What do I need to know about the 2015 Detroit Lions?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Detroit Lions?

How are Detroit Lions fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Sweating

When are the Detroit Lions on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 3 – vs. the Denver Broncos on Sun, Sep 27 at 08:30 PM.
Week 4 – vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Mon, Oct 5 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Sun, Nov 1 at 09:30 AM.
Week 12 – vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Thu, Nov 26 at 12:30 PM.
Week 13 – vs. the Green Bay Packers on Thu, Dec 3 at 08:25 PM.
Week 15 – vs. the New Orleans Saints on Mon, Dec 21 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Detroit Lions bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 9

What was the Detroit Lions record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

11 – 5

Who are the Detroit Lions most important departed characters?

Ndomokong Suh, Nick Fairley, and C.J. Mosely took turns wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines last year. This year, all three will play for other NFL teams. The biggest loss by far is Suh, who is one of the top five defensive linemen in the league.

Who are the Detroit Lions most important new characters?

The Lions brough in former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata to replace Suh, Fairley, and Mosely. Ngata may be almost as good as Suh, but asking him to replace the production of three good players is not fair. He won’t be able to do it alone.

Who are the Detroit Lions most important characters?

Calvin Johnson, nicknamed Megatron, is a quiet superstar wide receiver. He set the NFL single season receiving record in 2012 with just under 2,000 yards. Since then, his production has declined radically due to leg injuries. Lions fans hope and pray that he’ll stay healthy this year.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Detroit Lions?

The Lions defensive success last year was built on an attacking defensive line and a surprisingly superior linebacking core. Most of the defensive line is gone which will expose the linebackers to greater stress from opposing offenses. They’ll either wilt under the pressure or prove themselves once again to be better than expected. The Lions season hangs on the result.

How will the 2015 Detroit Lions fare?

The Lions won’t be able to repeat their success from last year without Suh and company. 9-7 smells like the most likely outcome.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Denver Broncos?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Denver Broncos?

How are Denver Broncos fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Descending the mountain of hope

When are the Denver Broncos on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 2 – vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu, Sep 17 at 08:25 PM.
Week 3 – vs. the Detroit Lions on Sun, Sep 27 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Green Bay Packers on Sun, Nov 1 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the New England Patriots on Sun, Nov 29 at 08:30 PM.
Week 16 – vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Mon, Dec 28 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Denver Broncos bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 7

What was the Denver Broncos record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

12 – 4

Who are the Denver Broncos most important departed characters?

Tight end touchdown scoring freak Julius Thomas left in free agency for the more lucrative but surely browner and uglier fields of Jacksonville. The Broncos hope that Thomas’ production was more a product of quarterback Peyton Manning’s brilliance than it was his own skill.

Who are the Denver Broncos most important new characters?

Gary Kubiak takes over from Jon Fox as head coach this year. Kubiak is a known quantity in Denver, having played there as a quarterback during his NFL career. He was an effective head coach in Houston from 2006 – 2013 and it will be interesting to see how he meshes with Peyton Manning. Unlike Fox, who is more of a defensive coach and could therefore let Manning have free rein on the offensive side, Kubiak and Manning will need to collaborate on offense.

Who are the Denver Broncos most important characters?

Peyton Manning is the nerdiest quarterbacking legend ever. His attention to detail approaches that of an obsessive compulsive demon. As long as he is healthy, he’s virtually impossible to beat. The problem is, at 39, can he be expected to remain healthy for the whole season? Even though he’s played complete seasons the last couple years, his play has declined dramatically later in the year. It’s possible that the best thing for him and the team would be to simply sit out the first four games of the season. Maybe he can trade places with Tom Brady

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Denver Broncos?

Are Manning’s late season swoons the result of bad luck or age? If it’s age, then the Broncos have no hope. If it’s bad luck in the form of normal football injuries, then they have a real chance to get to the Super Bowl again.

How will the 2015 Denver Broncos fare?

Father time is undefeated. The Broncos will win early in the season and fade late.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Dallas Cowboys?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Dallas Cowboys?

