The opening week of the NFL has arrived, generating a familiar excitement for football fans at Coastal Carolina and across the country.  

The start of the 2022-23 NFL season marks one more step away from the COVID-19 restrictions of the past, serving as a much-desired return to normalcy in the football world. Avid fantasy football players are eagerly looking forward to another year of stress, reward, punishments, and bragging rights. 

The NFL opened with a Thursday night matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8. The Rams hoped to get off to a strong start, as the defending Super Bowl champions. However, the Bills came out on top, winning 31-10 against the past champions and kicking off their season. 

Across the league, teams are looking for a fresh start, and the Carolina Panthers are no different. The team faces some tough choices at quarterback with competition between two former first-round draft picks, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. Mayfield won the start for week one but be on the lookout for Darnold to enter the picture if Mayfield struggles early on.  

Following an exciting offseason, new favorites have come together in both the AFC and NFC, with teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles setting their sights on a playoff come January.  

The NFL is sure to get off to a strong start in week one, with so many electric teams and good matchups.