NFL 2023

That is also why you sometimes see RB's and WR's pass the ball on a play. I remember this season just gone Christian McAfree became one of few players who had a rushing TD, he passed for a TD and he caught a pass for a TD.

I am sure I have seen guys like Deebo Samuel, Tony Pritchard (Cowboys) and others thrown the ball.  

Another 30years elapsed before Darren Bennett , ex AFL West Coast & Melbourne moved to the US and had highly successful NFL career that lasted 11years.

Following Bennett's success Ben Graham, who played 219 games with Geelong, made the move to the US and he had similar success in a career in the NFL for 7 years, finishing at 39 years of age.

After finishing his AFL career of 257 games with Collingwood and North Melbourne Sav Rocca ventuted to the US and also has a successful 6 year career in the NFL.

It is of interest prior to Bennet going to the US all punters kicked a torpedo punt, but when, on his arrival in the US, Bennett used the more accurate AFL drop punt, it was soon adopted by most punters and today it is used by all punters. 

And while I am here DeAndre Hopkins would make a borderline Superbowl contender a definite challenger now he is being traded.

The favorite is Buffalo as he has said he will take less for a season to be with a team who has a genuine winning hope. OBJ's mid season move to the Rams and his success may have started something here, especially with the receivers not getting the top money in previous seasons.

I thought it was a free market system. If a player is getting traded, but he has a year left on his contract, and is being partially paid by his former team, and he wants to go to a team to actually have a hope of winning a Superbowl, and he is prepared to take a pay cut. then how can the players association block the trade?

If I was DHop I would tell the players association to get lost, but maybe I would use stronger language.

It is about getting value and while Barkley might be the RB with more upside, Hunt is as good as he is and comes with a lower price tag.

  

NFC

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles: 13-4
Dallas Cowboys: 10-7
New York Giants: 9-8
Washington: 5-12

Division Summary: This is a tough division although on talent the top two teams are the genuine play off teams. Philadelphia are just about certain to make a Superbowl run once again. Dallas actually look a more balanced team so if their play callers can get the game management right I do see them improving this season. New York has not improved during the off season and they are still having problems with their running back while Washington have a good defense, and they have good pieces on the offensive side, but the systems in place do not seem to be allowing them to improve their performance level. Once again the top two should make the play offs and the other two will be in the wild card mix.

Carolina Panthers: 7-10
New Orleans Saints: 7-10
Atlanta Falcons: 5-12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1-16

Division Summary: Tampa is back to the dark days of their success so forget them this season. While New Orleans have a solid defense and the addition of former Lion Jamaal Williams adds to the offense which has Kamarra who will be missing for the first three matches. I think Carolina finished off well last season and if the rookie QB can hit the ground running they can shock some and win the division. I would have the Falcons higher up because they are good in the first half of the games but then they fall away. If they can play for the full 60 minutes in three more games than last season they can improve. This is the weakest division in the league!

Buffalo Bills: 13-4
Miami Dolphins: 10-7
New York Jets: 7-10
New England Patriots: 7-10

Division Summary: This could be a very difficult division. Buffalo need to bounce back from a low season for them, but they were devastated by injuries (they remind me of the 49ers the season before they played the Chiefs in the Superbowl), if they get a fair shake injury wise they are a very dangerous team. Miami has the pieces in place but they absolutely need Tua to play the full season. If he misses three or more games they will struggle to get 10 wins. I think with Patriccia gone from the offensive play calling that is a natural improvement on it's own on that side of the ball for the Patriots which was not very productive last season and then we get to the New York Packers. Obviously they had a good young group of players already. Then you add the former Packers offensive co-ordinator, along with the MVP QB, and his pals Lazard and Cobb on the offense, for at the very least experience if not actual talent upgrades. The Jets have the worst start to the season where I have them only winning one game against the Broncos and even that win is questionable if Payton and Wilson form a good relationship. I can quite easily see them going 0-6 as they get to their bye week. From there they still have at least four difficult matches from their last 11 games. I can see them improving but unless you are a Jets fan you have to be realistic and say they might just miss the play ofs this season which will set them up for a run in 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 10-7
Tennessee Titans: 9-8
Indiannapolis Colts: 7-10
Houston Texans: 5-12

Division Summary: Obviously Jacksonville should be the favorites for this division however I discovered something in my research which might see that not happen. Tennessee missed the play offs for the first time in their current head coaches tenure last season, however in 12 of their games last season they either led into the final quarter or were tied with their opponent. In three games this directly caused them to miss the playoffs. The extra time loss to the Chiefs, the game they lost to the Texans and the final game of the season they lost against the Jaguars. With DHop adding his talent to the offense it gives the QB Tannehill another target to utilise. They can absolutely win the division. Indianapolis can improve but they will not make the post season while Houston should win more than the three games they won last season but they are about two drafts away from getting near a post season.