#277: 2021 Week 1 NFL Preview (with Hal Bent)

1. GOOD IDEA/BAD IDEA -Was it a good idea or bad idea for the Patriots to release Cam Newton and hand over the reins to Mac Jones right from the get go? -Was it a good idea or bad idea for the Broncos to name Teddy Bridgewater as their starting QB over Drew Lock? -Is it a good idea or bad idea for the Bears to begin the season with Andy Dalton under center as opposed to Justin Fields? -Is it a good idea or bad idea for the 49ers to hold Trey Lance out of practice until Week 3 so the “small chip” fracture in his hand can fully heal? 2. Truth or Exaggeration -Zach Wilson, who I originally panned the Jets for drafting rather than Justin Fields or Trey Lance, has a FAR better chance of becoming the best QB from the 2021 class than most of us initially thought -Robert Saleh is THE best possible man to help make the Jets a consistently relevant franchise -Jameis Winston will have his best year as a pro in 2021 -The Carolina Panthers will finish with a better record than the Saints this season -The Packers are the team that’s best equipped to dethrone the Bucs in the NFC -Josh Allen, not Patrick Mahomes, will be the highest-scoring QB in fantasy football this year -Tom Brady is right in his comments about it being more difficult for the NFL to deal with COVID-19 this year given the return to full capacity stadiums 3. Cowboys/Bucs Preview and Prediction       -Impact of Zach Martin's absence, is Cowboys D improved?, is Bucs D even better?, Key Matchups 4. Browns/Chiefs Preview and Prediction      -Are Browns AFC's strongest roster outside of KC?, Key Matchups 5. Picks for all other Week 1 Games -Jets at Panthers -Eagles at Falcons -Chargers at Washington -49ers at Lions -Vikings at Bengals -Steelers at Bills -Cardinals at Titans -Seahawks at Colts -Jaguars at Texans -Packers at Saints -Dolphins at Patriots -Broncos at Giants -Bears at Rams -Ravens at Raiders 6. Bold Predictions  -Hal: Matthew Stafford throws for 300+ yards and 4 TD’s in the first half alone -DKrom: Andy Dalton gets sacked 10 times by the Rams, forcing the Bears to turn to Justin Fields in the second half 7. Challenge Flags -DKrom: Packers, if this is indeed “The Last Dance” with Aaron Rodgers…play like it on Sunday!! DOMINATE the Saints, regardless of what the final score says -Hal: Bengals organization…KEEP JOE BURROW UPRIGHT!!!