Footballs back!!! Week one preview with our very own NFL guru Hamish “Girvana” Girvan

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NFL Week 1 – Go West Young Man

The NFL kicks off again this Monday (bar the traditional Thursday night opener) and in a world of reality TV, now becoming the norm for sports teams, the state of the perennial losers, the Cleveland Browns, has never been so over analysed on both Hard Knocks and their own Facebook series. Expectations are high for not only them but all teams this weekend.

The best off field story however has been ex quarterback Colin Kaepernick – he just won’t go away – and with the latest Nike campaign the NFL has provided all the off-field drama required to start another actual season of actual playing.

Each week a divisions games will be predicted with projections of Superbowl glory on the line.

Let’s start with the AFC West:

Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angles Chargers – Monday 8.05am NZ Time

A divisional match up that is a reverse of last season’s opener has the Los Angeles Chargers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. The pundit’s favourites for the division are the Chargers so they have it all to lose and if anyone can throw a lead the Chargers can. Led by veteran QB Philip Rivers they have built a defence ranked as one of the best in the AFC but that choking feeling is always close by.

Meanwhile Andy Reid’s Chiefs are led by first season starter Patrick Mahomes at QB who no one knows what to expect. The Chiefs have an explosive offense however their defence leaves a lot to be desired and we all know defences win championship. Home ground is key here and expect the Chargers to kick off their season with a win in their quest for divisional championship.

Chargers – 3.5

Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders Tuesday 2.20pm NZ time

In keeping with the home ground Californian theme, the team that has made the most of season moves, the Rams, travel to the Raiders coached for the second time by ex ESPN pundit Jon Gruden. The Rams have a roster that should win it all after acquiring Marcus Peter, Talib Aqib and Ndamukong Suh in defence and Brandin Cooks in offense.It’s a case of all or nothing for them now as they still have quarterback Jared Goff on a rookie contract salary – next season they will have to start paying him the big bucks. Last season they made the playoffs under new head coach Sean McVay however now expectations are higher. Meanwhile up the state in Oakland the Raiders look as though they are still the Raiders, trading their best offensive tackle to Chicago a week before the season starts and also making little moves in terms of their roster. Maybe Gruden will surprise however an opening home loss is on the cards in prime-time Monday Night Football.

Los Angeles Rams -4.5

AFC West team odds to win Superbowl:
Chargers 18/1
Chiefs 26/1
Denver 41/1
Oakland 41/1

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