Top 5 Passing Matchups
Cleveland at Baltimore
Joe Flacco's first start of 2025 left plenty of room for improvement, though the raw totals were more respectable than they looked in real time. He finished with 290 yards on 43 attempts, but efficiency was again the issue as they averaged just 6.4 yards per throw, with a touchdown offset by two interceptions. Both picks came off bobbled passes that could have been avoided, yet they underscored how fragile this passing game can look when forced into high volume. That said, Stefanski's offense has consistently leaned on Flacco's arm, with the veteran averaging 43.3 dropbacks per game across his last seven outings. Sheer opportunity will always keep his numbers afloat. The pecking order of pass-catchers is slowly taking shape, with Cedric Tillman emerging as the most consistent threat. Over his last five full games, Tillman has drawn a 21% target share, turning that into 71 yards per game and four touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy, meanwhile, remains a frustrating boom-or-bust option, showing little rhythm with Flacco. Beyond them, the supporting cast looks more involved than imposing. Rookie back Dylan Sampson and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. combined for 15 receptions in Week 1, suggesting Flacco's quick-hitting tendencies will funnel plenty of work underneath. With Nico Collins-type volume missing from this offense, those secondary options will continue to play key roles.
The matchup with Baltimore doesn't necessarily pose a daunting roadblock. The Ravens' 2024 defense built its reputation on bullying shaky passers, but its struggles against higher-caliber quarterbacks were glaring. Opening Night offered more of the same, as Josh Allen shredded them for 394 yards and two touchdowns at 8.6 per attempt. Buffalo receivers repeatedly found soft spots in coverage, with three topping 60 yards and rookie Keon Coleman erupting for 112. Shoddy tackling compounded things, turning routine catches into explosive plays. The Ravens spent heavily on Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie to stabilize the secondary, yet neither looked impactful alongside Marlon Humphrey and rookie Nate Wiggins. Up front, Baltimore also lacked the consistent pressure needed to disrupt timing, as Allen repeatedly extended plays to buy downfield windows. Flacco lacks Allen's mobility, but he's more than capable of exploiting the 8-15 yard zones that Buffalo picked apart. If the Ravens can't find a steadier pass rush, Flacco's volume-heavy approach and Tillman's emergence could be enough to generate another workable box score, even if the efficiency again leaves plenty to be desired.
New England at Miami
Drake Maye's debut was steady but far from spectacular, as he completed 65% of his throws but managed only 6.2 yards per attempt in a Week 1 loss to the Raiders. He looked tentative when pushing the ball downfield, and his lone interception could easily have been joined by one or two more. This is a developing attack that doesn't profile as one to expect fireworks from right away. Still, the matchup is doing him favors: Miami's defense looks overmatched and simply incapable of covering receivers consistently. The Patriots have at least unearthed some encouraging pieces for Maye to lean on. Kayshon Boutte is emerging as the team's most dynamic threat, particularly downfield, where Stefon Diggs is more likely to work shorter routes as he ramps back from his knee issue. Boutte has caught fire across the past two games, pulling in 13 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown, giving Maye a legitimate vertical option. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry continues to serve as a reliable safety blanket, commanding a hefty 20.4% of Maye's targets since the preseason and topping 50 yards in more than half of their games together. Between Boutte's big-play ability and Henry's steady production, Maye has at least a pair of trustworthy options to build on.
The Dolphins' defense looks like the type of unit to elevate even average passing games. Daniel Jones carved them up in Week 1, throwing for 279 yards at a sparkling 9.4 per attempt, and he could have produced far more had the game not been out of reach early. The Dolphins secondary is a patchwork group without Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, or Kendall Fuller, leaving shaky veterans Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas to hold down the boundaries. They struggled badly in the opener, repeatedly allowing separation and splash plays. To make matters worse, top cornerback Storm Duck left with an ankle injury and will miss several weeks, further depleting the rotation. Michael Pittman Jr exploited those lapses with ease, recording 6 receptions for 80 yards and a score. His 27-yard touchdown highlighted the coverage breakdowns that defined Miami's day, as he found acres of space between Duck and his safety help. The lack of an effective pass rush only compounded the issue, giving Jones ample time to find mismatches. Even the presence of Minkah Fitzpatrick can't fully compensate for the Dolphins' holes, particularly downfield. Against this group, Maye and his developing weapons may find more room to work than expected.
Jacksonville at Cincinnati
Trevor Lawrence opened the season with a calm, controlled performance, guiding Jacksonville to a comfortable win without needing to put much on his stat line. The opponent wasn't imposing, but Lawrence looked fully in command, distributing efficiently and keeping the offense on schedule. He'll now get another highly favorable draw against a Bengals defense that looks every bit as shaky as last year's group. Cincinnati did little to address one of 2024's worst secondaries, and the cracks were already evident in Week 1. Joe Flacco, despite two interceptions, repeatedly found soft spots and moved the ball with relative ease. This matchup should demand more volume from Lawrence's wideouts, particularly Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. In the opener, they combined for just 44 yards despite commanding more than half of Jacksonville's targets, largely a product of game script. Both are dynamic enough to win consistently across levels, and the Bengals' coverage simply doesn't have the personnel to contain them. Hunter logged 42 snaps in his debut and looks poised for a larger role, especially working inside against linebackers and safeties who can't match his athleticism. Thomas, meanwhile, has the size/speed profile to exploit Cincinnati's lack of reliable downfield help.
The Bengals enter 2025 with Al Golden at defensive coordinator, but the unit still feels underpowered. They no longer boast the steady veteran core of Jessie Bates III, Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, and Vonn Bell that once stabilized the back end and built a reputation of a shut-down defense several years ago that helped them get to the Super Bowl. Instead, they're asking Cam Taylor-Britt to operate as a shutdown presence, a role he hasn't consistently filled. Taylor-Britt wore down during the second half of 2024, and Flacco wasted no time targeting him in Week 1. Cedric Tillman worked him for a handful of chunk plays, including muscling through for a short touchdown. Cincinnati's issues extend beyond cornerback play. They lack consistent safety support down the field, leaving their cornerbacks vulnerable in one-on-one situations. That's a dangerous formula against a Jaguars attack that wants to stretch the field vertically. Lawrence doesn't need to force the ball, but when he takes shots, Thomas and Hunter should enjoy clear opportunities. With game flow likely requiring more aerial production than last week, Jacksonville's young playmakers are well-positioned to rebound in a big way against an overmatched secondary.