AP (2); Invoice Kostroun
The brand new NFL season kicks off Thursday evening in Los Angeles, and my first prediction of the 12 months is that the groups taking part in the preliminary sport of 2022 additionally will meet within the ultimate one in February 2023.
Earlier than we get to Tremendous Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., nonetheless, right here’s a take a look at eight issues to anticipate over the following a number of months from a league that noticed a number of beginning quarterbacks, different stars and big-name announcers change groups in a whirlwind offseason, together with one who will probably be suspended till at the very least Week 12.
New York…New York
The Giants and the Jets — and their respective hopefuls at beginning quarterback, Daniel Jones and, ultimately, Zach Wilson — want to point out tangible enchancment this 12 months, however there received’t be sufficient of it to place an finish to what have been prolonged postseason droughts for each native franchises, together with twin 4-13 information in 2021.
Wilson already has been declared out till a possible return in Week 4 in opposition to the Steelers as a consequence of his preseason knee points, that means 37-year-old Joe Flacco will open the season Sunday in opposition to the Ravens, his main former staff. Regardless of offseason enhancements by way of free company and the draft, the Jets have to survive a largely daunting first-half schedule earlier than a Week 10 bye if second-year coach Robert Saleh’s staff seems to be to keep away from a twelfth straight season out of the playoffs.
Jones, who missed the ultimate month final season as a consequence of a neck damage, begins a pivotal season in his profession Sunday in opposition to the Titans, needing to persuade the newest Giants regime — GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll — that he could be a franchise quarterback deserving of a brand new contract after the group declined to select up his fifth-year possibility for 2023. A key to probably avoiding the tenth playoff whiff in 11 years since Tremendous Bowl XLVI may very well be enhancements within the move rush and move safety if top-10 draft picks — edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and proper deal with Evan Neal — could make immediate contributions.
Pete’s choose: Each playoff droughts proceed.
The Brady hunch
We’ve all realized by now by no means to depend out Tom Brady all through his exceptional profession, particularly after the seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion threw for a career-high 5,316 yards together with his second-most landing passes (43) throughout his second season with the Buccaneers. Regardless of abruptly ending his 40-day retirement in March, it definitely feels as if the pull of household and a pending profitable broadcasting profession will make this season the 45-year-old Brady’s farewell tour.
Pete’s choose: Brady’s ultimate season ends with out an eighth title.
Look who’s speaking
Kevin Burkhart’s exceptional ascension on the nationwide stage continues this season as the previous Mets sideline reporter takes over because the No. 1 play-by-play man on Fox, alongside Greg Olson, at the very least till Brady lastly retires and begins his $375 million broadcasting deal. Solely CBS will return the identical No. 1 sales space duo from final season, though Tony Romo (alongside Jim Nantz) must rediscover his most provocative type from his debut season as an analyst in 2018. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman leaping from Fox to “Monday Evening Soccer” on ESPN modifications nothing for me; I’ll nonetheless solely watch the standard broadcast on these Mondays when Eli and Peyton aren’t internet hosting their enjoyable and progressive “Manningcast” present.
Pete’s choose: Regardless of the information, The Put up’s Andrew Marchand will break it.
It’s elementary, Mr. Watson
Deshaun Watson ought to have acquired a sterner penalty than the 11 video games commissioner Roger Goodell in the end agreed to droop Watson over the sexual misconduct allegations levied in opposition to him by 25 feminine therapeutic massage therapists. The 26-year-old Watson, who sat out all of final season whereas underneath investigation, was assured an NFL-record $230 million following an offseason commerce from the Texans to the Browns. He's eligible to return (Dec. 4) for Week 13 in Houston, which clearly will current probably the most circus-like environment of the season.
Pete’s choose: Browns followers/fantasy homeowners will help Watson, so long as he wins/produces.
Ch-ch-ch-ch modifications
Along with Watson, the revolving door amongst beginning quarterbacks whipped round all through the offseason, with Russell Wilson (Broncos), Matt Ryan (Colts), Baker Mayfield (Panthers), Carson Wentz (Commanders), Marcus Mariota (Falcons) and Mitch Trubisky (Steelers) switching groups. Star receivers Davante Adams (Raiders), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins) and A.J. Brown (Eagles) and move rushers Von Miller (Payments), Khalil Mack (Chargers) and Chandler Jones (Raiders) even have relocated. Which participant do you consider may have the biggest speedy affect?
