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?
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.
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.
chris
Guest
Wish it was more free flowing and less Sci Fi also don't understand why AFL fan's who don't like Rugby''s but like NFL yet Rugby League is the nearest to NFL ?.
falcore
Guest
Love the steelers too. Have to say that the signs aren't looking all that rosy so far. Their defence, like the Ravens, contains a lot of older bodies now. Harrison picked up ain injury in their recent practise match, story said maybe out till round 6? (was just a prelim report though). In other news, the Giants apparently embarassed the Jets in their trial match. with Big Blue ends running straight over the Jets left tackle all game.
J.E.T.S.
Guest
Let's not forget we may have another Aussie there this year in Tight End Hayden Smith #82 at the Jets. College Basketballer who played professional rugby in Europe and is now having a go at American Football. Sure, he may not even make it to the training squad but you never know.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Their defence keeps them in games. Suggs, Lewis, Ngata, Reed. All of them contribute more to the Ravens than Flacco. Flacco is too mediocre. He doesn't play bad games but he doesn't play good ones either. It's why Alex Smith couldn't take the 49ers further last season. Flacco's game against New England in the playoffs was the best he's ever played and it still wasn't enough (I know, Cundiff deserves the blame). He's a game manager, not an offensive weapon.
Senoroctober
Guest
As a Bears fan I am really looking forward to this season. The NFC North as an attacking and attractive division! (who'd of thunk it?) Chicago, Green Bay, and Detroit will make this a very tough division to come of (sorry Viking fans). Will stick my neck on the line and say Chicago and Baltimore in the Super Bowl. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Eric George
Roar Rookie
Flacco gets canned for a reason: he is simply average. Using football outsiders' DYAR measure (imo the best metric for QB performance), he is yet to make the top 10 QB's in the league. Joe has a decent deep ball, but I thin he's just been unable to consistently read defenses and put the ball where it needs to be. If he didn't have arguably the best halfback in the league behind him, he'd get found out a lot more often. Yes, he may have done enough in that conference game (against a particularly weak defense, as you've mentioned), but he is a long way off being a legit QB.
Jimbo
Guest
Agreed Steve, also you should have mentioned Lee Evans' drop in the end zone which would have won it for them. Felt sorry for Flacco considering the 'Flac' (sorry) he's copped for not being able to win playoffs; he did enough to win that game. I think the Giants would have found the Ravens d a different beast to the pathetic Patriots unit last year. And Tim, if you don't like NFL, I am curious as to why you would read, much less comment upon an article about it? No one is forcing it down your throat. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Steve
Guest
I'd love to see the Ravens in the Superbowl; they're still not given the credence they deserve, and they were unlucky last year. (Charlie Brown could have made that kick!) That said, with the Steelers in better shape this year, I think the Ravens may have missed their window of opportunity.
Worlds biggest
Guest
Go Niners, let's go one better and make it to the Big Dance !
simonjzw
Roar Pro
You've got to love the Steelers defensive intensity. And Big Ben is as good as anyone at pulling out clutch plays in match winning situations. Ravens looked like they finally removed the Steeler monkey from there backs last season though! Good call on Flynn. . . I'll keep an eye on him
simonjzw
Roar Pro
Oops! Of course he does. . . and the Jags aren't the only team who wish they had him! Magnificent athlete that he is I give both the Packers and Texans a big chance to. It's such a wide open comp this year there are 4 to 6 teams in each conference that wouldn't surprise
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Roethlesburgers shoulder could be a big issue, he will want to play after an ampoutation, he is so tough, but he has a slight tear to his rotator cuff to contend with. I am hoping the Steelers can go far this season, an injury last season to Big Ben cost them dearly. IF it were possible to have an injury free season for all QuarterBacks then I think the Texans will be a force to be reckoned with and the Steelers and Packers will be up there too. An interesting team to look for as a dark horse is the Seattle Seahawks, they now have a decent QB, he was the back up in green Bay and only got one start last year and what a start it was! On January 1, 2012, after the Packers had already clinched the #1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs and rested most of their starters, Matt Flynn started the final game of the season against the Detroit Lions. He threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns in the 45-41 victory, both of which set all-time Green Bay Packers records.
BigAl
Guest
Not everyone's cup of tea, but what gets me in is the blow-torch intensity and scrutiny applied to every single aspect of the game. Unabashedly, winning is everything and there is no room for sentiment ( hello Peyton Manning and player welfare) !
Adam Vaughan
Roar Pro
Cam Newton plays for the Panthers big fella. The Jags wish they had him... Should be a Packers V Texans super bowl going on the team lists, but I hope my Chicago Bears find a way!