NFL.com - Key Matchups for Week 1

[JawnyBlaze]

Thought this was interesting.

4) Doug Martin vs. Luke Kuechly

The five rookie quarterbacks who will start this weekend will grab a lot of attention, but this game might feature the best rookie matchup of the weekend. Doug Martin won the starting running back job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an excellent preseason. He is a very similar player to Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice. Martin is quick, powerful and decisive as a runner, while also excelling as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

Kuechly is my preseason pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The ninth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft has the speed, toughness and instincts to consistently get to the football and make plays. Kuechly is an outstanding coverage linebacker and also a very good open-field tackler for the Carolina Panthers. The winner of this individual matchup will be instrumental in deciding which team pulls out a victory in this NFC South battle.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000059381/article/jake-locker-vs-bill-belichick-among-key-matchups-in-week-1?module=HP11_content_stream

[Rip Saw]

guy doesnt have a chance against the kook

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

Matchup is not fair asessment.

It wont just be luke back there. I mean this guy is gonna get the sh!t beat out of him.

Kluke, Beason, Davis, and thats after he makes it by Edwards and Johnson.

Hey Doug, make like Cadillac and break a leg.

[Nine_Lives]

Should be a great matchup not only with Martin but Blount as well. If the bucs running game is on track it could be a long day for the Panthers defense. That being said the Panthers offense has the capability to hang 30 or more so i believe Tampa will be forced to predominantly pass the ball just to keep up. Low scoring game, Tampa wins. High scoring. Panthers.

31-30

[Jackofalltrades]

Meh, he'll have trouble finding running lanes with an improved DL. The Edwards Wall will be a difference maker.

[Frizzy350]

keek will dominate this matchup. doug martin may be pretty good and in a really good statistical situation in tampa, but he's not coming from the same pedigree as luke is. if tampa landed trent richardson i'd be worried

[MasterAwesome]

I know it's ignorant to just go by stats...but Martin averaged like 3.5 ypc in the preseason. Yeah yeah, it's just the preseason I know...but the preseason is actually meaningful for rookies as I'm sure they go all out as opposed to some vets who take it easy in the preseason (i.e. Gamble...at least I hope that was the case). It seems like Martin struggled in the preseason, so I would imagine he'll probably pick up right where he left off for Week 1 in the regular season. He might get things figured out over the course of the season...but he doesn't seem all that threatening from a statistical standpoint. I didn't watch any of the Bucs' preseason games so maybe he showed some good things on tape. He didn't play any overly tough run defenses either. And I know a low YPC isn't always the HB's fault...but TB has a pretty darn good o-line, especially considering Joseph didn't go down until Week 3 and Martin didn't even play Week 4 of the preseason.

[PhillyB]

if the nfl was a gang, doug martin would be getting sexed in by all the linebackers, not just keuchly.

no homo.

[Marguide]

Hey Doug, make like Cadillac and break a leg.

Come on man. You're better than that.

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

Come on man. You're better than that.

Jack daniels and I were up late last nite.

Disregard any thing before 8:00 a.m.

Im shame/post

[kls11310]

A panther could eat a hamster for a snack

[Digibuc]

Hey Doug, make like Cadillac and break a leg.

pretty fuged up. Cant say I'm surprised though, I heard this place was as low class as they come.

[Digibuc]

if the nfl was a gang, doug martin would be getting sexed in by all the linebackers, not just keuchly.

yes homo.

This place gives me the creeps. In one thread a panther fan is talking about what he would do as a gay barber to cam if he ever came into his barber shop and now this poo.

I better not find out your some kind of karate instructor for little boys cause I don't play that poo!

[markbm62]

This place gives me the creeps. In one thread a panther fan is talking about what he would do as a gay barber to cam if he ever came into his barber shop and now this poo.

I better not find out your some kind of karate instructor for little boys cause I don't play that poo!

Here is an idea for you, if you don't like it here than go away. How does that strike you?