by Anthony Fernandez, December 8th, 2014
Holy hell, the season is here! I admit, I've been out of the Madden League game for a hot minute, but being back has been amazing. It's great to see the old faces, and it's really "scratching the itch" for all the things I loved about these leagues (trade negotiations, scouting drafts, talking to the guys, making cool articles that are formatted neatly and are fun to go back and re-read when I'm bored at work, etc) without the parts that drove me crazy (all the crazy amount of work running a league like this, as William Cook and company are doing)! In fact, even though I have way less free time than I did back then (as a family man with three children and a grandchild on the way), I find the time commitment is just right. I don't think I've even come close to missing a deadline, and I find myself having the free time to run an occasional sim, or just browse the site to look for cool article ideas. The more abstract and unusual, the better. The QB Ranking article I did last year was simply spurned off a cool graphic Will made. The Trade Deadline "what if" was simply because I've read hundreds of them in various pro sports, but can't remember ever seeing one in a madden league (especially AFTER the deadline passed). The other obvious benefit is the AP. That's the main driving point here, right? We all need AP! We all got big plans. I just burned my offseason stockpile to add +1ACC to
WR Adam Theilen, +1SPD to
WR Martavis Bryant,
and +1SPD to
WR Cody Latimer! If we're gonna do the young WR's
with the young QB, it's gonna take pumping assets into them. The internal goal within the Dallas facility is to have enough AP to really hit
QB Mike Glennon with some JUICE after the first progression period. We have an early BYE (week 3), so need to make sure we get him to that 500 yard standard that
GM Tom Collins wrote about. On top of that we want to have the AP to put +1THP (50k) and +1THA (25k) into him, along with whatever progression he gets. Now these boost should raise his OVR a bit, and while it won't be too much to affect negotiations, we ALSO want to hit him with our extra restructure the same week (prior to the boosts being applied). In fact, we've already scouted out a pretty sweet 7 year contract where he's making right around $3M or less until he's damn near 30 years old. What a time to be alive. Being able to lockdown a budding star QB as he's entering his prime basically on a rookie contract is going to allow us to build this team so well. I can't wait until he holds out, haha.
So the goal is to hit the league with enough content before Week 5 or 6 to buy all that expensive shit. Think I'd need like 140,000 AP? Whew. It's gonna be a task! But ya know what, I'll be home for the holidays becoming a grandpa, so maybe I'll have the time! And if not, there is always the second progression window! In the mean time, and jumping back to my original point, the offseasons in SFL really FLY by. In fact, the week to week pace is insane. It's perfect... if you don't have to run it, and process and the stuff, etc. Major hats off to the team here. When you're pumping out two games a week, it really isn't even THAT bad if your team sucks. Rebuilding is something that is VERY new to me in Madden leagues, but being in charge of the sorry Cowboys has actually been very fun. When I get my ass kicked, there's another opportunity to get my ass kicked a few days later, so there is no need to dwell. And once I blink, it'll be another fun offseason. So here we are. A schedule release. Last year was my first one of these, but I gotta admit I hadn't really "fit in" here yet. I didn't really have a sense of the other GMs, and I certainly didn't have a sense of the other teams, or rivalries, or what-have-you. And while I'm still learning some of that, I did notice that it was WAY more fun to see the schedule this year. I spent a good hour or two just combing over my own. Looking at the matchups, the QBs, the GMs. Did the season break right to help us? Hurt us? And while I was living in that headspace for a little while, I felt it the perfect opportunity to write a SCHEDULE article for SFL. The original concept was to just focus on previewing the PRIMETIME games... but after my first comb thru, I noticed there are some teams that aren't represented very well. Including some damn good teams. So I think as I'm writing this I'll add in a pick for like "Rivalry of the Week" or "Game of the Week", something like that? We'll see. Anyways, if you haven't picked up on it now, I'm adding all the precontext of the article to milk those sweet, sweet AP points. Normally I'd have just wrote this for my planning purpose, and edited out on the last draft. But here we are. Poppa Glennon has gotta feed the neck AP. SO HERE GOES! My 2014 SFL Schedule Preview. Hope some of you read, and enjoy! Sorry to anyone that I may leave out or offend. It's not intentional, and is all meant in good fun!
