Tom Brady has threatened to retire but returns to the NFL in search of his eighth league ring. Photo: AP Photo / Steve Luciano.
The 2022 season of soccer starts this Thursday with the first game of NFL between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills, the latest champion and one of the best candidates to win the superbowl this year (9pm on ESPN Extra and Star +). Things that only happen in North America: while much of the planet awaits the World Cup in Qatar 2022, in the United States there is only talk of soccer. So, without an accent.
It’s not another season starting this weekend. The time elapsed from the February final to this September premiere was marked by controversy, scandals and tragedies, such as the death of Dwayne Haskins, young quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelershit on the highway by a garbage truck, or Jaylon Fergusonof the Baltimore Ravensdue to an overdose of fentanyl and cocaine. Jeff Gladneycorner of cardinals of Arizona, he also lost his life at the age of 25 in a car accident. These are just three cases of an unfortunate list to which former stars of the sport are added.
This 2022 edition of the most watched sport in the United States will also mark the “comeback” of Tom Bradythe best player and most winner of all time, who announced his retirement in early 2022 and then backtracked, obsessed with winning his eighth ring, second ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer.
Brady’s alleged retirement, announced shortly after the fall of the Bucs to the Rams in the playoffs, it lasted a few weeks and Tampa welcomed its champion with open arms, the image of a franchise revitalized since its arrival in 2020.
“Tom is shooting better than he’s ever seen him,” said Bruce Ariani, who was his coach two years ago when they became champions and is now an assistant for the Florida team.
At 45, and about to start his 23rd NFL season, Brady has warned that his sacred fire “still burns”. “I have a lot to prove this year,” the superstar said, insisting, “I’m here to show that I can still lead a team in the championship.”
In a season where the Rams will be looking to become the first team in 18 years to sign a double league, the Bucs bet all their chips on their leader. “Tom is Tom,” said rookie running back Rachaad White. “He’s our leader. He’s all we want. He’s our captain. He’s iconic.”
Difficult months for the NFL
But beyond Brady and the reigning champions, the controversy once again dictates the pace at the start of the championship.
The scandal is still alive and splashes among others at the Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson. The player was suspended amid allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during the massage sessions.
Watson, who skipped the entire 2021 season amid allegations while he was with the Houston Texans, has not faced criminal charges. and secured a $ 230 million five-year deal with the Browns.
Meanwhile, the buffalo banknotes tried to dodge the controversy when they knocked out kicker rookie Matt Araiza two days after a civil lawsuit was filed claiming he was among three San Diego State University players who raped a 17-year-old girl. He accuses that the “footballer” denies.
The immensely popular and often the focus of controversy, the NFL also enters the season by facing a lawsuit from three African American coaches, led by former Los Angeles Dodgers head coach. Miami DolphinsBrian Flores, alleged racism in league hiring practices.
Superbowl candidates
The Rams start Thursday against a team of Bills widely touted as a Super Bowl contender.
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Rams in trying to repeat is their quarterback’s physique, Matthew Stafford, who played against pain last season but was able to withstand the pressure of reaching the grand finale, which was scheduled at his stadium and where he ended up crowned champion. In the preview of the next show, Stafford declared himself “ready to play” and without limitations.
The Bills, meanwhile, lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game two years ago and again last season, but in extra playoff second round. Losses that served quarterback Josh Allen to bolster the Bills’ resolve.
Allen said the arrival of new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey means the Bills’ attack will be even better this year. They expect the changes to lead them to Super Bowl 57 in Phoenix, Arizona on February 12.
Besides Rams, Bucs and Bills, the other logical names to win the “super bowl” are i Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Heads of Kansas City and runners-up Cincinnati Bengals, among others. And there is a “cover” that appears in the betting preferences table: Los Angeles battery chargerled by young Justin Herbert, the quarterback who in his third season in the elite tries to continue his upward curve.
It is clear: there are many candidates to win the great title of champion. There is one of the great strengths of the NFL, the enormous parity between almost all the 32 teams that play in the league.
Like watching games on TV
The NFL schedules its games each week in its usual format, with one game on Thursday, full day Sunday from late afternoon to prime time, and one final game on Monday. Match broadcasts are paid for by ESPN and Star +, in addition to the special program red zonethat on Sundays from 14:00 to 24:00 it goes from stadium to stadium, showing in real time the most decisive plays of each match.
An NFL with open borders
The season will also feature five international games, including Brady and the Bucs against the Seattle Seahawks. in MonkNovember 13, the first match of the regular season in Germany.
The city of Mexico will also host a game: the Arizona Cardinals against the San Francisco 49ers at the Azteca stadium on November 21st. While there will be three games London including Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers facing the Giants of New York in October.
Rodgers, who earned a $ 200 million four-year extension in the UK, earned his second consecutive NFL MVP award last season, the fourth of his career, but such an investment didn’t pay off. Packers have retired early in the playoffs for the past two years.
This Thursday begins a new dream for all of them.
The last 10 samples
2022: Los Angeles Rams
2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneer
2020: Kansas City Chiefs
2019: New England Patriots
2018: Philadelphia Eagles
2017: New England Patriots
2016: Denver Broncos
2015: New England Patriots
2014: Seattle Seahawks
2013: Baltimore Ravens
The most successful teams in history
Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, 6.
San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, 5.
Green Bay Packers and New York Giants, 4.
With information from Agencies
Source: Clarin
