It’s almost that time of year again. The NFL season is here and it’s going to be as wild and exciting as ever. This year we have a total of 256 regular season games so that means a lot of football to watch and a lot of great memories to be made.
I’m so pumped for the NFL season this year. Every year I get more and more excited. There’s just something about the thrill of watching a live game and seeing the players give it their all on the field that captivates me. Plus, the friendlier rivalries of the teams bring an extra spark to the games.
The regular season games start in early September and run through the end of December. That’s a lot of games to keep track of and it’s easy to forget when and where your favorite team is playing. Luckily, I have a friend who keeps me updated with all the NFL news so I’m never behind the curve.
I’m looking forward to seeing some new teams having a great season this year. Last year was a little too much of the same teams ending up in the playoffs and the Super Bowl and I’m hoping for a different outcome this year. I’m also really interested to see how some of the league’s younger stars do this season.
I think the NFL as a whole is continuing to show improvements. Player safety is always a priority and the league is constantly trying to make the game a safer experience for everyone. Plus, the overall product on the field is getting better year after year. There’s more passing and the teams are getting more creative with their playcalling. It’s really inspiring to see.
Speaking of inspiring, I always love hearing about the off-field stories of the players. There are so many amazing people who make up the NFL and it’s awesome seeing them do inspiring work within their community or start nonprofits and charities that are making a difference all over the world.
I’m ready for some football! How about you? What are you looking forward to most this NFL season?
Now that we have touched upon how many NFL games there are this year, let us focus on the different teams and the kind of games that will be played. We can observe that NFL teams play 16 regular season games, 4 in their division, plus 4 out of division. Likewise, they have four preseason games one in each division. We will also see teams play eight home games and eight away games this year.
This season will be highly competitive since there are 32 teams in the league, 32 different coaching styles, and numerous positions to fill. Not only that, but due to the pandemic, there may have been some lineup changes. As for the Super Bowl, our hope is that the best team makes it there as it’ll be the 54th Super Bowl matchup.
The Super Bowl aside, the greatest challenge for all 32 NFL teams lies in the road to the Super Bowl. To get there, the team must have a winning record during the regular season. Also, they must remain consistent throughout the entire season which is no easy feat.
It’s understandable for teams to exist in different tiers when planning for the upcoming NFL season, meaning they’ll have varying goals and levels of challenges. For example, teams with winning records last year, such as the New England Patriots, will be focusing on cementing their winning streak and taking their overall record to a higher level. On the other hand, teams with a losing record last year, such as the Miami Dolphins, will be focused on turning things around and surpassing their rivals.
Then, there are also the teams that recently changed coaches. All new and incoming coach must quickly learn the team’s style of play & culture, so it’s a lot to take on all at once. However, they must be able to produce results with the resources they have. This is why the success of such teams solely lies on the shoulders of the coach and the players.
Furthermore, the winning mentality can never be underestimated. NFL teams must believe in themselves and be 100 percent confident in their abilities. Even though there are certain teams that make it to the playoffs every year, the mental tenacity will always remain the same: have the right mindset, be brave and push for excellence.
The physical health of any NFL team is also important. Even though there were limitations due to the pandemic, teams will try to keep their athletes in optimal shape by providing quality strength and conditioning programs tailored to their skills.
In terms of strength training, teams must include functional exercises as part of their programs. They must also focus on movement sequences and skills building as they can drastically increase game performance. Furthermore, strength training must be tailored to each player’s needs, so they can excel in their positions.
For example, offensive linemen require high power outputs and upper body strength to protect the quarterback. Meanwhile, running backs need explosive workouts to perform well in their position. Thus, teams must address individual needs during strength and conditioning programs.
Finally, teams must also focus on injury prevention. Since NFL teams play a high number of games during the regular season, this leaves them with a greater risk of injuries. Players must implement a comprehensive injury prevention program, one that includes foam rolling drills, targeted relaxation techniques, proper sleep and nutrition, and even cryotherapy.
I’m really interested to see how the different NFL teams fare this season. It’s going to be an interesting one considering all the changes that happened. No matter what, I’m sure we’re going to see some great games, exciting matches, and amazing plays! How about you? Are you ready for the NFL season?