WEEK 1
Thursday Night Football
Miami Dolphins @
Pittsburgh Steelers 
Gary Cohen is BACK, baby!! Now I admit, I don't know Gary, but the excitement around the league that he's returned is easily observable. And let me tell you... if anyone loves Gary (and his Steelers) more than the league... it's the schedule makers. This man is in Prime Time MULTIPLE times throughout the year, and we'll have a front row seat to see how well this rebuild is working. Now by last count, Gary had about 4-5 first round picks for NEXT year... so I'm not completely sure how competitive they'll be THIS year, but on paper the roster looks ok. That's good news. The bad news? The Steelers are hosting the back-to-back AFC Champion Miami Dolphins. Miami had a relatively quiet offseason, but they're bringing back out a team that's even MORE experienced and talented than the team who ALMOST won the Super Bowl the last two years. If I were a betting man, I'd expect a Dolphins route... but there is an undeniable amount of intrigue surrounding the first game back for Mr. Gary Cohen.
Sunday Night Football
Indianapolis Colts @
New York Giants 
Interesting way to kick off SNF this year. David Carr v. Philip Rivers surely won't disappoint. The Giants and I spent the offseason playing Shakespeare over Free Agent WR Arrelious Benn... but when the balcony scene hit, they were Romeo, and I was Juliet. Time will tell if that poison pill of a contract will kill Romeo, like the defensive back contract I dished out could kill me. Romeo had to gamble though, as the Rivers window is closing, and surely he feels the pressure of a division getting younger and better. But this isn't about the Redskins, Eagles, or Cowboys... it's about the Giants. They are the defending NFC East champs, and they deserve respect. Breck and his Colts are an absolute juggernaut especially in the regular season. That said, perhaps the shuffling at WR and HB will be JUST enough for the Giants to squeak out a home win to start the year.
Monday Night Football (Double Header)
Minnesota Vikings @
Washington Redskins 
San Diego Chargers @
Oakland Raiders 
The good ol' fashioned 2xMNF Week 1! Both of these games look great on paper. The Vikings will surely be starting Drew Brees as he dispatches the Redskins for me, and hopefully starts the process of them thinking about Bridgewater. And as good as that sentence looks on my computer, and as good as it felt to write it... I just don't know if I BELIEVE it. I'm on record as a big fan of Neal Wintermute, and everything he does related to drafting and building a team. I also think he wins virtually all of his trades, but since he's such a likeable guy, he usually catches NO slack for it (no fair)! That said, on paper his team looks incredibly talented... and YOUNG. I mean youth everywhere. Could they surprise and be hella competitive this year? OF COURSE! But the Redskins are GOOD. Their WRs suck, and their OL is going to give up sacks.. but they're good. I think it will be a close one that could go either way. The MNF main event though, is easily the Chargers and Raiders. Will and Brad have been flirting all offseason about who was going to do worse this year, and I have to say... I think this might be Will's year.
BUT. But I think this is Brad's game. The Raiders better defend homefield if they are going to compete in the AFC West this year.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 1
New York Jets @
Tennessee Titans 
Big Ben vs. Mark Sanchez week 1, but not the way you thought you were watching it! The big QB swap of the offseason is the game I'm most excited to see the results of Week 1, even though it doesn't affect us over in the NFC at all. Apolo is on the hot seat, and Week 1 he pulls a Madden League legend. Good luck! I'm putting my money on Kevin and the Jets, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Apolo steal a win as a home dog.
WEEK 2
Sunday Night Football
Washington Redskins @
Dallas Cowboys 
The rivalry that built SFL? I have no idea if that's a true statement or not, since I wasn't here for Cook v. Mellon, but they clearly remember this rivalry fondly. With Glennon and Bridgewater now locked in to battle it out for the next decade in this division, the rivalry is clearly not going away any time soon. Last year, despite how bad we were in Dallas, we split the season series, but it was a weird outcome. They were the ONLY team we beat in the first six games, back when they were full of hope... and they were the ONLY team that beat us in the final six games, when we were rallying for an improbable division title. In the first game our defense completely shut them down. In the second game, their offense blew us out of the stadium. This one I feel will be closer to the middle, but I do feel like our Defense v. their Offense is THE matchup of the game. The good news for the Cowboys? All the early indications are that EVERYONE thinks the Cowboys will suck. Everyone is high on the Redskins, and all the pressure is on them. That's real estate I usually thrive in. Let's see what happens.
