JO_75
Hall of Famer
The NFL Season Is Back! After what seemingly was a long off-season, the time for talking is over as we have real games to play! Plenty of stories around the league to keep interest high as we kick off the season, the return of Jim Harbaugh coming off a National Championship at Michigan, is this the last season we see Dak Prescott in a Cowboys uniform? Can Caleb Williams finally end the Quarterback Carosuel in Chicago? Who will emerge from what seems to be a wide open NFC, can anyone in the AFC end the Chiefs run for three consecutive Super Bowls? Let the stories begin........... (Still working on a few other 1PM Games and the 4PM games, those previews will be added by Friday)
Opening Night
Ravens @ Chiefs: The NFL wasted no time getting to the AFC Championship Game rematch. The Chiefs start their quest for their third consecutive Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. KC was held to just 17 points in the AFC Championship Game, but Baltimore's offense and inability to establish a running game sealed their fate. Perhaps the arrival of a King, King Henry will mean Baltimore will stay committed to the running game. First time Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr is immediately tasked with stopping Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that added the fastest player at the NFL combine at it's disposal. It may be only week one, but this may be the game that determines where the AFC Championship Game is played this season.
Friday Night
Packers @ Eagles: The NFL heads to Brazil for the second game of the season as the Green Bay Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles. A season of highs and lows for both teams last year, both look to make a statement in what is a wide open conference. Philly has a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who is a familar face to the NFC East. With the addition of Saquon Barkley and a new look offense, the Eagles are flying high going into the season. Last year, the Packers became the first 7th seed to win a playoff game under this new playoff format and Jordan Love got that Quarterback premium contract in the offseason. They have a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley who spent four years as the Head Coach of Boston College, who is tasked to stop this new look Eagles offense.
Sunday 1PM Games
Steelers @ Falcons: Kirk Cousins signed as a Free Agent in Atlanta before getting blindsided by the Michael Penix selection in the Draft. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson as a free agent and we'll see what both teams are made of. From a defensive perspective, the Steelers will still be good, Atlanta added Matt Judon who comes over from New England, and Justin Simmons signed as a free agent. With the Steelers offensive line being a question, the new look Falcons defense should be able to take advantage of it. While the Steelers defense will be able to keep Kirk in check, the question remains about Russell Wilson and if he's the old Russell Wilson or the one that played horrible in Denver the past two seasons.
Titans @ Bears: The Bears fans would like to lose the blues in Chicago this season and it's quite possible Caleb Williams finally ends the QB Carousel. The Bears are giving Caleb every chance to succeed as they have added to their receiving room Keenan Allen and the draft selection of Rome Odunze. Chicago has a sneaky chance to be a playoff contender this year, especially if Caleb plays up to his potential. The Titans begin a new era with Brian Callahan as Head Coach who comes over from Cincinnati. They also added Dennard Wilson on the defensive side of the ball giving them a bit of AFC North flavor. The Titans are counting on the success Callahan had with Joe Burrow to turn Levis' career around, and are hoping the $318.2 Million spending spree in free agency will turn into wins on the field.
Patriots @ Bengals: The Bill Belichick era is officially over, and Jerod Mayo(seriously, the script writers couldn't put Mayo in Tennessee with a QB who likes mayonnaise) who played for the Patriots is now the successor to the evil empire. Kraft will give him time to make things right, but for this season it will be a dumpster fire in New England. Jacoby Brissett is starting but I imagine will give way to rookie Drake Maye at some point by October. Playing on the road in Cincinnati will be a rough first outing for the new look Patriots but as long as Burrow is healthy, the Bengals will be a threat.
Texans @ Colts: The Texans begin their quest to repeat as division champs on the road against an Indianapolis Colts team with a major question mark at quarterback. Much like the Bears, the Texans decided to give their young QB a veteran receiver in Stefon Diggs who comes over from Buffalo. Given that Nico Collins had over 1,000 yards last year, the addition of Diggs should make CJ Stroud one very happy quarterback. Also the addition of Joe Mixon in the running game will take some pressure off Stroud and give Houston a more balanced offense. As for the Colts, Anthony Richardson had his rookie season cut short due to an A/C joint sprain in his shoulder but had two prior injuries before that. Will Richardson's health be an issue for the Colts this season? If he gets hurt, Joe Flacco is once again thrust into a starting role.
