Last week designated the start of the 2024-2025 NFL season! With Kansas City bringing the Superbowl back to Arrowhead for the second time in a row, many teams look to bring down the unstoppable Chiefs. Many teams like the Texans, Jets, and Eagles are trying to build the best roster they can to try to secure their spot in the playoffs. Other teams like
the Patriots, Panthers, and Cardinals are looking to rebuild their team. Regardless of the team, this year’s NFL will be packed with excitement.
With the new season new rules are also here. The New Kickoff rules and the banning of the hip drop tackle are the most famous new rules. The hip drop tackle is a form of tackling where a defender grabs someone by their hips and twists their hips to force a tackle. Although a commonly used tackle, it’s extremely dangerous due to the stress it causes on the ankles. This tackle has been banned in the NFL.
Kickoff
The new kickoff and kick return creates an entirely new strategy for the special teams.
The old Kick-off Team had a kicker who could kick the ball anywhere he liked. As long as the ball wasn’t kicked shorter than 10 yards or out of bounds there was no flag. The NFL believed that the old Kick-off had too many “touchbacks” though. A touchback is when the kicker kicks the ball behind the other team’s endzone. A touchback can also happen if a player kneels the ball in the endzone. The new Kick-off requires a certain area of the field to be hit. The new Kick-off Team is no longer allowed to run while the ball is in the air. This helps greatly prevent kickoff injuries. Injuries were common in the Kick-off because the Kick-off had high-speed open tackle hits. Lowering the general speed of the Kick-off helps prevent injuries. Although the purpose was to avoid “touchbacks”, statistically touchbacks are more common now.
Patriots
With the new head coach, Jerod Mayo starts a new leaf for the Patriots. Mac Jones and Zappe were both traded or released, creating a new Quarterback room. Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett and newly drafted quarterbacks Drake Maye and Joe Milton III help create a powerful presence on the offense. With the loss of Ezekiel, Rhamondre Stevenson gains a stronger starting presence on Offense. Star player Mathew Judon was traded to the Falcons (my school profile picture since 2016) for a 3rd round draft pick. With the loss of Judon, the defensive situation massively changes. Star corner Christian Gonzalez being back helps lock down wide receivers. The Patriots were projected to lose by 7.5 points to the Bengals in their first game. The Patriots won by 6 points and had an amazing game on both sides of the ball. In the second game of the season, the Patriots lost in overtime to the Seahawks. The Seahawks were projected to win by much better though. Although the Patriots are rebuilding the team is extremely underrated and will be amazing to watch this year.
NFL Predictions
I predict that the Super Bowl will be the Chiefs vs the Eagles again. However, I think the Eagles will win. The Eagles have an incredible roster. Big names like Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts will lead the offense to a destructive Super Bowl win. The Chiefs are very good though and have absolutely proved themselves to be this year’s Super Bowl winner. They have already beaten a powerful Ravens team and beat Joe Burrow the week after. There will be an article the week of the Super Bowl to see if my predictions were right. Hopefully, the Patriots beat the Jets!
