This is the last Sunday without NFL football. Week 1 is always one of the most exciting weeks in the regular season. Division games are usually right behind them on the excitement scale. Which is why I am going to dive into specifically the division matchup for each division taking place on week 1.
AFC North Division Matchup:
Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL right now. Cincinnati will have the luxury of starting their first game at home, luxury is the complete opposite however of having to face a Mike Tomlin led defense.
Joe Burrow and his elite talent around him at the wide receiver and running back position have never been easy to stop and have never backed down from pressure. The starting quarter back for the Steelers has not been officially announced at time of writing. However, I expect Mitch Trubisky to get a chance to lead this team week 1, and I expect him to have an amazing season.
He will have to prove him self early against a Bengals defense that lead their team to a Super Bowl last season. Trey Hendrickson and the rest of the defensive line will be breathing down his back all afternoon. Najee Harris needs to run to any kind of success to off set the pass rush for his team. I would not be surprised to see more deep balls than expected from Pittsburgh, off of the play-action especially.
AFC East Division:
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins
This AFC East matchup is between two quarter backs trying to prove they belong in this league. Tua Tagovailoa now has the fastest wide out in the league in Tyreek Hill, and an up and coming house hold name in Jaylen Waddle.
Bill Belichick will be in town to make his week 1 of this season a nightmare. The Patriots defense out schemes young quarter backs for fun since Belichick has taken over. The Dolphins defense last year showed for a 7-8 week stretch that they were top tier.
Mac Jones will take the starting job once again in New England. He will have to make quick decisions and go to his second and third read a little quicker this weekend because of how quick Miami is of defense. This game will be won by defense, the turnover battle will be what separates these teams.
NFC South Division Matchup:
New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons
No matter how good are bad either of these teams are, when they play each other it is a brawl. It is always a close game, no matter when or where they play. With two cities and fan bases who despise each other with a passion, this is definitely a week 1 division matchup you want to see.
The Atlanta Falcons are in the middle of a rebuild that does not look anywhere near complete as of now. They will be going into week 1 with a new quarterback for the first time since 2008. New quarterback Marcus Mariota will be will out one of their most deadliest weapons with the suspension of Calvin Ridley. The falcons will come prepared, however, they always play the Saints with a chip on their shoulder.
The New Orleans Saints are coming into this season with a new demeanor. New head coach Dennis Allen will have a healthy Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas who both missed significant time due to injuries. As well as Alvin Kamara, Jarvis Landry and rookie sensation Chris Olave to give the football to. This defense is supposed to be one of if not the best defense in the league, of course those titles do not just get handed to you. They will have to show up and earn them, starting with week 1 in Atlanta.
NFC North Division:
Green Bay Packers v Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers career gets weirder by the season, and this season he will come in without his number 1 target Devonte Adams. Of course Rodgers has never had a problem getting the ball to any receiver that is open. He will be facing a familiar division foe with a new attitude.
The Vikings have a new head coach and are now in year 5 of the Kirk Cousins experiment. This team has a buzz around them this year that they were missing since Diggs left for Buffalo. Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen have picked up that slack easily. With Jefferson entering his 3rd year in the NFL, I expect him to take his game and his griddy to the next level this season.
Aaron Rodgers has limited weapons this season, however the combo in the backfield will take a lot of pressure off of his shoulders. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion will be a two headed monster both in the run game and coming out of the backfield as check down receivers. If the Packers defense can be decent, we all know what Rodgers is capable of, even as he ages, his throwing motion is a thing of beauty.
AFC South Division Matchup:
Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans
The Colts have picked up veteran quarterback Matt Ryan to run the helms this season. While the Houston Texans will be starting, who? *Googles Houston Texans QB* Davis Mills, right, right! Second year quarterback out of Stanford Davis Mills will have the task of making this team respectable this season after 2 seasons of embarrassment on the field. (And I am not talking about off the field issues)
Indianapolis has arguably the top running back in the league as well as a top 5 defense this season. If Matt Ryan can manage the game and reduce turnovers, this team will be in a fight all season long with the Tennessee Titans for this AFC South division. A division that somehow is always competitive and full of pride.
Houston I believe will be happy with at least 5 wins this season, and would be even happier to start the season off 1-0; beating a division foe in the Colts.
AFC West Division:
Las Vegas Raiders v Los Angeles Chargers
This might be the best game on this list of amazing games. The offensive prowess present on these two teams will entertain audiences to say the least. This is an old school west coast match up that still sets fires under fans to this day, I could not think of a better season opener for either one of these teams.
Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best up and coming quarterbacks in the league in Justin Herbert while David Carr has been on the fringe of being great for a few years now. Carr and the raiders have a lot to prove this season after moving to Las Vegas in 2020, things have been rocky to say the least. Running back Josh Jacobs’ and tight end Darren Waller’s productivity will be key all season long, especially in week 1.
The Chargers will put up points in bunches, no matter what defense is on the field. If they get a few turnovers early this game could be over by halftime. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have built a great connection with Herbert, and look to take that relationship to the next level by adding some rings to those fingers. Starting off with making the playoffs by winning the division might be the best thing to focus on. Week 1 they will get a chance to take control of the division by winning their first division matchup.
Division Matchup Preview
It is no secret in the NFL, that division games carry more pride for the players, coaches, owners, and most importantly the fanbases. Starting week 1 with a division matchup is a dream come true for the die hard fan. It represents a chance to start the season off right, and sends a message to the rest of the division. A message that states we are here to fight for what is ours and take that division title back to our city.
On the last Sunday without NFL football, these 12 franchises will be even a little more eager than the rest to kickoff the 2022-23 NFL season 7 days from now.
Rowan Donaghey is a NFL, NCAAF, and Betting insider for Gridiron Heroics. Follow him on twitter for daily bets and content via @RowanDonaghey