All 32 NFL teams would like nothing more than to run the table and put together an undefeated season, but no one has been able to match the 1972 Miami Dolphins. With the 2022 season drawing closer, here's a look at the likely first loss for each team.
The Kyler Murray contract fiasco caused a controversy in the offseason, but the Cardinals have no time to fret with a brutal opening week matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Cornerback remains an issue for Arizona, which could be exposed by KC's deep, wide receiver group.
It's likely to be another long year for the Falcons, especially with the change from Matt Ryan to Marcus Mariota at quarterback. The team could have a very tough time generating offense in Week 1 against one of the elite defenses in the league with New Orleans coming to town.
The Ravens should be a much-improved team this season if their health cooperates after being plagued by injuries last season. An easy opener at the Jets gives the team time to get their feet wet, followed by a home matchup against the revamped Dolphins. Visiting New England is always challenging, and the Patriots plagued Lamar Jackson and company during the team's most recent matchup in 2020.
The Super Bowl favorite Bills have an arduous task against the defending champs in Week 1. SoFi Stadium should be rocking in what could be an instant classic. The electricity could be a bit too much for Josh Allen on the road.
Baker Mayfield would like nothing more than to beat his former team in Week 1, and the opportunity is great with Deshaun Watson sidelined. Unfortunately, Cleveland has plenty of talent in other areas, including a very talented defensive line that could plague Carolina's young blockers.
Justin Fields was pounded and beaten regularly last year due to a poor offensive line, and the Bears probably haven't done enough in the offseason to cure those issues. That's bad news against a 49ers squad with elite pass rush ability, led by Nick Bosa.
Cincinnati enters the season as heavy favorites against the Steelers in Week 1. However, Mike Tomlin's teams have usually performed very well as major underdogs, and Joe Burrow could be rusty early in the year after surgery for appendicitis.
It remains to be seen how the Browns will fare with Jacoby Brissett starting in Deshaun Watson's place, but the opening schedule does Cleveland some big favors with the first two games against the Panthers and Jets. It's realistic to expect a 2-0 start, but asking for a win against the Steelers' defense could be too much, especially with the revamped run defense in Pittsburgh.
There might not be a team with a more difficult first two games than the Cowboys, who take on the Bucs and Bengals. Facing Tom Brady and Joe Burrow in the first two weeks will put a lot of pressure on a defense that has lost significant depth, and Dak Prescott will need to be at his best immediately despite a banged-up wide receiver corps.
Russell Wilson visits his old team in Week 1, and Seattle is one of the more considerable home-field advantages in the league. Still, quarterback troubles for the Seahawks should allow Denver to survive before home games against Houston and San Francisco. The elevation of Denver is always a great advantage for the Broncos, no matter the personnel. A visit to the division-rival Raiders in Week 4 could be too much to bear if Josh McDaniels' offense gets up to speed early, however.
The Lions are still in a rebuild, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. That's a wrong position to be in with a versatile Eagles offense that can expose weaknesses in multiple ways. Jared Goff would need to be at his best in the home opener.
For all Green Bay's recent success, they haven't exactly owned the Vikings recently. The home teams won both matchups last season, and there is significant worry the Packers offense could struggle out of the gate early with new wide receivers. If new Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell can pull off some unfamiliar plays on offense, Minnesota can pull out an upset.
There's reason to expect another poor season in Houston as the team tries to figure out what they have at quarterback. Lovie Smith returns to NFL head coaching with a home game against the Colts, who now have stability at quarterback with Matt Ryan and a talented defense.
The quarterback changes continue in Indianapolis, hoping that former league MVP Matt Ryan will solidify the position. That should work well early in the season against inferior talent like the Texans and Jaguars, but the home opener against KC could be a rude awakening. The Colts aren't well equipped to compete in a shootout against Patrick Mahomes, and will just hope Jonathan Taylor can run the clock and keep the ball away from the Chiefs offense.
The Doug Pederson era begins with the visit to Washington. It's a winnable game if Carson Wentz is lackadaisical with the ball, but still a challenging task for Trevor Lawrence on the road against a very talented defensive line.
The Chiefs have a brutal schedule from start to finish, with seemingly every game up for grabs if the team isn't at their best. Kansas City is at risk against Arizona, the Chargers, and Indianapolis to open the season, but a visit to Tampa Bay in Week 4 looks the toughest of the bunch. The rematch of Super Bowl LV could be another classic, but Tom Brady's heroics and an intense pass rush could be too much for Mahomes' team.