How are Dallas Cowboys fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Cocky

When are the Dallas Cowboys on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 1 – vs. the New York Giants on Sun, Sep 13 at 08:30 PM.
Week 4 – vs. the New Orleans Saints on Sun, Oct 4 at 08:30 PM.
Week 9 – vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Sun, Nov 8 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Carolina Panthers on Thu, Nov 26 at 04:30 PM.
Week 13 – vs. the Washington Redskins on Mon, Dec 7 at 08:30 PM.
Week 15 – vs. the New York Jets on Sat, Dec 19 at 08:25 PM.

When is the Dallas Cowboys bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 6

What was the Dallas Cowboys record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

12 – 4

Who are the Dallas Cowboys most important departed characters?

DeMarco Murray, the best running back in the league by far last year, left in free agency and is now playing for the rival Philadelphia Eagles. There’s one theory in the NFL that running backs are entirely replaceable since most of their production is a result of the offensive line, not their own talent. Dallas still has the best offensive line in the league. This season will be a good case study for the theory of the replaceable running back.

Who are the Dallas Cowboys most important new characters?

In the offseason, the Cowboys made waves by signing two players with severe “”character issues.”” The first, a veteran defensive lineman, Greg Hardy, is suspended for the first ten games of this season for domestic assault. The second, a rookie offensive lineman, La’el Collins, is one of the stranger stories of the year. Collins was likely to have been a first round draft pick this year before rumors that he was somehow involved in his girlfriend’s death surfaced. Police eventually assured teams that Collins was not a suspect but the timing of the incident so close to the date of the draft left Collins undrafted and free to sign with any team that would take him. The Cowboys gobbled him up.

Who are the Dallas Cowboys most important characters?

Tony Romo has always been a polarizing figure. A converted baseball player who started his career later than most, it doesn’t seem like he should be 35 already, but he is. After a broken collarbone and several back problems over the past few years, the clock is ticking on how long he can remain healthy and effective. Cowboys fans have to be hoping for at least one more year of peak Romo — they don’t have much of a second option.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Dallas Cowboys?

Can DeMarco Murray’s replacements Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Darren McFadden provide most, if not all of his production from last year? If so, the Cowboys will succeed.

How will the 2015 Dallas Cowboys fare?

They’ll win a lot.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Cleveland Browns?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Cleveland Browns?

How are Cleveland Browns fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Bewildered

When are the Cleveland Browns on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 9 – vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Thu, Nov 5 at 08:25 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Mon, Nov 30 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Cleveland Browns bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 11

What was the Cleveland Browns record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

7 – 9

Who are the Cleveland Browns most important departed characters?

The Browns top two receiving weapons from last year, tight end Jordan Cameron and wide receiver Josh Gordon are both gone. Cameron left in free agency and Gordon has been suspended for the entire season for his umpteenth positive drug test.

Who are the Cleveland Browns most important new characters?

When a free agent punter, Andy Lee formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, is the most exciting offseason addition, you know things are dire. To be fair, the Browns also drafted a speedy runner with a great name, Duke Johnson, who may provide a spark of excitement.

Who are the Cleveland Browns most important characters?

The biggest character on the Browns is quarterback Johnny Manziel. Manziel was a highly regarded rookie last year, whose “”character flaws”” of drinking and generally behaving like an idiot 21 year-old man were dismissed as unimportant by hopeful Browns fans. Either they really did get in his way or he was revealed to have the more damaging character flaw (in football terms, anyway) of not being very good at football. This summer he made a show of going to rehab and is now back and showing some small signs of being a better player. Time will tell.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Cleveland Browns?

Last year, the Browns were one of the best teams at running the ball until their starting center, Alex Mack, broke his leg. From that point on, their rushing ability cratered and their season ground to a halt. Was Mack that important? Or did something else change when he left? Will his return this year get the team’s running game running gamely again? If so, the Browns will at least have one elite skill to lean on.

How will the 2015 Cleveland Browns fare?

Last year’s seven wins are going to be hard for the Browns to match.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Cincinnati Bengals?

How are Cincinnati Bengals fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Bored

When are the Cincinnati Bengals on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 9 – vs. the Cleveland Browns on Thu, Nov 5 at 08:25 PM.
Week 10 – vs. the Houston Texans on Mon, Nov 16 at 08:30 PM.
Week 15 – vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Sun, Dec 20 at 08:30 PM.
Week 16 – vs. the Denver Broncos on Mon, Dec 28 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Cincinnati Bengals bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 7

What was the Cincinnati Bengals record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

10 – 5 – 1

Who are the Cincinnati Bengals most important departed characters?

