1. Chances are you don't even remember that last time the Patriots played without Tom Brady. This Sunday we will see the Patriots without the best in the game Tom Brady. How different will the team look? For four weeks they probably will look very different. That being said they will be okay. I say 2-2. Good news for the rest of the league maybe but the bad news is Brady will return in week 5. He is going to be on a mission. The four game advantage the rest of the league has is nothing Brady can't handle.
2. This isn't a fantasy football column but since fantasy is a huge part of the game now many people are wondering who will have the biggest impact in your leagues. The receiver or the running back. I say it's the receivers. The amount or dominant receivers out numbers the dominating backs in the NFL. Guys like Antonio Brown , Julio Jones Deandre Hopkins and Odell Beckham will be monsters this year. But don't sleep on other guys in fantasy at the position who will have monster years. Guys like Amari Cooper , Sammy Watkins , Mike Evans and Allen Robinson will be beasts too. The thing is there's so many other guys who are going to be beasts also. That's just a few receivers but the list is huge.
3. Marcus Mariota will turn into the star we saw in college in his sophomore NFL season. Mariota's team will be much better around him and that will help the second year man. He has some better receiver play makers , two excellent running backs and a top player at tight end. It seems like he gets over looked despite being really good last year.
4. Don't forget about Jimmy Graham ! Don't forget about Victor Cruz ! They both suffered the dreaded patella tendon injury but they're both back. I don't think either them will have huge impacts right away but don't sleep on them. For Jimmy Graham I can see him being a playmaker threat down field and in the red zone for the Hawks. For Cruz I can see him putting up good numbers and being the third option behind Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard.
5. Sam Bradford is better than some of us think. Everyone loves to remind you of the struggles or the injuries in Bradford's career. However look at his excellent play in his last four games as an Eagle last season. Look at his play in 2013. It was only 7 games but Bradford had 14 touchdowns , 4 interceptions , and 1,687 yards. I'm not saying he's going to be elite but I think he will be good for the Vikings. He's going to love having a great running back in Adrian Peterson. I also think he will do well with rookie Laquon Treadwell. The Vikings will be a playoff team.
6. Is Dak Prescott the real deal ? Many people didn't think so in the NFL draft as he fell to the fourth round but he lit it up in preseason and now he has all the hype. When Tony Romo got injured Prescott became the man in Dallas. Sunday he opens against the rival Giants and the new defense.
7. Can the new Giants defense lead them back to the playoffs ? The Giants had the worst defense in football last year. In the offseason they spent an absurd amount of money on the defense and used the first round pick on the defense. The Giants added Olivier Vernon , Snacks Harrison , Janoris Jenkins , Eli Apple and kept Jason Pierre Paul. The Giants defense does not have to be a top defense for them to make the playoffs. Don't forget about the excellent offense led by Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. If the offensive line is average like last year watch out.
8. The best division in football should be the AFC West. The Broncos don't have Peyton Manning anymore but they still have the best defense in football. The Raiders have a top defensive player in Khalil Mack to go with a monster offense with Derek Carr and Amari Cooper. The Chiefs have an excellent defense , excellent running game and consistent passing game. They could be the best team in the AFC even if no one realizes. The Chargers drafted the best defensive player in Joey Bosa and don't forget about the potential Hall of Fame duo in Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates.
9. Myles Jack fell in the draft because of a brutal college injury but he will prove that to be a mistake to all the teams that passed on him. Jack might be limited for some time but he will prove to be one of the best rookie defenders. He will win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
10. Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement during the Super Bowl. Now he's hinting he could come back. Lynch may just be talking but if he did return it could be week 4 or 5. Lynch had a down year last year so he may have the itch to return. If he returns what team would he play for ? If the Seahawks running backs play good they probably wouldn't bring him back but if they don't they might want him. Other teams would have interest too.
By Peter Vitella
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