Josh McDaniels is looking to make a splash with his new team, and the task is tough with a divisional matchup on the road in Week 1. Perhaps no team had a better offseason than the Chargers, and the addition of Khalil Mack could wreak havoc on the Raiders offensive line.
The Chargers are the only team in the AFC West that has been able to give the Chiefs trouble recently, as the rivals have split the season series in each of the last two seasons. Justin Herbert and turnovers were able to beat the Chiefs last season, but the task will be tough again in KC's home opener. LA also has a tough division matchup against the rival Raiders in Week 1.
If the Rams can escape their season opener against the Bills in Week 1, they get some relief in Week 2 vs. Atlanta. A visit to Arizona in Week 3 followed by another road game against the 49ers in Week 4 could ultimately decide their NFC West prospects. The 49ers have particularly been a thorn in the Rams side, winning six straight before LA just barely escaped in last year's NFC Championship.
New head coach Mike McDaniel likely has some tricks up his sleeve for the rival Patriots in Week 1, with several new offensive weapons. The great team speed should also cause the Ravens problems in Week 2, but a road game and the prospect of defending Lamar Jackson could be too much for Miami to handle.
New head coach Kevin O'Connell's task has been made more difficult with a tough opening schedule vs. Green Bay, followed by a visit to Philly. If the Vikings can beat Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, going on the road against the Eagles is a whole new set of challenges. Philadelphia has the ability to expose Minnesota's run defense, and also have a capable pass rush to cause problems for Kirk Cousins.
The elephant in the room during training camp has been the loss of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, with the Patriots giving play-calling duties to non-offensive minds Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. New England has little time to get things right against a divisional foe in Miami that has consistently caused them problems. The defense will likely have to emerge if Mac Jones does not have a big game.
The loss of Sean Payton undoubtedly hurts, but a Week 1 matchup at Atlanta gives new head coach Dennis Allen an easy landing. Jameis Winston faces his former team in Week 2 as the Saints host Tampa Bay, and his history of turnovers remains a serious concern against a talented secondary.
New head coach Brian Daboll is hoping to mold Daniel Jones into a starter. There are few opponents less desirable for a quarterback than the Titans, who can rush the quarterback from all angles with Harold Landry and company. The Giants run defense must also be at its best against Derrick Henry.
A preseason injury to Zach Wilson puts him in question for Week 1, though veteran Joe Flacco isn't necessarily a downgrade. That's to say the Jets quarterback situation remains a problem, and the young defense will have its hands full against a mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson.
Few teams have improved more on paper during the offseason than the Eagles, and their schedule also plays to their advantage. Jalen Hurts and company open the year at Detroit, vs. Minnesota, at Washington, and vs. Jacksonville. It's easy to envision a 4-0 start going into Arizona, but the Eagles might get a taste of their own medicine against the Cardinals squad that can really run the ball between James Conner and Kyler Murray.
Pittsburgh will lean on their defense and running game while Mitchell Trubisky gets comfortable at quarterback. With an improved offensive line, the Steelers have enough to make that combination work, even with an opening schedule that includes the Bengals, Patriots, and Browns. Even on their best day, the Steelers seem unlikely to compete on the road at Buffalo in October, with the Bills potentially elite on both sides of the ball.
The Trey Lance era starts with a visit to Chicago, followed by a home game against the Seahawks. In other words, the 49ers have a great shot to begin the 2022 season 2-0 before visiting Denver. The 49ers defense is very familiar with Russell Wilson, but early visits to Denver are always very difficult for visitors with the challenges of thin air.
Seattle fans will see Russell Wilson in Week 1, except he will wear a different uniform. The young Seahawks defense can cause problems, but the problems at quarterback will make every game a challenge for this year's Seattle squad.
Tom Brady has been absent during training camp, and we can't help but wonder if his absence will cause some rust for the Bucs offense early in the season. A visit to Dallas for Week 1 is one of the more difficult tasks for any team, and a banged-up interior of the offensive line could put too much pressure on Brady.
This year's Titans squad isn't built to play from behind after losing A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. That might not be an issue against the Giants in the season opener, but it looks possible in Week 2. Ryan Tannehill will have to find a rhythm with his new receivers quickly.
Carson Wentz might need time to get comfortable in his new home. Luckily, Washington can give him that opportunity with the fortunate opening to the season vs. Jacksonville and at Detroit. Then Wentz will get an actual test vs. Philadelphia in Week 3, as the Eagles have an elite front seven and a running game that could expose the Washington defense's weaknesses.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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