The first overseas NFL game of the season will be held in London on Sunday morning, which got me thinking about the rules of English soccer.
I think it probably applies to soccer leagues in other countries, but I’ve only heard of it being used. “The Merry Yingrun”
My word today is demotion. Have you heard of it? There, the worst teams, at least in the elite division, will be pushed down to the next lower tier of teams for the next season.
Meanwhile, the top teams in the second division will join the elite big teams.
Isn’t it a big deal here in America?
Certainly in the NFL, that would mean that after a terrible 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers would no longer be in the NFL, instead playing in the What Should We Call It? Of course, the UFL, that spring football league.
The Panthers’ replacement will likely be the UFL champion Birmingham Stallions. And they would be a natural fit in the NFL South in Carolina.
That means Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans, and…Birmingham.
Jacksonville will be an early favorite for relegation this year, as the Jaguars are currently the only 0-4 team in the NFL.
Of course, one of the problems with this idea is that the Detroit Lions are trying to get back to a league below the NFL after a mediocre season…well, mediocrity doesn’t keep them in the NFL. Sho…they had a terrible football season.
I imagine the Motor City Paditats would have been down to a 5-6 league level 15-20 years ago.
They would have pulled off impressive league championships in their return to the UFL against the likes of the Wilkes-Barre Cardinals and Punxsutawney Phils of the Lower Pennsylvania League.
Right now, they have to compete with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers for use of Ford Field in Detroit, even though the field is owned by the Ford family, who also own the Lions.
Isn’t this an interesting can of worms to deal with?
Now, let’s get back to reality. This week marks the start of the first game of the bye, which includes not picking four teams, including the Lions.
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Today, 8:15 p.m.
TAMPA BAY, ATLANTA — I hear the Falcons are pretty excited.
Oh, oh, wait a minute. I stumbled upon a website called PewterReport.com. I believe this is a reference to some of the Tampa Bay Bucs’ modern color schemes. It says the Buccaneers have 15 players on the injury report, while Atlanta has just four.
Considering the Bucs have a short week on the road and a district game, they would have to beat Atlanta 30-24.
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Sunday, 9:30am
Minnesota vs. New York Jets, London — I love the morning games across the pond. If I were a 40-year-old quarterback like the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers, I wouldn’t want to play against my former Packer rival.
And once again, Vikings QB Sam Darnold will face his old team in New York. The Jets are starting to look more like their old self, and Minnesota is starting to look more like, well, the Purple People Eaters of the 1970s. Give me the Vikings, 29-20.
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Sunday, 1 p.m.
Carolina at Chicago — Chicago hasn’t been all that great this year compared to what people were expecting. But compared to the team entertaining them on this day, they look more like a Super Bowl contender than a team that should be relegated. Bears, 33 wins, 26 losses.
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Baltimore vs. Cincinnati — The Bengals are certainly a candidate for this year’s underachievers. It’s safe to say the Ravens won 34-20 in a usually controversial division.
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BUFFALO AT HOUSTON — While Houston seemed to be sleepwalking by barely beating Jacksonville, I think Buffalo has woken up from that ugly loss to Baltimore. Bills, 28-23.
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INDIANAPOLIS vs. JACKSONVILLE — As bad as Indy looked, the Colts suffered their first loss to Pittsburgh last weekend. And we know QB Anthony Richardson was out for at least part of the game.
But more concerning is the question of whether Indy will have to put both QB and top running back Jonathan Taylor on injured reserve. Well, give me the Jaguars, 24-17.
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Miami vs. New England — I had no problem picking Will Levis’ Titans as the favorite to beat the suddenly beheaded Dolphins on Monday. With Miami still having to start No. 3 QB Tyler Huntley, why doesn’t struggling New England go with them? Patriots, 26 wins, 19 losses.
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CLEVELAND vs. WASHINGTON — Now Washington might struggle against the league’s elite like the Chiefs, Ravens…and Lions? Did I just mention Detroit? Either way, Cleveland looks more like a team deserving of relegation than one to truly respect. Commander, 24 wins, 16 losses.
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Sunday, 4 p.m.
LAS VEGAS AT DENVER — I thought the Broncos would be better once rookie QB Bo Nix got a few games. I don’t know if that’s why Denver beat the Jets 10-9 in the rainy mud on Sunday. Still, the Broncos are 20-16.
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Arizona vs. San Francisco — What do you think about either of these teams? I’m reading here that the 49ers are at least a touchdown favorite, but maybe the Las Vegas bookmakers are relying too much on each team’s reputation? Or? Still, San Fran should have at least a little pride in being home and in the division. 49ers, 27 wins, 25 losses.
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Green Bay at Los Angeles Rams — Well, the Rams’ Cooper Kupp and Green Bay’s Christian Watson are the top receivers on their respective teams and will likely be eliminated. There’s no benefit to it.
Matt Stafford vs. Jordan Love would have been a great matchup for an NFC North QB, but Detroit had to let him go a few years ago.
We don’t know if Jaire Alexander, the Pack’s top pass defender, will return, but even if he doesn’t, the Rams don’t have Justin Jefferson to worry about, giving the Packers a 29-23 lead. Give it to me.
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New York Giants vs. Seattle — I don’t know how you pick the Giants against anyone, but Seattle is more than just a player “Anyone” Especially after the Giants made a cross-country trip. Seahawks, 31 wins, 22 losses.
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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Dallas at Pittsburgh — The Steelers should be able to toy with a declining Dallas team that can’t run the ball or stop the run. Steelers, 24-11.
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Monday, 8:15 p.m.
New Orleans vs. Kansas City — I might have picked the Saints two weeks ago. “motor boat” New Orleans started the season with 91 points in two games, and even with KC fully healthy, the Chiefs did. Then they’ve been bad over the past few games, losing narrowly to Philadelphia and Atlanta. I consider recency bias and the fact that KC is better. Chiefs, 30 wins, 27 losses.
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Last week — 9-7, 56 percent. Season — 35-29, 55%.
Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.