{"id":84021,"date":"2020-09-15T14:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T14:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandbox.web.rcn.net\/rcntv\/?p=84021"},"modified":"2023-04-13T15:12:46","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T15:12:46","slug":"let-nfl-begin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astound.com\/atvn\/let-nfl-begin\/","title":{"rendered":"Let the NFL Begin!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite not having any preseason games, all 32 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NFL<\/a> teams kicked off their official season this week.\u00a0 Obviously, it remains to be seen if they can get through the season without having to shut down.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NHL<\/a> hockey, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NBA<\/a> basketball, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MLB<\/a> baseball have done a pretty good job so far, but nothing compares to the lack of social distancing in the game of football.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should be aware that I am writing this Sunday morning before the games (I know the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chiefs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chiefs<\/a> won on Thursday, but I would have picked them to win anyway).\u00a0 So before the first weekend and Monday night games are played, here is how I see the divisions unfolding:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>AFC<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>East<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buffalobills.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buffalo<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 They finished second to New England last year with Brady.\u00a0 This is their year to shine.\u00a0 QB Josh Allen is the key.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patriots.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>New England<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 It could be a big mistake to pick against Belichick.\u00a0 There\u2019s no Brady, but there is Cam Newton.\u00a0 I\u2019m guessing he will not stay healthy for the entire season.\u00a0 If he does, you will continue to despise the Patriots.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamidolphins.com\/\">Miami<\/a><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 This team is a work in progress and progress should happen this year.\u00a0 Is Tua Tagovailoa (I hope I don\u2019t have to type this again) their next Dan Marino?\u00a0 He could be and the Dolphins might surprise.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorkjets.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jets<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They may as well plan a \u201cCelebration\u201d of their tenth anniversary of not making the playoffs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>North<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Baltimore<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 LaMar Jackson is the real deal.\u00a0 He was the NFL MVP and the Ravens are very strong on defense.\u00a0 The ingredients here could win them a Super Bowl.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.steelers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Pittsburgh <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They are always dangerous, but a bit old and injury prone.\u00a0 Everyone says Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, but, at 38, can he remain healthy in this league?\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandbrowns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Cleveland <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; No team causes me more grief for Gary\u2019s Guesses than the Browns.\u00a0 It got to the point where I just picked them to lose every week.\u00a0 That should not be the case this year.\u00a0 Baker Mayfield makes them better and they might be better than the Steelers (am I really writing this?)\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bengals.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Cincinnati <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 2-14 last year says a great deal about this team.\u00a0 They took LSU QB Joe Burrow as their top pick, but it should be a tough learning process for the rookie with this team.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>South<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Indianapolis<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Philip Rivers is no longer in San Diego and is reunited with head coach Frank Reich and two of the Colts\u2019 assistants.\u00a0 The sooner he gets comfortable with his teammates, the better this team can become.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennesseetitans.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tennessee<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 I\u2019ll be honest \u2013 I was going to pick the Texans here, but their Thursday night showing was not impressive at all.\u00a0 The Titans have an excellent ground game.\u00a0 They were 9-7 last year and found a steady QB in Ryan Tannehill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstontexans.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Houston<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 The Texans are better than what they showed on Thursday night.\u00a0 Deshaun Watson at QB makes them a contender, but the offense did not look good against the Chiefs, especially in protecting their QB.\u00a0 That has to improve.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jaguars.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jacksonville<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 This team was just not good offensively last year.\u00a0 QB Gardner Minishew made them better after replacing Nick Foles.\u00a0 Jay Gruden (OC) and Ben McAdoo (QB coach) have the experience to make them better.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>West<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chiefs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kansas City<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Based on Thursday night\u2019s performance, the Chiefs look better than last year if that\u2019s possible.\u00a0 Patrick Mahomes now can rely on a running game and the defensive line looks awesome.\u00a0 Andy Reid will be smiling again this year on his way to a second Super Bowl.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverbroncos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Denver<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Take your pick from here on in this division.\u00a0 Denver\u2019s defense is not strong.\u00a0 They could finish second or last.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chargers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">San Diego<\/a><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 QB Philip Rivers is gone and Tyrod Taylor is inserted.\u00a0 The receivers he has available to him are very talented.\u00a0 Combine that with a strong defense and they could certainly jump over Denver.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.raiders.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Las Vegas<\/a><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 If you are a betting person, what better team to put some money on?\u00a0 Jon Gruden moves his team to a new home and brings former Dallas great TE Jason Witten with him.\u00a0 This team looks like a last place finisher to me.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>NFC<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>East<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallascowboys.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 I know \u2013 it hurts me to write it, but I have felt the Cowboys only needed a coach that really motivates his guys and they have it in Mike McCarthy, formerly of the Packers.\u00a0 He will make them better defensively and that will make them good enough to win the division.\u00a0 I hope I\u2019m wrong.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallascowboys.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Philadelphia<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They won the East last year, but their offensive line is certainly suspect due to injuries.\u00a0 Carson Wentz needs time to pick out his receivers; if he has it, the Eagles might repeat as East champs.\u00a0 Also, the linebacker corps looks somewhat suspect.\u00a0 E-A-G-L-E-S! (Just practicing).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.giants.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Giants<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They have a new coach \u2013 Joe Judge.