The NFL Kickoff is here for the 2015 season, who can knock off the reigning Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots? Roger Goodell had the first crack at slowing them down but the court decided that Tom Brady four game suspension. The world will see a pregame concert in San Francisco to start off with a bang. Then the Champs will host the team with the most championships in NFL the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
Some clubs have excelled in openers. Here is a sampling of notable active NFL Kickoff streaks:
- The Super Bowl XLIX-champion NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, who host Pittsburgh in the spotlight Kickoff 2015 game on Thursday night, have a 15-1 record at Gillette Stadium over the past two seasons. The Patriots have the fifth-most Kickoff Weekend wins among AFC teams (30).
- The AFC North champion PITTSBURGH STEELERS, who travel to New England on Thursday night of Kickoff Weekend, have the most wins (41) among AFC teams on Kickoff Weekend.
- The NFC North champion GREEN BAY PACKERS, who travel to Chicago on Kickoff Weekend, hold the record for the most wins in road openers (53) in the NFL and the fourth-best winning percentage in openers on the road (.576, 53-39-2).
- The AFC West champion DENVER BRONCOS, who start the season at home against Baltimore, have posted a 41-13-1 (.759) record in home openers, the top mark in the NFL. Denver has won 18 of its past 20 home openers.
- The NFC East champion DALLAS COWBOYS begin the year by hosting the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football with a 37-17-1 (.685) record in openers at home, the fourth-best winning percentage in NFL history.
- The AFC South champion INDIANAPOLIS COLTS start the season at Buffalo with a 33-29-0 (.532) record in road openers, the second-best winning percentage in the AFC.
- The ARIZONA CARDINALS, who host New Orleans on Kickoff Weekend, have the third-longest current winning streak among NFC teams in home openers (five).
- The ATLANTA FALCONS and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS start the season at home against Philadelphia and Minnesota, respectively, during a Monday Night Football doubleheader. Atlanta has won its past seven home openers – the longest active streak in the league – while San Francisco has won 14 of its past 20 home openers.
- The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, who visit Atlanta to open the 2015 campaign, have won six consecutive road openers, the longest active streak among NFC teams.
All 32 teams will play this weekend with two Monday night games to start the season. The three teams eyeing an NFL stadium in Los Angeles will host home openers Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams, and Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders. Just think in few years we could have a game in Inglewood, & Carson if the owners approve. The cites would be buzzing and then a Super Bowl as well, life would be perfect for the Angelenos.
After this weekend the fantasy football leagues will be buzzing while head coaches will be looking for their 53 man rosters to stay intact. This year teams will be able to have 5 extra guys on the practice squad for total of 10.
Enjoy the next 18 weeks of regular season football before the road to Super Bowl 50…
