The start of the 2013 NFL season is finally here! And to kick things off we get a rematch of that epic 2013 Divisional round playoff double-overtime game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos.
The Ravens of course won that game, and then went on to win the Super Bowl. But the Super Bowl champions will be opening up on the road because of a game conflict with the Orioles tonight.
Denver certainly hasn’t forgotten about the loss to the Ravens in the playoffs last season. And if they have, the media has been there to remind them about it and build this game up as means of redemption.
This is the second year for Peyton Manning in Denver, and by all accounts he feels better than he did last season. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said that the biggest difference he has noticed in the quarterback is in terms of arm strength.
Thomas said that he didn’t know the difference because he had only thrown with Manning after his next surgery and year off that he took. But now that he has seen Manning’s arm strength increase, he said that there is a huge difference in terms of the zip and velocity on the balls coming his way.
As for the Ravens, it’s definitely a new-look team from last season. Though receiver Jacoby Jones who caught the game-tying touchdown to send the game into overtime in the playoffs is still here. As is quarterback Joe Flacco. The Super Bowl winning quarterback got a big contract in the offseason and gets ready to defend a Super Bowl title.
The Ravens and Broncos are the only game to kick off on Thursday night in Week 1, with Sunday hosting most of the games.
On Monday night there will be a pair of games as has been the tradition. Among them includes the Redskins taking on the Eagles, with Robert Griffin III making his debut after sitting out the entire preseason.
Finally after all the waiting, there are no more wake ups until the start of football season. Last week we all got to enjoy college football, now it’s the NFL’s turn.