Our first look at the remaining 28 teams will come in the next few days. The answers to these three questions could shape 2026.
3. Can the Texans run the ball?
Combining the league’s best defense with a powerful running game was the hallmark of such legendary teams as the 85 Bears, 2000 Ravens and Legion of Boom Seahawks.
Houston has half the equation.A defense that allowed the fewest total yards and first downs in the NFL last year…but an offense that couldn’t run the ball.
Sunday will tell when Houston hosts a Bills team with one of the league’s worst ground defenses. Did the investments to bring back David Montgomery and first-round inside linebacker Kellan Rutledge pay off? if so, Houston is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.. If not, CJ Stroud could be around for a long year.
2. How will Kyler Murray fit in Minnesota?
The 29-year-old pairs with Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell, a respected offensive mind who coached Sam Darnold’s career seasons. Murray also has Justin Jefferson’s top receiver and Jordan Addison. NFL quarterbacks rarely get good second chances.
It is my concern. Vikings offensive lineEspecially the middle one. Interior blocking is crucial for quarterbacks like the 5-10 Murray. It’s also where Minnesota ranked last in pressure allowed last season.
Blake Brandel will start at center, a move his former guard was forced to make after an injury to now-retired veteran Ryan Kelly last season. Brandel had trouble snapping the ball last year.
Then, period Detailed report of this month of AugustOur Alec Lewis writes, “Training camp has shown some problems with the snap,” which remains to be seen. Off is not ideal, especially with backup center Michael Jurgens on IR.
Packers linebackers Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave will challenge this interior in Week 1. How to handle Determine Murray’s future.
1. Are bosses controversial again?
Kansas City’s Super Bowl odds (16 to 1) haven’t been this low since 2018, Patrick Mahomes’ first season as a starter. Yes, the bosses can be underrated.
Week 1 will tell. Kansas City hosts the defending state division champion Broncos on Monday night, the first test of all three:
1. Holmes’s force. He pretended to be in August, it’s worth it, but now he takes it Denver’s league-leading pass rusher.
2. Mahomes Blind. Left baking The extraordinary rise of Kahlil Benson Andy Reid makes him the first undrafted rookie to start Week 1 for the Chiefs. The 6-6, 319-pounder took zero college snaps playing right tackle at Indiana. Now he can do just that, Nick Bonito will be the opposite edge.
3. KC improved secondary level. The Chiefs lost two top corners and a safety this offseason, then lost No. 6 pick Mansour Delaney to a shoulder injury. But few can reassemble the secondary like DC Steve Spagnolo. Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton guard.
Next up is our very own Jesse Newell, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. reported It was getting the ball… all the time“He’s headed for a big year in practice and “statistically if his body picks up.” Another tough challenge: The Broncos have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in 2025.
The Chiefs are 2.5-point favorites in a game that will clear up their chances of playing in February. You can say that Same for Bo Knicks and the Broncos.
This article is from the Athletics NFL Newsletter. Register here To receive it directly in your inbox. Subscription is free.
1 week schedule
Check out the full weekend schedule, and then head over to Ted, who shares a blurb from the story. Burning questions for all 32 groups.
What is Ted seeing? The big question
Staying on topic Questions we need answers toHere’s one for the New York Giants: Can Jackson Dart learn how to play quarterback?
After playing in the shotgun his entire Ole Miss career, he played in an offense that ranked sixth in shotgun usage (76.5 percent) as a starter.
New coordinator Matt Nagy will ask him to play under center. During the preseason, the Giants’ offense was only in the shotgun on 46.6 percent of snaps, indicating they were more in the middle than the gun. Dart will have to relearn footwork and timing in Nagy’s offense.
Also, quarterback option plays are being left out of the league because teams are so good at defending them that it’s not worth risking a quarterback without getting explosive plays in return. There may be growing pains for Darts, but they will be necessary for career longevity. My colleague Dan Duggan has Here’s the latest on Dart development.
Back to Jacob. (Ted Here is the full list of 32 questions..)
Recap: Don’t sleep on the 49ers
“This is a A day of humiliation for usRams coach Sean McVay said after the 27-7 blowout: “… I’m not going to make any excuses. Whether you want to talk about travel or whatever, we weren’t good enough in that window.” Davante Adams of Los Angeles Very different itinerary It was not the reason for yesterday’s loss.
The 49ers disagree. Fred Warner noticed the difference in his team’s arrival a week before their match:
💬 “I think it’s a matter of us getting stronger as the game goes on. Against the opposing team. They felt like they were dry, didn’t they?”
After that explosion, these groups face similar flights back home, but with a very different feel. The 49ers “plan to split,” Warner said Rams should understand.
Select 🎯
Predictions about the future are especially difficult. I’ve mentioned that quote before because it’s one of my favorites, the one that comes to mind every time I hear an AI expert predict the doomsday. We had it once. Same concern about electricity.
Predictions are also difficult for NFL games, which is why I don’t bet money on them. Instead, I’m playing. The athleticsFree game of your choice. I’ve gone 2-for-2 so far, thanks to the timely 49ers. Click below to make your picks for Week 1.
More points
🇺🇸 Football stands still. In the year In 2001, some NFL owners wanted to play games five days after the terrorist attacks. Then commissioner Paul Tagliabue and the NFLPA pushed him. It became complicatedAccording to Michael Silver.
🛶 Surviving pools. Almost everyone I know is in one this season. The Chargers (vs. Cardinals) and Jaguars (vs. Browns) are the top picks this week. Here we have a strategy guide.
⏳ Saquon Barkley In relation to the time of the father, there are seven reasons.. “When I finished playing, I looked at the guys I wanted to be in the group and it was good when they were all playing well,” the 29-year-old said.
🤷♂️ Suspicion of packaging. Major Questions will be raised on Green Bay.One of the league’s most talented rosters has uncertainty at offensive line, tight end, running back and cornerback. To name a few.
▶️ Multi-click: What was Drake Maye thinking? First time in the terrible 2026?
📫 Did you enjoy reading this? Register here to accept The athleticsFree NFL newsletter in your inbox.
as well as, See ours Other newspapers.
