The confetti has been swept up, the trip to Disney World has been made, and the Vince Lombardi Trophy has been hoisted. NFL fans need little provocation to celebrate and pop the champagne, but a new NFL new year is officially underway.
The immediate Super Bowl aftermath presents a rare lull on the NFL schedule, as this season has done nothing to stifle the league’s quest to dominate all dozen months on the modern calendar. Amateur and professional observers haven’t stopped their respective grinds and obsessions toward the defense of the 100-yard field on autumn Sundays, particularly those close to the 30 teams that did not partake in the recent championship proceedings.