\u00a0 He is tough and coached with Bill Belichick and Nick Saban.\u00a0 I really want the Giants to do well because I want Saquon Barkley to have a great year.\u00a0 For that to happen, QB Daniel Jones must be better this year.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonfootball.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Washington<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Ron Rivera will make the team with no nickname better, but it takes time.\u00a0 They could improve this year and the record might not illustrate that.\u00a0 Rivera is now also fighting a cancer diagnosis and may not be at full strength during the season.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>North<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vikings.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minnesota<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vikings were not better than the Packers last year.\u00a0 I think they are better this year.\u00a0 QB Kirk Cousins is a veteran (9 years) with some outstanding receivers and the Vikings have a very strong defense. They will win the North.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.packers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Green Bay<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 13-3 last year is certainly a great NFL regular season and much of the credit always goes to Aaron Rodgers.\u00a0 He\u2019s back and, if he stays healthy, he is as good as any QB in the league.\u00a0 The Packers win close games.\u00a0 If that trend continues, they will win the division again.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagobears.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">C<strong>hicago<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; I like the Bears; they should have been in the NFC Championship game last year (remember the Cody Parker missed field goal?).\u00a0 Their defense should be better than last year and they were very good last year.\u00a0 Yet they don\u2019t seem to win the big games.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitlions.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Detroit<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 3-12-1 is bad.\u00a0 The Lions were bad last year.\u00a0 QB Matt Stafford\u2019s injury caused him to miss half a season and the Lions defense is just not good.\u00a0 The team needs to rally around HC Matt Patricia or he will be gone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>South<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neworleanssaints.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New Orleans<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Are the Saints ever bad?\u00a0 They were 13-3 last year and in the last three years, they have won more regular season NFL games than any other team.\u00a0 Former Eagle Malcolm Jenkins is now a Saint and one of the best safeties in the league on the field and in the locker room.\u00a0 He will motivate a team that is always ready to play.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buccaneers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They now have Tom Brady, right?\u00a0 Enough said.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlantafalcons.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Atlanta<\/a><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 This team is just not good defensively and that means losses in the NFL.\u00a0 They were 7-9 last year and I do not see improvement in their record.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.panthers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Carolina<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Talk about a one-man team \u2013 As Christian McCaffrey goes so goes the Panthers offense.\u00a0 He can do it all, but can he do enough to win games for this team which really struggles on the defensive side of the ball?\u00a0 No.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>West<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.49ers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">San Francisco<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 They won the NFC title last year (13-3) and had a 10-point lead on the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.\u00a0 Coach Kyle Shanahan proved he was up to the job and QB Jimmy Garoppolo followed in the footsteps of successful QBs under Shanahan.\u00a0 Garoppolo should be better in year two.\u00a0 And that makes the 49ers better.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seahawks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Seattle<\/strong><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Pete Carroll has eight\u00a0 consecutive winning seasons.\u00a0 Almost their entire team is back from an 11-5 season. Their defensive secondary is much improved and they still have QB Russell Wilson, a proven winner.\u00a0 Coach Carroll gets his ninth consecutive winning season.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.therams.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LA Rams<\/a><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 The Rams will play in a brand new stadium and, despite the absence of a big crowd, should have some extra incentive this season.\u00a0 Sean McVay appears to be a very good young coach.\u00a0 Their offensive line was decimated with injuries last year and they still finished 9-7.\u00a0 Give QB Jared Goff some blocking and the Rams could surprise.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcardinals.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arizona<\/a> <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 At 5-10-1 last year, the Cardinals struggled.\u00a0 They appear, however, to come into this season with a very potent offense with two excellent running backs, a stable of receivers, and Kyler Murray at QB.\u00a0 This team will cause defenses many problems; they hope their defense does the same.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isn\u2019t it ironic (a nicer word than a Philadelphia fan would use) that neither the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/phillies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phillies<\/a> nor the Eagles can hold a lead?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What was worse on Sunday watching an inept Eagles offensive line or the downhill performance of Carson Wentz?\u00a0 Might the two be related?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of irony, New England QB Cam Newton looked terrific while former New England QB Tom Brady looked average for Tampa Bay (two interceptions; one touchdown).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dustin Johnson won $15 million by winning the FedEx Cup last weekend.\u00a0 That money used to be deferred into a retirement fund, but now the winner gets $14 million with $1 million deferred.\u00a0 Rory McElroy and Tiger Woods are the only ones to win the Cup twice.\u00a0 When they won, the prize was $10 million.\u00a0 $9 million of Tiger\u2019s winnings were deferred each time.\u00a0 Just from that event, he has an $18 million retirement fund!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congrats to the Notre Dame HS and Northwestern HS football teams.\u00a0 They both won the first two football games of the 2020 season.<\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Gary\u2019s Guesses: NFL Picks \u2013 (LAST WEEK \u2013 11-5; OVERALL- 11-5 &#8211; 69%)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tennessee<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buffalo<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pittsburgh<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dallas<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indianapolis<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green Bay<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LA Rams<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa Bay<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arizona<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kansas City<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Orleans<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. Despite not having any preseason games, all 32 NFL teams kicked off their official season this week.\u00a0 Obviously, it remains to be seen if&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"Yoast SEO Relevanssi index exclude","inline_featured_image":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-behind-the-mic"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Let the NFL Begin! - ATVN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Let the NFL Begin! - ATVN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company. 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