Sports

[gardenman]

I know, I know, I said I'd start the thread on Sunday and here it is Friday and I'm starting it early. What can I say? I got done quicker than expected this morning, so I'm doing it now.

Our first game this week, and this year for that matter, finds the  Lions roaring off to KC to take on the Chiefs. Eh, I like the Lions a lot this year, but the Chiefs in KC aren't easy to beat. The Lions have the slight problem of nearly all of their planned starting wide receivers being suspended for gambling. So, yeah. I'll take KC, but the Lions could put up a bit of a fight. 

Sunday starts off with the Panthers at the Falcons. Not exactly a showdown of currently great QBs with second-year guy Desmond Ridder taking on rookie Bryce Young. Both could end up being great and this could be a preview of what will eventually be a great QB matchup, but for now...not so much. I guess I'll take the Falcons since they're at home.

Houston heads to Baltimore to lose their first game of the year. Losing games this year will be a common experience for the Texans. They don't even get the benefit of having a high draft pick in exchange for losing as they traded that to the Cards. I'll take Baltimore in a romp. (Baltimore was my pick this week in the knockout challenge which could be a bad omen for them.)

The Bengals go to Cleveland. This could be a decent game. We'll get our first clue as to which DeShaun Watson shows up. Last year's version of Watson wasn't very good. He also wasn't very good in the last season he started in Houston. Can he revert to the form he had in his younger days? We know Joe Burrow will be good. I'll take the Bengals on the road.

The Jags head to Indy. Jacksonville has built a very good team. The Colts, well, not so much. Yeah. I'm not optimistic about this being a very good game. I'll take the Jags. The Colts need a few more years and some good luck. 

The Buccaneers blow into Minnesota to take on that other seafaring tribe, the Vikings. The Bucs have...well, someone, at QB, probably, while the Vikings have the white version of Dak Prescott in Kirk Cousins. (Oddly, Cousins has better overall stats than Dak. Go figure.) The Bucs look to be something of a trainwreck this year. I'll take the Vikings.

The Titans head to New Orleans to party on Bourbon Street. I'm guessing Ryan "we don't want him but the kids we keep drafting aren't good enough to beat him out" Tannehill will get the start. I'm not a huge fan of either team. I think the Saints will end up with a good record, largely because they play an absurdly easy schedule. I might as well give them the win in week one. I'll take the Saints.

The San Francisco Forty-Whiners head to Pittsburgh to be reminded that football is a physical sport. If things hold true to form, they'll decide not to block TJ Watt and find themselves missing a handful of QBs after he destroys them. "Oh, if only the NFL would let us dress nine QBs we'd have won!" Somehow the Niners keep forgetting to pay their own star pass rusher Nick Bosa, so he's not been in camp. Part of the reason to move on from Jimmy G was so they'd have money to pay Bosa. They've moved on from Jimmy G and still haven't paid Bosa. The Steelers are just a really good young team that should keep getting better. I'll take the Steelers in this one.

The Cardinals flutter into wherever it is the team that's currently calling themselves the Commanders play. Let's see, the Cards hired an inexperienced head coach who was nearly run out of Philly by a mob of fans. They've replaced every experienced QB on their roster with a late-round rookie and a guy they just traded for who doesn't even know the names of his teammates yet. Not a good year to be a Cardinals fan. This should be an easy win for the Commanders or whatever name they call themselves this week. I'll take the Commanders.

Green Bay heads to Chicago in a battle of the "Are they any good?" QBs. Both kid QBs (I'm not sure Jordan Love counts as a kid having been in the league as long as he has, but he has limited experience) will be determined to show their fans and coaches that they've got what it takes to win. It should be a pretty good game. If you're playing in Chicago, getting an early-season game is good. Later in the season, the field there resembles a hybrid between a minefield and a parking lot. Chicago's not the easiest place to grow grass in November and December. I guess I'll take the Bears in this one.

The Raiders go to Denver. For reasons unknown to mankind, the Raiders kept Josh McDaniels as head coach and tossed aside Derek Carr.  They replaced Carr with Jimmy "I'm hurt!" Garoppolo. That's kind of a lateral move in terms of talent, and a downgrade in terms of durability. The Broncos, well they decided to see if Sean Payton's patience will survive in a mile-high altitude. The good news is the two teams are evenly matched and will be competing for the same spot in the standings. The bad news is that spot is last place. Neither one is close to KC in terms of talent, and both are a bit behind the Chargers. This game falls into the "someone has to win" category, so I guess I'll take the Broncos since they're playing at home.

