The NFL is back.
It’s been an unprecedented offseason, ensuring the world’s leading professional American football league remained relevant during its annual break. The NFL does well to make it feel like a year-round sport, with events like the draft, free agency and training camps placed under the unending gaze of a rampant media desperate for any nuggets of drama.
This offseason saw Tom Brady - the greatest player in the sport’s history - retire amid much fanfare only to un-retire a month later, as well as a number of blockbuster trades and signings as Tyreek Hill swapped Kansas City for Miami while Davante Adams will link up with former college quarterback Derek Carr in Las Vegas. Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson was perhaps involved in the biggest move, as he finally left Seattle to join the Denver Broncos in a fascinating twist.
However, nothing compares to the on-field product - and it begins today. Here are five things you must look out for in the opening week as the NFL finally touches down in 2022 and kicks off one of the most hotly-anticipated seasons in recent memory:
An early Super Bowl preview in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles Rams and prodigious head coach Sean McVay got their hands on the Lombardi Trophy back save months ago as Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford inspired them to victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. The 2021 champions do not get an easy start as they kick off their title defence, as they face the team favoured to win it all in 2022.
Buffalo have been widely considered the favourites to win it all since they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most exciting matches in postseason history. Josh Allen and the Bills may have fallen to the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes once more, but the electric quarterback showed off his remarkable arm power as he simply went over the Chiefs secondary to the delight of receiver Gabriel Davis.
It will be interesting to see how Von Miller fares as he chose to sign with the Bills after collecting his second championship ring as a member of the Rams, and his addition certainly adds to an already stellar defensive unit. This is a fascinating clash to watch given both teams possess superstars either side of the ball - and it is a popular choice for the lineup in Super Bowl LVII in Arizona next February.
The new-look Miami Dolphins hoping to revive a celebrated past
The Miami Dolphins are simply one of those iconic NFL franchises. They have a particularly large following in the UK too given the rise of Dan Marino ultimately coincided with the sport’s explosion of popularity on these shores in the 1980s.
This is an organisation who experienced tremendous success in the 1970s, accomplishing a perfect regular season along with triumphing in Super Bowl VIII. Under Don Shula - the most successful coach in pro football history - the Dolphins reached three successive title games, but they haven’t returned to the Super Bowl since Marino lost to the San Francisco 49ers.
Enter new head coach Mike McDaniel and star acquisition Hill, and a new air of optimism has aroused the Sunshine State. The question remains, though: can quarterback Tua Tagavailoa break through and lead the Dolphins to the playoffs? We will get some answers as the New England Patriots are welcomed to Miami on Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers is the highest-paid player in NFL history - will he deliver?
The Green Bay Packers rewarded Aaron Rodgers for his second successive Most Valuable Player win with a bumper new three-year $150.8 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in North American sports history on an annual basis. Rodgers is undoubtedly the one of the most talented quarterbacks in the sport’s history, but he only has a single Super Bowl ring after 14 years (as a starter) amid plenty of postseason disappointments.
As a result, all eyes will be on the controversial 38-year-old when the Packers march into the U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday evening. Armed with exciting wideout Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are gunning for the NFC North crown, so Rodgers will have to prove he is worth each and every historic dollar.
Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off against the Dallas Cowboys
The NFL’s schedule gods must have licked their lips and rubbed their hands together when they decided to place Brady’s clash with the iconic Dallas Cowboys on the opening slate of matches. The 45-year-old will open the 2022 season against the sport’s most iconic and valuable franchise, and Brady will want to make a statement and prove the Buccaneers are in contention as he chases an eighth ring.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has a lot of offensive weapons at his disposal, including Ezekiel Elliot and CeeDee Lamb while the defence impressed last year thanks to the breakout campaigns experienced by Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. With rumours aplenty that this is set to be the final season of Brady’s legendary career, the GOAT will want to start things off on the right foot under the prime time lights on Sunday night.
Who is your early pick to win Super Bowl LVII? Let us know in the comments section.
Russell Wilson returns to Seattle at the earliest opportunity
The all-knowing scheduling powers undoubtedly trembled with glee at the thought of sending Wilson back to Seattle in week one. The 33-year-old quarterback, drafted by the Seahawks in 2012 and Super Bowl XLVIII champion, will face his former team when he dons the orange and blue of Denver for the first time.
It’s poetic really, but this could become something of a eulogy given the teams on display. The Broncos are primed to enjoy a solid season, while the Seahawks have a solid claim to being the worst team in football.
This will likely be a happy homecoming for Wilson as he hopes to kick off a new era for the three-time Super Bowl champions. It’s time to finally ride, Broncos country.
