Each Friday throughout the 2024 NFL season, we'll be performing something of a leaguewide check-in, with quick-hit takes from all 32 NFL squads based on news, fodder, trends and/or results.

And with every team now launching into Week 1, we're ready to take you around the country with thoughts on the latest happenings.

Let's jump into what's dominating the national football conversation this week.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Now that Damar Hamlin is getting his legit starting spot, I'd take a close look at the very high Comeback Player of the Year odds attached to his name. Maybe he's not being considered by all because he technically "came back" and was a candidate last year, but a strong season as a starter cementing his comeback could give voters a chance to get him the award this time around.

Miami Dolphins: Miami's matchup with the Jaguars on Sunday is one of the most glaring, critical openers on the schedule. At home and with plenty to prove against a fellow conference playoff contender, a loss before the Bills come to town in Week 2 would be a huge blow.

New England Patriots: Drake Maye target debut date? I think it'd be ideal if the Pats made it to a low-pressure scenario in Tennessee Week 9.

New York Jets: Good on Michael Carter II and the Jets for making something happen on a long-term contract before the start of the regular season. Often overshadowed by Sauce Gardner in that stellar secondary, Carter is a tremendously underrated slot corner. He's given up three total touchdowns in three NFL seasons.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: That's outta the way. Now, they'll get extra time to prepare for their home opener against the Raiders.

Cincinnati Bengals: If you stayed away from Bengals backs in your fantasy draft because you didn't feel confident in who would get the lion's share of the action, you made a good call. There's still no clear picture on how things will shake out with Zack Moss and Chase Brown. I'm betting on Moss, who has flashed in both Buffalo and Indianapolis.

Cleveland Browns: At least the Browns and their fans won't have to wait long to see if this team is legit with the return of Deshaun Watson. Underdogs twice in a row out of the gate against Dallas and Jacksonville and only one post-Week 1 home game before they host tough division rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore in October. Yeesh.

Pittsburgh Steelers: So now that it's Russell Wilson under center in what might be his last real chance, how much rope does the veteran have? The presence of Justin Fields is a factor, but Wilson and Arthur Smith deserve a fair shot together. Still, I'd say if he hasn't flashed and delivered some wins by the time the Steelers wrap up their Week 5 Sunday night meeting with the Cowboys, it'll be time to get some looks at Fields.

AFC South

Houston Texans: Question I can't shake: Why are the Texans laying less than a field goal in Indy? This Houston team looks like a legit Super Bowl contender, while the Colts have so many questions entering a season loaded with variables. These teams are not on the same level, regardless of venue.

Indianapolis Colts: Throw in that Indy is unlikely to have receiver Josh Downs (ankle) available, and the Texans might be my favorite pick of the week. Not a lock, because I'm rarely going to lock in a road team in a divisional matchup, but Houston should be laying more like a handful of points.

Jacksonville Jaguars: I really like this spot for the Jags. Miami faces a lot of pressure at home, and Jacksonville can afford to drop a road matchup with a strong contender. The team should be loose. Let's see what Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson have in store for the start of what could be an explosive season.

Tennessee Titans: They really need all the help they can get in Chicago against the hype-machine Bears on Sunday. DeAndre Hopkins is worth a very close monitor coming back from his knee injury.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: There's no doubt that they're betting on cornerback Patrick Surtain II with that new four-year, $96 million contract. The guy has been good, but far from excellent, and many of his advanced numbers have declined. Bold move with the 24-year-old when it wasn't necessarily a rush.

Kansas City Chiefs: It doesn't get any easier with the Bengals coming to town next, but at least they have extra time to rest and remain at home.

Las Vegas Raiders: Sunday's meeting with the Chargers in Los Angeles should feel somewhat like a home game for the Raiders, which is sweet because the Bolts have a lot to get acclimated to in the first place. This has got to be one of the least predictable games on the Week 1 schedule.