And speaking of the Chargers, Miami rides the tailwinds of Hurricane Idalia out to wherever it is the Chargers play these days. (San Diego? San Luis Obispo? Los Angeles? It's one of those.) This could be the best game of the week. It'll be something of a home game for Miami as the Chargers fan base is still lost somewhere on California's interstates as they try to figure out where the team went. Most "home" games for the Chargers have more opposing fans than their own. This should be a really good game. I'll give a slight edge to the Dolphins in this one.

The Eagles head up to New England to say hi to Bill Belichick and remind him of Super Bowl LII. I don't think he'll be happy to see us. This Eagles offense is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. And the Eagles kind of borrowed Belichick's right-hand man Matt Patricia for their defensive staff and he knows all of Belichick's calls and signals. There are question marks about the Eagles' defense, but the offense should carry the team for a bit. I've got the Eagles winning this one fairly easily. I'll take the Eagles.

The Rams (also known as that other LA team) take on the Seahawks. Cooper Kupp dinged his hamstring and Cooper Kupp is the Rams' offense. If he's not healthy, the Rams will flop. I'm still not sure which Geno Smith is the real Geno Smith. We'll find out this year. I'm going against the grain and taking the Rams for the win.

The Cowboys head to NJ to take on the Giants. This should be a fun game. The Giants are getting better. They still need to fix their o-line and Micah Parsons is likely drooling over facing Evan Neal again. That's a matchup that favors the Cowboys all day. All night too. The Giants' o-line is just going to get killed in this game if they try to pass the ball much. I'll take the Cowboys.

And finally, the Bills take on the Aaron Rodgers' or the Jets as they prefer to be called. Both QBs will have a ton of pressure on them in this game. The Jets have pushed all of their chips into the center of the table and are saying, "We're here to win it all!" Can they? Eh, maybe. I think the Bills are still the better team. I'll take Buffalo, but it should be a pretty entertaining game.

[Meowingkitty]

I'm an Arizona Cardinal and I don't even know the coaches name let alone the QB. We've already figured if we win 2 games we'll be doing good. 

[teganslaw]

The Jaguars-Colts should be a good game. Trevor Lawrence vs Anthony Richardson. The Colts will have many of their starters back. Calvin Ridley has been hyped up, so it will be interesting to see what effect he has for the Jags. 

My upset this week is Cleveland beating Cincinnati. Joe Burrow is likely to start, but could run into trouble with Cleveland's defense. The Bengals' O-line has shown some weaknesses. 

[Big Joanie]

I can't wait ... A Brady free season !!!!

[gardenman]

The Eagles added an extra offensive lineman to the practice squad in Tyre Phillips, the former Giant. This feels like a Jeff Stoutland (Eagles o-line coach) kind of guy. He's young, 26 years old, big (6'-5" and 330 lbs) and he's played well when called upon. He's a former third-round pick so teams valued him coming out of the draft in 2020. He missed the preseason with a quad injury that's reportedly healed up now.

Coach Stout will work on his flaws and rebuild him into a prototype NFL guard. (He was a backup tackle for the Giants but is a better fit as a guard.)  By midseason, he should be good to go if needed. Guys with his size and power don't come along every day. The Eagles will likely cross-train him as a guard and tackle but focus on guard initially.

It's a little surprising that he slipped through the cracks to the Eagles with lots of teams still needing o-line help. Missing the preseason with the bad quad is likely the reason he avoided being claimed. Once free, he headed to Philly and signed here. We'll see how he does and go from there, but he has starter potential down the road. 

[Spurt]

@gardenman @teganslaw @PARedbird  @Meowingkitty @sunshine45 @Big Joanie  and all NFL fans:

GARDENMANN, thanks for all the work you did to start the thread and  kick off the Regular NFL Season: I'M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!

Its hard to pick the first few weeks of the NFL season until we see how any changes that were made to each team impact their play!

