WEEK 1 PREVIEW 

BY SIN BLITZERS

MIA AT LV : The Jeff Hafley era in Miami begins on Sunday where they play the Raiders. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak will also be making his debut. The Raiders will be without their biggest offensive weapon in Brock Bowers, who underwent a knee procedure. But this will be an interesting chess match. Not just new coaches, both teams will be playing new quarterbacks as well, Kirk Cousins starts for the Raiders, while Malik Willis makes his Dolphin debut. 

Keys to the game

MIAMI : 

1. Contain Maxx Crosby – Crosby is one of the elite pass rushers in the game, the Dolphins have revamped their offensive line. Can that group contain Crosby?
2. MALIK WILLIS LEGS – The receiving corps in Miami is a major question mark. The Raiders might load eight in the box to stop Devon Achane, so maybe cue up some Malik Willis runs to open some other stuff up.

3. PRESSURE KIRK COUSINS  – We know at times Cousins struggles with pressure, so Hafley will have to dial some things up for his defense. 

RAIDERS

1. ESTABLISH SOMEONE OTHER THAN JEANTY – Ashton Jeanty is good to go for Sunday. The second year runner is coming off an ankle injury, Klint Kubiak has to establish someone else with Brock Bowers out. 

BILLS AT TEXANS : In a game of two playoff hopefuls the Bills travel to Houston to play the Texans. The Texans’ defense was the story of their matchup last season, as they sacked Josh Allen eight times and forced three turnovers. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson combined for 4.5 of those sacks. For the Bills James Cook did go for over 100 yards. Also in that matchup last season Davis Mills started, not CJ Stroud. Which AFC hopeful will get off to a good start. 

BUCS AT BENGALS : Two teams that had disappointing ends to their season last season meet in Cincy on Sunday. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs choked away the NFC South and now the newly paid Baker has an opportunity to right the wrongs of last season. And for the first time since 2014 the Bucs will take the field with Mike Evans not on the roster, so more pressure for Emeka Egbuka, who struggled in the second half of last season. For the Bengals they’re one of those teams under some pressure to win with Joe Burrow, so if they stay healthy, they have a chance. But they have to get off on the right foot.

BEARS AT PANTHERS – There’s an alternate universe where Caleb Williams is the quarterback of the Panthers. The trade that allowed the Panthers to select Bryce Young allowed the Bears to select Caleb Williams. Both young quarterbacks led their teams to the playoffs last season, and are looking to take the next step in their development. 

BRONCOS AT CHIEFS : The Chiefs had a uncharacteristic bad season last year. The cherry on top is when Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Well now Mahomes is back and wants to get back to the top of the mountain. At the top of the mountain are the Denver Broncos, who not only won the division last year, but were the number one seed in the AFC. Bo Nix is back after missing the AFC title Game, the Broncos also had the best defense in football last season. The Broncos also added receiver Jaylen Waddle from Miami, giving Bo Nix and Sean Payton another weapon. The Chiefs looking to get back to the top and the Broncos will be waiting. 

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