Bills bring wild-card WR corps into opener with Cardinals, Marvin Harrison Jr.

Knocking on the championship door but unable to break through, the Buffalo Bills are determined to design another route to the Super Bowl.

The Bills begin their quest of reaching the postseason for the seventh time in eight seasons when they battle the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Orchard Park, N.Y.

Buffalo (11-6 last season) had its Super Bowl hopes dashed by the Kansas City Chiefs for the third time in the past four seasons in January. After losing to the Chiefs in the 2020 AFC Championship Game, the Bills have been eliminated in the divisional round the past three seasons.

Due to cap constraints and uneven results, the Bills underwent revamping in the spring. Among the departures are receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.

The trade of Diggs to the Houston Texas certainly was the signature move as the club parted ways with a talented player who was a distraction at times. But not having a bona fide go-to wideout isn’t an issue to star quarterback Josh Allen.

“Yeah, we’ve got a lot of new guys, new faces, and just trying to spread the wealth,” Allen said Wednesday. “I think the term we’ve been using is ‘Everybody eats’ and it’s going to take all 11 guys on the field at any given time to make a play go. That’s our mindset. It doesn’t really matter who gets the ball or when they get it. We’re going to be happy for whatever we’re doing out there and just try to make the best play possible.”

Khalil Shakir, who caught two touchdowns in the postseason, and newcomer Curtis Samuel (62 catches for Washington last season) figure to be the top targets. Veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round draft pick Keon Coleman also are part of the mix.

Familiarity is in short supply. Shakir is the lone receiver who has caught a pass from Allen in an official game.

“I feel like teams don’t even know what we’re gonna do,” Samuel said. “And I feel like that’s a great thing. We got so many weapons, so many different guys that could do a lot of different things. I feel like that makes us scary.”

The Cardinals (4-13) are hoping to have an explosive tandem with No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. on board to catch throws from quarterback Kyler Murray. Harrison played just three snaps in the preseason without a ball thrown his way, so Sunday is the day Arizona’s new present is formally unwrapped.

“I know what type of talent he is and I know what he’s capable of,” said Murray, “but we have to go out there and do it.”

Murray is looking forward to this season now that his serious knee injury is behind him. He tore the ACL in his right knee against the New England Patriots during a Monday night affair on Dec. 12, 2022.

He returned to game action exactly 11 months later and passed for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games last season.

“Football has been on my mind this whole offseason,” Murray said. “It always is but last year, being hurt and having to rehab and stuff like that, (I tried) not to get too far away from the game mentally. I have had this on my mind for a long time, what I want to accomplish, what I want this team to accomplish, so it doesn’t feel brand new.”

The Cardinals have played in just one postseason game during Murray’s previous five NFL seasons — a wild-card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season.

Receiver Xavier Weaver (oblique) is out Sunday for Arizona, while rookie tight end Tip Reiman (ankle) and safety Joey Blount (back) are both questionable after being limited participants in Friday’s practice.

Defensive end Javon Solomon (oblique) will miss Sunday’s game for the Bills, while defensive end Dawuane Smoot (toe) is questionable after missing Friday’s practice.

–Field Level Media

Panthers, Saints determined to revive offenses, playoff hopes

Making offensive improvements was a focal point for both the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers this offseason.

New Orleans and Carolina begin the proving grounds march when they meet Sunday afternoon in the season opener.

Carolina hired new coach Dave Canales back in January in the hopes that he would help second-year quarterback Bryce Young develop. Canales was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator in 2023, guiding signal-caller Baker Mayfield to the best season of his career.

“We want to establish the run, put up the run, but obviously we’re going to look to push the ball down the field,” Young said. “I think for us, it’s trying to create as efficient of an operation as possible.”

Carolina went 2-15 last season as Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, struggled with the transition from college to the NFL while operating behind an offensive line that tied for the second-most sacks allowed (65) in the league and couldn’t gain traction in the ground game.

To take some pressure off of Young, the Panthers went to the bank to bring in the brawn, signing veteran guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency.

“I have all the confidence in the world in my offensive line,” Young said. “I have a ton of confidence in the scheme we have.”

Carolina also tried to surround Young with a stronger receiving corps, using the final pick of the first round to draft Xavier Legette out of South Carolina. The Panthers also traded for Diontae Johnson, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Saints have a better idea of what they have at quarterback. Veteran Derek Carr is entering his 11th NFL season and second with New Orleans. But the Saints fought similar issues with protection and establishing the running game last season.

