September 9, 2021
Regular Season Week 1
Welcome back football, welcome back readers, welcome back The Shenoa Report.
This will be my 12th season writing this blog. I started it after a number of people asked me for my opinion on football and what teams they should root for. Please know that I am very biased, and this report is just my opinion!
The last time I wrote, the Chiefs and the Buccaneers were headed to the Super Bowl. Ugh, I know what you’re thinking, another Tom Brady Super Bowl. Of course Brady got another ring, and of course the majority of football fans were not happy with the outcome, myself included. Though it was nice to see Tom let loose after the game, complete with public intoxication and throwing the Lombardi Trophy all willy nilly from one boat to another. That’s enough about that.
Trevor Lawrance went #1 in the draft going to the Jaguars. The draft was live from Cleveland, taking place outside, with social distancing. Thanks covid, because yeah, that’s still with us. #getthejabalready. The Giants were slated to get the Hismen winner, wide receiver Devanta Smith, until the stupid Eagles moved up and stole the pick from us. PS I hate the Eagles. They ruined our season last year, and probably ruined our season already this year. Moving on…
Drew Pearson, Tom Flores, Peyton Manning (WOOT WOOT!), John Lynch, Calvin Johnson (Megatron), Alan Faneca, and Charles Woodson were inducted into the Hall of Fame. I’m not going to lie, I cried through Peyton’s speech. He’s so amazing.
Some notable moves in the off season include the Chargers losing Hunter Henry to the Patriots, but picking up Jared Cook from the Saints. The Lions and the Rams traded quarterbacks, Jared Goff to the Lions and Matt Stafford to the Rams. Carson Wentz is now a Colt and started the preseason in covid protocol. I’m sure they are already calling Andrew Luck to come out of retirement. The Bears traded up in the first round of the draft to pick up Justin Fields, who should be their starting quarterback after Andy Dalton inevitably screws up, and Will Fuller is now a Dolphin.
The Cowboys were the stars of HBO’s Hard Knocks this season, so I learned that Dak had 2 surgeries on his ankle, not just one. And because it was the Cowboys I scowled the whole time I watched and got a little nauseous every time Jerry Jones was on the screen, and it was a lot.
In other news, as of today, 93.5% of NFL players are at least partially vaccinated.
This season, football’s 102nd, will be a little different than last, for obvious reasons, but also different from previous pre-pandemic seasons in that there were only 3 preseason games this year. There was a bye week before the start of the season and there will be 17, not 16, regular season games. Also, teams with Covid-19 positives will be in jeopardy of forfeiting games, rather than postponement.
Speaking of the preseason, there were some pretty big moves and injuries, so hopefully your fantasy league was like mine and just had their draft two nights ago. If you drafted earlier, I hope you don’t have RB Travis Etienne of JAX - out with a season ending injury, RB J.K. Dobbins of BAL - out with a season ending injury, or QB Cam Newton who is now a free agent after being released by the Pats.
Ready, set, let’s do this!
Now...
WEEK 1
Thursday, September 9th
Cowboys @ Buccaneers (8:20pm NBC)
The Cowboys went 0-4 in the preseason, even though there were only 3 preseason games (they played in the Hall of Fame Game). I don’t think they’ll get their first win in the regular season against the Buccaneers. The Bucs are basically the Brooklyn Nets or LA Lakers of the NFL in that they are signing big names for short contracts in hopes of another Super Bowl Ring. I mean, it worked out for them last year. I’m picking the Bucs to win their first game of the season.
Sunday, September 12th
Steelers @ Bills (1pm CBS)
I know the Bills have been pretty decent for the last couple of years but it still feels weird to say it. They won their division last year and will probably do the same this season. The Steelers haven’t been good for the past couple of years, and that also seems weird to say. I predict that the Bills will continue to trend upwards while the Steelers continue to trend downward. With all that being said I’m picking the Bills to win their home opener.
Eagles @ Falcons (1pm FOX)
Both teams are subpar. If the Falcons can finish all four quarters they’ll probably win this game. PS I hate the Eagles and therefore am picking the Falcons to win this game.
Vikings @ Bengals (1pm FOX)
Joe Burrow will be back under center for the Bengals after a season ending injury last year. For the Vikings, Kirk Cousins, in my opinion, isn’t that great. In conclusion, I’m picking the Bengals to win their home opener.
49ers @ Lions (1pm FOX)
The Lions have a new quarterback this season in Jarred Goff, as well as a new head coach, and for the first time ever they don’t have anyone on the injury report. With all that said, I’m going to pick the 49ers to win this game. Who knows how long Jimmy G will be under center for the 49ers… It should be a fun game to watch.
