The NFL is finally back. After a long summer filled with story lines not related to the actual game (Aaron Hernandez real life version of Breaking Bad, the concussion settlement etc) it's time to get back to enjoying the USA's most popular sport. Let's look at some of the major questions to ponder before kickoff
1) Will a running Quarterback finally win a Super Bowl?
In the last Super Bowl Colin Kaepernick came very close, and the 49ers on paper still look like the best team in the league. Russell Wilson's Seahwaks had a great off season (although they will be without WR Percy Harvin for awhile) and many are prediciting they will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Robert Griffin is back healthy but as great as he is the Redskins will have a tough time even reaching the playoffs. While the Eagles have an exciting new coach in Chip Kelly, their defense is weak and the loss of Maclin for the year pretty much ensure Mike Vick will be watching the playoffs on TV. Odds are however that either Kaepernick or Wilson will likely be playing in the Super Bowl with a good chance of being first running QB to raise the Lombardi throphy.
2) Will the New England Patriots contend for the title?
While Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have appeared in a record 5 Super Bowls together they haven't won the title since 2004 (which seems hard to believe). The Patriots lost 6 of the 8 players with the most reception last year so Tom Brady will have his work cut out for him. Danny Amendola, who was brought in to replace Wes Walker, should change his name to "If he stays healthy"- he has all the tools to replace Wes Welker (which he already did at Texas Tech) but his track record is the more you throw to him the more likely he is to miss games. Gronkowsky has returned to practice this week, but it's easier to guess how Breaking Bad will end then to know how much he will contribute. On the bright side the Pats have a great offensive line, a strong running game (Ridley and Vereen are great fantasy football picks), a pretty good defense and play in arguably the weakest division in the NFL. Assuming Brady stays healthy they are guaranteed 11 wins and a first round bye, but I suspect they will once again be eliminated before the AFC Championship game. Brady isn't getting any younger, it's very perplexing they are not trying to surround him with more talent.
3) Will the Ravens survive the roster overhaul?
In a way the best year to rebuild is right after you win the Super Bowl, the fans are way more forgiving and it's better to pay players for what they will give you in the future as opposed to past performances. The Ravens lost Ray Lewis, Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard on defense and their best WR in Boldin but also made some shrwed signings in pass rusher Dumervil, Chris Canty and Marcus Spear. The most important move of the summer was resigning QB Joe Flacco to a long term deal, and considering the Ravens still have a great RB in Ray Rice and kept head coach Harbaugh odds are they will be in the playoffs and we know anything can happen then.
4) Will the Manning brothers face each other in the Super Bowl?
The Giants are coming off a very dissapointing season since they missed the playoffs, if that wasn't enough motivation they have a chance to be the first team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The Giants still have Eli Manning, a QB that gives you a chance to win any game- even a tough road game in the playoffs. They still have a great head coach in Tom Coughlin and have a strong pass rush (Tuck is in a contract year so he will be motivated, Kiwanuka is moving to his natural defensive end spot and they signed DT Jenkins). The Broncos made one of the best moves of the off season with Wes Welker who was signed to a very reasonable two year deal, he joins Thomas and Decker to form the best WR group in the league- now that Peyton Manning proved he is healthy the Broncos should have a devastating offense. If the defense can be just above adequate (Rodgers-Cromartie was a nice signing at CB) they should be the best team in the AFC.
5) Who will be the most improved teams this season?
Every year it seems a team comes out of the blue and makes the playoffs. This year the Kansas City Chiefs appear vastly improved, going from Romeo Crennel to Andy Reid should guarantee a few more wins in it of itself, and they also improved at QB by signing Alex Smith. They have a great RB in Charles and their defense is solid (I liked the signing of former Jet defensive lineman De Vito). In the NFC, the Saints should be vastly improved. Having head coach Sean Payton (who has a Walt White/Jesse like relationship with QB Brees) back will be a huge boost, and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (borther of Jets head coach Rex) should help improve a lethargic defense.