The NFL season has officially kicked off, with an injury filled Wednesday night, followed by a shocking Thursday night blow out in Australia. Sunday will bring back our traditional 1p EST kickoffs, and I cannot wait for the 7 hours of “Redzone” football.
Each year is full of surprises, and just when you think you’ve watched enough football or read enough articles to think you have a grasp on what’s going on, you realize the reality: no one has any idea. Even the best football minds struggle to see the breakouts (how many people said the Seahawks would win the Super Bowl? Or even come out of the NFC?)
Below are some of my most confident thoughts about this upcoming NFL season.
The Jets Have a Winning Season
I originally felt emboldened to declare a NYJ playoff berth, but I have since backed away a bit. Baby steps, and a winning, 9-8 season will be such a large leap in the right direction, that I would say this is bold enough.
Geno returns, with a new look offense. The defense added some pieces that were able to have some turnovers in the preseason (I understand it’s the preseason but at least they showed they know how to intercept the ball). Aaron Glenn, like many who came before him needs to figure it out or his seat will get hotter than a MetLife Stadium August day.
The Buffalo Bills Make the Super Bowl, and Lose
There I go again with my lowering of expectations. My gut said Bills could win the whole thing, but for a team that has knocked on the door of going to the dance, making it would certainly appease a fan base that must feel cursed. Losing 4 consecutive Super Bowls is actually the most shocking sports fact that I know of. I cannot imagine seeing your team at the top of the sport for 4 straight years just to have that level of heartbreak.
I think Josh Allen making it would be a needed breath into the lungs of northwestern New Yorkers, and I do believe before it’s all said and done that he may have one under his belt. Just not this year. The NFC has some bright teams that can definitely match up with them, so if they can actually get there, the Bills will be met with a challenge.
Tyler Shough throws for 35 TD and 4000 yards
I was a Shough fan in Louisville and honestly I’ve enjoyed watching him so far to start his NFL career. In 10 of the 17 games he started last season, he threw for 2300 and 10 TDs, including 250+ yards in each of last 4 games. Now, he will have a lot of work to do in the touchdown department, as he was well off pace of 35, or even 30.
The Saints did draft him a star WR in Jordyn Tyson for ASU, but he will be out for several weeks. When he does come back, it could be the start of a real strong stretch, having Olave and Tyson on opposite sides to throw to. They did add Travis Etienne from Jacksonville, so he may cut into the passing attempts and goal line TDs.
More to come on this highly anticipated NFL season.
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