Carr started all 17 games for the Saints last season, going 9-8 while throwing for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. New Orleans peaked late, winning four of its final five games.

The Saints will try to carry that late-season momentum over to the current campaign, and they will now have Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. Kubiak was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023 — his lone season with San Francisco — after serving as an assistant with the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.

Kubiak had a hand in working Niners star Christian McCaffrey into San Francisco’s passing game last year, and New Orleans is hoping that versatile running back Alvin Kamara can be utilized in a similar fashion.

“I think that’s what Klint is here for, I think that’s what the rest of those guys are here for,” Kamara said. “That’s what’s expected, an increase in production. When you look at what they’ve been able to produce, it’s exciting. … Hopefully, we’ll do the same here.”

New Orleans, like Carolina, is hoping for improved play from its offensive line, which will likely feature three new starters.

Trevor Penning, a first-round draft choice in 2022 who has often looked overmatched during his time in the NFL, was moved from left tackle to right tackle. Taliese Fuaga was drafted out of Oregon State in the first round of this year’s draft to start at left tackle, and Lucas Patrick will likely start at left guard after being signed as a free agent.

Saints linebackers Jaylan Ford (hamstring) and D’Marco Jackson (calf) are out Sunday, as are tight end Dallin Holker (ankle) and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (calf).

Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (back), guard Nick Saldiveri (calf) and wide receiver A.T. Perry (hand) are all questionable for New Orleans.

Panthers tight ends Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) will not play Sunday, while offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (lower leg) is questionable.

–Field Level Media

Mike Macdonald debuts, Seahawks host Broncos, rookie Bo Nix

Two years ago, the Denver Broncos opened their season in Seattle with quarterback Russell Wilson making his debut in orange and blue after 10 seasons with the Seahawks.

The Broncos return to Lumen Field on Sunday for their 2024 opener, this time with rookie Bo Nix, their first-round pick out of Oregon, calling the signals.

Nix will become the 14th player to start at the position for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after winning the Super Bowl following the 2015 season.

And he’ll be the first rookie QB to start Week 1 for Denver since John Elway in 1983.

“There’s a lot of pressure on (Bo’s) shoulders,” Broncos veteran offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey said. “Everyone wants him to succeed greatly here, but it doesn’t mean that he has to press and do something special every single day. He just has to do his job.”

While the Broncos are still paying Wilson ($85 million in dead money on the salary cap starting with a $53 million bill for 2024, then $32 million next year), the plan is to be playing Nix.

Nix started 61 games in college at Auburn and Oregon, an NCAA record for a quarterback. He was 23 of 30 for 205 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason appearances, leading the Broncos to scores on six of seven possessions.

That’s why he not only got the starting nod from coach Sean Payton, but was also named one of the Broncos’ captains by his teammates. He’ll be the first rookie captain for the franchise since Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967.

“It’s a privilege, an honor to be with this group,” Nix said. “… I don’t take it lightly. I know it’s a big deal, hasn’t happened often, but I don’t take it for granted. I’ve got to come to work every single day and just prove you can be the captain.”

Despite some impressive performances, Nix has never defeated an opponent from Seattle, going 0-3 against the University of Washington in his two seasons with the Ducks.

“It’s going to be loud,” Payton said of the crowd Sunday at Lumen Field. “I would imagine there will be some similarities to when Oregon goes to Washington and they’re playing in front of however many thousand people.”

The Seahawks will also have a new look under Mike Macdonald, 37, as they go from the oldest coach in the NFL (Pete Carroll, age 72), to the youngest.

Macdonald coordinated Baltimore’s defense last season when it led the league in sacks (60) and fewest points allowed (16.5 per game) and was tied for first in takeaways (31, with the New York Giants). He’s been praised — and cursed — by peers for confounding even the most advanced minds in the game. It’s one of the things that drew Seahawks general manager John Schneider to Macdonald.

“We’re always trying to push the envelope. We want people chasing us,” Macdonald said. “So to kind of get to the mentality of we’re not copying anybody, it’s going to be our style of play, it’s going to be our team, our way of doing things, never satisfied with where we’re at, no complacency. Kind of a relentless pursuit of creating the vision that we want to create. I think that kind of paints a nice picture.”

