This is awkward.
I actually wanted to put some grades and insight going into this here 100th NFL season and all. That’s not happening. Again.
But I’ll be here every week! Just like last season!
I’ll have Teams of the Week and Winning units as part of a review and preview every week.
Let’s look ahead to Week 1, at least!
Packers at Chicago: This was actually a Week 1 SNF matchup last season at Lambeau Field, featuring Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers getting injured, but overcoming Chicago OLB Khalil Mack’s debut to lead a memorable comeback. It was all downhill from there for the Packers, though, while the Bears won the North. Let’s see if Rodgers is on the same page as new head coach Matt LaFleur, who had the luxury of coordinating offenses that featured RBs Derrick Henry and Todd Gurley the last two seasons.
Colts at Los Angeles Chargers: This game lost some luster due to QB Andrew Luck’s retirement, but this is still the only intraconference game of Week 1 featuring two playoff teams from last year. Indianapolis QB Jacoby Brissett gets to try to improve on his 2017 season behind an improved offensive line. The Chargers are already dealing with major injuries (LT Russell Okung, SS Derwin James) and a holdout situation (RB Melvin Gordon).
Steelers at New England: The Steelers have never had an answer for New England QB Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium. Brady is 5-0 at home against the Steelers, with 18 TD and no INTs (including playoffs). The Steelers are the last team to beat the Patriots, though, holding them to 10 points and 0/3 in the red zone last December in Pittsburgh.
Texans at New Orleans: This is the only other game besides Colts/Chargers that feature two playoff teams from the season prior. Houston gave QB Deshaun Watson a new LT (Laremy Tunsil) and WR (Kenny Stills), but also gave up DE Jadeveon Clowney. The last time New Orleans saw the Houston defense was in 2015, when the Saints were held to six points and Brees threw 44 scoreless passes.
Broncos at Oakland: The Broncos have a new head coach in former Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and a new QB in former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. The Raiders have WR Antonio Brown.
Also, Regan and I have a fantasy team:
Catch me at @LawMurrayTheNU for NFL blasphemy. Enjoy the new season!