Good thread idea and question. I will immediately take out the Jaguars, Titans, and Redskins. The other 5 have a chance. 1. New York Jets- No need to explain. A top rivalry in the NFL. Todd Bowles era starts on national tv. 2. Buffalo Bills- The NFL may feel that Rex Ryan himself is bigger than the Jets organization. If they do (and I think they might) I could see the Bills being the most likely opponent to start the season in New England. It allows Rex's tenure in Buffalo to start with a bang. Mark it down. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers- This is the most national appeal choice. Steelers are a huge franchise and Ben vs Brady is always good tv. 4. Miami Dolphins- Miami is another good rivalry for the Patriots. I don't see it happening though. 5. Philadelphia Eagles- This is the wild card choice. Chip Kelly is must see TV and the Eagles have been crazy this offseason. I am saying it is Bills-Patriots.
NBC loves the Steelers. They have a premier quarterback, a very exciting young offense, and arguably the biggest national following. I'm 95% sure it will be the Steelers-Patriots on opening night.
Hard to believe us after a 4-12 and an unproven coach and no star Qb. Of course we're New York. But I could even see them taking the Bills over us. With Rex and McCoy. And they had a decent season last year. But again it's Buffalo, the low ratings capital of the NFL.
Best shot at beating the Pats is week 17 if they've got the first seed locked up and we're 3-12. Geno will LIGHT THEM UP! _
You mean if you're looking for a clutch performance at the end of the season when the team is hopelessly out of it that Geno is your man. That sounds about right.
Usually I'd trust a Steelers fan's judgement when it comes to quarterbacks getting suspended. You own that topic. In this case though... wishful thinking. If that's really what you believe then I'd get used to disappointment. Anyway, on topic, at this point my guess would be, in order of how likely: 1. Bills - Rex's debut with Buffalo, pretty juicy story lines... 2. Jets - The Rivalry of Tampering continues, and Revis' immediate return to NE would have legs... 3. Steelers - I think this game gets scheduled later in the year, maybe on a Sunday night...
I agree, I think they will want to save that Steeler game for a later in the year game. Maybe even a national CBS game at 4PM midseason. I think it will be between the Jets and Bills and normally I'd be inclined to say it will be Buffalo but the whole Revis dynamic now, being in the building while they drop the banner he helped win, Jets/Pats always has national legs.. I think it will be that game
I think the networks don't trust the Jets. And they have no assurances that the game will be competitive. Which can mean big dollars if people around the country are turning the game off early to watch Mike And Molly. We'll of course watch it till the bitter end. This is a big game so the Steelers isn't out of the question. Buffalo: there is no way!
I keep going back and forth on it... both match-ups have great story lines. Could also be a rookie QB's debut if it's NY. It's actually kind of odd they haven't announced it yet. Usually that happens right around the March meetings.
People will be glued to the opening night game whether its competitive or not. That actually works in the Jets favor. Midseason they might be worried about that and choose Pittsburgh/NE but opening night? it could be NE vs. Sandusky High School and its going to get huge ratings because people are starved for the return of football
Yeah but if the game is a blow out they tune it out early. Which kills 2nd half ratings and brings down advertising rates.
Like to see someone on the Jets take a pick six and pull a "T.O." in the endzone with a 'pin' in place of a sharpie.
man that would be classic. especially if they actually deflated the ball with the pin. someone with twitter needs to suggest this to a player, i don't care what team
the league is always pushing for scoring and national audiences. for that reason i think it will be the Steelers. lots of points will be put up, and the game will have plenty of AFC appeal. i would say the Bills, as there is rivalry, offense v defense, Rex on a new divisional team...new faces like McCoy, Harvin, Clay, etc. however, just no QB at all, which just still leaves the matchup tilted towards the Pats. still, it's a decent option. i'd put the Jets as the third or fourth best option. the rivalry is good, and there is the recent tampering and Revis back and forth.. however, brand new coach and regime in NY with no real ties to the rivalry.......has a little less bite (for now). also, like the Bills, just no QB of interest or real competition.
Of course, unrealistic as it is, that was the idea of the joke. Picture Revis getting mobbed by his teammates and is half-hidden in the endzone celebration huddle....he deflates the ball, then when attempting to toss it to the ref he comes up short and the ball just 'plops' to the turf and dies on the spot.... *cue Patriot sideline* : )
