Since the NFL started the tradition of opening up the season with the defending Super Bowl champions playing in the kickoff game of the season, the defending champs have virtually never been beaten. The New England Patriots are tremendous favorites to continue that trend in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. That doesn't mean they're slam dunks to get to 1-0, though. There are several matchups across the field that could end up deciding which one of these AFC behemoths will kick off the 2017 campaign on the right foot.
Don't miss any of the NFL Week 1 action on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 8:30 p.m. ET. This duel from Gillette Stadium will be televised on NBC.
NFL Week 1 Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas City Chiefs +7
New England Patriots -7
Over/Under 48
Tyreek Hill vs. Matt Patricia & Bill Belichick
It's almost unfair that Matt Patricia and Bill Belichick have the entire offseason to figure out how to slow down Tyreek Hill. Hill, of course, busted onto the scene last season as one of NFL's most influential rookies. He ran for 267 yards and three scores, caught 61 passes for 593 yards and six touchdown, returned 14 kicks for 384 yards and a TD and returned 39 punts for 592 yards and two more trips to the end zone.
In short, if the ball got in Hill's hands, there was always a threat of him taking it to the house.
But this isn't your average game for Hill. He's going to have to go up against a team that routinely figures out how to take away the best weapon on the opposing team.
We doubt that Hill gets his hands on the ball on special teams in this one, and when he's on the field on offense, there will be 11 sets of eyeballs watching his every move. Hill absolutely must break at least a couple plays for huge gains if the Kansas City offense has any shot against the Pats.
Eric Berry vs. Brandin Cooks
Even though Eric Berry might be one of the most overpaid players in the NFL, he's still one of the top safeties out there. His job in this game, though, is virtually impossible.
The Patriots love to lull you to sleep on defense. All of the short passes and the window dressing makes life miserable on safeties. As soon as you're dead convinced that you can creep up a little too far to help out against the likes of Rob Gronkowski or Dion Lewis/James White, Tom Brady hits you with a big one.
That's part of the reason why New England essentially exchanged its first-round pick this season for Brandin Cooks. Cooks is the fastest receiver Brady has had to work with since Randy Moss, and if he can help the future Hall of Famer spread out the field once again like Moss did, there's no telling what the ceiling could be here for the Pats in 2017.
Kansas City Pass Rushers vs. Nate Solder & Marcus Cannon
The Patriots are routinely amongst the top teams in the NFL in sacks allowed, and you'd like to think that this year will be no exception. New England quarterbacks were sacked just 27 times last season, tied for fifth-best in the NFL. Bookend tackles, Nate Soldier and Marcus Cannon deserve the majority of the credit for that. That said, they're going to have their hands full on the first Thursday of the season against one of the most intimidating pass rushes in the NFL.
Assuming that Tamba Hali is activated from the PUP list by the time the season kicks off, the Chiefs will be able to send him, Justin Houston and Dee Ford after Brady. These men combined for 17.5 sacks last season.
Houston is obviously the scariest weapon when he's healthy. Since his second year in the NFL, Houston has 54.5 sacks in just 59 games. If he can make Brady's life a nightmare, the Chiefs are sure to be live in what would turn out to be a lower-scoring game in Week 1.
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