Five matchups that will define NFL Week 1: Can Ezekiel Elliott cover for Dak Prescott?
Ever since quarterback Tony Romo suffered a broken bone in his back in late August, the Dallas Cowboys have remained resolute that fourth-round pick Dak Prescott has their full confidence.
Another rookie, however, could be saddled with an even heavier burden than expected to ensure Dallas' offense doesn't crumble without Romo once again. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, already pegged as a potential offensive centerpiece, might be the best firewall for Prescott and a thin defense on Sunday against an imposing New York Giants attack.
Though the Cowboys have expressed that Prescott faces no restrictions, he won't be pegged with lifting the offense in his first start.
"We believe in our system and our players more importantly," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told reporters this week. "And (Prescott is) going out and executing his role within that. It's not on him to make everybody. Everybody around him makes him better and he makes everybody around him better. It's more of a team approach."
Elliott might be one of the most important assets in maintaining that offensive philosophy. An explosive and well-rounded runner, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NFL draft could push the ground game to new levels behind what might be the league's best offensive line.
Keeping Prescott out of obvious passing situations will be one of the Cowboys' most important tasks, and Elliott's production on first and second down will be vital. Simplified run-pass options also will help Prescott take advantage of wide receiver Dez Bryant and the rest of his targets without taking too many risks. Elliott is an adept pass catcher as well and should provide value on checkdowns and screens.
New York's defense has plenty to answer for after giving up 233 rushing yards to Dallas in the NFC East rivals' second meeting last year. The interior line is immediately boosted by the addition of 350-pound Damon "Snacks" Harrison, one of the NFL's best run stoppers. Fellow defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins returns after tearing his pectoral muscle midway through last season.
Beyond limiting his production, the Giants have added incentive in not letting Elliott control the clock for the Cowboys. Three starters on Dallas' defense are suspended, including both defensive ends, and a unit thin on depth might not be able to keep up with quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Here are four other matchups that will define Week 1 in the NFL:
New England Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Arizona Cardinals' pass rush
Garoppolo's task of filling in for Tom Brady has only grown more daunting by the day, as the Patriots announced Thursday tight end Rob Gronkowski would sit out Sunday's prime time tilt. With running back Dion Lewis and three starters on the offensive line also out, New England will trot out a severely depleted supporting cast.
Garoppolo found a comfort zone in his preseason work when he was able to make quick throws to his primary receiver. The Patriots likely will feature plenty of those plays with wide receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Martellus Bennett. But the third-year pro was often stymied when he was forced to stand in the pocket and go through his reads.
Arizona's greatest advantage rests with its ability to throw a number of different looks at Garoppolo, who has largely faced vanilla defenses in exhibitions. Facing the Cardinals' unpredictable scheme and versatile personnel, including hybrid defenders Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon, can fluster even the most established quarterbacks.
The Cardinals were the most blitz-heavy team in the NFL last year and likely will remain so with Mathieu returning from a knee injury. Outside linebacker Chandler Jones, whom New England traded to Arizona this offseason, could pose a serious problem on the edge for his former teammates.
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. New York Jets secondary
The diversified passing attack Cincinnati displayed last year might be on hiatus to start the season. Free agency deprived Andy Dalton of his next two best options at wide receiver in Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. Tight end Tyler Eifert, who was third on the team in catches and receiving yards last year, is out while recovering from ankle surgery.
Those absences could portend a heavier reliance on Green in Week 1, especially given the state of the offensive replacements. Brandon LaFell has limited value as a No. 2 receiver, and rookie Tyler Boyd is still adjusting to NFL defenses.
The Jets' secondary, however, is also facing a potential shift in its dynamic. Defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said this week cornerback Darrelle Revis would not be tasked with stopping Green alone, as he frequently has been on "Revis Island." Safeties Calvin Pryor and Marcus Williams could figure prominently into the plan.
Green is both the big-play threat and safety valve for an offense still sorting itself out after former offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's departure. If the Jets can hold up in coverage and apply pressure, they could force Dalton into relying on his new receivers.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Washington Redskins CB Josh Norman
Both Brown and Norman have avoided trash talk ahead of their Monday night clash, but there's little hype needed for a matchup pitting two of the game's premier players against one another.
Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry said this week Norman might shadow Brown on occasion. Still, Washington frequently utilizes zone coverage, which suits the playmaking skill set Norman showed in his breakout season with the Carolina Panthers last year.
Regardless of the matchup, Norman and the rest of the Redskins are well aware of the difficulty of stopping Brown, who fell just seven catches short of the single-season record last year. Pittsburgh is also creative in its scheme and consistently moves him around to create opportunities.
Losses elsewhere on offense might force the Steelers to look to Brown even more often than usual. Running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Martavis Bryant are suspended, while Markus Wheaton iis out with a shoulder injury. DeAngelo Williams should still see a steady workload in the run game, however, given that Washington ranked 31st last season in rushing yards allowed per attempt at 4.83.
Jacksonville Jaguars WRs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns vs. Green Bay Packers secondary
Jacksonville has set the playoffs as a bar this season, and its young offensive core faces a Week 1 one reality check in a formidable Green Bay pass defense.
In their second season in the NFL, Robinson and Hurns emerged as one of the league's best receiver tandems. At 6-3, each is comfortable using his frame to box out smaller defensive backs.
But the Packers' secondary, led by cornerback Sam Shields and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, has rare depth. Green Bay averaged the sixth-fewest passing allowed last season, with outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers and defensive end Mike Daniels igniting a formidable pass rush.
The Jaguars are accustomed to playing from behind, as quarterback Blake Bortles threw an NFL-record 29 touchdown passes while trailing last season. He will need improved protection, however, as he also took a league-high 51 sacks in 2015.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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