NFL Kick-Off: 7 burning questions we want answered in Week 1

The only thing better than the actual games is the drama, and week one of the NFL will provide us with the freshness of one combined with the conclusion of the other. While everything is set, some big questions hang over this season like a bad smell, and we personally can’t wait for answers.

Here are the seven storylines that will define week one of the National Football League’s 100th-year celebration.

Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Josh Walker (79) helps up Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters
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Will Aaron Rodgers reaffirm himself as the best quarterback in the league under Matt LaFleur’s system?

For the first time in his matured career, Rodgers gets a change of scenery. For too long, he’s had to make throws off his own back rather than have the routes and concepts cleverly-designed and implemented for him.

This coaching change could once again ensure we all know Aaron Rodgers is shown to be the most naturally-gifted quarterback to ever play the game.

Is Jimmy Garoppolo okay?

An ACL injury should affect a quarterback less than it affects any other position in the league, and with Jimmy G being less mobile than most college graduates these days, I can see why there isn’t too much of a worry.

The thing is – this roster is set up for success now.

If he doesn’t produce, then the entire process to build a Championship-calibre team was a wasted exercise.

Then all we’ll have is Nick Mullens throwing to George Kittle over, and over, and over again.

What will the Chargers’ run game look like without Melvin Gordon?

Austin Ekeler’s stats are unfairly inflated because the Bolts changed their bellcow back at opportune times against the right defensive alignments and at the right time, downs and distances.

But when Ekeler has to run behind one of the worst NFL offensive lines, and on first-and-ten, well – we’ll see.

Injury luck has constantly abandoned this cursed franchise, but the decision not to splurge on Shady McCoy might come back to bite a team who are running out of Philip Rivers years.

Is Cam Newton able to play football?

Andrew Luck retired from football because he wanted to take back control of his life, and I’d be surprised if this hasn’t affected Cam Newton’s mindset somewhat.

The hits he’s taken have been ferocious, and the fact he’s so flamboyant in his approach means that he finds contact more than most. If you think about it, the Auburn signal-caller probably runs to the end zone more than anyone else in the league from that position.

And those hits are always a bit harder.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 22: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of the preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

How bad are the Miami Dolphins?

I mean, trading away your only decent pieces isn’t conducive to instant success, but how bad can a fully-coached NFL team actually be?

The only player guaranteed to be on their roster come next year is Tua – and that’s just where this franchise is at the moment.

But how many games can they conceivably win? One? Two? None?

Is the Cleveland hype merited?

Spoiler: No.

Will the Colts actually be a contender in the next five years?

Everything here depends on the functionality of Jacoby Brissett. It helps that he came from New England where he’d have been coached within an inch of his life, but their offence is a no-hiding-place type system for a quarterback.

This is part of the reason why Luck is gone, even though the Colts have a top-level line in front for the first time in a decade. Everything is in place, but can Jacoby just avoid the turnovers that will hamstring them in big games?