This site works best with JavaScript enabled

Countdowns to the 5 Most Anticipated NFL Events

Nathan Vogel

Sports Writer

Everman, TX, United States

Quick links:

The beautiful feeling of NFL football is in the atmosphere again. We sit less than 2 months away from sanity coming back to the minds of many. As the anticipation continues to build after a whirlwind of an off-season, we have to remember to enjoy the ride. Last season saw an amazing amount of controversy compared to years past. From the Ezekiel Elliot soap opera to the incredible journey of the Philadelphia Eagles minus Carson Wentz. The Patriots (again) found their way into the Super Bowl (thank you Jesse James for ‘dropping’ the winning pass). The Eagles were crowned NFL champions for the first time in the Super Bowl era. I guess the rest of the league can still focus on the Browns to provide the punch line. I mean, a 0-16 season will bring plenty of insults. The Rams relocated to L.A. and coincidentally found a ton of success in front of their new fan base. Who says the youngest head coach in the league can’t win football games. I could write you an entire book on the intrigue from last season. But the key words there are last season. As we enter into the 2018-2019 season, every team has an equal shot at holding the Lombardi Trophy; everyone is undefeated. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most anticipated events for the upcoming NFL season.

1. Countdown to NFL Super Bowl LIII When: February 3, 2019 (Time TBA) Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta, Georgia. Broadcast Information: CBS and CBS All Access. Ticket Information: Online (many opportunities early) I mean come on, if this isn’t number one on any list you come across then you should question your allegiance to the game of football. This is bigger than Christmas morning for most NFL fans. There is much information still to be determined with the Super Bowl, most obviously who will be playing in the game. Let’s all hope for our own sake that Tom Brady is having to watch from his couch. If I have to see that man line up at quarterback in another Super Bowl I may just…. Ok, another story. Will the Eagles make another run? The obvious odds would prove that it is a difficult task. However, they made a Cinderella run last season on the coat tails of a backup quarterback. With Wentz back, who knows? Could there be a potential quarterback controversy mid-season if things don’t go Philly’s way? NFC favorites to earn a trip to the Super Bowl this season include the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings, Falcons, and even the surprising L.A. Rams. AFC favorites include the Patriots and Steelers. Could the Gruden-led Raiders make a run? Will the Chiefs finally take the next step? Could the Colts be contenders with a healthy Andrew Luck? The Super Bowl is one of the most watched events across North America each year. Regardless of some of the negative publicity surrounding the NFL in recent years, this game will continue to rule the landscape of professional sports in the Western Hemisphere.

2. Countdown to Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony When: August 4, 2018. 7:00 P.M. (E.T.) Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Canton, Ohio. Broadcast Information: NFL Network /NFL Now Tickets: Variety – Quintevents has packages This event is one of my personal favorites each and every year. As we get older, seeing players that we used to celebrate (or despise) when we were younger being celebrated for reaching the pinnacle of the sport can get, well, emotional. Yea, that’s the right word, right? I mean, the NFL has been a staple in most of our lives for as long as we can remember. Why wouldn’t we want to celebrate the best to ever wear the uniform? This year’s class features some of the most disruptive players of the 90’s and early 2000’s. This year’s inductees are Brian Urlacher, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, and Jerry Kramer. I mean, WOW! Lewis and Urlacher were two of the most dominant linebackers to ever suit it up. Terrell Owens should have been inducted years ago, but his (obvious) off-field antics have cost him. The same can be said for Randy Moss. However, no one would argue that they have long-earned their spot in the Hall. Dawkins is one of the most underrated players in his era. Top it off with some throw backs in Kramer, Beathard, and Brazile and you have a great event. What a class!

3. NFL Hall-of-Fame Game Countdown When: August 2, 2018. 8:00 P.M. (E.T.) Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Canton, Ohio. Broadcast Information: NFL Network (Local broadcast for participating teams) Tickets: Official team websites or NFL.com . Teams: Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears Before you start throwing a fit about a pre-season game being on this list, think about how bad you want to see an NFL football game right now? That’s what I thought… The annual NFL Hall of Fame game is the perfect preview for the Hall of Fame inductions. It marks the first game of the season, albeit a completely meaningless match. Still though, its competitive football. This is the first glimpse that fans will get at the previous springs draft picks, as well as the first opportunity for fans to either celebrate in the streets declaring a Super Bowl run, or complain about the front office and all of their failures. Just preseason, right? The Hall of Fame game is just another event in the week long celebration in Canton. Whether you are a fan of the teams in the game or not is a truly insignificant point. The Hall of Fame game is typically the highest rated preseason game each and every year for the reasons that we just mentioned. So go ahead, sit back, and enjoy. Check out our official NFL preseason countdown clock.