What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?

Two years ago I made the decision to invest in a winter sport free from VAR and diving. Why not try the NFL, I thought. Incidentally, the new season kicks off next Friday 6th September at 1:20am BST.

Already, you may be put off by the early start. But fear not, most games kick-off at a very sociable 6pm on Sunday night. You can follow the games live by watching SkySports’ NFL RedZone coverage – think Soccer Saturday but with live clips and instant highlights of the most interesting plays.

At its core, it is a simple game. Four attempts to make ten yards. If you succeed, you start again from the advanced position. If you fail, your opponents take possession. Some of the rules can be complex but the goal is simply to move as far forward as possible by either running the ball or passing it.

This article seeks to cover the things a beginner should know about each of the teams. Much like the cheat sheet used by Richard Ayoade’s character in that famous episode of The IT Crowd. By the end, you should be able to join in a conversation. You may have even chosen a team to follow.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is one of the League’s best in his position. A modern type who rushes with the ball as well as seeking those crucial intricate passes. Tipped for success last year, the Bills fell to a narrow defeat at the divisional playoff stage to eventual champions the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet to win a Super Bowl despite four appearances, many think that last year may have been their best shot, particularly following the departure of leading Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs. But with Allen at the helm we should expect to see the Bills during the postseason once more. And then it’s anyone’s game.

Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill recently boasted that he could beat Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles in a race. That’s probably pushing it, but the speedy Hill did boast the most receiving yards in the League last year. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will hope that his injury problems are behind him so that he can continue to build on a combination with Hill that will be a threat to all defenses. The Dolphins matched the Bills’ regular season record last year and have an outside chance of claiming the top prize this. At the very least, they should be fun to watch.

New England Patriots parted ways with stalwart head coach Bill Belichick at the end of last year. Belichick had overseen six Super Bowl wins in combination with Tom Brady, the last of which came six years ago. The Patriots are very much in a rebuilding phase. Last year they boasted a modest 4-13 record. Fans will be hoping to see some progress, but a tilt at the title looks extremely unlikely. The coaches have finally decided that the starting Quarterback berth will go to journeyman Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye. Their lack of confidence is shared by us.

New York Jets’ veteran Quarterback Aaron Rodgers featured only once last year following an achilles tendon injury in his first game for the Jets. The League’s four-time MVP will hope he can rediscover top form to inspire a Jets team that haven’t made the playoffs since the 2010 season. Rodgers will not be alone in shouldering responsibility for the Jets, with Running Back Breece Hall rushing for 994 yards last year. Entering his third year in the NFL, Hall could break the 1,000-yard barrier this year and, in combination with Rodgers, help to revive the Jets’ fortunes.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson has long been tipped as a Super Bowl winning Quarterback. In addition to the necessary passing repertoire, Jackson rushed for 821 yards in last year’s regular season, outperforming many of the League’s regular Running Backs. He was the driving force behind the Ravens’ charge to the AFC championship game, which saw them lose out to the Chiefs in a tight contest. The addition of star Running Back Derrick Henry means that we can expect to see lots of rushing plays in the year to come. Expect the Ravens to be in amongst the contenders at the end of the year, though they’ll have to overcome old foes the Chiefs to claim the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Cincinnati Bengals came bottom of this division last year despite a positive 9-8 record. That followed two years where they threatened to fight for the championship, reaching the Super Bowl in 2022 and the AFC Championship game in 2023. A return to form for Quarterback Joe Burrow and star Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase, following injury frustration, would certainly be a threat to even the most competent of the League’s defenses. With a visit to the Chiefs in Week Two, we will quickly find out whether the Bengals are a threat once again.

Cleveland Browns had a strong season last year with a 11-6 record. Quarterback Deshaun Watson made only six appearances last year but remains the preferred choice for a starting berth. An injury to star Running Back Nick Chubb leaves them with little depth in that position, and they may struggle to make an early impact as a consequence. The Browns will do well to match the relative success of their previous season and, if the Bengals are resurgent as expected, a post season appearance for the Browns looks unlikely.

Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NFL winning six Super Bowls, the last of which came in 2009. One of three teams in this division to make the playoffs last year, they ended the regular season with a 10-7 record. Yet the recruitment of Quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson from Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos respectively seems to have unsettled things. The coaching staff have backed Wilson for now but he will know that Fields is waiting in the wings. A lot may rest on the shoulders of the consistent Running Back Najee Harris, though he enters the last year of his Steelers contract.

AFC South

Houston Texans made quite the turnaround last year, boasting a 10-7 record after going just 3-13 the previous year. There is no reason to think they shouldn’t challenge the top of the divisional tables again, having recruited charging Running Back Joe Mixon from the Bengals and the aforementioned Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs from the Bills. The Texans are building a team for the present, much like the Los Angeles Rams did for their successful Super Bowl challenge three years ago. Can the Texans reach their first Super Bowl this year? It’s not out of the question. Young Quarterback CJ Stroud certainly has the belief and, quite possibly, the talent to match it. 

Indianapolis Colts’ will be hoping that young Quarterback Anthony Richardson can recover from his frustrating injury last year after a promising start. Despite Richardson’s absence, the Colts finished with a winning 9-8 record as Gardner Minshew stepped up in Richardson’s absence. He has since moved to the Las Vegas Raider in the offseason. Leading rusher Zack Moss has moved on to the Bengals but Wide Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. remains a consistent performer. A run to the Super Bowl looks unlikely for a team in transition.

Jacksonville Jaguars should be familiar to British fans, having played in this country more than any other team. Team owner Shahid Khan is known to fans of Fulham FC, and there is speculation that he might relocate the team to London permanently at some point in the future. In the immediate term, though, the Jaguars have built a strong all-round tea  m, led by Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, first pick in the 2021 draft. Running Back Travis Etienne exceeded 1,000 yards last year and both he and Lawrence are young enough to improve even further. The Jaguars will need other teams to slip up in order to reach their first Super Bowl, but that is not impossible.

Tennessee Titans have only reached one Super Bowl in their history, losing to the St. Louis Rams (predecessor of the LA Rams) in the year 2000. The loss of Derrick Henry to the Ravens will be a blow to their chances of making another, although the recruitment of replacement Running Back Tony Pollard from the Cowboys may help to fill that void. The Titans are set to continue with Will Levis at Quarterback, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft. The team from Music City don’t look quite ready to reach a second Super Bowl just yet.

AFC West

Denver Broncos look set for a tough year. The departure of Quarterback Russell Wilson will not be mourned in Denver after he failed to reach the levels of performance he had produced previously for the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos have backed rookie Bo Nix as Wilson’s replacement and emphasised that he will need time to settle into the NFL. Nix may find the offensive options a little lacking after no player exceeded even 800 rushing or receiving yards last year. We’re unlikely to see any mile high playoffs this season.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce continues to make headlines for happenings off the field of play. A record breaker in his position, the Tight End is a superstar in his own right. As is Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who last year led the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl in five years, and second in succession. Mahomes is likely to go down as an all-time great but aged just 28, the best could still be yet to come. Head coach Andy Reid will hope that Isiah Pacheco will continue the progress shown in his first two years which has made the Chiefs’ offense so dangerous across the board. This is quite the era for the Chiefs. Will their love story with the Super Bowl continue?

Las Vegas Raiders ended last season with an 8-9 record and look up against it again this year. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has been brought in from the Colts but that’s not a huge upgrade and is outweighed by the loss of leading Running Back Josh Jacobs to the Green Bay Packers. Wide Receiver Davante Adams was often the target, and his form will be crucial if the Raiders are to make the most of the campaign this year. There are plenty of stronger playoff contenders elsewhere, and the presence of the Chiefs in this division only makes things harder.

