Like I say every year about this time — are you ready for some football? The NFL pre-season starts this weekend. I always look forward to football season, even thought I don’t like the fact that summer is ending, and the fact that the NFL has become so political the past few years, I have to say I’m not as big a fan as I was some years ago.
One big question mark hanging over the upcoming season is the Deshaun Watson suspension over the multiple sexual-abuse allegation against him — will the suspension be more than six games? Will he beat the rap? I guess this falls into the news category, but it certainly detracts from the game of football…
Like every year, some thing will be different this year. The Arizona Cardinals will try to become the third NFL team to win a Super Bowl at their home stadium. The Rams (last year) and the Buccaneers (2020) are the only two to have accomplished that so far.
Tom Brady needs 2,431 more yards to become the first NFL play to amass 100,000 career passing yards.
With 321 wins, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick needs four more to surpass the legendary George Halas who currently holds the record for most victories across the regular season and the playoffs.
This year, Thursday Night Football will be broadcast in the US exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch.
According to the latest NFL rules, each game must have 36 approved footballs available.
A football game is divided into four 15-minute quarters, but the typical game takes 3 hours and 12 minutes to finish.
The NFL has altered its rules to ensure both teams get at least one possession if a playoff game goes into overtime. If the score remains even after each team has had the ball, the result will be decided by sudden death. This will be the second regular season in the history of the NFL with 17 games, and 18 weeks.
If the Chiefs win 10 games or more in the regular season, Andy Reid will surpass Tom Landry’s record of 16 seasons with at least 10 victories.
This year, three NFL games will be played in London, one in Mexico City and, for the first time, one in Munich.
Last season, the NFL accrued $11 billion dollars in revenue. Each organization received $343 million.
We’re into the pre-season with the regular, 103rd season, scheduled to begin on September 8. The regular season will end on January 8, 2023, with the playoffs scheduled to start on January 14. Super Bowl LVII will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 12.
And the “new” team this year will be the former Washington Redskins, now re-appearing (after two seasons with a “placeholder” name) as the Washington Commanders.
So whether you’re ready for some football or not — it’s here.
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