The first game of the 2021 NFL season is less than a week away as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday Night Football. With the quarterback position being the premier position on the field, all eyes will be on Tom Brady and Dak Prescott. Besides Brady and Prescott, it’s safe to say there are other quarterbacks people will be interested in seeing in Week 1.
There are a ton of enticing matchups to kick off the season, with some quarterbacks being in more favorable situations than others. Whether it be their supporting cast, the team they are playing against, or other factors, some quarterbacks could struggle out of the gate.
Of the 32 starting quarterbacks, there are a few that stand out as guys who could have a disappointing outing in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (vs. DEN)
It goes without saying that this is a crucial year for Daniel Jones as he enters his third season with the New York Giants. Over the course of the offseason, the Giants made a concerted effort to surround him with more talent, signing Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph, as well as drafting Kadarius Toney in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones also gets Saquon Barkley back in an offense that also features Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, and Evan Engram.
While Jones has an assortment of weapons, his offensive line could be a unit that surrenders pressure consistently. That isn’t great news for Jones as the Giants will be taking on the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Denver will be getting back healthy versions of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb this season. Not to mention, the Broncos have an improved secondary with Kyle Fuller, Patrick Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Kareem Jackson, and Justin Simmons.
I expect a shaky start from Jones in what is a defining year from the former first-round pick out of Duke.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders, (vs. BAL)
Derek Carr has become an efficient quarterback that isn’t overly exciting to watch operate an offense. The Las Vegas Raiders have been underwhelming under Jon Gruden and I don’t expect that to change in 2021. For the time being, Carr remains as the starter in Las Vegas entering Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season. The Raiders ridded of Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, and Trent Brown on their offensive line, which could lead to more uncomfortable moments for Carr in the pocket.
Las Vegas is hoping to see Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards develop into prominent members of their offense this season. But that might not matter if Carr can’t get protection, especially with the Raiders set to square off with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Baltimore’s defense is extremely talented with Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Pernell McPhee, Patrick Queen, Marcus Peters, and Marlon Humphrey.
With Las Vegas playing on Monday Night Football, their struggles on offense could be seen by millions against Baltimore.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears, (at LAR)
The other night game in Week 1 will be the Sunday Night Football contest between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. Matt Nagy has been adamant about Andy Dalton being the starting quarterback for the Bears to begin the season despite the impressive play from rookie Justin Fields in the preseason. Regardless of who is the starter, they could be in for a long day versus the defense of the Rams.
While Los Angeles did lose Brandon Staley as their defensive coordinator after having the No. 1 ranked defense in 2020, Raheem Morris replaces him. The Rams still have Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on defense, with Leonard Floyd, Darious Williams, and Jordan Fuller expected to be key contributors on the defense as well.
It’s going to be a rough showing from Dalton as he faces a defense that is ready to prove that their performance from last season isn’t a fluke.