Panthers @ Saints: Much like the Arizona Cardinals, the New Orleans Saints kinda just happen to be there. There is nothing that really excites you about them, another season of hoping Derek Carr is the savior when it seems he's just more so collecting a paycheck. Dennis Allen is just hoping the division is bad enough to take the division from Tampa Bay but also hoping Atlanta doesn't surpass them, which they might. Then there is Carolina who seemingly is taking advice from the Cleveland Browns and cycling through Head Coaches left and right, congrats David Tepper. Dave Canales is now tasked with the duty of seeing if Bryce Young is a Franchise Quarterback. The work Canales has done in Seattle with Geno Smith and Baker in Tampa has given him this opportunity, can Canales get Young to play up to his hype? For what they traded to acquire him, perhaps if he ends up like Tua then everything will be fine. If he busts, then everyone will be wondering what might have been if they just drafted CJ Stroud.
Sunday Night Football
Rams @ Lions: A playoff rematch from last year, the Rams return to Detroit seeking revenge for the playoff loss to the Lions. Detroit is filled with Super Bowl aspirations this season as they found themselves in the NFC Championship Game last season. Like several quarterbacks, Jared Goff got paid and and with a crop of good young talent around him, look to build on last year's playoff run in the hopes that a Super Bowl appearance will be there. The Rams return to Detroit without Aaron Donald who retired this off-season, leaving some question marks on how their defense will perform this season. Their offense should be fine as long as father time doesn't decide to claim Matthew Stafford, but either way a hell of a Sunday Night opener and quite possible a playoff preview.
Monday Night Football
Jets @ 49ers: If last season proved anything, it proved that the Jets simply aren't allowed to have nice things. Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles four plays into last season ending the hopes and dreams of all Jets fans everywhere. Now Rodgers returns home to the Bay Area as the Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers, who happened to sign Leonard Floyd, the same Leonard Floyd who caused Rodgers to tear his Achilles last year. Once again there is hope in New York, a talented team ready to compete and seemingly one quarterback away, unless the Jets offensive line gets Rodgers hurt again. The 49ers' window to win a Super Bowl is closing, they may have gotten deals done with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams but they got one more year before paying Brock Purdy the quarterback premium. In what should be a defensive battle, I'm giving the slight edge to the 49ers here but this could go either way.
Opening Night
Ravens @ Chiefs: The NFL wasted no time getting to the AFC Championship Game rematch. The Chiefs start their quest for their third consecutive Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. KC was held to just 17 points in the AFC Championship Game, but Baltimore's offense and inability to establish a running game sealed their fate. Perhaps the arrival of a King, King Henry will mean Baltimore will stay committed to the running game. First time Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr is immediately tasked with stopping Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that added the fastest player at the NFL combine at it's disposal. It may be only week one, but this may be the game that determines where the AFC Championship Game is played this season.
Friday Night
Packers @ Eagles: The NFL heads to Brazil for the second game of the season as the Green Bay Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles. A season of highs and lows for both teams last year, both look to make a statement in what is a wide open conference. Philly has a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who is a familar face to the NFC East. With the addition of Saquon Barkley and a new look offense, the Eagles are flying high going into the season. Last year, the Packers became the first 7th seed to win a playoff game under this new playoff format and Jordan Love got that Quarterback premium contract in the offseason. They have a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley who spent four years as the Head Coach of Boston College, who is tasked to stop this new look Eagles offense.
Sunday 1PM Games
Steelers @ Falcons: Kirk Cousins signed as a Free Agent in Atlanta before getting blindsided by the Michael Penix selection in the Draft. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson as a free agent and we'll see what both teams are made of. From a defensive perspective, the Steelers will still be good, Atlanta added Matt Judon who comes over from New England, and Justin Simmons signed as a free agent. With the Steelers offensive line being a question, the new look Falcons defense should be able to take advantage of it. While the Steelers defense will be able to keep Kirk in check, the question remains about Russell Wilson and if he's the old Russell Wilson or the one that played horrible in Denver the past two seasons.
