2023-09-05 09:00:00
After 207 days of waiting, the 2023 NFL season will begin on Thursday, with the meeting between the Detroit Lions and the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Again this year, 32 teams will play 17 regular season games. Only 14 teams will then get their ticket to the playoffs, hoping to win Super Bowl LVIII on February 11 in the suburbs of Las Vegas.
Here’s what you’ll need to watch out for over the next few months.
Chiefs–Eagles, prise 2?
Protagonists of the last Super Bowl, the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are once again the favorites to complete the card for the grand final on February 4, according to the various betting houses. Only one poster of the great mass of American football was repeated the following year: the Dallas Cowboys had triumphed over the Buffalo Bills in 1993 and 1994.
Since then, the NFL has accustomed us to big surprises and rare are the years when the state of forces is not turned upside down. For example, a year ago to the day, very few people saw the Eagles reach the Super Bowl. Rather, it was the Bills and the Buccaneers of a certain Tom Brady who were favored.
If nothing guarantees a Chiefs-Eagles final, you still have to keep an eye on them.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will once again be the man for the job in Kansas City, in an attack whose only big chunk missing, tackle Orlando Brown, has been replaced with dignity by Jawaan Taylor. The defensive unit, essentially unchanged, remains decent. But again this season, the Chiefs will go as far as 2022 NFL MVP Mahomes will let them.
It is less certain that the Eagles will repeat their dream year, punctuated by a leap from 9 to 14 victories in the regular season. The outbreak of Jalen Hurts is the main cause of their rise to the top of the National. The former University of Alabama quarterback has caused headaches for opposing defenses with his legs, but also with a big improvement in his passing skills. His 3,701 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes (to just 6 interceptions) in 2022 are personal highs. He was Mahomes’ closest pursuer on the MVP ballot.
With a five-year, $255 million deal initialed in April, Hurts will have more than ever to meet high expectations. If his versatility has helped Philadelphia expand its playbook and become one of the league’s most unpredictable offenses, he’ll have to be ready to take on defenses that have done their homework this offseason. The hatching of mobile quarterbacks in the NFL rarely lasts more than one season. Talk to the Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III of this world…
If Hurts holds up, the Eagles will be a threat again. The Pennsylvania team retained the services of most of its best defensive players, except for running back CJ Gardner-Johnson. And Fletcher Cox, Haason Reddick, Darius Slay and company will now be joined by defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the 9th overall pick in the last draft.
A hidden map of New York
If the main powers of the Goodell circuit have kept most of their squad intact, a team could join them after lean years. The New York Jets completed the hit of the summer by acquiring Aaron Rodgers after months of saga between the star quarterback and the Green Bay Packers.
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After 18 seasons in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers wants to give the Jets the first Super Bowl title since 1969.
Photo : Getty Images / Elsa
Rodgers had already announced his intention to play in the Big Apple via former player Pat McAfee’s podcast, 40 days before the trade was completed.
Since then, the enthusiasm for the Jets within the football world has increased tenfold. The team has been juggling quarterbacks for years and couldn’t get a return on their investments in Zach Wilson (2nd overall pick in the 2021 draft) and Sam Darnold (3rd in 2018). They now appear to have a golden chance to make their first playoff appearances since 2010 and claim the throne in the American East Division, long owned by the New England Patriots, for the first time since 2002.
Now with 147 wins, 475 touchdowns and a Super Bowl later, Aaron Rodgers has the challenge of taking a young team to the next level. In what form will the 39-year-old veteran present himself? Will we see the Aaron Rodgers of the good old days? Will he instead get modest results like his predecessor Brett Favre, traded from Green Bay to New York 15 years earlier?
Rodgers joins a group that includes offensive and defensive rookies of the past year, receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Ahmad Sauce Gardner. They’re also banking on what could potentially be the league’s best running back duo in Breece Hall and former Minnesota Vikings Dalvin Cook. The core is young, but the team’s average age is nevertheless the oldest in the NFL (27.36 years). So there is a shot to be made for the men in green.
The American will however be extremely tough. In addition to the Chiefs and Bills, the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens are not expected to give up.
Canadians to watch
They are 21 representatives of the maple leaf were retained within the formations of 53 players of the teams of the NFL, last Tuesday. Eight of them should be starters, including Quebecers Matthew Bergeron, with the Atlanta Falcons, and Benjamin St-Juste, with the Washington Commanders.
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Matthew Bergeron
Photo : AP / Brynn Anderson
St-Juste will be in a second season in the American capital. The cornerback was drafted in the third round last year. Matthew Bergeron was chosen 38th overall this spring. A major knee injury to new teammate Matt Hennessy opened the door for the Victoriaville native during training camp. He will begin the campaign as a starting left guard.
New England Patriots fourth-round pick (117th overall) Sidy Sow was also retained on his team’s offensive line when the final roster was released. However, it is Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu who should obtain the responsibilities of titular guards, in front of the rookie from Granby.
The Los Angeles Chargers will bet on three Canadian players. They again occupy the top of the NFL in this chapter this season.
Canadians in the NFL in 2023:
Falcons d’Atlanta : Matthew Bergeron, guard (Victoriaville, QC)Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown, running back (London, Ont.) Philadelphia Eagles: Sydney Brown, safety (London, Ont.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tevaughn Campbell, demi de coin (Scarborough, Ont.)Bears de Chicago : Chase Claypool, receveur (Abbotsford, C.-B.)Dallas Cowboys: Neville Gallimore, defensive tackle (Ottawa, Ont.) Los Angeles Rams: Michael Hoecht, linebacker (Oakville, Ont.)Alaric Jackson, plaqueur (Windsor, Ont.)Dolphins de Miami : Jevon Holland, safety (Coquitlan, BC)Caroline’s Panthers: Chubba Hubbard, running back (Edmonton, Alta.)Los Angeles Chargers: Deane Leonard, cornerback (Calgary, Alta.), Amen Ogbongbemiga, linebacker (Calgary, Alta.), Josh Palmer, receiver (Brampton, Ont.) Arizona Cardinals: Jesse Luketa, linebacker ( Edmonton, Alta.), Carter O’Donnell, guard (Calgary, Alta.)Houston Texans: John Metchie, receiver (Brampton, Ont.)Baltimore Ravens: Tavius Robinson, linebacker (Guelph, Ont.), Brent Urban, defensive end (Mississauga, Ont.)New Orleans Saints: Nathan Shepherd, defensive tackle (Ajax, Ont.)New England Patriots: Sidy Sow, guard (Granby, Que.) Washington Commanders: Benjamin St-Juste, cornerback (Montreal, QC)
In bold = leaving
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