Monday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers @
Jacksonville Jaguars 
Cohen and the Steelers AGAIN?!? Man are folks happy to have him back! Steelers fans always travel well! The Jaguars, who seem to underachieve in the playoffs, get a great opportunity to play two semi-rebuilding teams the first two weeks hosting Dallas and Pittsburgh. They -should- start (2-0), but if they trip up, it could get dangerous as they are AT Indy and AT Washington the next two weeks, then are home vs. Kevin's Jets and at Apolo's Titans. They need these first two games, or Breck and his Colts may be out of reach by midseason.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @
Atlanta Falcons 
Mr. Watermelon, who if you haven't heard has won THREE SFL Super Bowls, nearly made the Super Bowl last year before losing to the eventual champion Cardinals. Certainly his expectation is to win a Super Bowl in Tampa, but we shouldn't forget that the Falcons DID win the Super Bowl just about 12 months ago. Garth has the roster in good shape - but I do think Tannehill and some of the other young guys on offense could struggle vs. the Bucs. I absolutely love rookie DT Daniel McCullers and can't wait to see how dominant he is in a few years.
WEEK 3
Sunday Night Football
Denver Broncos @
New England Patriots 
Tommy Boy, my rival from way back (who is now hilarious and making me wonder how many of those verbal spar sessions I lost back in the day and was just too young and dumb to realize it) vs. Briston, who refused to trade me Tom Brady last year and wasted a great year of the GOATs career. Hmm. Tough choice. I legit think both of these guys are great dudes, despite some playful ribbing, and think they're both very talented at their jobs. Tom has a team on the verge of breaking out, and Briston did a semi-rebuild with damn-near $50 million in bags of cash and seemed to speed up the that rebuild process. Leftwich was a steal for a 2nd. They still have almost $20 million to spend, this year or next. I like the Patriots... but I don't think they're ready to beat the Broncos. Maybe Harnish will be hurt by this point in the season though. Maybe Tom will be the guy to do it, haha. Either way, I think the Broncos WRs are going to have a very nice Sunday Night against the Patriots secondary.
Monday Night Football
Atlanta Falcons @
New Orleans Saints 
Garth and the not-so-long-ago SB Champs get a Primetime game in the BIG EASY. Will it be a big, easy game for the Falcons? Probably not. But after the Falcons drop a close game to the Bucs in Week 2, I expect them to get the dub in New Orleans (who by that point might be 0-3 after @CLE and @GB to start the year, and perhaps thinking about a plan to get Freeman and Gabbert some reps).
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 3
Carolina Panthers @
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs being covered again, despite not even having a Prime Time game?!? Oh dear God, am I letting my RL Bucs fandom bias me? Maybe. But frankly I don't know how ONE of these two Bucs games didn't get put on Primetime. Can we flex it? Ha. I'm 100% here for the Father-Son matchup. I'm a big Father-Son fan. It's even my favorite sandwich at CFA... and if you don't know what that is, that's when you get the Chicken, Egg, and Cheese on a biscuit (or bagel if your market is lucky enough to have those). The Father-Son. Enough food talk though, I expect younger Mellon to put up a fight. But father will end up taking son behind the wood shed and getting the 2nd win in a row. Just looking at the Bucs schedule, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens upset them Week 1, causing some initial scares. Bryan will probably be working the trade discussion discord room even more than usual, talking of selling off the whole team. But ultimately then I think they beat the Falcons, Panthers, and then Saints in Week 5 to show they are still the class of the NFC South and have on intention of taking a backseat... even to family.
WEEK 4
Sunday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks @
Chicago Bears 
The Seahawks were the darlings of Draft Day, and rightfully so. I think their team is headed for BIG things in the next few years. But this Bears team looks stacked. Lockdown secondary. Stud LBs. Deep and talented DL. One of the best QBs in the league, with an OL that will keep him upright. Multiple threats to carry or catch the ball. That's a scary Bears team. Seahawks are no slouches, but give me the Bears in a close game at home. Excellent primetime game, either way.