LIONS vs CHIEFS--- I like the Lions to win the NFC Central, but the Chiefs are at home so I'm going with them for this game---CHIEFS! BTW Lions are wanting to extend QB Goff's contract, I wonder if there will be a requirement he keeps the same "hot" girlfriend 

PANTHERS vs FALCONS---Two young QBs, I'm going with Ridder and the Falcons, Desmond has a little more experience.  FALCONS

TEXANS vs RAVENS---Inexperienced players and new coach spell easy win for the RAVENS

BENGALS vs BROWNS---After his suspenion last yr, DeShaun Watson gets a full season under his belt.  Joe Cool is ready to play after recovering from an injury this summer.  I'm going with JOE and the BENGALS!

JAGUARS vs COLTS---Jim Irsay is doing his best imitation of the owner he helped oust, Dan Snyder in making the situation with RB Jonathan Taylor his personal challenge!!!  Promising rookie Anthony Richardson starts as QB. As for the Jags they have been improving and many think this is the year they will make some noise in the AFC, led by QB Trevor Lawrence.  Gotta go with the more experenced JAGUARS!!!

BUCS vs VIKINGS---Baker Mayfield tries to pick up the pieces of his NFL career starting with yet another new team.  Meanwhile Capt Kirk once again takes charge of a Viking team that always falls a little bit short.  As much as I like Baker, I will go with my old Redskin QB Cousins and the VIKINGS!

TITANS vs SAINTS--I dont know what the Titans are doing, first they tried to trade away the center piece of their offense, RB Derrick Henry, then after drafting a young QB last yr, now they drafted another one this yr, but still they are saying Tannehill is the starter!  Meanwhile the Saints made changes and signed Derek Carr as their QB, I'm going with Carr and THE SAINTS for the win!

49ERS vs STEELERS---The 49ers having just fleeced the Cowboys into taking Trey Lance, it looks like Purdy is ready to start after his injury last season. For the Steelers QB Pickett looks good and he's starting his 2nd yr. And TJ Watt leads the defense, this is always a well coached team under Tomlin.  Many think the 49ers will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but I have a feeling in this game the Steelers will prevail at home--STEELERS!

CARDINALS vs WASHINGTON---The Cardinals look like they are tanking for that #1 draft pick, with Kyle Murray out one of their young QBs will start against a Washington defense that looks to be one of the top in the league.  Even if Terry McLaurin and Chase Young sit this game out, it should be a WIN for Washington, especially with their first reported SELL OUT/PUMPED UP CROWD of actual Washington fans that will be on hand for this game, and first game under the Harris Group ownership---WASHINGTON--HTTR! HTTC!

PACKERS vs BEARS--Most everyone is saying this will be a banner yr for the Bears.  But I'm a bit concerned since last yr they were ranked LAST in passing offense!!! QB Jordan Love takes the helm for the Pack, while their former QB adapts to life in NYC!  BTW did you know Packers HC Matt LaFleurr was voted MOST HANDSOME COACH for 2023   I'm taking the PACKERS, I don't quite believe in the Bears quick turnaround this season!

RAIDERS vs BRONCOS---Yes ladies, easy on the eyes Jimmy G is the Raiders new QB. Meanwhile Broncos new coach, Sean Payton, is trying to light a fire on the offense and a disappointing QB, Russell Wilson. And 8 Broncos have been placed on IR, the deepest blow was WR Tim Patrick out for the season.  I'm not fan of Raider's coach, Josh McDaniels, but I'm going with him and Jimmy G.---RAIDERS for the "W"

DOLPHINS vs CHARGERS---Having had to weather a hurricane (pardon the pun), Miami players try to put that behind them and head to Calif to play a game where they had their own weather conditions to deal with---hurricane plus an Earthquake ....QB Tua had to deal with uncomplimentary comments about his physique,Tua has also dealt with numerous concussions in his career but the Dolphins have improved and have gotten noticed and could be an up and coming team this season.  They battle one of the top NFLQBs in Herbert and a good Charger team (although as @gardenman mentioned, the Chargers dont get much support from hometown fans.) BUT I'm going with the CHARGERS anyway----- hurricane Idalia could still be on the minds of some of the Dolphin players and a distraction from their game planning!

EAGLES vs PATRIOTS----The Eagles are a well organized and well run team, an NFC Contender for the Super Bowl by the media "experts".......a very talented offense led by Jalen Hurts!!!  Meanwhile there are question marks galore on the Patriots roster including starting QB Mac Jones---has Belichick's "magic" worn off????  Some are wondering if he will retire after this season...I'm taking THE EAGLES who will certainly FLY to victory in this one!  

