Photo: Unsplash
(Podcast length 4:39 mins)
The NFL (National Football League) is back, and just like that, there goes your Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and sometimes Saturdays.
1. We're used to seeing players change teams, but the broadcaster shuffle in the off-season was unprecedented. The top duo at FOX, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, bolted for ESPN and “Monday Night Football.” College GameDay mainstay Kirk Herbstreit ventures into the NFL with Amazon Prime on Thursday nights. He joins longtime “Sunday Night Football” broadcaster Al Michaels. Lastly, Cris Collinsworth gets new teammates on “Sunday Night Football” on NBC with Mike Tirico (you might also recognize him from NBC's Olympics coverage) and Melissa Stark. COMING TO A TV NEAR YOU
2. The Washington Commanders (formerly known as the Washington Football Team) have one of the worst stadiums in the NFL, but they also hold the record for the highest-priced "cheapest" beer at $14. The team ownership has been in hot water in the off-season, with the owner subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee. COLD BEER & COLD SHOULDER
3. The NFL will play its first-ever game in Germany. The league is bringing Tom Brady to rally fans when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Seattle Seahawks in Munich. There will be five international games this season, with the other games in London and Mexico City. AMERICAN FOOTBALL IS ON THE MOVE
4. Regarding on-field performance, the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the favorites to reach Super Bowl. The oldest player in the league is leading the Bucs, Tom Brady, who signed a one-year extension with the team. Could this be his last season, as he's already signed a record-setting broadcast deal with FOX? Speaking of QBs, Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers is the back-to-back league MVP. Still, will his off-the-field activities (like ayahuasca consumption) distract him from the ultimate victory, a Super Bowl? GAME FACE
5. There are an unprecedented number of new head coaches this season - 10. The most notable change is Todd Bowles. Bowles spent years at the New York Jets in his first head coaching job going 24-40 before joining the Bucs under head coach Bruce Arians. Now he's leading the charge at the Buccaneers, taking over for Arians. Luckily having Tom Brady at quarterback and Arians' staff still on board should make for a winning (dare we say Super Bowl winning) combination. FAMILIAR FACE
Don't think we forgot about the women of the NFL. We dedicated next week's podcast to these talented women.
How to watch
How to watch an NFL game became a little more confusing this year with more platforms joining the lineup. "Thursday Night Football" can be seen exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, Sunday's games on FOX and CBS with "Sunday Night Football" on NBC and Peacock. "Monday Night Football" will remain on ESPN. TUNE IN
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
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