When the Cincinnati Bengals hit the field in Cleveland for Week 1's duel against the Browns on Sunday, they'll have a chance to avenge their myriad early-season follies of yesteryear.
More than a chance, really. The Bengals are heavy road favorites for this AFC tilt, which feels like a trap of Admiral Ackbar-galactic proportions. A Week 1 home loss to the Patriots last year ultimately cost Cincinnati a shot at the playoffs. Quite traumatizing. Still probably too soon to bring up. Oh the pain.
Anyway, beyond some of the more individual-centric matchups that will define the game within the game in this Battle of Ohio, there's one macro narrative I'll be eyeing most closely.