The Seahawks overhauled their system on the offensive side of the ball, too. New coordinator Ryan Grubb helped guide the University of Washington to the national title game last season, and decided he belonged in the Pacific Northwest after initially packing to join head coach Kalen DeBoer in a move to replace Nick Saban at Alabama.

“I know we kept it pretty vanilla during the preseason on both sides of the ball,” Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf said. “But Grubb is known for his explosive plays down the field, so just looking forward to him opening up a playbook just so we can exploit defenses and push the ball down the field.”

The Seahawks will be without linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) on Sunday, with wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) listed as questionable. The Broncos didn’t have any players listed on their injury report for the week.

–Field Level Media

Chargers begin Jim Harbaugh era, welcome Raiders to L.A.

Last season was good enough that the Raiders asked Antonio Pierce to stay after the Los Angeles Chargers went to surprising means to secure Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach.

Pierce, the interim for the final two months last season, faces Harbaugh and the Chargers in the regular-season opener Sunday in a game each team hopes to use as a statement.

Pierce put his staff on the “Beat L.A.” assignment more than two weeks ago due to the unique situation of facing a team for the first time with a coach imported from the college ranks and myriad changes to the existing schemes.

“Just to keep pounding away on film and go back as far as we can. And you don’t want to chase ghosts, right? You don’t go back and look at the 2011 season with Harbaugh, but maybe you do,” Pierce said. “And those two gentlemen have been around each other, him and (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman. So, with any little tidbits we can do, we have a pretty good staff upstairs that does a great job of breaking down film. And then, listen, at the day, you have to make the adjustments, and the players have to be able to adapt to it.”

The Chargers enter the Harbaugh coaching era with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert returning as the centerpiece of the offense, after he recovered from recent plantar fasciitis issues. The cast of characters around him? There are changes everywhere.

Gone are offensive veterans like wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is Herbert’s go-to guy now, while 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey look to make their mark. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards take over at running back.

The Chargers also brought in wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., who will miss Sunday’s opener with a hip injury. Cornerbacks Tarheeb Still (hip) and Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) are questionable.

Known for his quirks — already using birth, airplane takeoff and first-day-of-school metaphors — Harbaugh simply wants the Chargers to focus on the basics.

“Just want to keep building,” Harbaugh said. “Just the idea of seeing if we can be better today than we were yesterday, better tomorrow than we were today. Just that so-simple-it-might-just-work approach. Keeping guys healthy, continuing to get bigger and stronger.”

Never one to show his hand — or his depth chart — Harbaugh gave away very little in the preseason. Fresh off a national championship at Michigan, he returns to the NFL after he guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19-1 record and one Super Bowl berth from 2011-14. He accepted the offer, reportedly $16 million per year on a five-year deal valued at $80 million.

The Chargers will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a pair of elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Bosa has struggled with injuries and broke his left hand just a month ago but is set to play Sunday. Mack enters off a 17-sack season, fourth-best in the league.

“If anything, it was time off the body, less stress on my legs and let some things heal up,” Bosa said about missing nearly four weeks of practice time. “Now I’m feeling ready to go.”

The Raiders head into the opener with no playoff victories since playing in the Super Bowl following the 2002 season.

Pierce took over as head coach on an interim basis last season and guided the Raiders to a 5-4 finish. Pierce officially was anointed the position in the offseason and has named Gardner Minshew II as quarterback for the opener over Aidan O’Connell.

“Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start,” Pierce said.

Pierce said this game isn’t about him getting the job in Las Vegas or returning home to his Los Angeles roots this week.

“We’re trying to get our first divisional win against a really good opponent, who’s going to be motivated, well coached, physical, tough. I mean, we got to bring our hard hats,” he said.

The Raiders were one of seven teams in 2023 that averaged less than 300 yards per game at 289.5 and were 23rd with 19.5 points per game. On defense, a talented front four is led by defensive end Maxx Crosby (14.5 sacks in 2023).

Crosby is the player that Herbert is thinking about most when he breaks the huddle.

“We know how talented he is, we know how talented that team is. That defense really flies around, makes a lot of plays,” Herbert said of Crosby.

Under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Raiders will look to improve on an average of 90.7 rushing yards per game that was 30th in the NFL last season. With Josh Jacobs now with the Green Bay Packers, Zamir White takes over as the lead back (451 yards, one TD in 2023).