Monday Night Football
Green Bay Packers @
Philadelphia Eagles 
I think I have this snapshot in my mind that the Packers aren't good, because I was thinking back to last offseason and they were dropping games. But a lot of those games... they didn't have Matt Ryan healthy... and I was only even really interested in their outcomes because I had their 1st round pick (from the Riley Cooper trade) and was so happy they finished 1.15, which wasn't much worse than my own 1.12, after my big rally. That said, I had to go back and evaluate their roster, and if Ryan is healthy, this is a damn tough team. Their secondary looks a little young, but I don't know if the Eagles have the WRs to expose it. And for all that the Packers lack in smart secondary play, the Eagles is just as young, if not YOUNGER. The Eagles will need a ball control, ground and pound attack here to keep the Packers offense off the field, or Matty Ice might be making Riley Cooper look like I was a fool for trading him for 1.15! Never rule out AC though, he's an awesome GM and a great guy. His "when is the draft" stuff with Will was some of hardest laughs this offseason. Makes it tough he's in my division, because I want to root against him... but a good dude that also enjoys craft beer? Eagles by 30.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 4
Dallas Cowboys @
Tennessee Titans
Lots of fun options here for my most exciting game... Breck vs. Kevin? Yes please. Will vs. Norbi? Um, sure! Brady and the Bengals hosting the Brady'less Patriots? Fun! Even the Lions @ Rams looks good on paper. The one game I really regret not picking though? The Cardinals @ the Falcons!! C'mon AF, the last two Super Bowl Champions? Battling it out in Atlanta? What a game that's going to be! I legit will be watching the stream of that for sure. But I'd be remiss to not make this biased pick of Dallas @ Tennessee! It's ChampaTampa vs. Apolo! Two pokemasters battling it out, early in the season before they are both later battling it out for draft position. Lots of intrigue in this game, as it's the second year in a row that the Titans will own the Cowboys Future 1st. That's pretty scary, as they'll have a chance to help get 1/6 of what they need to fend off the hot seat, while simultaneously helping their draft position! For the Cowboys, it caps off a rough start to the season of @JAX, vWAS, @TEN, that is followed by a BYE week. If the Cowboys are (0-3) hitting that BYE, there could be big changes in Dallas following that. If, however, the Cowboys can steal a win (or two), expect the team to spend the BYE really investing in Glennon and arming up to make a push to topple the Giants as THE team in the East. And if all that is not enough intrigue for you to watch this game, may I interest you in the fact that that GM of the Titans has threatened to "end the career" of QB Mike Glennon in private messages?! That's right folks, the GM with the only career ending hit in SFL history wants to stop Glennon's Hall of Fame career before it even begins! How will he break all of the Peyton Manning records then? Don't do it Apolo. Let long neck LIVE!
WEEK 5
Sunday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers @
San Diego Chargers
Tell me if you've heard this story before... Cohen in primetime? That's right, the Steelers are back, and this time against Will and his Chargers. This should be a Chargers blowout, as the Steelers will be overmatched. Perhaps this is the week that the Steelers start selling off parts to continue arming for a huge offseason next year to makeover the team completely?
Monday Night Football
Baltimore Ravens @
Denver Broncos
Tommy Boy again, this time against Norbi and his Ravens, who are making their primetime debut. I like the Ravens a LOT, and think they are legitimately one of the better rosters in the league, but it's just so hard to tell what Broncos team we'll see. If the Broncos are healthy, and it's a big IF, I like them to defend homefield here. But I won't be surprised at all if the Ravens win, either. Definitely an intriguing pick for MNF.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 5
Detroit Lions @
Minnesota Vikings
Less games that jump off the page this week, I think the schedule makers did a good job with the two primetime games they picked... but this Lions at Vikings matchup intrigues me. I have absolutely no proof, and I sure Neal would deny it, but I was picking up some subtle animosity between these two teams in my first season here. There was the whole "the division isn't decided yet" comment that Justin made, when I think lots were assuming the Vikings would run away with the North, right around the time the Lions beat them 31-10. The Lions were in the midst of winning 5 of the last 7 to make a real push to make the playoffs... but ultimately coming up short. The Vikings would win the division and make the playoffs, and then go on to boast on draft day about how the BEARS were the team they gameplan against... not the Lions. It's an interesting comment, and maybe it's nothing, but the Lions DO have my favorite QB in the division, a great RB, and some nice weapons. The Vikings would do well to not overlook the Lions.
WEEK 6
Sunday Night Football
Oakland Raiders @
Denver Broncos
The Raiders and Broncos are some popular ass teams, aren't they? Not like they have good asses... like the cable companies love them. I think one of these two teams will sweep the other, and get 2nd in the West. I'm not sure which one it'll be, and could see it going either way. I might lean towards Brad and the Raiders because of general PTSD from Broncos injuries last year (plus I beat them last year, while the Raiders absolutely rag dolled us). But the Broncos are talented and I could see them sweeping as well.