Los Angeles Chargers: Meanwhile, there isn't a team with as much space between the floor and the ceiling as the Chargers. I could see them just as easily go 5-12 as 12-5. But patience will be critical early on.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: I do think that based mainly on his preferred role within a very strong offense, you'll see some nice things from Rico Dowdle this season. I just don't know how much nice we'll see against the Browns defense on Sunday.

New York Giants: As if it wasn't already a pretty clear-cut make-or-break scenario for Brian Daboll, he's also confirmed he'll be calling the plays. This is a good thing for the Giants, who invested in Daboll partly for that ability and need to know soon if there's something there.

Philadelphia Eagles: For what it's worth, I'm not getting good vibes from the Eagles ahead of this Brazil opener, especially with all the talk about the risk of crime. The defense is also banged up, and they're dealing with more pressure and more change than their opponent in a "home game" that won't feel much like that.

Washington Commanders: Checking myself now on Jayden Daniels, because both Tampa Bay (Week 1) and the Giants (Week 2) have very beatable pass defenses and the surprise factor should be there. I'm worried the football world will buy in hard and then the rookie will hit a wall against Cleveland, Baltimore and Chicago in October.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: At this point, Bears fans have every right to be concerned about veteran receiver Keenan Allen's ability to stay healthy. It's not ideal that the 32-year-old is dealing with another heel injury entering Week 1.

Detroit Lions: We're here, and only three teams have better Super Bowl odds than the Detroit freakin' Lions. Considering the team's history with snake bites, that's scary. But the early season schedule is soft, so we won't get a feel for this team's true ceiling unless it struggles with weaker opponents in September or gives us something to analyze against Dallas and Green Bay in the second quarter of the season.

Green Bay Packers: It is wild that the Packers have just seven legit road games and nine home games this year. Shouldn't a team that plays a neutral site game that counts as a road game have eight actual road games that season? It only seems fair.

Minnesota Vikings: Potentially unpopular opinion: If Jordan Addison's ankle injury isn't fully healed, the Vikings should keep him out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants. This season isn't likely do-or-die every week anyway, and this isn't a crucial matchup. They can also win it without their No. 2 receiver.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: With Kyle Pitts seemingly on track to suit up alongside Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson and Drake London against a Steelers team quarterbacked by Russell Wilson in a make-or-break situation, I have to admit Falcons-Steelers is sneakily one of the most intriguing games of Week 1.

Carolina Panthers: Asked by a sports media colleague this week for some of my boldest predictions for the 2024 season, I somewhat knee-jerkedly said the Panthers will be respectable. I really think they'll get a nice jolt with a new coach and more support for Bryce Young in his sophomore campaign. I wouldn't be surprised if they pushed the Saints on Sunday.

New Orleans Saints: When do they go to Spencer Rattler if Derek Carr doesn't have it together and they're falling out of contention? I'm eyeing Week 6 or 7 against Tampa Bay or Denver. Seriously...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Remember, this is a team technically riding a wave following a 5-1 finish to the 2023 regular season and a blowout playoff win over the Eagles. Was that a fluke, or will it carry over following some offseason tweaks (particularly on defense)? How they deal with Detroit and Philly this month will speak volumes, but they can't look past Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Right now at DraftKings, you can get Arizona at +300 to make the playoffs and Kyler Murray at +10000 to win Offensive Player of the Year. Those are some intriguing home-run swings for a team that has more talent and fight than many realize.

Los Angeles Rams: The Rams are 6-1 straight-up and against the spread in season openers dating back to when Sean McVay took over in 2017. They aren't fully healthy and it's been a challenging offseason, but don't be surprised if they pull off the road upset with a lot less pressure on their shoulders than the Lions on Sunday night.

San Francisco 49ers: I have this gut feeling about Brock Purdy in Year 3, and it isn't a good one. For his sake and the sake of his great story, I hope I'm wrong.

Seattle Seahawks: At the very least, we should get a good look at a potentially more vertical offense with Tyler Lockett seemingly healthy for new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb's debut Sunday against Denver.