Labar: Our Favorite NFL Matchups of the Week

By Abby Labar
Sportmoney Columnist

My windows are open to feel the brisk 60 degree weather, my fall candle is lit, Sportscenter is on in the background and I’m sipping on, dare I say it…a pumpkin spice latte (haters just don’t want to admit they love them too). Man, do I love football season. The 2024 previews and the controversial takes are flooding my social media pages, so as we dive head first into Week One with the cleanest slate of them all, I thought we’d have some fun with the matchups that people are looking forward to the most.

Now technically speaking I asked the “experts,” but these are more-so industry friends who come from covering a variety of sports (outside of the one friend who is on reality TV, but I thought I’d really mix it up ya know?) Let’s face it, whether you’re a die hard or not, any sports fan/broadcaster has some sort of an eye on the NFL. 

There’s something that elevates the drama surrounding Week One. Teams are hoping to set the tone, make a statement early, and take advantage of the projected powerhouses who may stumble with those first game jitters or penalties. Others are hoping to prove they’re as good as the offseason buzz or knock the criticism of low preseason expectations. With all that being said, I’ll start with the game I’m looking forward to the most. 

Sunday Night Football: Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions

I mean first of all, it’s Sunday Night Football. Primetime baby. Just when you think the day of games is over, it isn’t. Under the lights in Detroit is going to be one heck of an atmosphere for a rematch of last year's NFC Wild Card round. The Lions are going to hit the ground running as they enter the season looking to get back what they lost last year. Dan Campbell and Co. have been hard to root against the last few seasons, and they know what’s at stake with their window of opportunity. As for the Rams, they surprised us all last season finishing with 10 wins, climbing to second place behind the Niners in the NFC West. They were quite the talk of the offseason as they retooled to build upon that. But this one is personal. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. Goff got his revenge against this former team in the postseason last year, and Stafford has expressed how much he’s looking forward to the intensity of Ford Field in his return. So many good storylines surrounding this one, I might run through a brick wall to the sound of the Sunday Night Football intro music. 

Now for what my good friends are excited to watch, we’ve got a little bit of fandom mixed with some insight here — but I’m sure you all can relate….

Nate Burleson, Retired NFL WR and CBS NFL Today Host: “Ravens and Chiefs! The two best quarterbacks in the NFL are trying to kick off their seasons on a high note.” (He was right. That one lived up to the hype last night.) 

Tom Luginbill, ESPN College Football Analyst: “I can’t wait to see Aaron Rodgers as a New York Jet (finally) and what type of impact he has on that organization and just how much of a difference he can make.”

Alex Avila, Retired MLB Catcher and MLB Network Analyst: “My favorite NFL Week One matchup is Miami Dolphins vs. Jaguars. I’m a die hard Dolphins fan, growing up in south Florida and watching Dan Marino as a kid. As an Alabama alum it’s fun watching Tua do his thing connecting with Tyreek and Waddle. Here’s hoping for a great season!”

Dave McCarthy, Show Host NHL Network Radio and NHL.com: “I will admit I do not devote much attention to the NFL, but I am always intrigued by a compelling storyline, whatever the subject matter, especially when it is of an inspiring, uplifting nature. Who doesn’t need more of those stories in their life?

And in Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin making his first start since suffering cardiac arrest on the field on January 2, 2023 this week when they face the Arizona Cardinals, we have one of those stories.

Though he played in five games last season after the incident, that he has returned to a starting position less than two years later, let alone returning to play at all, is nothing short of miraculous. It is the type of story that will garner my attention. How can you not be inspired by his perseverance and dedication?”

Keiana Martin, CBS Sports Host and Reporter: “As much as I’m excited to watch the 49ers try to return to the pinnacle of the sport (and actually win this time), I’m just as excited to FINALLY get to watch Aaron Rodgers chapter as a New York Jet unfold — as football fans were brutally robbed of his NY debut last season. A lot of Jets fans' hopes are hanging in the balance of Rodgers' performance at 40 years old. But I’m anxious to see if he can ignite their offense in year 20 for the QB.”

Peter Weber, Reality TV Star (The Bachelor, Bachelorette and The Traitors): “There’s a changing of the guard up in Seattle, and the 12s can’t wait to see what Macdonald has in store for this team. The Seahawks look to be flying under the radar with some fun new pieces on what should be a suffocating defense with the addition of Murphy II in the draft. Look for Geno to light it up against the Broncos possibly the best trio of receivers in the league. I’m predicting a huge sophomore jump from JSN. And did I mention we’re wearing our throwbacks?”

Okay and this one I had to include even though it has absolutely nothing to do with this column. I actually have no idea what my friend Alex thought I asked him and how he got this answer out of my question. He was so passionate in his response and clearly emotional that I didn’t have the heart to tell him we were talking about NFL matchups and not anything MLB related. But that’s why I love Alex’s coverage, because he covers every single sport with so much of that passion. So we’re including it anyway and calling this “bonus sports coverage”.... Maybe some other Yankees fans are reading this too. 

Alex Day, Sports Host and Content Creator: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Almost every time the Yankees trot out closer Clay Holmes to nail down the 9th inning, chaos ensues. With the Rangers’ walk-off grand slam last week, Holmes has now blown a Major League-leading 11 saves, dropping the Yankees to second place in the A.L. East. The Yankees knew they had an issue before the trade deadline, but instead of swinging a deal for a high leverage reliever, they picked up two middle relievers: one has an ERA over 6 since joining the team, and the other has already been DFA’d. Mariano Rivera is dearly missed in the Bronx.”

That does it for this one. You see? Television personalities, they’re just like us! Happy Football!