Cardinals @ Titans (1pm CBS)
Derrick Henry was my very first overall pick in my fantasy draft and Kyler Murry is my starting quarterback. Therefore, I hope this game is high scoring! I’m picking the Titans to win this game, and I hope that Murry doesn’t throw any interceptions.
Seahawks @ Colts (1pm FOX)
Well, the Colts starting quarterback is Carson Wentz, and in my opinion he’s pretty terrible. So, I’m going to pick the Seahawks to win this game, even though I’m starting the Colts defense in fantasy.
Chargers @ Washington (1pm CBS)
The Football Team apparently has a good defense, according to preseason. But preseason doesn’t count. This is a tough one. I’m going to have to go with Fitzmagic and Washington to win this game.
Jets @ Panthers (1pm CBS)
Quick! Name the starting quarterbacks for these two teams! …. One of them is Sam Darnold, but he doesn’t play for the Jets anymore. The Jets are trying out another new quarterback in Zach Wilson. NY cycles through quarterbacks every couple of seasons, thinking that it will help their team get some wins. Unfortunately for the Jets, they need more than just a new quarterback. They need a whole new team, coaching staff, and GM. I’m picking the Panthers to win this game.
Jaguars @ Texans (1pm CBS)
Tyrod Taylor has been named the starting quarterback for Houston and although he’s been in the league for several years he’s on a new team this season. He has Deshawn Watson to thank for his starting position. With all the drama and legalities surrounding Watson the Texans had to go in a different direction. The Jaguars also have a new starting quarterback, rookie Trevor Lawrence, the first pick of the draft. Both teams had terrible seasons last year, but I think that the Texans will win their home opener.
Browns @ Chiefs (4:25pm CBS)
I don’t know if it's because of Hard Knocks a few seasons ago or what but I have a soft spot for the Browns. It’s the reason I probably won’t win my fantasy league this year. I drafted, again, Nick Chubb and OBJ, added Baker Mayfield as my backup QB, and took the Browns defense. Patrick Mahomes was my QB last year so I guess you could say I took a major downgrade. Regardless, I like both teams, and will obviously be rooting for the Browns but I’m picking the Chiefs to win this game.
Dolphins @ Patriots (4:25pm CBS)
The Dolphins won’t have Fitzmagic to bail Tua out when things get tough and they will inevitably get tough. On the other side of the field, the Pats no longer have “Cam” to run them into the ground and instead they have the inverse in “Mac” Jones, rookie quarterback. I’m picking the Patriots to win this game, although I do have players on both teams that hopefully will help me fantasy wise.
Packers @ Saints (4:25pm FOX)
This game will be played in Jacksonville as the game was moved because of recovery efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Ida. The Saints are currently training in the Dallas area because of the storm and could be there the entire month of September. The Saints also have a new starting quarterback, Jameis Winston, after Drew Brees retired at the end of last season. All that being said, I'm picking last season’s MVP Aaron Rodgers to lead the Packers to win this game.
Broncos @ NY Giants (4:25pm FOX)
Ugh. This is going to be a long season. The Giants are now in their fifth “rebuilding” year and don’t seem to be getting any better. I could go on and on about how terrible they’ve been but I need to save some of my words for the rest of this season. I named my fantasy team GIANT Expectations, with the hopes of drafting Saquon Barkley. It’s like all those memes “Summer Plans - Delta Variant” my summer plans were Saquon, I ended up with Kenny Golladay and Gram Gano… I’m picking the Broncos to win this game. GO GMEN!
Bears @ Rams (8:20pm NBC)
The Rams now have Matt Stafford and the Bears have Andy Dalton. Fun fact, Andy Dalton was 32nd in every starting quarterback ranking, from best to worst, in the NFL for this season. I must say I’d have to agree with that ranking. Matt Stafford was ranked 11th, which is debatable. I’m going to have to pick the Rams to win this game.
Monday September 13th
Ravens @ Raiders (8:15pm ESPN/ABC)
The Las Vegas Raiders have the most strict guidelines for attending a home game. All fans must have proof of vaccination in order to be admitted into the stadium, just a negative test will not do. If you are not vaccinated upon arrival you can still get in once you get the jab as long as you wear your mask while in attendance. I think it's a genius set of rules and hope more venues move that way. I don’t think the Raiders will win this game but I sure do like their style. I never thought I’d say this but I think I would feel most safe at a Raiders home game. PS, I’m picking the Ravens to win this game.
Happy Week One!!!!!
GO GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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