All it takes is a little spark, and then there’s no stopping it. In life and in a football season, there is often a measurable trajectory—some folks come out the gate screaming and hurtling straight upwards; some teams rip off six wins to start the season with a pyrotechnic show, only for the shower of sparks to taper off to nothing much in the end. Some seasons hum along quietly, only to explode in an incredible fashion on the biggest stage. Some folks (and teams) never really seem to get started.
Once the fuse is lit, once the ball is kicked, there’s no taking it back.