Let's start off by saying how this year defied all expectations. From the Patriots finishing 14-2, to two rookies leading Dallas to its first number one seed since 2007. We've seen teams that were suppose to dominate be marred by injuries and bad luck, and teams that dug themselves out of very dismal situations. If we have learned anything from this year of football, it is to never underestimated Bill Belichick and have an eye for promising rookies.
Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, their dreams of witnessing a rookie take their team to the Super Bowl have been lost. Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 157 yds and Prescott threw for 3 touchdowns in a 34-31 thriller. Together this season they've broken 5 records. Dak ties Big Ben Roethlisberger for most regular season wins by a rookie, and having the best completion percentage and passer rating of any rookie QB ever! Ezekiel Elliot was the first rookie to lead the NFL in rushing yards, the last was Edgerrin James in 1999. These are stats the rest of the NFL should be terrified of, if the Cowboys can perform this great with, having the best record in the NFC with two rookies, what will they do when Dak and Zeke become veterans with two or three years of refinement and practice. The future looks great for the Cowboys, as the have finally found a true franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, no disrespect to Tony Romo, who is aging and whose best years are behind him.
As I write this, the New England Patriots are set to meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxborough, where the Patriots could potentially see a fifth Super Bowl. Tom Brady has not lost a step despite Gronkowski being injured. Thankfully, he has new receivers Michael Floyd and Chris Hogan as well as Martellus Bennett who have stepped up fill in those gaps. Edelman still is his number but a quarterback like Touchdown Tom can make it happen with just about anyone. It was anticipated that the Patriots would be 12-4 by the end of the season with Tom Brady suspended and Gronk being out the beginning of the season. Those predictions could not be further from the truth as the Patriots won without Gronk, and while using a second and then a third string QB. If one thing was consistent about the AFC was that no matter what happened, the Patriots kept winning. From this season it seems a little clearer the direction of the Patriots when Brady does inevitably retire. Garoppolo has done a tremendous job in his first three starts, Gronkowski won't be going anywhere, and still has at least five more years of play time left. Along with some improvement to the receiver corps, which will certainly happen under Belichick, the Patriots will fair good without Brady, although, it will be a sad day indeed.
This season has a little bit of everything for veteran fans of football as well as new comers to the sport. We saw a proven star excel in Tom Brady and the Patriots, and we saw two rookies drive for greatness in what is perhaps the greatest season for the Cowboys in fifteen years. There was great showcases for new teams who never really got much of the spotlight, such as the Raiders and the Dolphins. Although, these teams in the end did not succeed, it is good to see new competitors rise above dismissal. It is a shame to see the Panthers and Cardinals perform so poorly this year after breakout performances the year before, with both teams reaching the NFC Championship. Hopefully, the rise of the Cowboys and the Packers will be a game changer for the NFC. As this year as shown us, anything can happen. Teams can and will rise above criticism, and overhype can be dangerous if a team cannot live up to monumental expectations.
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