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Eh! I think the advantage of not having to fly to the West Coast in the middle of the season and then fly back is a bigger advantage than having to face the Seahawks at the start of the season before the team is clicking on all cylinders.

And we don't know if the Pats would come out with a slow start. Last year was different because there new coach, new system, and a lot of new starters including a bunch of rookies. Last year, the entire o-line except for Owenu was new with two rookies manning the left side of the line. This year will be different since it will be year two and at most there will be one or two rookies starting.
Good point about getting the travel out of the way in G1, but if true this will be a very difficult game to win anyway. The Seahawks are the best team in football, they'll have fewer moving parts getting ready for game 1 than we will, and it's by far the loudest stadium in the NFL so we'll have to rely on a lot of silent counts.
 
Good point about getting the travel out of the way in G1, but if true this will be a very difficult game to win anyway. The Seahawks are the best team in football, they'll have fewer moving parts getting ready for game 1 than we will, and it's by far the loudest stadium in the NFL so we'll have to rely on a lot of silent counts.

That stadium will be rocking and presumably they'll be unveiling a Super Bowl banner. JMcD better have a better game plan than he did in the Super Bowl.
 
Good point about getting the travel out of the way in G1, but if true this will be a very difficult game to win anyway. The Seahawks are the best team in football, they'll have fewer moving parts getting ready for game 1 than we will, and it's by far the loudest stadium in the NFL so we'll have to rely on a lot of silent counts.

The Pats will have more time to prepare for the first game of the season more than any other game during the season. So having them first would actually be beneficial for getting ready for the silent count.
 
I think having Seattle week 1 may be the best option. It is an easier trip to the West Coast since there is no game before and three extra days before they play week 2. Plus, Seattle might not be as sharp week one as they will be a month later.

The timing alone makes this a preferred choice rather than going out west and being tired later in the season - which can result in two bad games.

Given that the NFL and the odds makers are noting the Patriots strength of schedule, they could choose the Patriots on their way to a 9 win season later, or make them a bigger draw, coming off their SB appearance with vengeance on their minds against the champs

I'm not sure what attraction sending the Bears out there is, but I know for the Patriots I'd much rather have them well rested before and after a west coast game
 
That stadium will be rocking and presumably they'll be unveiling a Super Bowl banner. JMcD better have a better game plan than he did in the Super Bowl.
The league may be seeing it as a way to put the Pats behind the eight ball from the git-go. You can be sure they don’t want to see another 13 or 14 win season by New England this year.
 
Why?? another pathetic memory from that Maye only Draft.
Mason McCormick was on the board when pats drafted layden robinson.
 
Has there ever been a week 1 game where the teams met in the previous season's Super Bowl? They usually give the champs a conference opponent I think?

I'm thinking Pats-Bills on MNF to open their new stadium. Guess we'll find out soon.
Yup - 2016

Given that we now know the Patriots are headed oveseas to Germany later in the season, maybe they'll get a break with an easier West Coast trip in which they'd be well rested before and after
 


Wow - I can see someone paying that who's one player away from the SB who needs a difference maker like Saquon Barkley was for Philly, the Fins are a few years away from that - though this guy is young and they've locked him down for awhile.

I'd think the $17 mil per season is a bit of a mirage for bragging purposes as the guaranteed money averages $8 mil a season

You DO have to look at this guy as getting two players in a way - not only is he a nearly 6 yard per carry RB with 8 TDs, but he's also a 7 yard per catch receiver with 67 catches and 4 TDs

And he's been pretty consistent with those stats all the time the Fins have sucked over the last few years.

They had him locked down for one more season at $2 million too - although it'd be advisable to sit out given what he would make in free agency next year, so they did need to extend him... though they paid about as much as one would for him in free agency.

Still, whether they overpaid, the Fins are keeping a guy who for the last 3 years has pretty much averaged 6 ypc and 7yp catch (he had 78 receptions in 2024) - smart move for a change.
 
I am not sure a large money contract to a RB is ever a smart idea in the NFL. RBs rarely stay healthy and produce for 8 years.
As the Eagles is if it was worth it to sign Barkley
 
Wow - I can see someone paying that who's one player away from the SB who needs a difference maker like Saquon Barkley was for Philly, the Fins are a few years away from that - though this guy is young and they've locked him down for awhile.

I'd think the $17 mil per season is a bit of a mirage for bragging purposes as the guaranteed money averages $8 mil a season

You DO have to look at this guy as getting two players in a way - not only is he a nearly 6 yard per carry RB with 8 TDs, but he's also a 7 yard per catch receiver with 67 catches and 4 TDs

And he's been pretty consistent with those stats all the time the Fins have sucked over the last few years.

They had him locked down for one more season at $2 million too - although it'd be advisable to sit out given what he would make in free agency next year, so they did need to extend him... though they paid about as much as one would for him in free agency.

Still, whether they overpaid, the Fins are keeping a guy who for the last 3 years has pretty much averaged 6 ypc and 7yp catch (he had 78 receptions in 2024) - smart move for a change.
Well, they gotta pay someone, right?
 

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