NFL Kickoff

And we're off! The 2021 NFL season is upon us opening up with the Dallas Cowboys playing the Super Bowl defending champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led by the GOAT(Greatest of All Time) in Tom Brady, who is seeking his 8th super bowl ring this season. Will the Buccaneers repeat? Something only a total of seven teams in league history have done, with the last team that repeated was the New England Patriots back in 2003 and 2004, led by the man at the helm of the team in Brady. The Buccaneers re-signed all 22 starters this offseason from pass targets like Rob Gronkowski, to Chris Godwin, to defensive rushers we saw wreaking havoc all year long last season, cspecially in the postseason in Shaquil Barrett, Ndamukong Suh, and so forth in Todd Bowles system.

The Buccaneers will have great continuity and chemistry by not bringing in many new faces to the roster but they’ll also have that man Tom Brady who you can never count out when the lights get bright and a defense that should be among the top in the league if everyone’s healthy. The Buccaneers will be playing the Cowboys, who finished with a 6-10 record, good for 3rd in the dreadful NFC Division, and will have their star quarterback Dak Prescott back after suffering a right ankle compound fracture injury in Week 4 last season against the Giants that cost him the rest of the season. Ezekiel Elliot looks in shape but will he produce at the level we saw him produce his first few years in the league? Can star rookie Micah parsons make a real impact? Can they stay healthy? Can their defense take a jump? There are many questions “Americas Team” must answer this season.

Onto other NFL teams now. The Chiefs rebuilt their offensive line this past season, highlighted by the signing of two time Super Bowl Champ and former All-Pro, Joe Thuney from the Patriots. Will the Chiefs make their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance? Can the Bills win the AFC with Josh Allen as a legitimate MVP and being battle tested? Will Deshaun Watson play this season? Can Lamar Jackson become a legitimate throwing threat and can their receivers stay healthy? Will Aaron Rodgers and the Packers put their drama aside and win the NFC? Will the Rams become a Super Bowl contender with Matthew Stafford now at the helm? Can Justin Herbert lead the Chargers to the playoffs? Which rookie QB will have the best season Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, or Justin Fields? Can Sam Darnold show what he’s really made of in Carolina with real players around him? These are all interesting storylines and questions to ask ourselves as we approach what should be another riveting NFL season.