It’s week 1 with a full day of Sunday action and a Monday divisional matchup too. Coming into the 1st week from off-season changes, it’s sometimes hard to bench those projections. As noted in year’s past, don’t bench your high expectations in Week 1, bench your borderliners. With that in mind, let’s see who we should bench this first week.
QB:
Justin Fields: He already doesn’t throw a lot, and he has to face a good Steelers D who knows him well. Not a good matchup to start off the year.
Caleb Williams: Lots of potentially positive changes for the Bears on offense from this off-season, but not a good matchup with a solid Vikings pass D to start off the offensive cohesion.
RB:
James Cook: I hope you have depth at the position, for his chances against the ever present Ravens rush D will be very limited.
Texans RBs: Do you know how this situation pans out with Mixon’s injury? I don’t think the coaches know either. Let’s wait and see on this.
WR:
Calvin Ridley: New QB. Rookie QB. And up against a top pass D from last year. Let’s sit him for week 1.
D. K. Metcalf: New QB. Old QB. And up against a top pass D from last year. Let’s sit him for week 1 too.
TE:
Tucker Kraft: He faces a Lion’s defense that was good against the position last year. Not a preferred option.
Steelers’ TEs: Until we get some evidence, it’s hard to trust who will get the yards and/or red zone looks. Let’s wait and see; not worth the risk.
D:
Browns: They had a decent D last year, but better at the beginning of the year. Tough matchup against the high octane Bengals to start off this one. Never a good sign when you are an underdog at home.
Texans: Maybe starting the season on the west coast is better than mid-season. I still think this, plus the fact the Rams are a better, more all-around club puts the Texans in the loss column for the first week.
By Brooksie on September 6, 2025