Football is officially back as college football made its return this past weekend in a major way. Besides having college football back in our lives, starting this Thursday, NFL football will be back as the Dallas Cowboys will hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys will be hoping to upset the Buccaneers on the road while representing the NFC East well on national television.
The New York Giants will host the Denver Broncos in Week 1 while the Philadelphia Eagles could be in for a shootout against the Atlanta Falcons. On the other hand, the Washington Football Team will take on the Los Angeles Chargers at home to kickstart their season.
Upon discussing who each team in the NFC East faces in Week 1, how will each team in the division fare to begin the season?
Dallas Cowboys
I’m extremely excited to see Dak Prescott make his return from a season-ending ankle injury from 2020. The offense of the Cowboys is expected to be one of the best groups in the NFL, let alone the NFC East. Unfortunately, Dallas will have to take on Tampa Bay in Week 1, which could present plenty of challenges, especially with Zack Martin ruled out due to COVID-19.
With the Cowboys likely having troubles being able to run the ball with Ezekiel Elliott, it’s hard to see them being able to defeat the reigning Super Bowl champions in the Buccaneers.
New York Giants
It is going to be a pivotal year for Daniel Jones in 2021 as the Giants have given him an assortment of weapons to utilize in the offense. Despite having Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley, the offensive line in New York could be an issue this season.
The state of their offensive line could lead to trouble in Week 1 versus the Broncos, who will have Von Miller and Bradley Chubb back on the edges. Turnovers by Jones will lead to disappointment for the Giants as Teddy Bridgewater manages to take care of the football for Denver. New York is going to quickly regret not taking Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles
One of my favorite matchups in Week 1 is between the Eagles and the Falcons. While neither team is projected to contend in the NFC, we could have a high-scoring affair in Atlanta on Sunday. Jalen Hurts is now the starting quarterback in Philadelphia, with DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Quez Watkins, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders as his go-to weapons.
On the other side of the field, Matt Ryan no longer has Julio Jones, though, Calvin Ridley is going to show he’s one of the premier wideouts in the NFL. While the game could go either way, I actually see the Eagles securing a victory on the road, giving the NFC East their first win of the season.
Washington Football Team
All eyes are going to be on Justin Herbert when the Chargers take on the Football Team in Week 1. Herbert had a wonderful rookie season in 2020 as he won the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Even though Herbert is on track to have another stellar campaign in 2021, Washington has one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Los Angeles is going to need time to adjust to the new system under Brandon Staley and the front seven of the Football Team is going to cause problems for the Chargers. Plus, having Ryan Fitzpatrick under center now gives Washington a much-needed spark on offense. While some may side with Los Angeles, I believe Washington squeaks out a narrow victory at home.
