NFL Week 1 Man on Man Matchups

By Joe Valenzuela

 

Throughout the 2023 season, I am going to bring you guys my favourite matchups, to add some spice to your Sunday viewings of the NFL.

I have a couple of games for you guys and I will finish off with a quick under rated matchup of the week.

Game 1 - Bengals @ Browns

Denzel Ward vs. Jamar Chase

Week one, division rivalry, bulletin board martial.

Perfect days are rare in life but we certainly have the opportunity this Sunday in Believeland. One of the most pivotal matchups in this blue-collar rivalry is superstar wideout Jamar Chase vs. superstar corner Denzel Ward.

These two have had their fair share of battles to go along with their fair share of moments. The most notable play was Ward’s jump of a whip route on Chase at the goalline last year in Cincy. A 100-yard pick-six is certainly an historic play but making Joe Burrow look like Michelle Kwan is icing on the cake.

Image Credit: Barstool Sports

This matchup has more heat to it this week after Chase’s comments earlier this week where he referenced the Browns as “elves” and wanted it to be known that “Cleveland is Cleveland”.

Juju made that same mistake a few years ago before a playoff game when he said “The Browns is [sic] the Browns” and we all remember that COVID beatdown. So yes, Chase has certainly stirred the pot and with Ward fresh out of concussion protocol we have all the making of a dramatic matchup. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers between these two.

Last year Ward only played in the 23-10 loss where Chase seemingly got the better of him racking up 10 catches for 119 yards and a TD on 15 targets. The prior matchup in 2021 had quite the opposite result with Ward’s famous pick in a 41-16 win.

Chase had one of the worst games of his career with 6 catches for 49 yards and a lost fumble. In an attempt to be unbiased, I’m going to give the edge tomorrow to Chase but I won’t be shocked to see Ward make a game-changing play.

Juju made that same mistake a few years ago before a playoff game when he said “The Browns is [sic] the Browns” and we all remember that COVID beatdown. So yes, Chase has certainly stirred the pot and with Ward fresh out of concussion protocol we have all the making of a dramatic matchup. 

Let’s take a closer look at the numbers between these two.

Last year Ward only played in the 23-10 loss where Chase seemingly got the better of him racking up 10 catches for 119 yards and a TD on 15 targets. The prior matchup in 2021 had quite the opposite result with Ward’s famous pick in a 41-16 win.

Chase had one of the worst games of his career with 6 catches for 49 yards and a lost fumble. In an attempt to be unbiased, I’m going to give the edge tomorrow to Chase but I won’t be shocked to see Ward make a game-changing play.

Myles Garrett v Orlando Brown

Wouldn’t be a proper article if we didn’t mention a pivotal battle in the trenches. We have All-Pro Myles Garret against recent big-money free agent and actual mammoth of a human being Orlando Brown.

These two are familiar with each other with Brown’s prior stops in Baltimore and most recently as a Super Bowl winner in KC. In an attempt to keep Joe Burrow upright, Cincy threw a bag Brown’s way at the tune of 4 years $64 million. That’s a lot of money and rightfully so when your job is to prevent the likes of Myles Garrett from creating havoc.

I could get more into the numbers on this one but it’s pretty evident Garrett will have the upper hand when healthy.

It will be interesting to see with the recent additions to the D-Line in Cleveland how many 1v1 opportunities Garrett will have.

My prediction Garrett to have at least 2 sacks on Sunday.

Game 2 - Dolphins @ Chargers

Vic Fangio vs. Kellen Moore

Let’s take a look out in L.A. with two teams everyone seems to be looking at for wildcard spots, Chargers vs. Miami.

More specifically let’s look at two big-time coordinators looking to make their mark in their first games. Kellen Moore’s time in Dallas fizzled out after a pretty pathetic performance in San Francisco last year in the playoffs while Vic makes in debut in South Beach after a failed stint as the lead man in Denver.

Both men will have their fair share of toys to play with two of the best rosters in the AFC.

Led by Justin Herbert, Moore will finally have his chance to have a QB who can rip it all over the field to a group of Pro Bowl calibre wideouts and new first-round pick Quinten Johnston, not to mention 2022 touchdown leader, running back Austin Eckler.

Moore will look to use play action and deep crossers to move the ball down the field. As much as you might want to give the edge to L.A. based on talent it’s virtually impossible to argue with Fangios’ success as a coordinator.

Coaches in the NFL aren’t just handed over 20 years as a coordinator and that is exactly what Fangio has been able to accomplish in his prolific coaching career. He became really well known during his time in Chicago when he turned Khalil Mack and the Bears into one of the most feared defenses in the league. Since then Fangio has had elite defense after elite defense. 

It was very evident last year that Miami could not take the next step without an improved defensive so they decided to pry Fangio from Philly and made him the highest-paid coordinator in the league. With a stingy 3-4 scheme look for the Dolphins to shut down the run game and first L.A. into long passing downs. While I believe Fangio outclasses Moore I believe the weapons the Chargers have will prove to be too much and earn them an exciting week one victory.

Asante Samuel Jr. vs. Jaylen Waddle

Speed, speed, speed, that’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Jaylen Waddle. If teammate Tyrek Hill wasn’t in the league Waddle arguably would be the fastest player in the league. Waddle isn’t just a speedster he can run any route from any position on the field and is a true matchup nightmare.

Prior to last season, the Charges invested a lot into former Patriot corner, J.C. Jackson to be the true number one corner. In just the 5th game Jackson ruptured his patella thrusting Asante Samuel Jr. into the role.

Samuel certainly had his struggles but does possess elite ball skills and when in the right position can create chaos. With Jackson occupying Hill, I see a lot of targets going to Waddle which will ultimately result in a massive day for Alabama product.

Under the Radar matchup of the week

Happy Odell vs. not enough targets Odell

This one is simple, when he realizes 3 targets in the 3rd quarter that this is his new reality he’ll slowly start plotting his way to Kansas City.

Joe Valenzuela

NFL Analyst

A FORMER COLLEGIATE WIDE RECEIVER AND CURRENT TEXAN, JOE IS AN NFL ANALYST FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. IN ADDITION TO WRITING FOR THE TOUCHDOWN, JOE ALSO WORKS AS AN NCAA ANALYST FOR PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS.

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