RAMS vs SEAHAWKS---Geno Smith was a big surprise for the Seahawks who performed much better than his QB predecessor, Russell Wilson.  The Rams are a mess,Kuppp, a key to their offense, is dealing with a hamstring issue.  People seem to underestimate Seahawk's Coach, Pete Carroll.......I'm going with the SEAWHAWKS, their 12th man, and former UTSA Roadrunner Tariq Woolen!!  P.S. I dont understand Pete Carroll's low ranking in the handsomest coaches....he's a nice looking man!!!

COWBOYS vs GIANTS---ATTENTION--NFC EAST RIVAL GAME WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!  The Cowboys hope that with Coach McCarthy calling the plays QB Dak will improve his performance and he will throw less interceptions!!!!  Thankfully for the Cowboys they got a deal done with valued Olineman, Zack Martin! Zeke is gone and running duties fall to Pollard!!!  And the most valued player of the Cowboy's franchise, Micah Parsons is impatiently waiting for Jerry Jones to give him a HUGE PAY DAY!!!  On the other side, Giants QB Daniel Dimes got his payday, much to the consternation of RB    Barkley who got much less than he imagined----did this divide the locker room????...only time will tell.  The Giants continually ignore the need to improve their oline and this could present a real problem for Danny Dimes because he hasn't learned to fold up into a fetal position like Eli Manning did! Cowboy owner Jerry Jones is dreaming of a Super Bowl, but I think his dreams will turn into a nightmare and another disappointing season, BUT for this game I think the COWBOYS will unfortunately prevail and give Jerry and fans an illusion of false hope...And my sis will be in a bad mood all week!

BILLS vs JETS---And the last game looks to be the best and most entertaining......It's the Bill's QB Josh Allen and company along with "the mafia" versus the Swifty fan, Aaron Rodgers......While Rodgers adjusts to his new team---the J*E*T*S- JETS, JETS JETS,  Josh has been pretty successful in his role and keeps that offense moving!!!  I'm taking THE BILLS!!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

[Spurt]

O/T----WOW!!! What a game Colorado vs TCU---with Deon Sanders as coach of the Colorado Buffaloes!!!!.....A back and forth battle, and Deon gets his first win 45 to 42 on the road to a team that played in the championship game! His son played very well too!

[gardenman]

Yeah, it was a good game. Colorado believed they could win and that's often half the battle. Not a lot of defense by either team, but an entertaining game.

[Spurt]

@teganslaw 

This is an interesting article about Jim Irsay taking Snyder's place as the WORST owner of the NFL!

USA TODAY By Alec Horn  September 2, 2023 11:15 am ET

Daniel Snyder is no longer an NFL owner, someone had to step up and be the worst owner in the NFL. Jim Irsay has taken the early lead for the new worst owner in the league. The Jonathan Taylor situation could have gone much more under-the-radar if Irsay did not talk about it the way he has or tweeted about it.

“If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us” Irsay said. “The league goes on, we know that.” Saying no one is going to miss one of your team’s best players is not a good look when trying to negotiate a contract.

The contract negotiations went poorly, and Irsay felt the need to publicly tweet about it. Teams typically like to keep things in house, considering it is business, but Irsay does not. Taylor’s agent responded, and they have had their back and forth on Twitter/X.

Paying running backs typically does not work out in the NFL, and the Indianapolis Colts are fine for not willing to pay Taylor a ridiculous value, but their way of operating about it has been poor. Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been the one handling negotiations, but Irsay is the one bringing the negative attention to it. 

This could have repercussions for future free agents they wish to negotiate with and players they want to re-sign. Why would a player want to deal with an owner like Irsay who makes the business side of football public? 

[teganslaw]

SPURT, I'm not a big fan of Jim Irsay, although he has supporters among Colts fans. He talks and tweets (is it still called tweeting or is it Xing?) too much when it's best to say nothing and stay under the radar. I think Irsay should step down and let someone else handle media things. 

It was bad judgment for Irsay to speak about Taylor's contract, but that has never stopped him before. I can't defend Irsay, but I don't think he's comparable to Dan Snyder. That guy is in a league of his own.