Thursday Night Football: Chiefs @ Patriots Thursday Night to Kickoff Season

[NEPatsfan]

This, especially in the 1st game of the season.

I took KC +9.

Should just do it all @handicappers style, and not tell us until tomorrow and then claim you nailed it and made fat stacks.

 

[Rock Strongo]

fuck branch management.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Surprised we don't have more nihilistic Goodell voters.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Should just do it all @handicappers style, and not tell us until tomorrow and then claim you nailed it and made fat stacks.

Stop with the hyperbole.

He only nails it 78% of the time. Lol

 

[Rock Strongo]

How the Pats' offense can be unstoppable ... and your best shot

 

[Rock Strongo]

A five-receiver play becomes a one-on-one win

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

A five-receiver play becomes a one-on-one win

Another exhibit as to why getting up the middle pressure on the big fagota is the only way to beat them

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Another exhibit as to why getting up the middle pressure on the big fagota is the only way to beat them

Chiefs win this game and Chris Jones is going to go from cult favorite and under the radar to superstar just about instantly.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Chiefs win this game and Chris Jones is going to go from cult favorite and under the radar to superstar just about instantly.

i thought he was on PUP?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

i thought he was on PUP?

Was taken off PUP. Just being safe with the knee.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Football is back!

The 2017 NFL season kicks off tonight at 8:30 ET when the New England Patriots begin their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What are we watching for on opening night? Here are five things:

1. How long exactly is Alex Smith's leash? The veteran Chiefs quarterback was fine this preseason, completing 19 of his 32 pass attempts for 175 yards, a touchdown and no picks. His general manager, Brett Veach, also publicly stated it's not "even close" to how far ahead he is of rookie Patrick Mahomes. Yet that Mahomes hype train is barreling down Smith's back. The rookie was stellar in the preseason, posting a 109.3 quarterback rating and doing it with throws like this and this. It's obviously unlikely Smith gets benched in Week 1 for the rookie, but it will be interesting to see how the veteran plays knowing Kansas City's anointed future franchise signal-caller is holding a clipboard just yards away on the sideline.

2. With Spencer Ware going down for the season with a knee injury in the preseason, the Chiefs' backfield is suddenly one of the more interesting ones in the league. Third-round pick Kareem Hunt is the favorite to be the workhorse, having carried the ball second-most on the team this preseason behind only recently released Devine Redding. But veterans Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller are looming. Can Hunt can be the breakout player some are projecting him to be in 2017? Or is he just another body in a Chiefs backfield that has had constant turnover since Jamaal Charles' knees broke down?

3. The Patriots' backfield is just as alluring as the Chiefs'. New England showed the NFL's rushing touchdown leader LeGarrette Blount the door, and has opted to take a community approach with all-around backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee as well as speedsters Dion Lewis and James White. The Pats' offense has always been the Tom Brady air show, but it will at least be mildly interesting to see who gets the bulk of touches in that crowded backfield.

4. There were big offseason additions all over the NFL this year, but none was quite as intriguing as the Patriotsopting to grab Brandin Cooks. The last time Tom Brady had a receiver that was this capable of stretching the field, he and Randy Moss re-wrote the NFL record books. Cooks is a burner, and Brady needs a new BFF at wide receiver after Julian Edelman's season-ending knee injury. The start of a long relationship between the two could begin this evening.

5. Gronk's back. Limited to just eight games last year because of back and hamstring issues, PatriotsAll-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski says he's healthy and "leaner and meaner" heading into tonight's season opener. There will be not only eyes looking out to see how his body holds up, but we'll also be taking a look to see if the Patriots limit him in any way after a career's worth of ailments. Seeing what Gronk does in the endzone now that the NFL's relaxed its stance on celebrations will be worth the cost of the game, too.

 

[Judge Fudge]

Football is back!

The 2017 NFL season kicks off tonight at 8:30 ET when the New England Patriots begin their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What are we watching for on opening night? Here are five things:

1. How long exactly is Alex Smith's leash? The veteran Chiefs quarterback was fine this preseason, completing 19 of his 32 pass attempts for 175 yards, a touchdown and no picks. His general manager, Brett Veach, also publicly stated it's not "even close" to how far ahead he is of rookie Patrick Mahomes. Yet that Mahomes hype train is barreling down Smith's back. The rookie was stellar in the preseason, posting a 109.3 quarterback rating and doing it with throws like this and this. It's obviously unlikely Smith gets benched in Week 1 for the rookie, but it will be interesting to see how the veteran plays knowing Kansas City's anointed future franchise signal-caller is holding a clipboard just yards away on the sideline.

2. With Spencer Ware going down for the season with a knee injury in the preseason, the Chiefs' backfield is suddenly one of the more interesting ones in the league. Third-round pick Kareem Hunt is the favorite to be the workhorse, having carried the ball second-most on the team this preseason behind only recently released Devine Redding. But veterans Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller are looming. Can Hunt can be the breakout player some are projecting him to be in 2017? Or is he just another body in a Chiefs backfield that has had constant turnover since Jamaal Charles' knees broke down?

3. The Patriots' backfield is just as alluring as the Chiefs'. New England showed the NFL's rushing touchdown leader LeGarrette Blount the door, and has opted to take a community approach with all-around backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee as well as speedsters Dion Lewis and James White. The Pats' offense has always been the Tom Brady air show, but it will at least be mildly interesting to see who gets the bulk of touches in that crowded backfield.

4. There were big offseason additions all over the NFL this year, but none was quite as intriguing as the Patriotsopting to grab Brandin Cooks. The last time Tom Brady had a receiver that was this capable of stretching the field, he and Randy Moss re-wrote the NFL record books. Cooks is a burner, and Brady needs a new BFF at wide receiver after Julian Edelman's season-ending knee injury. The start of a long relationship between the two could begin this evening.

5. Gronk's back. Limited to just eight games last year because of back and hamstring issues, PatriotsAll-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski says he's healthy and "leaner and meaner" heading into tonight's season opener. There will be not only eyes looking out to see how his body holds up, but we'll also be taking a look to see if the Patriots limit him in any way after a career's worth of ailments. Seeing what Gronk does in the endzone now that the NFL's relaxed its stance on celebrations will be worth the cost of the game, too.

Could not have made me a happier man their rock.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Dion Lewis emerges this season as a bigger player for the Pats than most expect

 

[NEPatsfan]

Dion Lewis emerges this season as a bigger player for the Pats than most expect

Meh.

 

[Rock Strongo]

i will say it one more time so i can get it in

gronks going to have a monster year this year. he plays 15 games...sits one by choice to prepare for the playoffs.

 

[flyingelvis]

Dion Lewis emerges this season as a bigger player for the Pats than most expect

I agree. If he's healthy, he is far more dynamic and dangerous than any other back on the roster. His workload will probably be heavily managed but in the right matchups, the Pats will unleash him.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Zolak on the radio suggesting the Pats send 5 backs onto the field, then split all five out.


Hmmmmm

 

[soxfan1468927]

Zolak on the radio suggesting the Pats send 5 backs onto the field, then split all five out.


Hmmmmm

Gillislee, Burkhead, White, Lewis, and Develin?

 

[flyingelvis]

Gillislee, Burkhead, White, Lewis, and Develin?

Bolden?

Not sure what Zolak has been smoking. So off this formation, we run a QB draw? I don't get it. The only 2 I could see sending out wide is Lewis and White.

 

[Eco]

Hate that this is one during the Utah State vs Idaho State game. If I'm lucky I'll be able to catch the end of this game.