NFL: Player Matchups in Week 1

The NFL season has finally arrived. Set to kick off on Thursday night with a show-stopping opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.

This year, we have stolen an idea from our College Football coverage and we will be giving you the five player matchups we are most looking forward to watching each week.

To kick things off we have a high profile battle from the opener…

Kyle Hamilton vs Travis Kelce

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The NFL has once again selected a beauty of a season-opener, as we see a repeat of last year’s AFC Championship game between Kansas City and Baltimore. A crucial part of that game was the matchup between Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce and Ravens slot defender/safety Kyle Hamilton. Kelce was targeted four times while covered by Hamilton, achieving 43 receiving yards and a key touchdown. Considering there remain question marks over Mahomes’ receiving options, you can guarantee he will favour Kelce’s familiarity in this one.

After spending the offseason jet-setting with high-profile girlfriend, Taylor Swift and the fact that Kelce is now 34, Hamilton may have a chance to get the better of the tight end this time out. While the Ravens usually move Hamilton around the defensive formation, keeping clamps on Kelce will be a key to victory.

Kenny Clark vs Cam Jurgens

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The NFL travels to Brazil on Friday night for the Packers vs. Eagles showdown. In a way, this key matchup also indirectly involves a Kelce brother. Jason’s retirement means a shift inside for the young lineman Cam Jurgens. The former Nebraska standout played exclusively at right guard last year but can fall back on his college experience, where he played three years at center for the Cornhuskers.

It will be somewhat of a baptism of fire for Jurgens, facing up against defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Clark had his best year in terms of sack production, with ten in 2023, and earned a pass rush grade of 76.0 from PFF. Jurgens will be tasked with helping establish the ground game for new addition Saquon Barkley, but ultimately, the more significant target will be keeping Jalen Hurts’ pocket clean. The new Packers defense under Jeff Hafley will trust Clark’s experience to make that difficult for the Eagles.

Amari Cooper vs Trevon Diggs

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Amari Cooper has yet to play his old team in a competitive game but will do just that this weekend as the Cowboys come to Cleveland to face the Browns. Cooper has been everything the Browns hoped he would be as a lead receiver even if the offense hasn’t met expectations with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Cooper set career highs in 2023 for yards per reception (17.4) and yards per route run (2.31), showing his ability is yet to dip with age.

He should face off against Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs for a good few snaps, and that will test the cornerback, who is returning from an ACL injury that cut short his season in 2023. Diggs has been boom or bust. He had an eye-popping 11 interceptions in 2021 but always gives up his fair share of big plays. The question is whether he remains the same athlete after the injury. Cooper will be desperate to have a dominant day against his former employer, and Watson will be laser-focused on getting his favourite target the ball.

Cooper Kupp vs Brian Branch

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The good news for LA Rams fans is that receiver Puka Nacua appears healthy and back to full practice ahead of week 1. That takes some pressure off Cooper Kupp, even if we don’t know how ready Nacua is. Kupp saw his production dip with Nacua’s addition and the fact that he missed the start of the season through injury. He remains a huge threat out of the slot, and I’m sure Aaron Glenn will have a game plan specific to stopping that.

Kupp was largely erased when these two met in the wildcard round last postseason, getting only 27 receiving yards from five receptions. Branch was only in coverage on one of those, a four-yard reception. The threat of Kupp could tempt Glenn to deploy Branch in the slot despite claims he will see more time at safety this season. Kupp, despite his age, remains one of the most technically gifted slot receivers. Matching him up against Branch, the highest-graded member of this secondary in coverage, makes a lot of sense.

Tyron Smith vs Nick Bosa

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Thank goodness this matchup is in week 1 of the regular season. Tyron Smith doesn’t have the best track record of staying healthy throughout the season, so getting this titanic clash early on is a relief. While Bosa usually rushes mainly from the left side, we should see this battle for at least a handful of snaps. Smith’s experience versus Bosa’s raw brutality and athleticism should be quite the watch. Despite his age, Smith remained a dominant force in Dallas last year, conceding only three sacks, two of which came in the wildcard loss to the Packers.

Bosa logged a game-wrecking 122 pressures, including 16 sacks. In terms of pure head-to-head Bosa’s 49ers triumphed all three times over the Cowboys when Tyron Smith was there. Perhaps the change of scenery can bring about a different result. The biggest hope for week 1 is that Smith can provide adequate protection for Aaron Rodgers, and we get a good look at whether the veteran QB has another Super Bowl run in him. Minimising hits from Bosa is imperative.

AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.