Another edition, new focus

The resumption of the National Football League (NFL) in America after the summer break has brought a refreshing focus on the strategies and plays rather than off-field politics.

Glamour in the NFC comes in the North division where, in Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers boast statistically the best quarterback in the league.

This fan-owned team also nurtures its own talent yet it is second-round draft pick, running back Eddie Lacy, who is expected to provide an already potent offence with greater variation and threat.

Again question marks remain over their defence and they will, therefore, hope to have Clay Matthews available all season.

While the Packers are an excellent team, most of the other top teams also will challenge for the same divisional title.

The San Francisco 49ers are a constantly evolving and improving team. Colin Kaepernick’s surprise emergence last season helped the 49ers to the Superbowl and, with a full season ahead, will hope to go one step further.

If he is to avoid ‘second season blues’ he will have to use his powerful passing game in addition to his strong running. That said, his inexperience was evident as he completed less than 50 per cent of his passes as they were routed 29-3 by the Seahawks in an early-season match-up between the two top-ranked teams in the NFL. This compares with completing 434 yards on the opening day in defeating a strong Packers outfit.

This fixture pitted two rival coaches that have been battling against each other dating way back to college. However, it was Seattle’s Pete Carroll who gained the bragging rights on his birthday thanks to a stout defence and three touchdowns from Marshawn Lynch.

Add to these a franchise with probably the strongest strength in depth, the Seattle Seahawks.

While they look to have improved from last season where they finished with 11 wins, they face some difficult ‘road’ games which may result in a worse record when the play-offs arrive. They have started well, most notably with their home victory over the Niners. Their defence looks as strong as ever and with greater variety in offence they could go all the way.

In the South division, the Atlanta Falcons have splashed the cash, signing running back Steven Jackson from St Louis, and have ambitions to be title contenders.

The Falcons possess one of the strongest offensive lines in the league and were leading San Francisco 17-0 in last season’s championship decider before imploding, although still had an opportunity to snatch victory with their final drive, finishing ten yards short. 

They have also added British-born defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, who won two titles with the Giants.

If they are to face a challenge it should come from New Orleans Saints who should be better organised and motivated following the return from a one-year ban of their coach, Sean Payton.

The team to beat in the AFC will be the Denver Broncos whose defence was ranked last season as third in both passing and running. Peyton Manning can be relied upon to hit new wide receiver, Wes Welker, one of a trio of formidable options.

Despite doubts over the strength of his arm, Manning started the season equalling a record set in 1969 with seven touchdown passes as the Broncos defeated the defending champions. Following a second week win over his younger brother, Eli, the 37-year old is currently ranked first in the league for touchdowns and second in yards. He is now 3-0 against his younger brother in head-to-head matches.

Pushing them all the way will be the New England Patriots. The most dominant team with nine East divisional titles in the last ten years, the Patriots have not lost with Tom Brady pulling the strings, although he will be without his five leading receivers from last season. 

This has been evident in their two opening fixtures with Brady demonstrating his frustration in the narrow win over the Jets. He will need to be more positive if this young team is to improve.

The AFC South should be a straight shoot-out between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. The Colts hope to ride their luck, quarterback Andrew Luck, that is. The number one overall draft pick the previous season, Luck was another to enjoy a fantastic rookie season, prefers to pass although managed to rush for five touchdowns. He was, however, sacked a remarkable 41 times.

In a second week match-up between the two big spenders, the Colts and Luck were outplayed by the Dolphins who invested $146million in the unrestricted free-agent market. Dolphins quarterback, Luke Tannehill, made some key plays at decisive moments to demonstrate the Miami franchise spent their money more wisely!

Conversely, the Texans look to have a stronger roster and have added Hopkins as wide receiver and Reed at safety, although he has missed time with injury pre-season. The one hindrance is quarterback Matt Schaub, who, while dependable, is simply not as strong as those in other teams. They did show their resilience in the season opener, coming back from a 21-point deficit away at the Chargers, thanks to a last-minute field goal.

The Jacksonville Jaguars did score their first touchdown in their second game in a likely battle of the bottom two teams, missing out to Oakland, proving how difficult it is to make 26 new players gel as a team!