Who will win the Super Bowl, who will surprise and which star player does every fan need to keep an eye on? The new NFL season begins at night and once again provides spectacle and ecstasy. But a special curse awaits the reigning champion. Everything you need to know about the new season.
Who Wins the Super Bowl?
The head that presses a crown rests heavily. This applies not only to William Shakespeare’s “Henry IV”, but also to NFL champions. Series champion à la FC Bayern Munich? Not with American football. There’s a kind of repeat curse going on there. The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to become the first in 20 years to defend their title in the 2023-24 season.
Defeating the Shakespearean Curse. The “Super Bowl Course”. A team has only repeated a Super Bowl victory seven times since 1966. What the New England Patriots with Tom Brady last achieved in 2004 seems quite possible for the team around quartback Patrick Mahomes. Betting sites rank the Chiefs as favorites to go to the Super Bowl, largely because Mahomes remains arguably the best footballer on the planet, taking all the players around to a new level, and Andy Reid the best coach.
NFL LIVE – SEASON OPENER
Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs: RTL September 8, 1:25 a.m. (Kickoff: 2:20 a.m.)
NFL LIVE – WEEK 1
It starts with the heats for the Sunday games at 6:15 p.m. in the joint pregame show exclusively on RTL+.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns: RTL September 10, 6:55 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers: RTL September 10, 10:20 p.m. (Kickoff: 10:25 p.m.)
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons: RTL+ 10.9., 6:15 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
NFL LIVE – WEEK 2
Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions: RTL September 17, 6:55 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
New York Jets @ Dallas Cowboys: RTL September 17, 10:20 p.m. (Kickoff: 10:25 p.m.)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals: RTL+ September 17, 6:15 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
NFL LIVE – WEEK 3
New England Patriots @ New York Jets: RTL September 24, 6:55 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals: RTL September 24, 10:20 p.m. (Kickoff: 10:25 p.m.)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings: RTL+ September 24, 6:15 p.m. (kickoff: 7:00 p.m.)
The Chiefs started the title defense mission and the regular season on Friday night against the Detroit Lions (2.20 a.m. / RTL). The German professional Amon-Ra St. Brown, who showed last season that he is one of the best wide receivers in the world, plays in the Motorcity. The 23-year-old injured his ankle in training two weeks ago and his start against the Chiefs is yet to be confirmed.
Who are the pursuers?
The Philadelphia Eagles must be mentioned first among the pursuers. Although quarterback Jalen Hurts’ team narrowly lost in a wild Super Bowl 2023, it should be looking for revenge this year. The 25-year-old Hurts should make another step forward after an excellent season. Overall, the Eagles are great in the most important positions and, alongside the Chiefs, have what is probably the best offensive in the league.
The Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals around the exceptional quarterbacks Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are again among the closest pursuers. Joining them in the hunt for a place in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on February 11 this year is the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys. The Florida team boasts what is arguably the best defensive line in the NFL, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is likely to cause a stir after his breakthrough last year. Especially in combination with wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Texans also finally provided their star quarterback Dak Prescott with good receivers and rely on defensive ace Micah Parsons at the back. The defensively strong San Francisco 49ers have yet to figure out which playmaker they are backing (Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy? https://www.n-tv.de/sport/Der-voellig-Unterschaetzte-mit-den-kleinen-Haenden-article23866494 .html), but their defense will definitely be elite again.
Who surprises?
The Cleveland Browns, who were something of a laughing stock in the NFL just a few years ago, have quietly built one of the best rosters in the league. But everything stands and falls with quarterback Deshaun Watson and the question of whether he plays at the high level he had with the Houston Texans or falls like last season.
Then of course there is a certain Aaron Rogers. Considered by some to be the most talented quarterback of all time. Now that the New York Jets have added the 39-year-old Rodgers to a previously weak offensive line and still have their elite defense, they could rise from last place in the AFC East to a true Super Bowl contender.
The Los Angeles Chargers have been mentioned again and again in recent years when it comes to secret favourites, but the team from California has not yet been able to exploit its high potential, which is also due to many injuries. Quarterback Justin Herbert, 25, remains key and is already considered one of the best players in the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers could also surprise with a strengthened defense and the New Orleans Saints with playmaker Derek Carr.
Stars to watch?
Patrick Mahomes (Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs): Best quarterback in the league. Can the only 27-year-old manage 6/4/3? Six AFC Championship games, four Super Bowl appearances, three championship rings. It would be historical.
Jalen Hurts (Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles): Brought Mahomes to the brink of defeat in the 2023 Super Bowl. Considered a natural leader and third-biggest earner in the NFL on his $51 million-a-year contract.
Joe Burrow (Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals): Joe “Cool”. Was considered Mahomes’ nemesis until the Chiefs star knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs last season. Currently still suffering from a calf injury. If he is fit, his team is a favorite for the Super Bowl.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions): The superstar from Germany has blossomed into one of the best receivers in the league. Might make another jump this year but injured his ankle recently.
Justin Herbert (Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers): The highest-paid player in the league, signed a contract for $ 53.3 million a year until 2029 in July. Can do everything offensively, his new offensive coach Kellen Moore loves the throwing game and should Herbert best enable statistics.
Tyreek Hill (wide receiver, Miami Dolphins): Fastest player in the league, explosive teaming with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Doesn’t make as much as quarterbacks at $25 million a year, but aims to become the NFL’s first pass receiver to catch 2,000+ yards in a season.
Justin Jefferson (Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings): Has risen to the top wide receiver in the league in three seasons of league affiliation. The 24-year-old’s 4,825 receiving yards in three seasons is the most ever. He finished in the top five in the last MVP pick, making him the top non-quarterback.
Micah Parsons (Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys): Could be Defensive Player of the Year. Exceeded expectations in his first two years in the NFL, averaging 149 tackles, 26.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Nobody puts that much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The most exciting storylines of the season?
Can Parsons finally get “America’s Team”, the Cowboys, one of the most popular teams in the USA and a success machine in the 1990s, back into the Super Bowl? Only 14 players on the Cowboys roster were alive the last time Dallas played in an NFC championship game. Many hope that the breakthrough will finally come this year. The last two seasons have been Dallas’ first seasons with 12 or more straight wins since 1995. Others just joke about the Texans.
Of course, the chiefs around star player Mahomes have a lot of objections to a championship of the cowboys. Hunter and hunted, Kansas City is the latter. Has no problem with that at all. Because the Chiefs not only won the Super Bowl last year, they put themselves in the best position to start a true dynasty. They have hosted the AFC Championship Game five times in a row and made it to the Super Bowl three times in the last four years (two Lombardi Trophies).
The challenge of staying on top is even more complicated than climbing it. Especially when the Shakespeare curse is roaming (see beginning). Since 2004, only three champions have made the Super Bowl again the following season (Seattle Seahawks 2015, New England 2018, Kansas City 2021). But who, if not over-quarterback Mahomes, can do the almost impossible? Another championship this season would inevitably remind Tom Brady and his Patriots.
The first season without Tom Brady in 23 years. Uff. But an old master is still involved after the greats Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger resigned before Brady: Aaron Rodgers. The 39-year-old wants to do it again against the elite youngster quarterbacks and is trying his luck with the New York Jets after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers.