The NFL rushes its way back into field goal range when the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys tonight at Raymond James Stadium.
Led by ageless wonder Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl victor and his repeat-seeking bandmates look to silence analysts doubting the staying power of their current regime. Meanwhile, the Bill Belichick-led New England Patriots whom Brady left behind after two decades of decidedly “G.O.A.T” shot-calling have their own mission to note.
As preseason expired, Head Coach and General Manager Belichick sent shockwaves reverberating across the league by cutting former MVP quarterback Cam Newton in favor of rookie draftee and Alabama Crimson Tide alum, Mac Jones.
Though Belichick denied it was a Covid-influenced maneuver, many strongly feel that it was just that; throughout the preseason, it’s been made abundantly clear that players who’ve elected not to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, like Newton, must unequivocally outperform their competition. Otherwise, there’s the door.
Last season revealed players of any position, let alone one as important as quarterback, who enter Covid protocol throw more than a wrench into the plans for a precious-and-short season. Even though the upcoming slate features an additional seventeenth game for all 32 teams, organizations ever-tasked to adapt on the fly are continually proving they’ll go to bat for their players – to an extent. When it comes to a player the pulse of the team runs through by design potentially missing game action, they would rather not take any chances.
Fresh off their second go as the focus of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” The Dallas Cowboys are charged to reclaim an NFC East division prematurely lost along with the captain of their then-rendered circumstantially rudderless ship. Listed seventh in The Sporting News’ preseason ranking of the league’s current starting quarterbacks, Dak Prescott returns from a dislocated right ankle hellbent on living up to his $160 million extension and record-breaking $66 million signing bonus.
Widely held as a “once in a generation talent,” Trevor Lawrence – selected first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars – is the odds-on favorite to earn Rookie of the Year. If he can launch touchdown pass after touchdown pass to guide the Jags out of obscurity, his rise will pair up quite nicely with the beginning of the end for a veteran Lambeau Leaper beloved by Cheeseheads.
After a grandstand-jammed offseason mixed with threats of retirement to take hold of the permanent “Jeopardy!” hosting gig (that’s still up for grabs, apparently), Green Bay’s got their man. Albeit, with a terminal caveat. Three-time MVP Aaron Rodgers readies to lace up in green and gold for what’s presumed to be the last dance in a marriage with “Packnation” that bore one Super Bowl victory in 2011. How the team fares in 2021-2022 ought to determine what’s next in store for the future Canton-enshrinee. Either way, Rodgers’ season-long goodbye to Green Bay begins this Sunday. Jordan Love be damned with some mightier-than-most spikes to fill come this time next year.
The New York Giants and the New York Jets, both ever-relevant even in mediocrity due to the unmatched scrutiny befalling byproducts of “Big Apple” expectation, each essentially have a novice at the helm. Granted, the Giants’ Daniel Jones is entering his third season; but, if current Carolina Panther Sam Darnold’s three-and-out with the latter Metlife resident is any indication, then this year is make or break for Eli Manning’s successor. Jets rookie Zach Wilson is determined to satisfy an embittered fanbase still consumed with their search for the next “Broadway” Joe. One more flop in a running slew of consolation prizes may send them entirely over the edge, if they aren’t there already. That said, if Wilson can demonstrate just some shred or semblance of an ability to overcome early “boo birds,” he’ll be the subject of endearing, and not mock-filled, Barstool t-shirts by fourth quarter’s end.
An underrated story to follow: The Los Angeles Rams. Will Matthew Stafford – despite bringing with him impressive passing yards, also sports a nonexistent playoff pedigree – become the next “feel-good” Hollywood story in literal Hollywood? His new coach Sean McVay, once considered the face of the next generation of young coaches, sure is counting on it. Especially when trading for an uncuttable gem like the 33-year-old with fixations on burying past failures right beside the “Stat Padford ‘’ nickname critics unfairly blitz-attacked him with in Detroit.
Al Michaels (play by play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentary) and Michele Tafoya (reporter) will be on the call for Dallas Cowboys v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Offensive Guard Zack Martin will not suit up for the Cowboys [Covid-19]. Dak Prescott [shoulder] is expected to play.
