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Three Things to Watch This Week - Week 1

The New England Patriots play Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday September 13th at 1:00 PM.

At least they're not playing in Miami in September. That always ends badly.

There was no preseason this year. So I have even more questions than I normally would at this time of year.

What will this season look like? Is there any chance there will actually be a 16 game season? 

Are the Patriots going to be a running team? Do they have anyone that can catch?

Will they sign a kicker by Sunday?

Will there be crowds?  Will the teams know when to play defense without the crowd shouting "DE-FENSE"? (I've watched enough Tampa Bay Rays games over the years to not be weirded out by empty stadiums.)


It'll be fun to find out.


Harry Power Rankings:

1) Potter

2) Belafonte

3) S. Truman

4) Prince 

5) Bailey

6) N'Keal 

7) Caray


Three things I'll be watching for on Sunday:

1) Cam Newton - I'm really, really hoping Cam has a bounce back year. And maybe somebody to throw to. That would be fun to watch.

2) Who's That Guy? The Guy that just made that play. What number was that? No really... Who is that? Who am I watching? Is that guy a rookie?

3) My beer intake. I've definitely found myself drinking more during quarantine. I can't be the only one. Understandable, sure. But probably not sustainable longterm. But... it's also tasty craft Fall beer time.

My prediction: Patriots 21, Dolphins 13

*****

Thursday Morning Third Down Back is proud to present Monster Movies with Coach Fake Bill.



Our Monster Movie of the Week is Godzilla (1954).

Still pretty great if you haven't watched it recently.

Watch Godzilla as he sheds blockers and gets into the backfield here. Great burst off the line. Not unlike a young Richard Seymour.

You love to have that kind of talent and raw physical ability on your team. It's a shame they couldn't have surrounded Godzilla with better players around him early on. By his later years, he had trouble with the double team.

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