This Is The Most Highly-Anticipated Game of 2017 NFL Season
By Erik Lambert
No doubt the higher-ups are hoping the 2017 NFL season is a little more compelling than the 2016 version was. At least in terms of notable drama.
That put a lot of pressure on the schedule makers to craft a proper four-month run for all 32 teams that would hopefully feature some memorable matchups from opening day in September all the way through some titanic grudge matches in late December. Perhaps nothing drives this better than rivalries. The league has tried to foster some in recent years but were hampered by the departure of Peyton Manning, ending his epic feud with Tom Brady.
So it’s little surprise that the most highly-anticipated game of 2017 features a chance at vengeance with the Atlanta Falcons heading to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots. Eliot Harrison explained why this is the case.
"“You gotta know this is going to be the Kickoff Game, right? The league passing on a Super Bowl rematch, when it so conveniently fits the model of the defending champion opening the new season at home? That’d be like turning down 750 million free bucks from the Strip. (Too soon?) Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the league will want to replay the 2007 AFC Championship Game, and send the newly minted L.A. Chargers careening into Gillette.For all those who rooted hard for the Falcons during Super Bowl LI, their football hopes might be dashed again, given that this deal is not on a neutral field, the Atlanta offense will be different and Brandin Cooks could fly past the Falcons’ secondary like nobody’s business. So here’s a piece of advice for new OC Steve Sarkisian: Run the football.”"
Facts are facts. Super Bowl LI ended up being one of the most exciting championship games in history. A snoozer that turned into an all-time comeback capped by the first overtime in Super Bowl history. Why wouldn’t people line up to see the sequel? No doubt Matt Ryan and the Falcons are desperate to gain even a small measure of revenge for their painful collapse. Beating the Patriots in their home building would be a small consolation.
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How will the Falcons function without offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan? Will Brady start to show his age? Could this be the preview of a possible rematch in the Super Bowl? All valid questions. If nothing else it should make for another entertaining contest with all sorts of emotions flowing through it.