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The Roar

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Finally, the new NFL season is coming

Roar Pro
17th August, 2012
14

The NFL fills a satisfying niche for this Australian football fan. Just when the AFL and NRL regular seasons are winding down, along comes the NFL with a full schedule, beginning with the first match of round one on September 6 (our time).

And what a season it looks to be. I can’t remember a season when there were so many interesting sub-plots in the run in. Let’s look at few….

How will the Saints cope with the fallout from the ‘Bounty Scandal’ (the Head Coach was banned for a year and several defensive players are facing sanctions)?

Will Green Bay atone for last year’s disappointing end to the season?

Will Peyton Manning be able to re-capture his form in his comeback with new team Denver?

How will last year’s stand out first and second picks in the draft (quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III) fair in their first seasons?

Will the Ravens spiritual leader, Ray Lewis, continue to be the inspiration he has been for his team in his 18th season in the NFL?

Will Cam ‘man-child’ Newton, wonder athlete and first draft pick in last year’s draft, pick up where he left off after his first season with the Jags?

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Will Tom Brady and Bill Bellicick continue the Patriots’ domination of the AFC?

How will the Eagles ‘dream team’ defence fair in year two (after an ordinary season last year when they didn’t function well as a unit)?

What role will Tim Tebow play at the New York Jets?

How will our Australian boys go (Rocca, Graham and McBriar)?

On top of that, we’ll see the traditional rivalries like the Ravens and Steelers continue and the progression of talented young teams into genuine contenders (49ers and Falcons?).

And in Australia we’ve never had it so good television wise with One, Fox Sports and ESPN all providing coverage and a regular (at least weekly, even if it’s not on a regular day/time) review show on One. Not to mention NFL Game Pass – how good is that service for us?

The NFL fills the summer football gap nicely and finishes in early February – just before the Super Rugby kicks off.

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If you’re not already on board get on board. That way I’ll have more people to talk to about the games.

Anyone care to venture an opinion about who they think will play off in the Superbowl?

I’ll stick my neck out – Ravens v Eagles.

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