other on the field, it what they don’t do that may determine their teams’ fates.