Titans @ Bears: The Bears fans would like to lose the blues in Chicago this season and it's quite possible Caleb Williams finally ends the QB Carousel. The Bears are giving Caleb every chance to succeed as they have added to their receiving room Keenan Allen and the draft selection of Rome Odunze. Chicago has a sneaky chance to be a playoff contender this year, especially if Caleb plays up to his potential. The Titans begin a new era with Brian Callahan as Head Coach who comes over from Cincinnati. They also added Dennard Wilson on the defensive side of the ball giving them a bit of AFC North flavor. The Titans are counting on the success Callahan had with Joe Burrow to turn Levis' career around, and are hoping the $318.2 Million spending spree in free agency will turn into wins on the field.
Patriots @ Bengals: The Bill Belichick era is officially over, and Jerod Mayo(seriously, the script writers couldn't put Mayo in Tennessee with a QB who likes mayonnaise) who played for the Patriots is now the successor to the evil empire. Kraft will give him time to make things right, but for this season it will be a dumpster fire in New England. Jacoby Brissett is starting but I imagine will give way to rookie Drake Maye at some point by October. Playing on the road in Cincinnati will be a rough first outing for the new look Patriots but as long as Burrow is healthy, the Bengals will be a threat.
Texans @ Colts: The Texans begin their quest to repeat as division champs on the road against an Indianapolis Colts team with a major question mark at quarterback. Much like the Bears, the Texans decided to give their young QB a veteran receiver in Stefon Diggs who comes over from Buffalo. Given that Nico Collins had over 1,000 yards last year, the addition of Diggs should make CJ Stroud one very happy quarterback. Also the addition of Joe Mixon in the running game will take some pressure off Stroud and give Houston a more balanced offense. As for the Colts, Anthony Richardson had his rookie season cut short due to an A/C joint sprain in his shoulder but had two prior injuries before that. Will Richardson's health be an issue for the Colts this season? If he gets hurt, Joe Flacco is once again thrust into a starting role.
Panthers @ Saints: Much like the Arizona Cardinals, the New Orleans Saints kinda just happen to be there. There is nothing that really excites you about them, another season of hoping Derek Carr is the savior when it seems he's just more so collecting a paycheck. Dennis Allen is just hoping the division is bad enough to take the division from Tampa Bay but also hoping Atlanta doesn't surpass them, which they might. Then there is Carolina who seemingly is taking advice from the Cleveland Browns and cycling through Head Coaches left and right, congrats David Tepper. Dave Canales is now tasked with the duty of seeing if Bryce Young is a Franchise Quarterback. The work Canales has done in Seattle with Geno Smith and Baker in Tampa has given him this opportunity, can Canales get Young to play up to his hype? For what they traded to acquire him, perhaps if he ends up like Tua then everything will be fine. If he busts, then everyone will be wondering what might have been if they just drafted CJ Stroud.
Sunday Night Football
Rams @ Lions: A playoff rematch from last year, the Rams return to Detroit seeking revenge for the playoff loss to the Lions. Detroit is filled with Super Bowl aspirations this season as they found themselves in the NFC Championship Game last season. Like several quarterbacks, Jared Goff got paid and and with a crop of good young talent around him, look to build on last year's playoff run in the hopes that a Super Bowl appearance will be there. The Rams return to Detroit without Aaron Donald who retired this off-season, leaving some question marks on how their defense will perform this season. Their offense should be fine as long as father time doesn't decide to claim Matthew Stafford, but either way a hell of a Sunday Night opener and quite possible a playoff preview.
Monday Night Football
Jets @ 49ers: If last season proved anything, it proved that the Jets simply aren't allowed to have nice things. Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles four plays into last season ending the hopes and dreams of all Jets fans everywhere. Now Rodgers returns home to the Bay Area as the Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers, who happened to sign Leonard Floyd, the same Leonard Floyd who caused Rodgers to tear his Achilles last year. Once again there is hope in New York, a talented team ready to compete and seemingly one quarterback away, unless the Jets offensive line gets Rodgers hurt again. The 49ers' window to win a Super Bowl is closing, they may have gotten deals done with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams but they got one more year before paying Brock Purdy the quarterback premium. In what should be a defensive battle, I'm giving the slight edge to the 49ers here but this could go either way.
