The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

IF it was ever said, claimed by myself or anyone on my behalf, that I was fine and content without football, let me just clear that up right here, right now.

These last seven months without this sport have been truly depressing. I mean sure, there were some major moments - birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and even one or two important meetings that I had to attend - however, all these events went by without note all because there was no football to mark the occasion.

Thankfully, the NFL is finally back. The tackles matter, the touchdowns count - thank you sweet baby Jesus.

While I have watched as much preseason games as possible, I haven’t been able to draw a conclusion on most teams. In fact, Week 1 will see me execute my secret weapon for the year - my “Heads or Tails” strategy.

Thursday Night Game

Carolina Panthers (0-0)

@ Denver Broncos (0-0)

The 2015-2016 season concluded with the match-up. The Denver Broncos claimed the Lombardi trophy on the strength of a strong defensive performance last February. Here is the rematch -

PANTHERS

Sunday Games 1pm

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(0-0) @ Atlanta

Falcons (0-0)

The Falcons took a major step back last season, while Tampa Bay and Jamies Winston made a mark on the league. This game will come down to the two quarterbacks.

FALCONS

Minnesota Vikings (0-0)

@ Tennessee Titans (0-0)

Sam Bradford is now the guy in Minnesota, last week he was just another frustrated backup on the edge of the Eagles bench. The Titans are hoping that Marcus Mariota is ready to take a major step forward.

TITANS

Cleveland Browns (0-0)

@ Philadelphia Eagles

(0-0)

I am not confident about much this year, but I am confident that RG3 and the Cleveland Browns will shock the league this year. I think the combination of Hugh Jackson and RG3 will work and in the not so distant future, catapult the Browns up the power-rankings.

BROWNS

Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)

@ New York Jets (0-0)

Last Sunday on the PressBox I insisted that the Jets were capable of securing a Wildcard spot in the AFC, finishing second in the AFC East behind the Patriots. I am a firm believer that defence wins championships and the last I checked, this Jets unit is still one of the league’s best. Here is their first big test.

BENGALS

Oakland Raiders (0-0) @

New Orleans Saints (0-0)

And the title of Cinderella has to go to the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have compiled a talented young roster over the years, now it is time to transition into a playoff team.

RAIDERS

San Diego Chargers (0-0)

@ Kansas City Chiefs

(0-0)

Regular season opener in Arrowhead?

CHIEFS

Buffalo Bills (0-0) @

Baltimore Ravens (0-0)

I want Buffalo to do well. Yes, I hate both Rex Ryan and the team; but that doesn’t mean I wish ill on them. The Bills have a championship roster, and more certainly a playoff roster. However, Rex is still the coach, something will go wrong - just not in Week 1.

BILLS

Chicago Bears (0-0) @

Houston Texans (0-0)

So you’re telling me that Jadeveon Clowney is healthy and gets to line up on the other end of JJ Watt? Well NFL, the day of reckoning is here, Cutler may not last the half.

TEXANS

Green Bay Packers (0-0)

@ Jacksonville Jaguars

(0-0)

I heard some rumblings that Jacksonville may steal the AFC South. That sounds interesting.

PACKERS

Sunday Games 4pm

Miami Dolphins (0-0) @

Seattle Seahawks (0-0)

Well, there goes the Dolphins chances of a hot start.

SEAHAWKS

New York Giants (0-0)

@ Dallas Cowboys (0-0)

So you said Dak to the future? Well, I am all the way with you. Also, I have absolutely no clue who the Giants’ head coach is.

COWBOYS

Detroit Lions (0-0) @

Indianpolis Colts (0-0)

Andrew Luck is back! I want to see what he does in Week 1.

COLTS

Sunday Night Game

New England Patriots

(0-0) @ Arizona

Cardinals (0-0)

And my glimpse into what life without Tom Brady would be like begins. This is too much to deal with, but I still have faith.

PATRIOTS

Monday Night Games

Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)

@ Washington Redskins

(0-0)

I am going to lean toward Pittsburgh in this one all because of their history.

STEELERS

Los Angeles Rams (0-0)

@ San Francisco 49ers

(0-0)

These two teams, in my opinion, are completely even when you look at the full roster, however the LA Rams have way more play-makers.

RAMS