The NFL season kicked off Thursday night (Sept. 8) on NBC with a Super Bowl rematch, featuring the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. The Broncos reigned supreme defeating Cam and the Panthers in comeback fashion. That was the appetizer. Now, we look forward to posting up on an NFL Sunday and taking in all the action along with some beers and wings over the course of the day.
When the NFL isn’t in season it seems like something is missing. Now, the world is back to normal. Here’s a preview of the upcoming season’s contenders and a prediction on who will be meeting in Super Bowl LI down in Houston.
The NFL is officially back. pic.twitter.com/q8hxfKQgJH
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) September 9, 2016
AFC
The Favorites
New England Patriots: Death, taxes and the Patriots winning the AFC East. They have won 12 out of the last 13 division titles and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon. With Brady suspended the first four games, we will see how deep the rest of the team really is. At the end of the day though, with Tom Brady and Coach Belichick at the helm, you can pencil them in for double digit wins and always a threat to make the Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers: If LeVeon Bell can stay off the weed and on the field, this team is going to be very dangerous. We already know about the Big Ben t0 Antonio Brown connection, but with Bell on the field he brings a totally different dynamic. The defense will need to be better especially at the back end, which they tried to address this past off-season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Finishing 2015 on a 10 game winning streak, the Chiefs look to continue their success into 2016. Getting Jamaal Charles back should give the offense a boost. With the AFC West wide open, look for Kansas City to assert themselves as the creme of the crop in the division.
Indianapolis Colts: It’s a quarterback driven league and the Colts have one of the league’s finest in Andrew Luck. Now if only the offensive-line can step up and keep his jersey clean, they should have a solid season and be back on top in the South for the fourth time in five years.
NFC
The Favorites
Green Bay Packers: Setting up for a great rebound year at Lambeau Field. Getting Jordy Nelson back in the mix along with a slimmer Eddie Lacy means big things for Aaron Rodgers and the Packer offense. My favorite to win it all this season.
Arizona Cardinals: Zona’ was a powerhouse last season, don’t expect much to change this year. The high powered offense with an attacking defense will make them the class of the NFC once again. Can Carson Palmer get it done in the big game? That is the question.
Seattle Seahawks: Seattle will be in the thick of it as usual. They’re a dominant home team that knows how to get it done in the big games. I won’t be the one to doubt them even with the losses they suffered like Beast Mode. Russell was running for his life last year so the o-line needs to step up and the offense should soar.
Carolina Panthers: Keep Pounding. The Panthers answered the bell every time people doubted them, and they delivered. I don’t think they’ll be as good as they were last year, but being in a weak division along with getting Kelvin Benjamin back, Carolina should have a shot to make some noise.
*Super Bowl LI Prediction*
Green Bay Packers over Pittsburgh Steelers
Enjoy the season everyone!