The NFL is back

The last couple of years has seen a significant rise in the popularity of the NFL in the UK, particularly as a result of the Wembley games and decent media coverage (intentional pun for the serious followers). As the new season punts off this week, there are a whole range of stories to pique the curiosity of the even the most occasional fan. The first openly gay player was drafted but didn't make the final cut for St Louis Rams; the Seahawks are aiming to become the first team to retain the title since the '04-'05 Patriots; London's adopted team Jacksonville Jaguars have signed exciting prospect Blake Bortles and there are a record 3 matches at Wembley this year for the UK fanbase to follow.

My bet for this season's MVP

This Thursday night sees a blockbuster beginning to the 2014 NFL season with the reigning Superbowl champions Seattle hosting many people's outside pick for the title, the Green Bay Packers. Much like the championship game in February, this year's opener will be a clash of the best defense (Seattle) against one of the league's best offences. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is perhaps the best player in the NFL and is back after missing a lot of last season due to injury. The match is also the first clash of these two since one of the most controversial moments in recent NFL history, the so-called Fail Mary, when the Seahawks won on a last minute touchdown which should have been disallowed.

The greatest team in the history of American Football, or indeed any sport, the Indianapolis Colts, start their season with a huge match up against the Broncos. Colts legend now in Denver, Peyton Manning, set records for passing yards and touchdowns last year, before defeat in the Superbowl and will be looking to go one better this time around. 
This time last year Indy were coming off their dramatic 2012 season and looking to build on Andrew Luck's rookie year. They ultimately lost to the Patriots in the playoffs (something Colts fans are familiar with) but did record impressive regular season victories over the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos as well as beating the Chiefs in the second highest comeback victory in NFL history. With a stronger group of wide receivers there could be more success ahead but the reality is that weak options at running back mean that a Superbowl run is unlikely this time around.

For those who haven't got a clue when it comes to the gridiron, have a browse here. Some of the best players to look out for are Calvin 'Megatron' Johnson for Detroit Lions (Wide Receiver), Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks (Cornerback), Adrian Peterson for Minnesota Vikings (Running Back), JJ Watt for Houston Texans (Defensive End). As the season develops over the next 17 weeks we'll see who else can distinguish themselves, and ultimately who is going to be competing in Superbowl XLIX.

Indianapolis Colts 2012: The Storybook Season

The story of the 2012 Indianapolis Colts season may just be the inspiration for one of those "based on a true story" movies in a few years time. I appreciate that neither of my readers will be overly well versed with the gridiron world but last season my own passion for American Football has soared and it's due in no small part to the aforementioned Colts.

I've followed them for many years, from the dismal dark days of the late 90s when I decided I needed to support a team in every league in every sport, through the glory years of Peyton Manning, right up to the present day. Admittedly with varying levels of passion and interest, they have nevertheless remained unquestionably my team.

Peyton Manning is without doubt one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game. By sheer numbers, he is 2nd in history for touchdown passes and completed passes, and 3rd for total passing yardage (and he's got a few years left in him). You have to scroll down on his Wikipedia page to see all of the NFL records he holds. Needless to say, he has been a somewhat significant figure for the Colts the last dozen years.

Then Manning was out injured for the entire 2011 season, and the Colts won just 2 games all season. They had the worst record of everyone in the league, and then, having got back to full fitness, Manning left to go to the Denver Broncos.

So there was relatively limited optimism going into the 2012 season, with most commentators expecting a mediocre display of rebuilding at best. What followed was an pretty remarkable and dramatic storyline of a season.

At the NFL Draft, the Colts secured the top college prospect quarterback, Andrew Luck, as part of wholesale changes that saw them start the season with a huge number of rookies on the roster. He proved to be an incredible success, setting a number of rookie quarterback records, and leading the Colts to the 3rd largest turnaround in NFL history from one season to the next. From winning 2 games in 2011, they won an impressive 11 in the 2012 regular season (more than Superbowl champions Baltimore Ravens). 

This outstanding season included a remarkable number of 4th quarter comeback wins and game-winning drives, the highlight of which was a simply outstanding victory against the Detroit Lions, from 33-21 down with less than 3 minutes left. 

This relative success from minimal expectations was set against the backdrop of Head Coach Chuck Pagano being diagnosed with leukaemia at the beginning of the season. The heartstring-tugging story of his fight against cancer united the entire city under the slogan 'Chuckstrong', leading to moving demonstrations of support such as cheeerleaders shaving their heads. His emotional return late in the season had virtually the entire NFL welling up.

In Pagano's absence, up stepped offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. In the 12 games he was at the helm, the Colts won 9, and when the season ended, Arians was rewarded with coach of the year in recognition of his achievement in the face of such circumstances. Then, having made it the playoffs against all the odds, Arians was hospitalised and absent for the clash against the Ravens.

It was there that it finally came to an end. Like the end of Cool Runnings, it wasn't a fairytale victory but a respectable and dignified defeat, to the eventual Superbowl Champions (who had their own destiny-fulfilling storybook ending to come). 

And so the 2013 season begins this weekend with much optimism. Andrew Luck is a year older and stronger, Chuck Pagano is in remission and back at the helm, NFL general manager of the year Ryan Grigson (like a Director of Football) overseeing what will hopefully be another hugely successful season.