The opener should be a great match-up. The Giants defeated
the Patriots in last year’s Superbowl, the second time in five seasons that
they have done that. Any residual questions about the temperament and ability
of Quarterback Eli Manning have been convincingly answered. Last season, Eli
emerged as an elite QB. Expect him to continue that form into 2012. But the
Cowboys are not a team to be taken lightly, and should be competing for a
play-off place in what is one of the toughest divisions in the league. The NFC
East comprises of the Giants, Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia
Eagles. The Eagles have spent the last two years assembling what former QB
Vince Young described as ‘the Dream Team,’ filled with star players. The team
underperformed last season, and for Head Coach Andy Reid (in his fourteenth
season in the job, the longest current streak in the NFL) it is make or break.
2011 was touted by many as the season of the quarterback.
American football is a game of passing and running. In recent years, the
balance had tilted more towards the passing game. The running game remained a
vital part of every team’s offense, though more for some than others. Last year
that was often not the case. Many teams seemed to dispense almost entirely with
the running game or, at best, used it as a left-field option. 2011 saw four of
the top six most passing yards in a season set. Eli Manning (6th,
4,933) was joined by Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions (5th,
5,038). The new record was set by Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints at 5,476
yards (Brees also holds sits in 4th for his efforts in the 2008
season). Tom Brady, of the New England Patriots, threw 5,235 yards to sit in 2nd,
like Brees surpassing the previously leading mark of Dan Marino from 1984
(incidentally, when the running game was dominant).
In 2012, another pass-dominated season can be expected. This
is great for fans (if not for purists). Many have tried the NFL, but can’t get
past its perceived slow nature and plentiful breaks in play. For those who’ve
found American Football boring in the past, this year might be the time to give
it another try.
But if 2011 was the season of the quarterback, then 2012
will be the season of the rookie quarterback. The importance that QB can have
on his team has never been shown better than by the Indianapolis Colts in 2011.
Star man Peyton Manning missed the season through injury and, in his absence,
the team managed only two wins. Peyton had only twice won fewer than ten games
in a season (in his first and fourth years in the league). The poor season gave
the Colts the number one draft pick, and created a dilemma. The two standout
players in the draft class, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, were both QBs.
So the Colts gambled, selecting Luck and trading Peyton to the Denver Broncos.
Griffin was selected by the Redskins, rounding off the high-quality NFC East.
It is the performance of these two highly-touted rookies in particular which
will be the league’s biggest story this year. But we must also remember Peyton
Manning, who starts afresh in Denver. His comeback, and comparisons with Luck,
will also be headline news. Luck and Griffin are two of five rookies who will
be starting quarterbacks this week. Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks,
Brandon Weedon of the Cleveland Browns and Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins
were also drafted this year. These three are not expected to have immediate
success like Luck and Griffin are, but in the ever unpredictable NFL nothing is
certain.
So who is likely to be competing in Super Bowl XLVII on 3 February
in New Orleans? Winners from two years ago, the Green Bay Packers had the best regular
season record last year and under QB Aaron Rodgers go into the season as
favourites. The New England Patriots, led by QB Tom Brady, share the
front-runners’ tag. A fan favourite will be the Houston Texans. 2011 marked
their first play-off appearance since being formed in 2002. The Texans are an
exciting team led by QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson. Being perceived
throughout their history as an underdog, expect them to be popular amongst
neutrals. Other teams certain to be there-or-thereabouts come play-off time
include the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. But
the characteristic openness of the National Football League means, from a
betting stand-point, tremendous value can be achieved when looking lower down.
The champion New York Giants are only 8th lowest in the odds going
into the season. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Carolina
Panthers also represent value. It might also be worth a punt on some of the
more unpredictable sides, such as the rookie QB-led Colts and Redskins, or the
always unpredictable Oakland Raiders. It has to be remembered that 12 of the 32
teams (over a third) qualify for the play-offs and, as is shown year-in
year-out, the play-offs are anybody’s game. In sum, the NFL is always exciting and
unpredictable. Expect 2012 to be no different.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants is live on Sky Sports 1HD
from Midnight on Wednesday night (i.e. Thursday morning). Indianapolis Colts @
Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers makes up the Sunday
double-header, starting at 5:30pm on Sky Sports 2HD. The first game is also
available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Sunday Night Football is on Channel
4 (in the early hours of Monday morning) with Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver
Broncos. Details of the coverage of Monday Night Football is yet to be
announced.
Come back tomorrow for my season predictions.
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