Pete’s choose: Wilson will lead Denver to the playoffs for the primary time since 2015.
Pay that man his cash
It’s comprehensible why the Giants want extra time to find out whether or not Jones is the franchise quarterback past this season, however are the Ravens actually going to let 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson enter his free-agent stroll 12 months and not using a new mega-contract? Jackson instructed reporters this week that he has set a Friday deadline to ink a contract extension, two days earlier than he and the Ravens will open the season in opposition to the Jets. Wilson, Watson, Aaron Rodgers, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr every signed this offseason for at the very least $40 million yearly. Amongst that group, solely Rodgers has been named league MVP.
Pete’s choose: No deal.
The brand new wave
Joe Burrow led the Bengals to the AFC title final season, and Justin Herbert is on the precipice of superstardom with the Chargers. Which extremely drafted quarterback will probably be subsequent to make that leap? Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, the highest two picks of the 2021 draft, endured up-and-down rookie campaigns whereas No. 3 choose Trey Lance hardly bought on the sphere in San Francisco. Tua Tagovailoa owns a 13-8 document as a starter with the Dolphins, who added Hill as a dynamic goal within the offseason. The Bears doubtless don’t have sufficient expertise this 12 months for second-year starter Justin Fields to make a major distinction.
Pete’s choose: Lawrence cuts down on the INTs (17 final season) and posts huge numbers for the Jaguars.
Tremendous Bowl preview, for openers?
The Rams’ quest to be the primary repeat Tremendous Bowl winners for the reason that Patriots within the 2003 and 2004 seasons begins Thursday evening in opposition to Josh Allen and the Payments, a rising staff extensively believed to be a prime contender within the AFC. Buffalo signed Miller, an eight-time Professional Bowl linebacker, away from the Rams, who additionally misplaced late-season contributor Odell Beckham Jr. to a knee damage. Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner and receiver Allen Robinson had been signed as replacements. With defensive stud Aaron Donald laying aside retirement and offensive stalwarts Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp additionally returning underneath coach Sean McVay, the Rams are among the many favorites once more — with the Packers and the Bucs — out of the NFC.
Pete’s choose: That is my Tremendous Bowl choose, with the Payments lastly profitable the primary championship in staff historical past.
As we speak’s again web page
The American dream
Tennis followers have waited for the following nice American male to emerge for practically twenty years, and Frances Tiafoe lastly has put all of it collectively over the previous 10 days at Flushing Meadows.
The 24-year-old from Maryland, whose dad and mom immigrated to america from Sierra Leone, grew to become the primary American males’s singles participant to achieve the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 with a straight-sets takedown Wednesday in opposition to Andrey Rublev — one spherical after he eradicated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
Andy Roddick, who was in attendance Wednesday, was the final American man to achieve the semis; he is also the final one to seize any Grand Slam title, profitable right here in 2003.
“That is wild, loopy, the most important win of my life 24 hours in the past and coming again with this,” stated Tiafoe, who will face Carlos Alcaraz in Friday’s semifinals. “This court docket is unbelievable. I really feel at dwelling. Let’s take pleasure in this one, however we bought two extra.”
Sweep goals (are manufactured from this)
The Mets relinquishing sole possession of first place within the NL East lasted someday. They'll carry a half-game lead over the Braves via Thursday’s off-day for each groups and right into a weekend highway sequence starting Friday in opposition to the Marlins after a doubleheader sweep Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
The Mets had dropped three of their earlier 4 video games in opposition to the eradicated Nationals and Pirates, earlier than Chris Bassitt and Jacob deGrom mixed to work 14 innings in 5-1 and 10-0 victories at PNC Park.
The Yankees matched the Mets’ sweep, profitable the nightcap in opposition to the Twins following a walk-off win in 12 innings within the opener. They nonetheless lead second-place Tampa Bay by 5 video games coming into Thursday’s sequence finale in opposition to Minnesota earlier than the Rays come to city for a pivotal three-game set starting Friday evening.
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