A Guide to the 2021-22 NFL Season

by Liam Willerup

    Good morning, afternoon, evening or night for whenever you're reading this. The NFL season begins to ramp up with the Hall of Fame game this Sunday where one of the most historic franchises in league history the Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Cowgirls. Well obviously nobody is going to be too crazy watching second stringers play majority of a game, but this game signals that coming of a new season. So what should footballs fans and spectators be aware for?

The Cowgirls Defense Still Being Bad

    Is this the best linebacking core in the NFL? No. Is Demarcus Lawrence an elite pass rusher? No. Is this secondary improved? Yes but still has holes. There's no lie the Cowboys offense will be elite, even with an O-Line that will more than likely not see a fully healthy season for a while. They also have Zeke coming into this year losing a significant amount of weight, as light as his college days now. However this defense still has holes like Swiss cheese. An injury plagued linebacking core headed by linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch who's best seasons are behind them at this point. The secondary was a huge problem out there last season, so they did the most logical thing and acquired two defenders from a worse defense in the Falcons in Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal (more of a linebacker profile). I do like the Malik Hooker signing, but this secondary will struggle with little experience at corner and a pass rush that doesn't come off as one that will disrupt many offenses. This team can either go 7-10 this year or 12-5. There's really no in between.

The Texans Being Terrible

    

    More than likely heading into this season without Deshaun Watson under center for the first time in nearly half a decade, the Texans will look towards NFL journeyman and the guy who seems to make every rookie quarterback blossom into a star in Tyrod Taylor. They also have Davis Mills, a promising young quarterback out of Stanford who could well turnout into the future quarterback for this team. But overall, this team is terrible. They'll waste the prime and health of the bong mask god in Laremy Tunsil and have their offense run strictly through Brandin Cooks and occasionally the bum and D-Hop trade centerpiece in David Johnson. They also straight up released J.J. Watt to find himself going over to the Cardinals with his former teammate. This defense will generate little to no sacks or pressure and Derrick Henry will more than likely rush for 200 yards on them. Don't be surprised if this team wins 2 games or less.

The Ungodly Amount of Tim Tebow Media

    I swear if you have any form of social media and Tim Tebow catches a touchdown or even a pass, make sure to delete it for a couple weeks. One of the most polarizing figures in not just college but football history, the once NFL QB turned baseball player now turned NFL TE has found himself in Jacksonville on a team that legitimately could surprise some people with a 7 win season. However back to the main topic, Tim Tebow will bring fans to Jacksonville games, not Trevor Lawrence. I know that he's caught a TD pass in training camp trust me every social media network showed me, but I wonder if this experiment will even turnout. He's old and doesn't really have the experience or the physique to be a long term fit at tight end for the Jaguars. My worst nightmare is Tim Tebow putting up a 100 yard game in a win and witnessing his post game interview where he'll try to give a motivational speech to the world. At the end of the day, I'll root for Tebow to succeed, but ESPN can't turn this man into the NBA equivalent of LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson or LeBron James. Don't be surprised if he's back in the booth sooner rather than later.

The Packers Falling Short Again

    Despite making it all the way to the NFC Championship last season and in Packers fashion losing it, the they have brought back a similar group to try and make one last run. However, they regressed as a roster and it concerns me. Especially at offensive line, losing their starting center Corey Linsley to free agency who was arguably last season's best center. The offensive line is rather weak now on the right side, so Rodgers could see some heavy pressure. I like the addition of Randall Cobb to give a good slot presence for this offense. However I don't think they improved enough to contend with other NFC teams like the Rams and Buccaneers, and even the Vikings and the rest of the NFC West. Aaron Rodgers could surprise us and just give up, and leave the team in the hands of Jordan Love who couldn't hit a target at practice if his life depended on it.

More Tik Toks In Pittsburgh

    I know Mike Tomlin told him to stop dancing on logos, but the NFL's Tik Tok king will continue to dance his way through a tough season in the AFC North. Going up against teams like the Browns and Ravens twice a year, Pittsburgh will rely heaving on Najee Harris to carry a workhouse load early in his career. Big Ben is also regressing, and Dionate Johnson has to prove that he isn't the NFL's butterfinger symbol. This defense will still be good, but expect a regression due to the loss of Steven Nelson and an aging Joe Haden. Also, the Steelers will rely on Melvin Ingram to come in and replace even just some of the production Bud Dupree was giving them. However, Ingram is aging and far from the athlete that Dupree is. This team is either getting very underrated though, or they'll miss the playoffs and begin scouting for the heir to their longtime QB. Also if he doesn't perform, Juju might be having his last season in a Steelers uniform. Maybe he'll just become a full-time influencer.

The War of the NFC West

    Ending on a rather serious note, this division is going to be crazy. Four teams that can seriously make deep playoff runs, all with a hole on their roster that may keep them from making it. The 49ers are going to be tasked with evaluating the QB competition, and deciding if they believe Pornstar Jimmy or Liv Cowherd's boyfriend Trey Lance is the option for them. The rest of the roster is rather complete, with some question marks at the corner position. Looking at the Rams, they will look towards a running back by committee option after promising young back Cam Akers tore his achilles this offseason. Also, they will look towards the depth on their roster to replace the production of John Johnson III. Looking at the Cardinals, they also will look at a RB by committee with no true proven back. They also will look towards Isaiah Simmons to take a huge step to patrol the middle of the field. Lastly with the Seahawks, the will look towards their pass coverage to find a way to stay afloat after losing Shaquill Griffin to the Jaguars. Hopefully Blitz Boy can become a competent pass covering safety again. Also, they need Chris Carson to stay healthy for once since he adds another dimension to this offense. An injury to any of these teams' to a star player could drop them all the way down the standings. Be prepared for a crazy season and a NFC West bound to show out.