3-Wide is a weekly feature in which theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the league. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes.
Which team will shock the world with a Week 1 win?
Michael Amato: The Miami Dolphins should be able to knock off the New England Patriots with a strong effort. There are a lot of questions with the interior of the Patriots offense line right now and Miami has the personnel to capitalize on it. After the trade of Logan Mankins, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the group of Josh Kline, Ryan Wendell, and Dan Connolly to perform this season. They'll get tested right away facing Cameron Wake, Olivier Venron, and Randy Starks. Expect Miami to run a lot of stunts, bringing Wake and Vernon inside to capitalize on the mismatch. Combine that with the fact Tom Brady missed a practice this week with a calf injury, and other key offensive pieces like Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Dobson are just working their way back from major injuries, and Miami might be poised for an upset.
Justin Boone: Everyone is talking about how the San Francisco 49ers offense will dominate a weak Dallas Cowboys defense on Sunday. What people aren't discussing is how the Cowboys offense will fare against a 49ers defense. With NaVorro Bowman still sidelined with a knee injury and Aldon Smith suspended, San Francisco won't be as dangerous as they have been have in recent years. The result will be a high scoring affair where Tony Romo and Dez Bryant lead the Cowboys to a victory in their home opener.
David P. Woods: "Shock the world" is probably a gross overstatement, but the Tennessee Titans (three-point underdogs) have a great chance to travel to Arrowhead Stadium and upset the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs will be without Dwayne Bowe, leaving them with a grand total of one offensive weapon for the Titans to worry about: Jamal Charles. Charles will do damage, but it will be limited by the patchwork offensive line he's playing behind. On the other side of the ball, Jake Locker is finally healthy and finally playing under offensive-minded coaches who know what they're doing.
Which team will face a must-win game in Week 2 after stumbling out of the gate in Week 1?
Woods: Andy Dalton has a fat new contract and the Cincinnati Bengals clearly believe he's capable of putting his playoff failures behind him and becoming a sharper, more consistent player. If Dalton looks shaky in Week 1 and the Bengals take a loss - a very real possibility because they must travel to Baltimore to play the improved Ravens - pessimism over whether Dalton will ever take the next step will be ratcheted up. The Bengals have a tough early schedule, with games against the Patriots, Panthers and Colts looming. They can't afford to open the season with consecutive losses.
Amato: The Arizona Cardinals are going to face a must win in Week 2 after falling to the San Diego Chargers on Monday night. Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense looked reborn last year under Mike McCoy, and they should be able to take advantage of banged up Cardinal defense. If the Cards do indeed lose they are almost certainly going to have to beat the New York Giants next week, because after that they get the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos. Arizona can't afford to come out of that stretch 1-3 or a worst case scenario 0-4. The NFC West will be unforgiving this year and they won't be able to make up that much ground.
Boone: Cam Newton may be a game-time decision, but he will most likely suit up against the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His presence won't be enough to help the Carolina Panthers earn a win over a Bucs squad rejuvenated by their new coach Lovie Smith. After the matchup with Tampa, Carolina will face a killer stretch against the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles. It could be a devastating first half of the season for the Panthers.
Which Week 1 matchup are you most excited to see?
Boone: It may be an obvious choice, but Peyton Manning hosting the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night is the game of the week. Aside from Peyton taking on his former club, it will be interesting to see how the Broncos incorporate all the new pieces they have on both sides of the ball. For the Colts, their defense remains worrisome and their offensive line could struggle again, but that didn't stop them from handing Denver their first loss last season.
Woods: Saints-Falcons is an under-appreciated rivalry that has produced many great games in recent years. We'll learn a lot about the NFC South on Sunday. Is the Saints' attack-minded defense ready to become one of the league's best? Are the Falcons capable of putting their 2013 woes behind them and becoming a perennial playoff contender again?
Amato: I'm looking forward to see the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers offense and the Dallas Cowboys defense. The feeling is almost universal that Dallas' defense will be awful, so it will be interesting to see if the San Fran offense, that looked terrible in the preseason, puts up big points in Week 1. If the 49ers want to be treated like serious title contenders, they'll need to handle a weak defensive unit like the Cowboys' with ease.