Monday Night Football
Chicago Bears @
Arizona Cardinals 
Bear and Cardinals is quality Monday Night Football action. Great pick here, as by the middle of the season we should begin to see what kind of title defense the defending champs plan on having. Will Scott be satisfied having won it? Or after getting chased out of Detroit, does he feel he needs to put his own touch on the team and win another for his legacy? Last year during trade negotiations with the Cardinals I told Scott that I devalued his 1st Round Pick a bit, because they were winning the Super Bowl. This was with about 6 or 7 games to go? I just felt it in my core that they were the best team in the NFC, and I was pretty sure in the league. I was right (as usual), and if I had to pick right now, prior to kickoff, I'd say that Scott is still hungry and wants another. I think the Bucs will be trouble for them, but if they can avoid playing them in the postseason, I don't think we can rule out a Cardinals repeat.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 6
Cincinnati Bengals @
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Biased AF is putting his Bucs on the article again! But personally, I think this is a Super Bowl preview as much as any other game in the article. Brady was flirting with trading his Starting QB this offseason.. perhaps he thinks his window is closing? The Bengals took some big losses in Free Agency, but he's got a super talented team. I think this has to be their year, but there is a Mellon in the way. I think the Bucs should be favorites in this game, but give me the Bengals in an upset game.
WEEK 7
Sunday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings @
Seattle Seahawks
Vikes and Seahawks here back on primetime. The more I see Seattle popping up, the more I am intrigued about the possibility that they'll have an "F YOU" season and just run away with the NFC West. The Rams were the worst team in football last year, the Cardinals are fulfilled as champs, and the 49ers are talented but have been somewhat quiet. Actually reading that, I think it's still San Fran's division to lose, but maybe Seattle will be better than I thought. Good enough to beat Neal and his talented (but young) Vikes? Time will tell. Totally depends on if it's Tyler Wilson or Drew Brees under center. Considering they got picked for primetime, hopefully it's the later. I thought the NYJ/MIN/DAL love triangle at QB would be something we'd get to monitor for the next decade, as well all had our rookie QBs together. But Kevin hit the evac, as he wanted no part of AF potentially dragging his QB into numerous future lopsided articles. Neal was a bit more brave, and appears fully devoted to making Wilson a better QB than Glennon. I'm excited for the challenge.
Monday Night Football
New York Giants @
Dallas Cowboys
Here it is. Romeo vs. AF! In Dallas! Monday night! Primetime! Benn Bowl?! I love it. They lead the all-time series (11-13), but Romeo is just (1-1) against me here, after Glennon beat them 30-27 towards the end of last year. I like our chances... I'm trying to sweep them, TBH. I don't know if that is possible, but if early sims are any indication, our defense is going to be very good again. Hopefully our offense can get us 20 points a game.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 7
Washington Redskins @
Indianapolis Colts
Bridgewater vs. BRECK?!? I love it. Breck flirted adding a new Teddy, but frankly I don't know why he'd ever replace his wife with how she spoils him with all those amazing meals he posts! There's actually a chance we don't even see Teddy in this game, if the Deadskins manage to take control of this weak NFC East division. But I'll personally be rooting for that storyline. I personally think the Colts are going to steamroll teams this year, and frankly I need them to punish the NFC East teams for me if I'm going to have a chance at stealing a playoff berth.
WEEK 8
Sunday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys @
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have owned the Cowboys historically, but the last time these two teams played Mike Glennon and company embarrassed Russell "hustle and bustle" Wilson to the tune of 28-14. The Cowboys D picked off Russell twice, and scored TDs with two of them. Will the Panthers get revenge here? It's entirely possible, but by Week 8 of this year both teams could be out of the race and looking to the future. I frankly don't see a TON of intrigue in this primetime matchup, and would have much rather seen Atlanta at Cincy, or San Fran at Chicago. But here we are. Hopefully it's entertaining. I guess there is the whole plot where I reminded Younger Mellon to restructure his pending Free Agents with threats of signing them all in Free Agency, but then they were able to successfully protect most of them and I missed out on every single one, including the punter, and they were able to even get a 1st round pick for the corpse of Michael Vick. There's that storyline. But it's reaching.
Monday Night Football
New England Patriots @
Minnesota Vikings
Derek Carr vs. Tyler Wilson?!? Maybe. It'll probably be Leftwich vs. Brees, but a boy can dream. As stated above, as much as I admire Neal and how he's building this team, I do think they are very young. Their best case scenario here is that the Patriots are far behind the Dolphins in the division race, and are playing for the future. Should be a fun MNF game nonetheless.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 8
New York Jets @
Cleveland Browns 
The draft guru Kevin, vs. the team who I own their 1st Round Pick! I'll be excited to see it, and unfortunately will need to be rooting for the Browns to lose every game next year (or at least lose more games than me to replace my missing 1st)! The Browns look good on paper though, so I won't be surprised if they hold homefield here and knock off the Jets, I just think there are a lot of intangibles to consider before this game kicks off midseason. I understand it not being primetime, but it'll be appointment viewing for me.
