Football fans worldwide struggle to contain their excitement as we embark on another National Football League season. The campaign began on the opening weekend of September and will run until the Super Bowl-deciding game in Paradise, Nevada, in February. What happens between the opening game and Super Bowl LVIII will keep fans on the edge of their seats as we prepare for the most competitive and exciting campaign in years.
Are you a fully-fledged football fan with a team to follow and predictions on which side will lift the Super Bowl trophy in February? You may be more of a casual observer, but you recognize the excitement surrounding the coming season and want to get involved. Whatever your football background, we’re here to help you get the most from the season. Our team of football writers brings you up to speed with the NFL and what you can expect in the coming weeks and months.
With online gambling now legal in several states across the US, the betting industry will be more prominent in football this year. Expect to see betting kiosks at stadiums, and the biggest online sportsbook reviews show bookies have ramped up their coverage of the competition. You’ll find more games, odds, and markets than ever, allowing fans to make predictions and place bets.
NFL schedule
The 104th edition of the NFL begins on September 7 when the Detroit Lions play the Kansas City Chiefs to raise the curtain in style. The win is at stake here and a chance for either team to make a perfect start, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Detroit or Kansas were to win the Super Bowl this year. Both teams are well respected in pre-season predictions and have the players and coaches to challenge for the silverware.
Fans settle in for the regular season, which takes us into next year, and things begin to get serious. The best-performing teams secure an extended season by finishing in the playoff places, where they’ll play knockout football and attempt to land a spot in Paradise. The playoffs begin on January 13, 2024, and you can pick a team to make it to the playoffs or sit tight and wait to see how the regular season plays out.
The earlier you choose a team, the better odds are attached if you’re gambling, but waiting until the playoffs increases your chances of bagging a winner. Stick your neck on the line by selecting a team to go to the final before a ball has been kicked to prove your football knowledge to friends and family. Odd-makers have had their say, and you can follow the professionals or go against the grain and pick an underdog.
Party in Paradise
Super Bowl LVIII is on February 11 at a packed Allegiant Stadium, with millions more watching the play on TV and live-streaming apps. Do you plan on buying a ticket and watching the most incredible show on earth alongside fellow fans in a celebration of all things American Football?
Will you watch the game live on TV, or is a live-streaming app on your smartphone the best option due to work commitments? However you choose to watch the Super Bowl and the upcoming NFL season, you’re guaranteed thrills.
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Kansas the popular pick
The most trusted sources have published their NFL and Super Bowl predictions, and it’s now time for fans to agree or disagree. Traders, pundits, ex-players, and professional bettors have published their picks, making Kansas City the team to beat. The Chiefs are the most-picked team in early predictions, and it’s easy to see why. They have recent experience of success, enjoy great form, and have recruited well during the summer.
The Kansas team that kicks off this campaign differs from the one that finished the previous season. There’s no doubt they are good enough to win the Super Bowl, but it’s still too early to be sure if the new arrivals will meet expectations. Will the players gel quickly enough to hit the ground running? Will the best-performing stars remain free from injury?
Eagles and Bills well-supported
Too many question marks currently hang over the Chiefs, which may encourage football fans to take a different approach. If they don’t do as predicted by the pros and win the title, which side will take their place in Paradise? The Philadelphia Eagles attracted support during the summer months, and that’s not without good reason. They, too, have strengthened in the off-season and were NFC champions last season, meaning they’re on solid foundations.
The final team from the three most-supported NFL clubs in pre-season predictions is the Buffalo Bills. It’s no surprise to find Buffalo mixing it with the favorites, but they’ve let supporters down in the past, failing to match their high standards. Bills were favorites with bookies to win the Super Bowl for long periods of last season, and their late failure may leave some supporters feeling they had their fingers burnt.
Player watch
Now we know which teams will perform well this season and challenge for glory, let’s flag up some players worth following. These stars are good enough to turn games in their team’s favor, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. They are strong-willed, confident, experienced, and incredibly skillful. Those who already have a Super Bowl ring push to become multiple champions, while those without a ring are desperate to break into the winner’s enclosure. Who will secure a place in history?
The name on everyone’s lips ahead of the season is Patrick Mahomes, who many fans expect will be named this season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). There’s a lot of pressure on the player’s shoulders, but his character and determination to succeed means he’s unfazed. Mahomes isn’t guaranteed to be MVP, but he’ll take some beating to the prize.
Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen are two names to follow closely when the games begin to come thick and fast. Those men will play an integral part in their club’s success this season, and if they can help drive their employers to the late stages, they could be MVP.
