NFL 2023/24

[SAMOAN]

Season began on Thursday with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs losing a narrow one to the Detroit Lions. Bulk of the remaining week 1 games take place today, with the best game potentially being the LA Chargers and Miami Dolphins. Both have play - off aspirations and I would expect a good tussle.

Following on from making the post season 2 years ago, the Las Vegas Raiders struggled mightily last year and only mustered 6 wins. There has been a change at Quarterback with long time starter Derek Carr ( now with New Orleans ) being replaced by ex - Niner Jimmy Garoppolo. Star Tight End Darren Waller has also left and starting Running Back " held out " for most of the pre - season, before eventually signing on for another Year.

Despite a strange issue with Chandler Jones, which will keep him out for at least the first game, I do think the Defense will be better this Year and do feel there is another outside chance of a play - off run. Week 1 will tell us a bit more as they travel to Denver in what is a traditional rivalry game against a divisional opponent.

As a fan I have alreay taken the 80's on the Raiders to win the Super Bowl, but do also like the New York Jets at 16's. The afore mentioned Dolphins and Chargers are both available at 22's and would not put anyone off backing either.

 

[SAMOAN]

Week one ended with a win for the New York Jets over Buffalo on Monday Night Football. That win came at a cost however, as their newly aquired star Quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down in the first few minutes with a torn achilles. At age 39, one has to wonder if that will be it for him, but he is confirmed out for the season and with it will probably go the Jets Superbowl hopes.

The Chargers v Dolphins came mentioned above was indeed the game of the week, with the 'Fins coming out 36 - 34 winners. With this result along with the Chiefs loss, the Raiders are atop of the AFC West division following their one point win over Denver. Not the most convincing display, but obviously happy with the win. Week 2 should tell us more as Vegas travels to Buffalo to face the Bills off the back of their short week. Back to back road games are not ideal and Buffalo has been one of the better teams of the last few years, but they were not exactly convincing in week 1 and rumours of unrest are already circulating.

Miami will be looking to back up their opening victory when they visit New England. The Patriots look like they will be strong defensively and it will be interesting to see if they can handle the Dolphins explosive looking offense.

 

[SAMOAN]

Half way through the season, so a pretty goood time to update things. As it stands, the Philadelphia Eagles have the best record with 8 wins. Baltimore and Kansas City, both have 7 wins, while Detroit, Jacksonville and Miami all have 6.

My Raiders had 3 wins from their first 6 games, but each win was less convincing that the last. They then dropped 2 straight in embarrassing fashion to Chicago and Detroit. Fortunately this bought to an end to the reign of Coach Josh McDaniels ( as well as the of the GM and Offensive co - ordinator ) who was fired on Halloween. Early signs of a revival are good as they bounced back with a resounding 24 point win over the New York Giants. Not going to talk play off's yet, but a trip to the post season is now a possibility.

Apart form the above mentioned teams, the Dallas Cowboys have proved themselves capable and could easily go close. New England and the LA Rams are two teams that are not living up to expectations and both would need to get key players back to be considered contenders.

 

[SAMOAN]

Raiders v Chiefs about to kick off in one of 3 Christmas Day games. Vegas are coming off a huge 63 - 21 win over the LA Chargers and whilst thier play off hopes are thin, they have at least improved since sacking the coach.

Kansas City are still a huge contender, but are nowhere near their form of the last 3 years and indeed have lost 5 games this season. They will always be dangerous though with a top Defence and arguably the best QB in the league in Patrick Mahomes.

Tre Tucker scored his first NFL touchdown in the afore mentioned rout of the Chargers ( and backed it up with a 2nd later in the game ) and therefore looks huge at 50's to score the first TD of the game ( 12's anytime also appeals ) For the Chiefs Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco are both short at 4's, but that's probably a fair price the pair.

For the Raiders, top running back Josh Jacobs is out, so Zamir White will start and is a realistic 10's to score first.

 

[SAMOAN]

Raiders win 20 - 14, thanks mainly to 2 touchdown's in 7 unbelieveable seconds. The first was a fumble recovery, which the Raiders took into the Endzone. A Touchback followed ( ensuing kick off landed in the Endzone and the returner decided not to return it, so the ball came out to the 25 yard line, with no time coming off the clock ) and then the Raiders intercepted a pass and returned that for another touchdown.

Offensively, nowhere near enough from the Raiders, who incredibly did not complete a single pass after the first quarter of play.

 

[SAMOAN]

Philly and the New York Giants up next, being followed by potentially the game of the season so far, with the 11 win Baltimore Ravens visiting the 11 win San Francisco 49ers.