For Bengals fans, this year’s team is just more of the same. It’s hard to find a meaningful player who departed this year. 36-year old defensive back Terrance Newman would once have counted, but at that age, his leaving is no surprise or great loss. Often injured tight end Jermaine Gresham has name recognition among hard-core fantasy football players but that’s about it.

Who are the Cincinnati Bengals most important new characters?

Even more frustrating for Bengals fans is that the team didn’t bring in any major new players this year. They spent both their high draft picks on offensive linemen who are not expected to start this year. Their biggest free agent signing was former Green Bay Packers linebacker A. J. Hawk who hasn’t been an impact player in the past couple years.

Who are the Cincinnati Bengals most important characters?

Quarterback Andy Dalton and coach Marvin Lewis are stable parts of the Bengals story. Too bad they aren’t dynamic.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals?

It’s hard to see how this team could improve greatly or why it would fall off a cliff. I suppose that makes the pivotal pivot The Unexpected.

How will the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals fare?

They won’t go 10-5-1 again, but only because ties are so rare. Pencil them in at 10-6 or 9-7 and then go get your pen a few weeks from now.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Chicago Bears?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Chicago Bears?

How are Chicago Bears fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Bitter

When are the Chicago Bears on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 9 – vs. the San Diego Chargers on Mon, Nov 9 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Green Bay Packers on Thu, Nov 26 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Chicago Bears bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 7

What was the Chicago Bears record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

5 – 11

Who are the Chicago Bears most important departed characters?

The Bears tried to make an innovative move work by bringing in a winning Canadian Football League coach reputed to be an offensive mastermind in Marc Trestman. It didn’t work. Either head coach in the NFL was too big of a job for Trestman or the defense-first culture in Chicago just wouldn’t take to such an offensively slanted coach. Regardless of the reason, the Bears crashed and burned last year and now Trestman, along with skilled and outspoken wide receiver Brandon Marshall, is gone.

Who are the Chicago Bears most important new characters?

New head coach John Fox comes straight from Denver, where he had nothing but success. Unfortunately for him, nothing but success on a team with a rapidly aging superstar quarterback was not good enough to retain his job. The Broncos are determined to win a Super Bowl and didn’t think Fox could get them there. Obviously, the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal in Chicago as well, but realistically, if Fox could replicate just the regular season success he had in Denver, Bears fans would be thrilled.

Who are the Chicago Bears most important characters?

Quarterback Jay Cutler is one of the oddest characters in the league. His sulky demeanor has inspired internet memes. His erratic play has inspired Bears fans everywhere to take turns throwing their hands in the air and throwing their remotes at their televisions. At 32, Cutler should be a known quantity already, but it still seems like his career could go any which way at any moment.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Chicago Bears?

While Trestman was focused on offense, the once great Chicago Bears defense quietly fizzled. Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio need to rebuild this defense from almost the ground up. How well they’re able to do that on the fly will go far to deciding the result of this season.

How will the 2015 Chicago Bears fare?

Too much improvement is needed all over the field too quickly. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears take _another_ step backwards this year.

Why was our legal system even involved in Deflategate?

Dear Sports Fan,

I saw that a U.S. federal judge overturned the NFL’s suspension of Tom Brady the other day. This leads to my question: why was our legal system even involved in Deflategate? Don’t they have better stuff to do than rule on a football player’s suspension?

Thanks,
Marcie


Dear Marcie,

You’re right to be skeptical. The government does sometimes get involved in the sports world in strange and semi-ludicrous ways. Take, for example, the College Football Playoff Act of 2011 or the spectacle of baseball sluggers in suits testifying in front of Congress about whether they stuck needles into their butts. In this case, however, despite the judge’s reluctance to rule on the matter, there is a good legal reason for him to have been involved.

