RZBR - The Six Most Interesting Week 1 Games of RZ77

by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments

RZBR - Ranking the Top Six Week 1 Games of RZ77

With a few weeks left until the start of the Madden 23 cycle, it is time to start taking a look at Season 77 and how things could shake out. What better way to kick this off than a look at Week 1? Week 1 is one of the best times of the year - EVERYONE is 0-0, hopes and dreams are sky high, fanbases are optimistic. 

I also am aware that in everyone's busy lives, there is not enough time to watch all 16 of the Week 1 games, so I narrowed it down to the top 6. These are the games I think are the most interesting of the slate. Enjoy!

#6) - New Orleans Saints (Other Trent) @ Atlanta Falcons (TOFN)

TONS of great storylines heading into this game, especially between two up-and-coming users who have a little hype around them. The end of the Madden 22 cycle saw both of these young coaching staffs making some noise in then league, and a fresh start with the opportunity to put a stamp on their own rosters could see at least one of them making a big jump.

Will the Falcons and Coach TOFN begin with Marcus Mariota at quarterback, or rookie Desmond Ridder? How quickly can rookie wideout Chris Olave get acclimated to the Saints offense with quarterback Jameis Winston? 

The NFC South features two high profile coaches in Kelly and Spittah, and this game will be a great test to see how the 'second tier' of coaches in this division will fare early on.

 

#5) - San Francisco 49ers (Andy) @ Chicago Bears (Kad)

Yes, I know what you're thinking - 'Adel you drafted Kad 30th in the RZ 77 championship draft!' (Shameless plug to listen to the podcast here)

Give Kad all the grief you want about a forgettable cycle in New England, but he did have some very entertaining moments, especially within his division. I believe all the pre-cycle slander is going to form a chip on his shoulder, and coming into Season 77 he will be very motivated to make some noise, in an extremely winnable NFC North. 

He faces the San Francisco 49ers at home, coached by Andy, who has some buzz around him. A very impressive cycle from Andy and the Titans last year has some thinking he could take the next step this cycle, and make a playoff run. With a very deep 49ers squad, that buzz is certainly warranted. On paper, this game is probably at least a double digit favorite 49ers win, but anything can happen early on. I'm interested to see how Kad deals with a tough early game.

#4 - Pittsburgh Steelers (Pat) @ Cincinnati Bengals (RFox)

Divisional games are always spicy, and the AFC North will be a very entertaining division all cycle, mostly due to it's four coaches and the controversy they all bring. This game is a matchup between two coaches who have received complaints in the past for their gameplay, and two personaliies who aren't afraid to air their grievances. It could be a game that ends with hurt feelings and the start of a cycle-long rivalry.

From the actual football perspective, it will be intriguing to see who Coach Pat picks to lead the team at quarterback. Is Kenny Pickett the guy? The early ratings have not been kind to Pickett, so Pat will definitely have a decision to make. 

On the other side, can RFox continue his ascent after a very impressive cycle in Buffalo? Armed with Joe Burrow and Ja'marr Chase, his offense should be very explosive. A tough Steelers defense is a great first test.

#3) - New York Giants (Greg) @ Tennessee Titans (JP)

Tons of hype for me personally for this game. You have two guys going at it who I don't think necessarily like each other, and who both are looking to redeem themselves after shaky cycles last year. 

White Greg had a massive fall from grace after a decent year in Dallas two cycles ago. His tenure in Indianapolis was highlighted with a cheating scandal where he was jumping offsides to desync a game. After facing sanctions, he won the division in the final season of the cycle, only to pull the plug in his playoff game. Talk about a bad resume. With arguably the worst roster in the league in New York, he will have his work cut out for him.

On the other side is JP, one of our three commissioners. He doesn't want to hear anymore about the restart after 5-0, and how things fell apart for him after that. Heading home to Tennessee with his favorite team should get his competitive juices flowing, and early-cycle JP is usually the best version. I think JP will relish the opportunity to blowout White Greg to kick off his cycle.

#2) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Spittah) @ Dallas Cowboys (Tiko)

In my opinion, it is now or never for Terry and the Buccaneers. Tom Brady came back for one more run, and the team is ready to win now. If Terry can't get it done in a weak NFC with a loaded roster, I have doubts about him ever being able to climb the RZ championship mountain.

He kicks his cycle off with a game against Tiko and the Cowboys, who is coming off a very bad Madden 22 cycle in Los Angeles. Tiko is licking his wounds, and picking fights with other coaches around the league. I think he is very motivated to change the narrative about him. This Cowboys team is very talented, and could play into his strengths as a head coach.

The NFC East is up for grabs, and Tiko's coaching resume is somehow the most proven of the group. This is a great early test for both teams to prove they are 'for real'.

#1) - Cleveland Browns (KJ) @ Carolina Panthers (Kelly)

I thought this was easily the best Week 1 matchup. Two good coaches facing off, Baker Mayfield against his former team, and the hype around the Panthers as my personal NFC favorite? Count me in.

On the Panthers side, you have Kelly who had a tremendous cycle with San Francisco last year, but left rings on the table as he fell short a couple times. He heads to Carolina where he will attempt to jump-start this rebuild, by making a decision between Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, and developing this young defense. 

On the Browns side, you have King John who had a great cycle in Kansas City, but failed to make much playoff noise. He hasn't been discussed much heading into this cycle, but this fit between coach and roster is one of my favorites. Cleveland is loaded, and most of their star players are locked in for the forseeable future. King John is going to be a problem in the AFC for a long time, especially if he can draft close to how he did last year (he was one of the best drafters last cycle). 

Sure, the talent scale clearly leans towards Cleveland in this matchup, but Kelly is a coach that elevates talent. Is Christian McCaffrey an early 'Offensive Player of the Year' favorite? I think so. This is easily my favorite game of Week 1, and in my opinion deserves the 'RZ Cycle Kickoff' honors.