Week 1 of the NFL is already technically underway, and the Chiefs kickoff their season in about 48 hours, when they'll welcome the Cleveland Browns to Arrowhead for a rematch of last year's AFC Divisional playoff game. There's plenty to watch for when teams this talented line up against each other, but here are three matchups that'll be worth keeping an eye on throughout Sunday's game:
Myles Garrett vs. The Rookies
The Chiefs may have catch a bit of a break on Sunday: More often than not, Garrett's going to be lining up against their best offensive lineman, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. But with rookie Lucas Niang at right tackle, it wouldn't be the most surprising thing in the world to see the Browns and Garrett try and take advantage of that mismatch. Overhauling an offensive line with three rookies is a quite the heat check from Chiefs' GM Brett Veach, and 60 minutes of Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney will go a long way towards showing him what they've got.
Baker Mayfield vs. Juan Thornhill
It sure sounds like Tyrann Mathieu isn't going to be available on Sunday. He didn't practice on Friday, which is typically a good sign that he won't be available this weekend. In his place will most likely be Juan Thornhill, who had a preseason to forget. Mayfield was surgical on deep throws last year, completing 52% of his deep balls while looking significantly better in Kevin Stefanski's offense. Without Mathieu, the idea of Cleveland's already-talented offense keeping up with the Chiefs all afternoon.
Nick Bolton vs. Nick Chubb
Getting Nick Chubb as your first game assignment is almost as tough as getting Myles Garrett. I said almost! With Willie Gay sidelined for at least the first three weeks of the season, Bolton's the next man up. Chubb finished 2020 with 1067 yards -- his second straight 1,000 yard season -- while averaging over five yards per carry. Stopping the run is a 7-8 man job, but Bolton has his work cut out for him.