Football players are unionized. Their organization, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) periodically negotiates with the owners of the 32 NFL teams over the terms of their employment. This is called collective bargaining. Among the terms they negotiate are the penalties for various infringements and the process by which players may be penalized. Once the two sides (owners and players association) agree, the result should be a nice little self-contained world where every potential dispute between employer and employee has a prearranged solution. The only time the real legal system should get involved is when one side claims that the other side isn’t following the rules they agreed to as part of the original collectively bargained deal. That’s exactly what Tom Brady claimed – that the NFL was not following the rules they agreed to follow the last time they collectively bargained with the players union – and that’s what Judge Richard Berman of the United States District Court ruled.

Throughout the time the case was in Judge Berman’s court, he pushed the two sides to agree on a settlement rather than rely on him to make a judgement. To some extent, that’s probably a normal practice in contract disputes such as this, but another motivation may have been that he, like you, felt a little sheepish about a U.S. federal judge ruling on a football player’s suspension. Don’t let the football fool you though, if you ignore what Brady does for a living, you’re left with an employee claiming that his employer tried to unfairly and unlawfully punish him in a way which would not only damage his professional reputation but also cost him $1,882,352. That’s worth dealing with in court, isn’t it?

Thanks for your question,
Ezra Fischer

 

What do I need to know about the 2015 Carolina Panthers?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Carolina Panthers?

How are Carolina Panthers fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Devastated

When are the Carolina Panthers on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 7 – vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Sun, Oct 25 at 08:30 PM.
Week 8 – vs. the Indianapolis Colts on Mon, Nov 2 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Thu, Nov 26 at 04:30 PM.

When is the Carolina Panthers bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 5

What was the Carolina Panthers record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

7 – 8 – 1

Who are the Carolina Panthers most important departed characters?

Kelvin Benjamin, the second year wide receiver who much of the hopes of Panthers fans were placed on, tore his ACL during preseason and will be out for the rest of the year. This leaves the team with zero established wide receivers — a big problem.

Who are the Carolina Panthers most important new characters?

To perhaps the best group of linebackers in the league, the Carolina Panthers added Shaq Thompson. Although mostly a linebacker, Thompson won the Paul Hornung award last year given to the most versatile player in college football. He actually started two games at running back for his college team, the Washington Huskies. He’s unlikely to play much on the offense in Carolina, but given their need for pass catchers, who knows?

Who are the Carolina Panthers most important characters?

Quarterback Cam Newton had a strange season last year. At times, he looked great. At times, he looked like he could barely walk. Then he got into what could have been a catastrophic car injury, broke his back… and then came back and played well in the playoffs. What will he do next?

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Carolina Panthers?

Without Benjamin, who is going to catch Newton’s passes? A lot of hope is now pinned on rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess. Even if he’s great, the Panthers will need something from someone else. Who will it be?

How will the 2015 Carolina Panthers fare?

Can a team win without wide receivers in 2015? Maybe in 1985 but not 2015. The Panthers will end the year with a losing record and, unlike last year, won’t make the playoffs anyway.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Buffalo Bills?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Buffalo Bills?

How are Buffalo Bills fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Frontin’

When are the Buffalo Bills on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 7 – vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sun, Oct 25 at 09:30 AM.
Week 10 – vs. the New York Jets on Thu, Nov 12 at 08:25 PM.
Week 11 – vs. the New England Patriots on Mon, Nov 23 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Buffalo Bills bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 8

What was the Buffalo Bills record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

9 – 7

Who are the Buffalo Bills most important departed characters?

Former head coach Doug Marrone’s tenure with the Bills was one long slog of unsuccessful ick. He was a surprise hire at the time that looks even worse in retrospect. It’s probably hard to find a Bills fan who is sad that he’s gone.

Who are the Buffalo Bills most important new characters?

Replacing Marrone is a man who needs no introduction to Bills fans. As head coach of the in-division rival New York Jets since 2009, Rex Ryan is a known quantity. He’s a prototypical “”players coach”” who inspires an amazing amount of loyalty from his players. Son of famous defensive guru, Buddy Ryan, like his brother Rob, Rex focuses first and foremost on defense. He’s an aggressive and creative defensive playcaller. The Bills also added a big name on offense, with the addition of former Philadelphia Eagles running back, Lesean McCoy. McCoy, nicknamed “”Shady”” is one of the most elusive runners in the league.

