Top Matchups in the AFC: Week 1

With week 1 starting tomorrow with Bears vs. Packer, I will be highlighting the top matchups in the AFC for week 1.

5. Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers

With Andrew Luck retiring, the Colts will look to Jacoby Brissett to lead their team somewhere. Since the AFC South being up for grabs, maybe Jacoby can lead the Colts to a division title but it all starts in Los Angeles Sunday. With the Chargers looking to get back to the playoffs, expect Phillip Rivers to have another career year throwing the ball due to the Melvin Gordon holdout. Derwin James being out for weeks will hurt the Chargers but I don’t expect the defense to take a drastic dip, but still expect a good game from Jacoby. Although he was a backup, he was serviceable and he is still on a good Colts roster.

4. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Denver will be trying out their 100th quarterback since the departure of Peyton Manning. Newly acquired Joe Flacco will start for Denver but there are no expectations for him to deliver anything. The main focus will be on the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders were featured on Hard Knocks which featured a drama filled preseason with loud rookies, an insubordinate Antonio Brown, and a head coach that’s stuck in the past. Eyes will be watching to see how the Raiders will perform and hopefully (If he’s not suspended) see the Antonio Brown debut.

3. Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns

The Browns were one of the most interesting teams during the offseason for making big splashes by acquiring players such as Odell Beckham, Olivier Vernon, and Sheldon Richardson. After years of having no expectations, the Browns have been expected to contend for their division and conference. With 2nd year quarterback Baker Mayfield at the helm, all eyes will be on the new look Browns as they face Tennessee and their new head coach Mike Vrabel.

2. Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

With the AFC South being a toss up, this matchup could be a potential AFC playoff game. As we look for the Jaguars defense to go back to “Sacksonville” and expect the secondary to become a no fly zone, this could be a tough game for the Chiefs. The Jaguars also acquired super Bowl MVP, Nick Foles which is a major upgrade from Blake Bortles. This matchup could be interesting to watch as we see the MVP, Patrick Mahomes, take on a defense that wasn’t too long ago considered the best defense in the league.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

Matchups between these 2 teams are always interesting to watch but this time, the Steelers are without All-Pro players Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Big Ben is still at the helm and emerging stars JuJu and James Conner are there, but this season just doesn't feel promising for the Steelers. I don’t expect a competitive game since there was no upgrade to the Steelers Defense. Maybe I’m wrong, but I expect Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, and Josh Gordon to go handle business and come out with a win.