Written By Serena H

Yes! The regular football season kicks off this Thursday, September 4 and it’s about dang time. The first week is always exciting because every team is undefeated and filled with optimism. By next Monday, however, there will be some teams that we just know are going to be crappy the rest of the year (looking at you Buffalo Bills) and some teams that we know will be scary good (yes I’m talking about the New England Patriots). Whatever the case may be, 16 teams will be winners and 16 teams will have goose eggs in the L column.

There are plenty of intriguing match-ups to look forward to in week one. If the Atlanta Falcons can rebound from their dismal performance last year, I think their game versus the Saints should be a good one. The Saints defense improved greatly last year when they brought in Rob Ryan as the D coordinator. We’ll see if Matty Ice can sling it against a tough defense.

I’m pulling for Brian Hoyer to have a good game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if for no other reason than I love rooting for the underdog. Since Pittsburgh’s overall performance has been underwhelming the past couple of seasons, Hoyer may just be able to pull off a win against their division foe. Even if he doesn’t get the W, but has a good showing, he may be able to keep Manziel off the field which is a plus as far as I’m concerned.

It’s probably going to be a terrible game but I am curious to see what happens in the tilt between the Redskins and the Texans. ESPN analyst Ron Jaworkski recently stated that quarterback Robert Griffin III’s mechanics have regressed, whereas the Texans don’t have a legitimate starting quarterback even though the job has been given to Ryan Fitzpatrick. I can’t help but to wonder if J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will eat Griffin for lunch, or if Fitzpatrick will throw so many interceptions the Texans won’t be able to overcome them. Hmmm….we’ll have to wait and see.

Quite frankly I’m excited to see just about all of the games, because it feels like it’s been an eternity since the last echoes of the Super Bowl were heard. Will Eli and the Giants finally get comfortable in the “west coast offense”, will Peyton Manning lose to his old team, the Indianapolis Colts again this season, and will anyone bother watching the 2nd game of the ESPN Monday night double-header between the Chargers and Cardinals? We just don’t know yet, so tune in football fans to find out and welcome to week one of the regular season!