Los Angeles Chargers managed only five victories last year, and only one against their divisional rivals. Surprisingly, Quarterback Justin Herbert is considered among the best in the league. His offensive options have been depleted, though. Running Back Austin Ekeler failed to build upon his 2022 season and has moved on to the Washington Commanders. The loss of Wide Receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to the Chicago Bears and New York Jets leaves an offense that looks light of weaponry. Herbert will have his work cut out again. 

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys fans will be expecting another appearance in the post season having topped the division with a 12-5 record last year. Quarterback Dak Prescott and Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb formed a formidable partnership which saw Lamb second in total receiving yards during the regular season. America’s Team haven’t won the Super Bowl since 1996 but there is a feeling in Dallas that a record-equalling sixth Super Bowl is not too far away.

New York Giants had a frustrating season last year ending 6-11. Fans’ optimism won’t be aided by the departure of star Running Back Saquon Barkley to divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants’ hopes rest on the shoulders of rookie Wide Receiver Malik Nabers, from whom big things are expected. A return to health and form for Quarterback Daniel Jones will also be needed if the Giants are to threaten the top of a competitive division.

Philadelphia Eagles missed out in the Super Bowl game two years ago and reached the post season again last year. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and Wide Receiver AJ Brown are among the League’s best in their respective positions. The addition of star Running Back Barkley might just add the extra offensive threat they need to challenge for the Super Bowl once again, though the retirement of Jason Kelce – brother of Travis - leaves a gap at Center which will be difficult to replace.

Washington Commanders snapped up another of the highly rated rookie Quarterbacks, drafting Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick. Daniels will be supported by Running Backs Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. Both of whom have produced high level performances in patches. The Commanders’ leading Wide Receiver is Terry McLaurin who has produced four 1,000 -yard seasons in succession. Expect the Commanders to struggle, however, as Daniels find his feet. Another season fighting at the bottom of one of the stronger divisions looks most likely.

NFC North

Chicago Bears selected Quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 draft and many are expecting him to be the real deal. Bears staff have called for patience with Williams whose predecessor Fields departed for the Steelers. Williams’ offensive options are adequate. Running Back D’Andre Swift rushed for over 1,000 yards with the Eagles last year and Wide Receiver DJ Moore was sixth on the League’s list of regular season receiving yards. The recruitment of Keenan Allen adds another receiving option. If Williams can hit the ground running, expect the Bears to generate some serious momentum.

Detroit Lions are expected to compete for their first Super Bowl in the very near future. Quarterback Jared Goff might be peaking at the right time, and superstar Wide Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was third only to the Dolphins’ Hill and the Cowboys’ Lamb in 2023 regular season receiving yards. Running Back David Montgomery had a quietly excellent season last year, putting up 1,015 yards in just fourteen appearances. With Sam LaPorta at Tight End too, the Lions have built a team with very few weaknesses.

Green Bay Packers are unique in the NFL in that they’re owned by over 530,000 individuals. Those fans have seen some change over the last few years, most notably Rodgers’ departure to the Jets. Jordan Love now seems ready to step up at Quarterback. Running Back Aaron Jones has departed for divisional rivals Minnesota Vikings but the Packers are optimistic that Josh Jacobs, recruited from the Raiders, is a better option. If the Packers are to compete in the post season, they will have to get out of a very competitive division first.

Minnesota Vikings haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977 and weren’t able to emerge victorious in any of their four previous appearances. The loss of Quarterback Kirk Cousins to Atlanta Falcons is not disastrous but replacement Sam Darnold has struggled to nail down a starting spot with the Jets and Panthers previously. Newly recruited Running Back Aaron Jones is solid if not spectacular and Tight End TJ Hockenson, who had a great season last year, will miss the opening games through injury. On the contrary, Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson is as good as anybody in his position and another stellar year is almost inevitable. All of this makes the Vikings quite unpredictable.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons signing of Kirk Cousins and drafting of Michael Penix Jr. should secure the Quarterback position for the next four years at least. The replaced Desmond Ridder now finds himself a free agent, so that can be considered an upgrade for the Falcons. At Running Back, Bijan Robinson had a great rookie season and can be expected to push on even further this year. Drake London led the franchise in receiving yards last year, but more will be expected of the Wide Receiver this year. With young players coming through in key positions, this year may just come a little too soon. 

