SEPT 5, 2024 | SPORTS | By Thomas Nielsen
The end of summer is often bittersweet. As August turns into September, students around the country bid farewell to their families and hometowns and return to school. Though the transition to fall might bring angst to some, to others it is a great joy: it’s officially football season!
America’s most popular sport returns this Thursday with a marquee matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens. These two AFC powerhouses head into the season with high expectations. The Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions, are looking to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls, while the Ravens, led by last year’s MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, hope to avenge their loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
Rounding off last year’s divisional champions are the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. The 49ers maintained most of the dynamic roster in the trading period that led them to be Super Bowl runners-up last year, while the Lions have revamped their defense. If both teams keep their momentum from last year, they can be in the running for a championship.
Younger teams that could break into the top tier include last year’s surprisingly good Houston Texans, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. Fans will also want to watch if first-overall draft pick Caleb Williams can turn around the Chicago Bears, who boasted last season’s worst record which was 7-10.
During the off-season, the NFL made some rule changes. Kickoffs now look different, with the league making the alterations to promote excitement and player safety. The 10 kick coverage players line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line, and can’t move until the ball is touched or hits the ground. Teams that are quick to master this revamped kickoff will find themselves with an advantage this season.
The league also banned the “hip-drop tackle,” a move linked with a high injury rate. In the move, a defender wraps onto a ball carrier, swivels their hips and drops onto the other player’s legs. The move now will be punished by a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Though not considered Super Bowl contenders this year, the local Denver Broncos are looking to improve upon last year’s mediocre 8-9 record. They boast a new rookie quarterback, trading Russell Wilson to Pittsburg and drafting the former University of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
On top of the quarterback change, the Broncos made a slew of moves this offseason, moving on from older players and acquiring younger talent. Though Nix looked solid in preseason, the team isn’t expected to be a top contender this year. Still, it will be interesting to see how the new-look Broncos perform in a strong AFC West conference, and if Nix plays well, Broncos fans will have a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the next few years.
The beauty of the start of a sports season is that every team is on the same level. All could change in a few weeks, but for now, hold on to your Super Bowl dreams. Anything can happen, right?