Heading into the season as reigning champions, the Rams see the championship banner lifted to the rafters of the stadium to commemorate the moment.
But Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t bound by that sentiment.
“I’m ready to play football. I’m ready to play against Buffalo,” he said. “It’s a brand new year, a brand new group that we have, a brand new season. It’s cool to see it, but at the same time, we have work in front of us. We’re ready to go.” .
Ahead of kickoff in California, let’s take a look at the runners and riders, as well as the rookies, rookies and MVP contenders to watch out for this year.
Contenders
That glittering ring given to the eventual Super Bowl winner is quite the carrot.
That light at the end of the tunnel is what the team is playing for: an opportunity to be named the best team in the NFL for the 2022 season.
In addition to the Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, two Super Bowl LVI participants, there are many strong teams vying for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February.
Former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen said the favorite to lift the trophy was his former team, which suffered a scathing overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round last season. The Buffalo Bills, one of the
Bowen says the rise of quarterback Josh Allen, who Bowen calls “the top three quarterbacks” in the NFL, combined with the offseason signing of Von Miller, makes him a potential challenger.
“Everything runs through him. The passing game, the quarterback’s run game, the ability to play outside the structure, the ability to run with the football, the ability to carry that football team. And why a player like Von Miller? I added Von Miller because he had two great seasons, but he gave up over 80 points in two years with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. .
“We need someone to sack and hit Patrick Mahomes in January. That’s my opinion they added Von Miller. Now that includes all the rest of the AFC teams that have quarterback talent in the AFC.” But if I’m running it, the Buffalo Bills now need someone to put Patrick Mahomes on the ground in critical situations. will play
“They have to play. That’s why you spend money, and why you invest in someone like Von Miller — because the game’s greatest moment, Wright, Because when it’s lit, there he appears and that’s what you want.”
Ahead of the Rams’ season opener against the Bills, Rams head coach Sean McVay said facing the Bills was “a huge challenge for a great football team.
“There are no weaknesses. They are strong in every aspect, well coached and have great players in the important places,” McVay said. “Like I said the other day, there’s a reason everyone thinks so highly of this team and it’s earned. We’re excited about the challenge.”
Star quarterbacks, offense and defense are everywhere in the highly competitive AFC, where fans await quality football and competitive clashes.
In addition to the Bills and Bengals, Bowen has listed the Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts as potential AFC contenders. ing.
Bowen said: “Whether it’s when I’ve played, before I’ve played, or now, those games are very hard to win and even more so this year. The AFC’s games are going to be won. It will be very difficult to find out.. There are so many candidates at that meeting.”
In the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Tom Brady at quarterback, are leading the favourites.
Despite an unannounced 11-day break during preseason, the now 45-year-old and seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady and his mighty offense are ready to hit the ground running again. It looks like
“Brady can still throw for 4,500 yards a season. That’s what they can do. Now they’ve already had some injuries up front in the offensive line,” Bowen explained.
“It’s something to watch, but what can a receiving corps like Tom Brady do in a pass-heavy system? Look at the manpower they have.. It’s still one of the top defenses in the NFL, especially in the NFC.
Bowen also saw the defending champion Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints face off in playoff time. I think I will.
young blood
“Will this year’s selection be a game-changer? Will it be the last piece needed to finally win the title?”
The next crop of young players and their potential impact on their respective teams is always optimistic for fans.
This year’s cohort is no exception. In his April 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars defensively selected his end Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick, while the Detroit Lions picked Michigan-born Aidan He Hutchinson with his No. 2 pick. Did. Both teams hope the new defensive rock can turn the tide.
In addition to the numerous defensive picks, there were six wide receivers selected in the opening round of the draft. Drake London, the No. 8 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, is one of the players Bowen believes can make a difference in the NFL from day one.
“Of course I don’t see Atlanta as a real contender this year, but we have to see what they can do,” he said. increase.
“You have to get reps, you have to run routes, you have to watch football. I think it will happen.” [with] Atlanta has an offensively talent-efficient team so far, which is Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Can Drake London be the guy who sees over 100 targets? Yes he can. Can he be the man who can be quarantined in the red zone? Yes, bordering on the third down. I think you see it ”
Unlike many past drafts, the 2022 edition didn’t focus entirely on the quarterback crop.
After being drafted by the Steelers, Pitt University’s Kenny Pickett remained in the city of Pittsburgh.
Despite facing competition for the first job from 2018 Pro Bowler Mitch Trubisky, Pickett was a local favorite and first-round selection, with many eventually claiming the berth. people’s favorite.
Many pundits say Pickett is a little too raw for his rookie year and would benefit from spending time as a backup, but Bowen says the 24-year-old Pickett will be successful from the get-go. I believe that it has the characteristics of
“He’s got to get a chance to play. (The Steelers) have to say to Mitch Trubisky, ‘You’re not a starter anymore. We’re going with the young guys,'” he said. explained. “I think Kenny Pickett is going to be a solid pro, no doubt about that.
“I think he throws in certain places. I think he definitively throws in the pocket. He’s got big enough arms to push the ball into the third level when he’s down.’ And he’s tough. There’s a physical element to his game. This is what you should do.
“I won’t talk about it enough, but you need the physical element to play in this league. You have to be tough. You have to fight. We talked about Matthew Stafford. See, I played Brett for two years Ferb in Green Bay. It’s as tough as it gets. I’ve never seen anyone tougher than Brett. So Kenny Pickett has that toughness about him too. I think. “
best in the league
The Most Valuable Player trophy is voted on by a panel of 50 sportswriters and awarded to the player with the best regular season.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has won the award the past two seasons, but he’s 37 at the age of 37 considering he’s losing his favorite receiver (Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders). It’s a tough job for him to get. He won three times in a row.
For Bowen, three quarterbacks – Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes – chose his favorite player for the award.
“Look, it’s all AFC quarterbacks. he explained.
“It’s disappointing, but that’s the way it works. But I think Allen or Herbert are going to take that step. And for Mahomes, this could be a special year for Mahomes.” Because they question that offense and their explosive ability to play without Tyreek Hill.
“But like I said, they’ve added different pieces and still have Travis Kelce, who catches the best pass to catch a tight end in the NFL. He’s the best in the NFL when he has to. When things go wrong and he has to get out of his pocket or step up to create, there’s no one better than him.”
Ahead of the season opener, Stafford was full of praise, calling Allen “electric.”
“He’s been waiting for big plays to happen with both his legs and arms.I think you’ve seen his progress since he came to the league.Like many players, what’s going on? The first few games I don’t know exactly, maybe the first year.And then holy cow, he’s coming together for him and he’s playing at an unbelievable level.”
Viewing method
All eyes will be on the Rams as they host the Bills at SoFi Stadium when the NFL season kicks off on Thursday. Here’s how to watch the NFL wherever you are.
Australia: NFL Game Pass, ESPN, 7Plus
Brazil: NFL Game Pass, ESPN
Canada: CTV, TSN, RDS, NFL Game Pass on DAZN
Germany: NFL Game Pass, ProSieben MAXX, DAZN
Mexico: NFL Game Pass, TUDN, ESPN, Fox Sports
UK: NFL Game Pass, Sky Sports, ITV, Channel 5
US: NFL Game Pass, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime
Source: www.cnn.com
