"If that is indeed the case, arguably the top two contenders to take on the Seahawks on banner night can be crossed off the list. The NFL loves opening up the season with a playoff rematch for the defending Super Bowl champions. But if the Rams and Niners open the season in Australia, clearly, they would no longer be possible opponents for that slot."
"Not many teams had more hype surrounding them throughout the postseason. Chicago figures to be scheduled for several primetime matchups next season, as well. The Bears will have a lot of preseason buzz, and the NFL capitalizing on that with a Week 1 matchup on banner night in Seattle wouldn't be at all shocking. Throwing Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, and the Bears into the fire against the defending champs in Week 1 sure would be intriguing."
The Rams vs. 49ers Australia game appears set for Week 1, removing both NFC West teams as Seattle’s banner-night opponent. The league frequently opens the season with a playoff rematch for the defending Super Bowl champions, so alternative Week 1 opponents include the Bears, Chiefs, Patriots, Cowboys, Giants, Chargers, and Cardinals. The Chicago Bears present a strong case because of postseason hype, anticipated primetime slots, and new additions such as Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson. The Cowboys remain a ratings-driven option due to offensive talent. The league will likely select a high-profile, marketable opponent for banner night.
Read at Bleacher Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]