As many of you might know I am a big football NFL fan.  I participate in a few fantasy football leagues throughout the season.  I try to schedule a little as possible on Sunday afternoons so I can watch football (I have been very unsuccessful at this recently).

Anyway, tonight one of my favorite games of the year is taking place, The New England Patriots vs The Indianapolis Colts.

As a Patriots fan I can’t help but root for my beloved Patriots — the key of this matchup is the QB of each team….Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Many sports greats had their all time rival —  Larry Bird had Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, Jimmy Connors had John McEnroe. In the NFL we now have Brady and Manning.

Brady and Manning, will always be linked with one another because of the high level on intensity they share  on the field and the success both clubs have had over the last 5- 10 years.

This weekend, the Patriots and Colts will face off for the 10th time since 2003. It’s the seventh straight year the clubs have met in the regular season and  I think I read somewhere that 5 out of the last 7 seasons one of the teams is undefeated going into the game.  That is true again this year as the Colts are 8-0.

Manning is playing at an all time high right now and Brady has gotten most if not all the rust shaken out since missing least year with a knee injury, so I have high expectations for this game.

One of the things that I really enjoy about this rival is that both Brady and Manning have a deep respect for one another and they bring everything to the field.  Unlike some sports starts who trash talk all week before the game (cough)Joey Porter (cough) – Manning and Brady have nothing but good things to say about each other and they let their play do the talking.

Recently this game has more hype and high level of play than the Superbowl – I can’t wait.

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PATRIOTS

There you have it.  From what I can see this is the New England Patriots 53 (54 with Kevin Faulk on suspension) man roster.  There are a few surprises but for the most part you could expect a lot of names on the list.

I for one thought that Cassel was going to make the cut.  I know that Matt Gutierrez played better overall but Cassel’s contract is going to be up at the end of the year and I honestly think that they can get some value with him.  O’Connell is going to be the upcoming QB for the Pats — well at least the number two guy starting next year.

I was surprised by Lynch but as most “experts” out there I don’t think that the Pats are done with him.  I see him coming back on the team by the end of the season.

There are guys who’s name I don’t know but that could change at any time.  I will get to know them if they are going to stick around for more than a week or so.

SYRACUSE FOOTBALL

Syracuse lost their first game of the season to Northwestern.  I saw a part of the game but our television set was on Kids shows most of Saturday.  I have enjoyed college sports but honestly I have never really followed a team closely (well I followed the Iowa Hawkeyes when I was at Luther College) I am excited to follow a college team again.  I will talk more about them the more I get to know the team.

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The NFL Schedule is out, I wish it was the sole thing that plans my fall but it doesn’t.  However, it certainly gets me excited about the fall and the possibilities of another perfect regular season.

Overall, I think the schedule looks pretty good. I like the match-ups that we have.  However, the Pats are on the road alot to the west coast.  A few times it might make more sense for them to stay out west during the week!

Week One: September 7th – vs Kansas City Chiefs 1:00pm (CBS)
Opening Day at home.  This is not the flashiest match-up for a team who played in the Super bowl last year. But the great mind of Herm Edwards (former Jets coach) vs. the genius of Billicheck

Week Two: September 14th – @ New York Jets 4:15pm (CBS)
Always a good game. Perhaps there may be more Jets fans where I am going than Pats fans (But I think Buffalo will be overwhelming) But Mangini and Company are coming to play and wanting to win.

Week Three: September 21st – vs Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
This will be the first of two meetings between Bill Parcells new look Dolphins.  We will see if Bill can get them to win more than one game this year.  Not this one I can tell you that.

Week Four: September 28th – BYE WEEK
I don’t think I have seen this early of a Bye week in a long time. Too bad it was not between their travels out west.

Week Five: October 5th – @ San Francisco 49ers 4:15pm (CBS)
First of the four trips to the west coast.   The 49ers might get a look at what could of been if they kept their 7th pick.

Week Six: October 12th @ San Diego Chargers 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
I would of thought this might of been the opening weekend game.  A rematch of the AFC Championship game. Should be a good game but this brings back to back West coast games. Will the Patriots just stay out West all week?

Week Seven: October 20th vs. Denver Broncos 8:30pm (Monday Night ESPN Game)
Should be a good game. Denver gives us a run for our money when we play them. After the two trips to the West the Pats I am sure will be happy to be home.  Plus it is a MONDAY NIGHT GAME!!

Week Eight: October 26th vs St Louis Rams 1:00pm (FOX)
Back to back home games– the Rams are doing good things in the off-season. Should be a good game.

Week Nine: November 2nd @ Indianapolis Colts 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
The Super Bowl of the regular season every year.  We will see who comes out on top this year.  Just to note: The Colts will also be coming off a prime time game with the Titans the week before.

Week Ten: November 9th vs Buffalo Bills 1:00pm
I hope my church does not kick me out if the Pats beat the Bills- which I think they will.

Week Eleven: November 13 vs New York Jets 8:15pm (Thursday night NFLN Game)
Short week for the Pats.  They will be facing their old foes on a Thursday night.

Week Twelve: November 23 @ Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
Going to see the stadium that Parcells build. Well maybe not but we will see how the Dolphins are doing at this point.

Week Thirteen: November 30 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15pm (CBS)
I wonder if this will be a flex game.  It all depends on how Ben’s arm is doing. I am sure it will be tired when they come to our house.

Week Fourteen: December 7 @ Seattle Seahawks 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
Sunday night – Prime Time out West — Glad it is not me :

Week Fifteen: December 12 @ Oakland Raiders 4:15pm (CBS)
Once again, do the Patriots stay out West somewhere in between the Seahawks game and this one?  We will see how Russell holds up against our D

Week Sixteen: December 21 vs Arizona Cardinals 1:00pm (FOX)
Back home for another 1:00pm game.

Week Seventeen: December 28 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00pm (CBS)
Closing out the schedule at Buffalo, the Bill showed improvement last year, could they be vying for a playoff spot here?  Will I be able to see them? Who knows?

I am excited for the season.  I think it will be good. Now we will see how things pan out in the draft.  I am looking forward too it.

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