“I always say, Week 1, the opening week of the playoffs and the Super Bowl, those are different speeds of football and that shows up with the younger guys,” said Pierce. “Hopefully, we have prepped them in the way we prepare and practice.”

The Raiders won’t have defensive end Malcolm Koonce (knee), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) or guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) for Week 1. Rookie linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (knee) is questionable, while fellow rookie Brock Bowers (foot) is expected to play after being a full participant in Friday’s practice.

–Field Level Media

Carrying high expectations, Bears clash with Titans to open season

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Lofty expectations greet the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams, who was drafted out of Southern California with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Chicago also brought in a stable of offensive talent to support Williams, who doesn’t seem to be phased by the bright lights of the Windy City ahead of the Bears’ season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.

“When feet touch the grass,” Williams said, “it’ll be business as usual.”

Chicago went 7-10 last season with dual-threat signal-caller Justin Fields taking most of the snaps under center in what proved to be his final season with the Bears.

Already armed with wideout DJ Moore, the Bears traded for veteran Keenan Allen and selected wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington with the ninth overall pick in April’s draft. Chicago signed running back D’Andre Swift to flank Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the backfield.

Williams understands that he will be called upon to get the ball downfield by either new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron or the Soldier Field faithful.

“The wins are the most important thing,” Williams said. “As long as we get that win at the end of the day, 100 yards (or) 400 (passing), it’s all the same.”

Tennessee also made accommodations for a young passer. The Titans added 1,000-yard receiver Calvin Ridley, outbidding the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars for the free agent, and 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard, putting them alongside second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Levis went 3-6 as a starter in 2023, when Tennessee finished 6-11.

Pollard takes over for former franchise linchpin Derrick Henry, who is now with the Baltimore Ravens after rushing for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Titans. Although Henry is no longer in the picture, Levis welcomes the chance to lead a team bristling with hope.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Levis said. “It means there’s a lot of eyes on you, a lot of people counting on you to succeed. Pressure is cool. I welcome it with open arms.”

Titans first-year coach Brian Callahan can attest, as he meets a somewhat familiar foe.

Callahan is a native of Champaign, Ill., and he grew up a Bears fan.

“That’s the teams that I watched, were Chicago sports teams,” Callahan said. “I was a Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls fan, as probably a lot of people were in the 90s. … Cool moment to be able to go open up my head-coaching career in Chicago.”

Tennessee, which employed a run-heavy offense with Henry, is trying to be more balanced with Levis and Co. Callahan, who helped develop quarterback Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2019-23, is hoping that Levis and the Titans’ offense can jell quickly.

Chicago has the same vision for Williams, and it showed little reluctance when it came to putting its faith in the rookie. Sunday presents the 22-year-old with his first chance to deliver.

“The expectation is what it always is: winning,” Allen said. “No matter who the quarterback is, you want to win. I wouldn’t rather be with another guy right now than Caleb. … He’s gotten better ever since we started. The confidence is through the roof.”

Allen was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a heel injury. He practiced in full Friday but is questionable for the Bears on Sunday, along with defensive end Montez Sweat (toe) and defensive linemen DeMarcus Walker (groin) and Darrell Taylor (foot). Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (groin) is out.

New Titans safety Jamal Adams missed practice all week with a hip injury and won’t play Sunday. Linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) is also out, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (calf) are questionable.

–Kevin Druley, Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford, new-look Rams return to Lions’ den in prime-time opener

The Lions knocked the Los Angeles Rams out of the playoffs last season. The Rams will return to Detroit for the Sunday night opener eager to start another Super Bowl mission.

It could be viewed as a payback game for some of the Rams, but quarterback Matthew Stafford downplayed the revenge factor against his former team.

“To me, it’s the start of something brand new, something totally different,” Stafford said. “I’m excited to start this season off. It is, no doubt, a big challenge to go play their team in that environment. It’ll be a test for us and something to look forward to.”

Stafford has a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Kyren Williams emerged as the lead back last season and he’ll have a quality backup in former University of Michigan workhorse Blake Corum, who was drafted in the third round.

The Rams’ defense has a big hole to fill. Perennial All-Pro lineman Aaron Donald retired after the 24-23 loss to the Lions in January.

