Analyzing Best Matchups to Watch in NFL Preseason Week 1

The 2013 NFL season is set to begin in just a few short weeks, and in the meantime, players will be adjusting to new teams and new roles over the next few weeks of the NFL preseason.

While the first-string players are not going to get a particularly large amount of work in the first preseason game, it is nonetheless the first time we get to see a glimpse of how every team may look for the upcoming year.

The best matchups will showcase top offenses against top defenses, receivers against cornerback and other top stories for the upcoming week of preseason football.

Dolphins' Offensive Line vs. Jaguars' Defensive Line

As entertaining as the first taste of Denard Robinson may be in the NFL, the big matchup stems from the fallout of the Hall of Fame game between Dallas and Miami.

The Miami Dolphins' offensive line in that game just looked awful. It may have been rust or miscommunication, but they cannot play like that every week.

If they are going to progress, they must perform well against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have Jason Babin and little else on the defensive front seven.

If Babin controls the game and gets a slew of sacks, it will look good for the Jaguars, but there may be a bit of panic in Miami. Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace can only do so much if the offensive line is nonexistent.

Rams' Wide Receivers vs. Browns' Secondary

The St. Louis Rams made big changes on offense this year, and with Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey in tow, Sam Bradford actually has receivers to throw to.

Austin, in particular, will face his first test this weekend when he's up against Joe Haden, one of the best young cornerbacks out there. Conversely, the Cleveland Browns do not have much else in the secondary, so the other Rams receivers might have an easier time.

If Austin can make the Browns look bad this early, then suddenly, he could be the favorite to be the Rookie of the Year if he isn't already.

Eagles' Offense vs. Patriots' Defense

The matchup here could just as easily be Chip Kelly vs. Bill Belichick, and it would fit just as well. Kelly is bringing his new style of offense to the NFL, and Belichick of all coaches will be the first to witness it.

The New England Patriots are not exactly known for their defense, so even though Kelly is likely not going to reveal much, we should still get a good idea of what the Philadelphia Eagles are planning for the upcoming year.

If the Eagles fall flat, then they'll have time to regroup, but it will be disappointing, given that this is the first everyone is seeing of what the team has planned.

Broncos' Offense vs. 49ers' Offense

The two offensive units are, of course, not going to be on the field at the same time, but given the firepower that the two have, the game is certainly worth watching.

Peyton Manning is clearly back after a great year with Denver, and their offense managed to get even better with the addition of Wes Welker.

The San Francisco 49ers added Anquan Boldin this past offseason, and Colin Kaepernick is a weapon himself with the ball. As a result, the first quarter of this game is going to be great to watch, as even with the players the two teams have on defense, it should be a shootout.

EJ Manuel vs. Andrew Luck

The top quarterbacks taken in each of the last NFL drafts will square off. Chances are Andrew Luck, an established rising star, doesn't play much in a Week 1 preseason game that means little to him, but E.J. Manuel needs some good showings this preseason to cement the starting nod over competitor Kevin Kolb.

Manuel had a rough outing last Monday in a scrimmage, according to John Wawrow of the Associated Press, but that will be forgotten if he impresses his coaches this week.