Back In Action
At last. At long, long last. The NFL as we remember it.
Not preseason games. Not glorified scrimmages that are essentially job tryouts. Real games. Games that count.
And the first is a rematch of the last – Super Bowl 50.
The Carolina Panthers visit the Denver Broncos on Thursday night (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET), looking to salve the wounds from their 24-10 loss in the NFL title game in February. This is the first time since 1970 that the two Super Bowl opponents meet to open the season.
“A lot of people are going to make it a rematch, but it’s not a rematch,” says Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. “This is not the Super Bowl. This is not revenge for the Super Bowl. That’s not our focus. We’re just trying to win a game. It just happens to be the same team.”
You may not recognize the Broncos. Peyton Manning retired after winning the a second Super Bowl to cap his stellar career. His would-be successor at quarterback, Brock Osweiler, took off for the Houston Texans as a free agent. The well-traveled Mark Sanchez, acquired in a trade, didn’t even make the team. No. 1 pick Paxton Lynch will need time to develop.
So the Broncos will open the defense of their crown with Trevor Siemian taking the snaps. His experience in games that count amounts to one snap last year – taking a knee. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2015. This should be interesting against a hungry, solid Panthers defense.
Count down the minutes until kickoff. Then revel in the season. Welcome back, NFL.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman
-
All-Rounder Stokes Aims for Recovery Ahead of Upcoming India Test Series England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that...
-
NBA Star Penalized for Inappropriate Gesture During Victory Over Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, has been...
-
Spanish Football Chief Faces Scrutiny Over World Cup Incident The Spanish government announced on Tuesday that it has submitted...
-
University of Houston Mourns the Loss of Former Basketball Star Reggie Chaney The University of Houston community is deeply...
-
Former President Donald Trump Leaves Republicans Speculating on His Debate Strategy Former President Donald Trump has definitively confirmed that...
-
As Neymar’s desire for a new chapter surfaces, the football world debates whether he will return to Barcelona’s embrace...
-
The football legend mesmerizes with a dazzling display and debuts a Wakanda Lionel Messi wowed fans once again with...
-
Andrew Wiggins Returns: Ready to Help Warriors Defend Championship Title! Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has returned to...
-
Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow. Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow with...
-
Diaz injured his knee while the Puerto Rican team was celebrating its victory. During Wednesday night’s game in the...
-
Number 16 has joined the legendary likes of Numbers 8 and 24. Despite retiring from the NBA in 2021,...
-
Tatum was slapped with his first career ejection after two technical fouls. Monday night was a rough one for...