Carolina Panthers had the worst record in the League last season, winning just two games. There doesn’t seem to be too much cause for optimism this year either, unfortunately, for fans in Charlotte. Quarterback Bryce Young, picked first overall in the 2023 draft, will hope that his second season results in an improved record at the very least. Rushing and receiving yards were led by Running Back Chuba Hubbard and Wide Receiver Adam Thielen but both will need to build upon last year’s numbers for the Panthers’ fortunes to turn around.

New Orleans Saints will host the Super Bowl this year and there is recent history of home field victories following the Buccaneers’ success in 2021 and the Rams’ in 2022. Derek Carr enters his second year at the Saints and will be expected to command an offense void of genuine superstars. Running Back Alvin Kamara is consistent but yet to put up the numbers of the very elite, and there is optimism that we’ve not yet seen the best of Wide Receiver Chris Olave, a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, despite two consistent seasons. Realistically, though, a Saints appearance in the Super Bowl game seems unlikely at this stage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers topped this division last year despite a record of only 9-8. In fact, they have quietly topped the division for the last three years since Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady’s departure. Quarterback Baker Mayfield seems to have found a home in Tampa after representing four teams in three years and the Glazer family will be expecting the team to compete at the top of the division again. Mayfield’s offense is supported by long-serving Wide Receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both of whom notched up over 1,000 receiving yards last year. If the Buccaneers can top one of the weaker divisions and reach the playoffs then anything can happen.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals’ Quarterback Kyler Murray was a first-round draft pick in both the MLB and the NFL. Long tipped to be a star, Murray has not quite delivered to date. But hope remains; Murray continues to retain the confidence of the staff and fans. At Running Back, James Conner impressed last year and will be hoping to stay fit for the entire season. The Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall in the draft, the first Wide Receiver to be picked, and expectations are high for him to deliver on that promise. An improvement on last year’s four victories is essential but a playoff appearance may remain slightly out of reach.

Los Angeles Rams’ Quarterback Matt Stafford and Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp starred as they led the team to the Super Bowl three years ago. Offensive options have been enhanced by the recruitment of Wide Receiver Puka Nacua who starred in his rookie season last year. Stafford has plenty of passing options if he can rediscover his Super Bowl winning form. The retirement of Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald is sure to be a huge loss, though. Donald, among the best defensive players of all time, leaves shoes that may be too big to fill. Owner Stan Kroenke will be seeking success on both sides of the Atlantic this year.

San Francisco 49ers are one of the most successful franchises in history, winning five Super Bowl titles. However, the last of these came in 1995. Last year, they made the Super Bowl game, only to be denied by Mahomes and the Chiefs. The offense is led by Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. Picked last in the 2022 draft, Quarterback Purdy has become the unlikeliest of heroes. The star man though is Running Back Christian McCaffrey, who rushed for a League high 1,459 yards in the regular season last year. In combination with his 564 receiving yards, McCaffrey is a genuine dual threat and arguably the man to watch across the entire League.

Seattle Seahawks came third in this division last year despite a winning 9-8 record. Geno Smith had to wait for his chance but is now providing the sort of returns expected from an NFL Quarterback. Running Back Kenneth Walker III led the franchise in rushing yards last year but will need to improve for the Seahawks to threaten the top of this division. At Wide Receiver DK Metcalf’s performance was similarly solid but more will be required. Seahawks fans will be hoping that with another year under their belts the offense can gel and start to threaten the stronger teams.

So that’s that. Thirty-two teams in a nutshell. The thing about Arsenal is, they always try and walk it in.

 

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By Leon Parrott