Focusing on divisional rivals these players will be able to face off twice a year! We can?t wait for kickoff and here are the individual matchups I?ll be keeping my eyes on.
Browns QB Drew Brees vs Steelers CB Marcus Trufant
Drew Brees was a hot topic this last season found himself in Cleveland after a trade with the Titans. A young star QB with a lot to prove but didn?t show us much on tape last year (don?t forget Brees was #5 QB leading in INT with 21), now with a brand new team whom I predicted would be a breaking out last year, certainly look to be in the right direction this year. CB Marcus Trufant was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers in 2003. His season with the Steelers showed a bright spot in the Pittsburg DBs leading the Steelers in interceptions with 6. I look forward to see this QB face off against the young talent of Trufant. I expect Trufant to take a step forward and that might be the difference of 2 wins this year.
Jets MLB Donnie Edwards vs Patriots HB Musa Smith
HB Musa Smith was, arguably, robbed of the Offensive Player of the Year Award. The young running back led all rookie HBs. As the HB begins his next season he?ll face off against a new Jets Defense. In the offseason Jets added MLB Donnie Edwards in a trade with the Chargers. The veteran will join a New York squad that ranked 7th best in the league. Edwards boasts a 99 Tackle stat and I expect this matchup of HB and MLB will be a good one. Watch these two battle it out twice this upcoming season.
Packers WR MarTay Jenkins vs Vikings CB Ray Buchanan
CB Buchanan played great with the Falcons last year leading the team with 28 deflections despite his size of 5?9?. Green Bay lost James Jones to a trade with the Oakland Ravens, Green Bay was able to fill the position with a trade with the Cardinals for WR MarTay Jenkins. We expect him to be an immediate addition to the passing Packers offense. The matchup of size speed vs experience will make this matchup one to follow.
Dallas HB LaDainian Tomlinson vs Washington HB Clinton Portis
Two young HBs will battle for the top of their division. With a new QB in Dallas and TOP managing gameplan in Washington I expect to see both these HBs to get a heavy load of snaps each week. Potential two top ten HBs in one division competing each week and play each other twice a year. Which HB will race to the stronger finish at the end of the year?
Houston LE Kyle Vanden Bosch vs Tennessee QB Philip Rivers
Vanden Bosch was acquired from the AZ Cardinals in 2003 and last year was the strong Defensive End the Texans needed to rush the pass. He recorded 13 sacks last year. QB Philip Rivers went #1 in this years draft. The big debate was if the Titans were going to select Rivers, who had the skills to be QB, or Ben Rothlesberger who had the higher AWR. Will the lower AWR be the mismatch for Vanden Bosch to feast this year in 2004? We?re expecting a tasty matchup.
Oakland Raiders WRs vs Denver Broncos CBs
The AFC West might be shaking in their boots after the news of two newly acquired WRs James Jones and Chad Johnson joining their division. The other teams are going to have difficulty keeping up as their speed appear to be overmatched, with the exception of the Broncos. I see a tasty matchup of CB Aaron Glenn and CB Deltha O?Neal matching up well vs Jones and Johnson. I expect the Raiders to go to the air this season and when these two teams face off, I?ll be paying close attention to their matchup.
Atlanta HB Warwick Dunn vs Carolina DT Bryant Young
DT Bryant Young was a beast for me last year. I think the Panthers will be pleased with his ability. Recording 9 sacks last year and 2 forced fumbles, offenses have to worry about Carolina?s D Line. Last year Warwick Dunn was key to the Falcon?s success. Hitting his prime, Dunn looks to recapture the magic he had last season. I expect these two players to be in a competitive matchup when these two teams face-off. Pay close attention to Young?s impact vs the Falcon running game.
Arizona WR Drew Carter vs STL CB Bobby Taylor
Cardinals are claiming to have the next Randy Moss and we can?t wait to see if the talk is true. Drew Carter boasts incredible size and skills, but other stats were lacking leaving some GMs scratching their heads. The league seemed split on the pick, but has confidence the cardinals will make him a star. Off season trade talks landed the Rams with an sweet deal thanks to the Eagles, a 6?3? CB with 91 speed and a brand new 3 year contract. Taylor adds height, speed, awareness and boasts a high CTH stat. I can?t wait for these two to face off! Both match up well with height and similar speed. Taylor will get burned, but his awareness and CTH might be enough for a deflection or turnover. When these two teams face off, I?ll keep an eye on this matchup and a potential game changing play!
Did I miss anything? What two matchups are you looking forward to?
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