Last weekend marked the beginning of an event that people around the country have been anxiously awaiting all summer long – the start of the NFL season.
With the first set of games comes the excitement of a new season, and a great excuse for college students to put off that four-page paper that may, or may not be due Monday at 9 a.m.
Along with the talk shows, the half-time entertainment and the post-game analysis, fantasy football is starting up once again, and everybody is ready to prove that they really are the most knowledgeable football fan in their small group of eight friends.
This anticipation is extreme, but the expectations are useless. This is the NFL. And the NFL does not always work out like people plan.
This unpredictability is frustrating. If you don’t believe me, go find The University News’ sports editor, Chris Ackels, and ask him about the Cowboys’ loss on opening day. If that is not enough for you, go find the associate editor, Derrick Neuner, and ask him about Sam Bradford’s three interceptions in his “promising” NFL debut.
You see, even the so-called experts would never have told you that the Houston Texans would beat the Indianapolis Colts by 10. None would have told you that the Seattle Seahawks would beat the NFC West favorite, San Francisco 49ers, by 25.
Not many people would expect the over-hyped New York Jets to lose Week 1, or the Pittsburgh Steelers to win without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That’s what makes the NFL so maddening, but it’s also what makes it so exciting.
The excitement is almost overwhelming. The Colts- Texans game definitely had its fair share with unknown running back Arian Foster nearly doubling his career totals by rushing for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chicago Bears win over the Detroit Lions had it when Calvin Johnson’s wouldbe- game-winning touchdown reception with 31 seconds left in the game was called back.
He caught the pass, but when he left the ball on the ground as he got up to celebrate, the referees ruled that he did not fully complete the catch.
As with any disputed call, they went to an official review in the booth.
And even after minutes of deliberation, fans were still perplexed when the referees confirmed the incomplete pass.
As a lifelong Bears fan, even I was confused by the call.
But we’ll take it! Every game counts, especially with the always tough Green Bay Packers looking to capitalize on any Chicago mistake. The Packers came into the season as the NFC North favorites and a popular pick to win the Super Bowl. But after losing running back Ryan Grant for the season in the team’s first game, their season becomes just as unpredictable as any other.
So it looks like the experts’ picks can’t always be counted on. But then again, in a game like this, are there really any experts?
