The question of whether the Chiefs, who celebrated their second Super Bowl victory with a 31:20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in early February, could have a “Championship Hangover”, could be answered with no in the first game. At 34:20 over the also highly regarded Houston Texans, the defending champion under superstar Patrick Mahomes started where he had left off in the Super Bowl in Miami. The 24-year-old showed with three touchdown passes that his ten-year contract signed in the summer is worth half a billion US dollars.
In addition to the Chiefs, last year’s finalist San Francisco, who welcomes a dangerous underdog with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, should also be on the title bill. In the NFL’s power ranking, the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson, the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2019 season, and the New Orleans Saints around old star Drew Brees are also among the first challengers to Kansas City. Watch out for the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers, who were in the semifinals last season.
The chance of being in the play-off has increased significantly this year. Because the league increased the number of participants for the knockout round from a total of twelve to 14 teams. Only the two top teams – and no longer the first two – per conference will receive a bye in the first play-off round. Also new are two team names that did not exist before. After moving to the US state of Nevada, the Raiders will now operate under the name of Las Vegas Raiders. And for the first time since 1933 the Washington Redskins have been searched in vain – the team from the US capital gave in to the pressure due to the protests against racism and gave up the long-controversial name. Washington Football Team is the provisional name.
Season marked by protests
At the opening game in Kansas City, it also became clear what the fans on TV sets around the world have to be prepared for this season: sparsely occupied or empty stands and open actions against police violence and racism. The protests, which began four years ago with the kneeling of the then 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the US anthem, came back into focus after the violent death of the African American George Floyd in a police action at the end of May. And in contrast to before, the NFL now openly supports the cause and declared its solidarity with all players.
The players are now allowed to wear stickers with names of victims on their helmets, referees and coaches will put lettering on their caps. The words “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” will also be visible in the end zones. Players also have the right to completely forego games in protest. “I wish we’d listened earlier,” confessed NFL boss Roger Goodell. Protesting players had repeatedly had to defend themselves against the accusation – among others by US President Donald Trump – that they were unpatriotic or against the US military.
How diverse the type of protests will be became apparent in the first game. While the actors of the chiefs listened to the US anthem played via video wall with crossed arms, the players from Houston stayed in the dressing room with “The Star Spangled Banner”. Before the start of the game, however, the players from both teams gathered together in the middle of the field in order to demand the necessary cohesion from society. The fact that the action, as well as the arrival of the guests from Houston, was accompanied by occasional boos, showed that the way to the conjured “Unity” is still a long way.
In front of empty ranks
The fact that spectators at Arrowhead Stadium have the opportunity to get loudly involved in the action will remain the big exception in the early stages of the season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only six of the total of 30 arenas – the two teams in New York and Los Angeles share a stadium – will be allowed in the stands for the time being. Particularly bitter from the fans’ point of view: The atmosphere in the brand new stadiums in Los Angeles and Las Vegas will not be able to be experienced until the coming season at the earliest.
However, capacity is also limited in those arenas where spectators are allowed. The Chiefs’ first game was watched by 16,000 spectators spread across the stadium instead of just under 73,000. In addition to Kansas City, the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami can count on at least limited support from the stands.
In order to be able to play again at all, the NFL will continue to test players and coaches for the corona virus every day, with the exception of match days. There were no major coronavirus outbreaks during the training camps. Until shortly before the start of the season there were only a dozen positive tests on the teams. Due to the pandemic, the preparation games were also completely canceled. The players were also given the option of doing their job this year. 67 NFL professionals took advantage of the opportunity to voluntarily skip the season due to the pandemic.
Brady puts focus on Tampa
The superstars like Mahomes, Jackson and young star Kyler Murray were not deterred by the pandemic. Just like old star and record champion Tom Brady, who is going into his 21st NFL season. And yet the 43-year-old is facing a premiere: For the first time in his career, the quarterback will not wear the jersey of the New England Patriots, but that of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Why did I choose another location? Because it was just about time “, Brady had outlined the new challenge immediately after his move.
The superstar’s change, which led New England to six titles, pushed the Buccaneers back into the limelight after years of inconspicuousness and pushed the Patriots out of their closest circle of favorites for the first time in years. On the west coast of Florida one is already dreaming of the second title after that of the 2002 season. Brady’s charisma also motivated his long-time favorite playing station Rob Gronkowski to put it on hold and return to the NFL after a year. Brady’s first game in the Tampa outfit is eagerly awaited. Opponent is none other than New Orleans, where 41-year-old Drew Brees will start what may be his final title hunt.
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