And just like that, the 2006 regular season is upon us. Here are the storylines heading into the season:
1. The AFC have won every Super Bowl in this new millennium. Yet during that stretch, the only two time Super Bowl championship team is the Tennessee Titans under Legendruthless. The NFC have multiple contenders within that conference but none of them have been able to break through. Can an NFC team finally break through and win the Super Bowl in this millennium?
2. Can Setherick's Baltimore Ravens be the first team since the 1996-1997 Buffalo Bills to win back to back Super Bowls? If the pre-existing owners aren't already dangerous enough, the AFC has somehow gotten even more competitive with new owners like JohnWayneCowboy and GrandadB. With GrandadB and Setherick sharing the AFC North, it'll be interesting to see if home field advantage may play an important factor to see which teams moves on to the Super Bowl.
3. Can the Dolphins put everything together to make a Super Bowl run? The last two seasons, the Miami Dolphins have had the best statistical quarterback and receivers. The defense is also a monster unit always ranked near the top in the sack category. Yet, they've fallen short of reaching the Super Bowl in those two seasons. Roster-wise, the Fins should be able to compete for the Super Bowl, but can they make it there with the competitive AFC East?
4. The Cleveland Browns rookie class has the potential to be the greatest team rookie class in a long time. Does that make them immediately Super Bowl contenders? A healthy young group of receivers and corners will make this team scary for today and the future, but is this team ready to push for a Super Bowl run?
5. The Arizona Cardinals have made the NFC Championship game 5 consecutive years. loanBlood is a Super Bowl contender and has made the Super Bowl 3 times in those 5 years, falling short in all of them. Can the Cardinals finally change that narrative and win their first Super Bowl?
6. Are the Minnesota Vikings an underdog playoff team? After consecutive 1-15, Purple_Eaters have quietly built a very strong offense, by acquiring Jose Carter, drafting Derek Turner, and a QB who has been developing for the previous two season, albeit with a very poor receiving core. Now, David Corrigan has 2 elite receivers in his arsenal, and not only that, a quietly contending defense that if they get their act together, could be a team that might make a playoff appearance at the end of the year.
I am sure I have missed out on several storylines but due to me being a full time college student, plus part time employee, and now being a producer for a sports network (as of now at an internship level but hopefully a paid position in the future), I didn't have enough time to put down all the storylines I was hoping to put down.
Good luck everyone, and have an awesome season! And thank you for choosing to play in the Paydirt Football League!
