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NFL Week 1: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handles the ball during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center on September 02, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handles the ball during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center on September 02, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 29: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 13-6. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 29: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 13-6. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 pm

Jets: The team is hoping the third year is the charm for talented quarterback Sam Darnold as injury and illness has prevented him from playing in all 16 games his first two years. Since 2018, the Jets are a dismal 4-12 away from home. But half of those victories have come at Orchard Park, including a 13-6 win in Week 17 this past season.

Bills: Under head coach Sean McDermott and coordinator Leslie Frazier, the Bills’ defense has come a long way in recent years. But can this unit be more consistent when it comes to stopping the run? A year ago and including playoffs, Buffalo allowed 86.3 yards per game rushing in 10 victories but 132.4 yards per contest in seven setbacks.

Las Vegas Raiders at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 pm

Raiders: Jon Gruden’s club got off to 6-4 start last season before things fell apart. Quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders’ offense was dreadful during the team’s final six contests, totaling just 88 points and a combined nine offensive touchdowns during that stretch. The team should be able to exploit Carolina’s suspect defense, but…

Panthers: Matt Rhule is the franchise’s first offensive-minded head coach. But it’s the defense that needs to step up, namely vs. the run. Only three teams in the NFL allowed more rushing yards per game (143.5) in 2019. And 14 of the Panthers’ 16 foes managed 100-plus yards rushing. Can they slow down Raiders’ running back Josh Jacobs?

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