NFL Week 1 QB talk: Josh Allen set the tone. Now, it's up to others to show what they've got.
The NFL wanted Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to open the season for a reason.
And he delivered.
Allen threw three touchdowns and ran for another in the Bills' 31-10 rout of the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams to kick off Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
"I feel like I'm watching Tom Brady out here tonight," NBC football analyst Cris Collinsworth said of Allen during the game Thursday night. "He's reading everything, throwing it to the right guy and throwing it perfectly."
Allen wasn't perfect on the night, though. He had two interceptions. One was a bad pass, while the other was ripped from his receiver – which might have been a poor decision from Allen, too.
But the former first-round draft pick put on a masterclass, picking apart the Rams with his decisiveness and quick release that kept Aaron Donald’s pass rush at bay. In addition to his confidence, Allen now has edge rusher Von Miller filling the missing piece to a talented defense – a luxury for Buffalo.
Allen put the league on notice: He’s ready to take the title of best QB. Here are the top 5 Week 1 quarterback matchups with players challenging for that honor.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Kyler Murray
With no Tyreek Hill, Mahomes is out to prove he is still better than Allen and can lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a fifth consecutive AFC title game. For Arizona, Murray won’t have receiver DeAndre Hopkins (suspension). But a positive for the Cardinals, if Murray watched Allen in the opener, it’d be considered studying.
Derek Carr vs. Justin Herbert
The Las Vegas Raiders could be special this season with Carr throwing to Davante Adams, arguably the best receiver in the NFL. Meanwhile, it’s playoffs or bust for Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in the QB's third season. This rematch of the regular season finale last year, could be a shootout once again.
Tom Brady vs. Dak Prescott
Brady will start his 23rd NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Dallas in a rematch of last season’s league opener where he dueled Prescott down to the final seconds. Keep an eye on Brady’s protection due to offensive line injuries left over from training camp, while Prescott deals with an ankle injury he suffered during Cowboys practice this week.
Trey Lance vs. Justin Fields
Fields looks to grow in his second season as Chicago Bears starter, while Lance gets his first real shot at leading the San Francisco 49ers. Lance, the No. 3 pick in 2021, and Fields, the No. 11 pick, have the weight of their franchises on their shoulders.
Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota
Did you forget these guys were the top two picks in 2015? It’s been a while since they were the talk of the NFL draft, with high hopes of being franchise quarterbacks. Winston is in a good situation in New Orleans, which could contend for the playoffs if he responds well after his ACL tear last season. Mariota, on his third team, has another chance to start and could keep the Atlanta Falcons competitive this season.
Quote of the week: Aaron Rodgers
He may no longer have Adams, but Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers isn’t losing an ounce of confidence before taking on Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
"All the other teams in the NFC North – it seems like every single year – I think their fanbase and their teams feel like, ‘This is our year to win the North,’" Rodgers said. "Hasn’t really been the case during my time, for the most part."
Baker Mayfield's grudge match?
Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers open their season hosting the Cleveland Browns. The former Browns QB is motivated to beat the team that drafted him first overall in 2018.
"We all know Baker, so I don’t know what to expect," Browns running back Nick Chubb said this week.
When asked what he’d want to happen pregame, Mayfield said: "A big hug from Nicholas Chubb would be a really, really good gift. Just to hear him say a word would also be nice."
The back-and-forth comes a week after Mayfield denied saying he was going to "(expletive) up" the Browns.
The plot has certainly thickened.
MORE: Carolina Panthers' Baker Mayfield denies using malicious words vs. Cleveland Browns
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will not be part of the game, as he continues to serve an 11-game suspension. But the Mayfield vs. Browns matchup might be the most exciting in Week 1 thanks to the verbal buildup.
Russell Wilson's return
Let’s not forget about new Broncos starter Russell Wilson going back to Seattle on Monday night.
Both sides had an ugly divorce that has come to light during the lead-up to this game, and should be a nice bow on an exciting Week 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 1 QB matchups: Top quarterback battles, storylines to watch