Who are the Buffalo Bills most important characters?

Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan. Even after losing a lot of weight, Ryan is always the biggest character in the room. He’s already made waves by signing Ikemefuna Enemkpali, the Jets linebacker who broke Jets quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw with a punch during the preseason. Ryan claims he simply knows and likes the way Enemkpali plays, but claiming him is also a world-class troll.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Buffalo Bills?

With all that the Bills have, they lack the most important thing for an NFL football team to have: a quarterback. During the preseason, the starting job was hotly contested between EJ Manuel, who has basically proven he can’t do the job over the past few years playing for the Bills, Matt Cassel, whose one good year with the Patriots now seems clearly a product of Bill Bellichick’s genius, and Tyrod Taylor, a career backup with the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor seems to have won the job, but how long he’ll keep it and how well he’ll play is a giant question mark.

How will the 2015 Buffalo Bills fare?

Rex Ryan plus a talented Bills defense seems like a formula certain to improve the Bills. Without a more respectable quarterback though, it’s hard to imagine them making the playoffs.

What do I need to know about the 2015 Baltimore Ravens?

National Football League (NFL) previews abound at this time of year. We’re close to the start of the 2015 NFL season and basically everyone in the sports world is in a tizzy, anticipating another great season of the country’s favorite sport. Whether you’re a beginning NFL fan, the family member, friend or partner of an NFL fan, or simply someone who doesn’t follow the league during the offseason, our team previews should get you ready for the season to begin.

If you’re curious about the history and culture surrounding the team, and not just the plot and characters of this edition of the team, read What’s special about the Baltimore Ravens?

How are Baltimore Ravens fans feeling heading into the 2015 NFL season?

Wary

When are the Baltimore Ravens on national television?

Use this to know when you should host a party with locally (or favorite team-ily) themed food!

Week 4 – vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thu, Oct 1 at 08:25 PM.
Week 7 – vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Mon, Oct 26 at 08:30 PM.
Week 12 – vs. the Cleveland Browns on Mon, Nov 30 at 08:30 PM.
Week 14 – vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sun, Dec 13 at 08:30 PM.
Week 16 – vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun, Dec 27 at 08:30 PM.

When is the Baltimore Ravens bye week?

Use this to know when to plan that camping trip you’ve been wanting to go on.

Week 9

What was the Baltimore Ravens record last season, in 2014?

Expressed as: wins – losses – ties (if any).

10 – 6

Who are the Baltimore Ravens most important departed characters?

Haloti Ngata, the ferocious, oversized defensive lineman who has been central to the Ravens success on defense for the past nine years, is gone. In the style of defense that Baltimore plays, with only three offensive linemen, having a player as versatile and disruptive as Ngata is a must. It won’t be one but rather a combination of players who tries to replace him.

Who are the Baltimore Ravens most important new characters?

Disgraced Bears Head Coach, Marc Trestman, who was fired after last year’s debacle has joined the Ravens as offensive coordinator. Trestman inherits a good offense and is expected to make it even better, especially given the speedy new receiving threats on the team: wide receiver Breshad Perriman and tight end Maxx Williams. Perriman, drafted 26th overall by the Ravens, is blisteringly fast. Williams, drafted in the second round, is a third generation NFL player.

Who are the Baltimore Ravens most important characters?

Pint sized wide receiver, Steve Smith Jr. has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this season. While that may be comforting for opposing defenses to know, they won’t get to enjoy it this season. Everything we know about Smith from his already epic career suggests that he wants to go out, not just with a bang, but with a series of giant explosions that start on the first snap of the season and don’t end until the Ravens win the Super Bowl.

What is the most pivotal pivot point for the 2015 Baltimore Ravens?

Can they cover anyone? Last year their defensive backfield, thanks in part to a dreadful series of injuries, was so anonymous that an NFL podcast played a game of “”Ravens defensive back or character from the Walking Dead.”” Without the disruptive force of Ngata, this year’s defensive backfield will have to be even better than they needed to be last year… which was better than they were last year.

How will the 2015 Baltimore Ravens fare?

The Ravens will be solid, but not great. With all the new characters, it’s more likely they’ll be good this year and great next season.