WEEK 9
Sunday Night Football
Indianapolis Colts @
New England Patriots
What an absolute BANGER of a week of PRIMETIME games. We had Breck earlier in the year having to play his boy Teddy Bridgewater, who he flirted with extensively during the pre-draft phase (likely as a smokescreen), and now here he must watch his heart break as he battles the Pats and Derek Carr. THE BATTLE OF THE CARRS?! Could we get it? Vroom vroom. David v. Derek? What a treat. It's also possible that before this season is over Breck has offered seven 1st round draft picks to bring Derek home to succeed his older brother, and the genius Breck was just using the Pats as a farm team to get his future QB experience while David finishes off his HOF career.
Monday Night Football
Oakland Raiders @
Seattle Seahawks
This is a fun Monday Night matchup. Brad and the Raiders might have traded QB Kevin Kolb by then, don't ya think? Surely by then some team will have had an injury and coughed up a 1st round pick. Right now it's just too much of a gamble. But once you have an idea of where the future 1st will land in the draft order, and how close your own team is to a playoff berth, then I could see a team pulling the trigger. I feel like I've been tough on the Seahawks in this article. Yes, they had an amazing draft, but that doesn't automatically mean they are playing for the future. They have the tools to compete now, and this might be a situation where the Raiders are looking toward the future and stockpiling some assets. Could see this going either way.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 9
Kansas City Chiefs @
St. Louis Rams 
If it feels like these two teams weren't included much in this article, blame Madden for never picking them for primetime! But the main reason we're light on Rams games is because of the dumb ESPN logo updated to show LA, even though OUR Rams are still in St. Louis. Which happens to make this an amazing regional rivalry! As for Rod not being in this one much - his early season matchups just aren't that sexy on paper. It starts tough (vs. Cincy, at Denver, vs. San Fran, at Arizona, at Pittsburgh, vs. San Diego, vs. Seahawks), but if they can weather that storm and go, say... (3-4) in that span, I like this team quite a bit to challenge for a Wild Card. As you could read above, I'm high on the Broncos this year, but they are always an injury away. I also adore Brad and the Raiders, but I firmly believe the two KC/OAK games on the back half of the Chiefs schedule will decide which one of these teams gets a wild card. No split, one of those teams will sweep, and get to 9 or 10 wins and a playoff spot. For the Chiefs, this game against the Rams might be where we start to see that movement. If they steal 3/4 of those first 7, then sweep the Raiders, then tack on wins over the Rams, Browns, Chargers and Broncos? That's a wild card team. Also, the Chiefs will have a big glow up for the 2nd half of the season primetime schedule. They've got a Thanksgiving game, a Saturday game, and a SNF game. Will Eli Manning have a swan song? Or will he get BOOTY'D here vs. the Rams? Is that a thing? Should be.
And there it is. The first half of the season! I've decided to break this into two parts, partly because my work/school day is coming to an end, and partly because I feel we are about at the limit of what is acceptable to ask folks to read in one sitting. I'm sure plenty will just look for their team and read their blurb (if at all), and then they'll close out. But hopefully a few of you read it all and are mildly entertained by the musings of the "new" guy. I haven't proofed this yet, so I'm sure there are plenty of errors I have to fix, but with the school day ending, I need to publish so I don't risk losing. I'll be proofing over it from home tonight and correct anything I missed! I hope to have the other half of the schedule out Monday or Tuesday? I had hoped to this weekend, but I have to drive to Matthews to help my pops chop up and move a tree that fell over, and then wifey is expecting me to hang the Christmas lights from the upstairs gutter... and then I probably should our leyland cypress back, like we do each winter, before they get out of control. Saturday is supposed to be one of the only dry days we've had in Charlotte in some time. So looks like part 2 won't be done before Week 1 is complete... but it might give me some extra insight into what to expect for those PRIMETIME games on the back half of the season. If your team wasn't included in this one, I apologize, but don't worry... the 2nd half we add quite a few SATURDAY games back, a few double header Mondays, and the THANKSGIVING TRIO of nationally televised games! FOOTBALL IS BACK!!
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