“You’re not ever replacing an Aaron Donald and that’s not what we’re asking of our guys,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player in Aaron Donald. What I thought was cool was he set a great example for guys who saw him play.”

Despite Donald’s absence, Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the Rams present an even bigger challenge than last season.

“This to me is a better team than what we faced last year, just looking at their personnel coming in,” Campbell said. “I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is — I’ve said it before, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re high motor. They’re going to push us.”

Detroit returns most of the same offensive starters from last season with one notable loss. Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson signed with the Rams as a free agent.

The Lions rely on the 1-2 punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the running game, though Gibbs missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury. He said there is no injury concern and plans to play in the opener.

Jared Goff has an elite No. 1 receiver in All-Pro selection Amon-Ra St. Brown with second-year tight end Sam LaPorta helping drive the passing attack. Third-year receiver Jameson Williams is expected to have a breakout season after scoring two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against San Francisco.

Detroit made numerous changes on the defensive line and secondary to upgrade a defense that allowed the sixth-most passing yards (247.4 per game) in the NFL last season.

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, and first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold will get tested in a big way in their debut with the Lions.

“I know Stafford’s got a lot of trust in both of those guys (Nacua and Kupp),” Campbell said. “I thought Puka had a hell of a game last year against us (nine receptions, 181 yards, TD). He really, he made plays all over the field. So, it’ll be a challenge, but I know this, our guys are looking forward to this. They really are. I know Arnold’s excited, first one. He’s ready to go. He does not lack confidence.”

Rams offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) is questionable for the game. The Lions listed safety Loren Strickland (thumb) as out, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) as doubtful and defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quadricep) as questionable.

–Field Level Media

Prized QBs fight in Florida as Jaguars visit Dolphins

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Dolphins counterpart Tua Tagovailoa bring extra moxie to the field Sunday afternoon when Jacksonville and Miami collide in their season opener in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Lawrence and Tagovailoa landed the largest deals in franchise history for their respective teams this summer. Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million extension and Tagovailoa landed a four-year contract worth $212.4 million.

The Jaguars gave Lawrence some new weapons to work with this past offseason, scooping up Gabe Davis in free agency before selecting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in April’s draft to make up for the loss of Calvin Ridley. He signed with the Titans in free agency.

Davis and Thomas will be flanking Christian Kirk, who had 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions — all career highs — in 2022 before a core muscle injury limited him to 12 games last season. Kirk finished with 57 catches for 787 yards and three scores.

Being aware of Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is near the top of Lawrence’s checklist this week. Ramsey (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning in limited fashion Friday.

“You give him a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. “Just got to know where he’s going to be, and understand that and give him his respect.”

The Dolphins won’t get to feature new No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is out for the first four games, but Miami’s speedy tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will once again be at Tagovailoa’s service.

Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. He also hauled in 13 TDs, tying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans for the league lead. Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

With so much offensive talent on both sidelines, Lawrence is aware that Sunday’s game could turn into a shootout, but he also still believes in the Jacksonville defense.

“I got a lot of faith in our defense,” Lawrence said. “There are times where we’re gonna have to pick up the load and carry the defense a little bit, and vice versa. They’re gonna have to, some games, carry us when we’re not getting anything going.”

Ryan Nielsen is heading into his first season as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator after landing the job in January. He held that same title with the Atlanta Falcons last season and was co-defensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Pederson realizes that Nielsen will be up against some stiff competition in Week 1.

“They’re on you fast,” Pederson said of the Dolphins. “When you put the film on, these guys are on you and they’re by you. And I think Tua does a great job of anticipating where the windows are.”

Tagovailoa isn’t putting too much stock into Nielsen’s game plan and has instead been focusing on who he will be face-to-face with on the field.

“For me, I study their players that they have,” Tagovailoa said. “Although not the same scheme, just who’s good at covering, who’s someone that we think, ‘OK, maybe we have a little more leverage with this guy in coverage.’ That’s how I sort of base it off of. …

“Then you go back to New Orleans when (Nielsen) was the DC, to the Falcons.”

Along with listing Ramsey as questionable to play, Miami ruled out wide receiver Malik Washington (quadricep).

Safety Daniel Thomas was the only player to appear on the Jaguars’ injury report. He was a limited participant all week due to an Achilles issue and is questionable for Sunday.

–Field Level Media