Storylines to Follow During the 2014 NFL Season

Let the games begin!

2014 NFL Season Kicks Off Thursday Night - Are you ready for some football? The 2014 NFL season kicks off in a big way Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosts the Green Bay Packers live from CenturyLink Field, the loudest stadium in the league. With a solid defense and weapons on offense, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson's ability to lead the Seahawks to a possible repeat as NFL champions will be one of many storylines entering the season. Click on for more of the plotlines that'll keep us locked in all season.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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2014 NFL Season Kicks Off Thursday Night - Are you ready for some football? The 2014 NFL season kicks off in a big way Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosts the Green Bay Packers live from CenturyLink Field, the loudest stadium in the league. With a solid defense and weapons on offense, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson's ability to lead the Seahawks to a possible repeat as NFL champions will be one of many storylines entering the season. Click on for more of the plotlines that'll keep us locked in all season.(Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson Laughs Off McCoy’s Best Running Back Comments - Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson watched Philadelphia Eagles’ LeSean McCoy call himself the NFL’s best running back on ESPN earlier this week. Peterson, the consensus best rusher in the league for the last several years, just thought McCoy needed to speak with more conviction of such claims. "I've got to give the young guy credit because there is nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself," Peterson told ESPN, admitting he chuckled when seeing McCoy’s assertion. "But you've got to speak it with more truth. He's a heck of a running back and I like his style, so I won't get on him too much. It was funny because when Stephen A. [Smith] asked him the question, he kind of hesitated, and he didn't believe it when he said it. I tell the youngsters, 'Say it with your chest, like you mean it!...

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Can Adrian Peterson or LeSean McCoy Break Rushing Record? - In 2012, Adrian Peterson came eight yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. Can the Minnesota Vikings running back chase down history and eclipse Dickerson's 20-year record this season? Or does Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy have a chance? McCoy rushed for a career-high 1,607 yards last season. Playing in the second year of coach Chip Kelly's high-powered offense makes us think that McCoy has a chance to threaten Dickerson's rushing throne. (Photos from left: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Impact Rookies - Which rookies will make the most impact this season? It's a storyline that will develop once the season kicks off to the very second it ends. On offense, we like Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (l.) to make the most impact. On defense, we give the nod to top draft pick Jadeveon Clowney, who we expect to create the most havoc playing alongside J.J. Watt on the Houston Texans.(Photos from left: Tyler Smith/Getty Images, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Impact Rookies - Which rookies will make the most impact this season? It's a storyline that will develop once the season kicks off to the very second it ends. On offense, we like Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (l.) to make the most impact. On defense, we give the nod to top draft pick Jadeveon Clowney, who we expect to create the most havoc playing alongside J.J. Watt on the Houston Texans.(Photos from left: Tyler Smith/Getty Images, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Will Johnny Football Take Off? - Thoughts of Johnny Football mania have sort of been grounded by the Cleveland Browns for the moment. But most onlookers still expect Johnny Manziel to rise above his backup QB spot and see action as a starter this season. and up to this point. Of course, the play of current starter Brian Hoyer will dictate a lot of that. Still, turning Manziel all the way loose this season would be intriguing to say the least. (Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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Will Johnny Football Take Off? - Thoughts of Johnny Football mania have sort of been grounded by the Cleveland Browns for the moment. But most onlookers still expect Johnny Manziel to rise above his backup QB spot and see action as a starter this season. and up to this point. Of course, the play of current starter Brian Hoyer will dictate a lot of that. Still, turning Manziel all the way loose this season would be intriguing to say the least. (Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning Fined for Taunting - The NFL fined Peyton Manning $8,268 on Thursday for taunting Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger. The veteran quarterback gave an earful to Swearinger after a nasty hit that the defensive back put on Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, resulting in a concussion. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Can Peyton Manning Lead Broncos Back to Super Bowl? - Last year, Peyton Manning was good enough to lead the NFL in passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) and the Denver Broncos into the Super Bowl, but the Seattle Seahawks made the memory a bitter one by pummeling the Broncos 43-8 in the Super Bowl. A year removed and now 38 years old, can Manning lead the Broncos back to the promised land? With a revamped defense and plenty of weapons on offense, Manning certainly has a good chance. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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What Kind of Season Will DeSean Jackson Have? - DeSean Jackson was cut rather unceremoniously by the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason. Now we're all watching to see what kind of impact he'll have on his new team, the Washington Redskins, playing with quarterback Robert Griffin III. Let's not forget that this is a wide receiver who hauled in 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He'll be able to stick it to his former team twice during the year as part of NFC East competition.(Photo: Alex Brandon, File/AP Photo)

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What Kind of Season Will DeSean Jackson Have? - DeSean Jackson was cut rather unceremoniously by the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason. Now we're all watching to see what kind of impact he'll have on his new team, the Washington Redskins, playing with quarterback Robert Griffin III. Let's not forget that this is a wide receiver who hauled in 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He'll be able to stick it to his former team twice during the year as part of NFC East competition.(Photo: Alex Brandon, File/AP Photo)

Seahawks Near Deal to Make Richard Sherman Top-Paid Corner - The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are making progress towards making star Richard Sherman the NFL’s top-paid cornerback, according to CBS Sports. The long-term contract will reportedly surpass Darrelle Revis’ $12 million in 2014. Sherman has recorded eight interceptions in each of the 2013 and 2012 seasons. (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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Richard Sherman: Best Cornerback by Season's End? - Richard Sherman certainly backed up all the bravado last season, recording eight interceptions and leaving little doubt that he was the best cornerback in 2013. To prove that again, he'll have to outwork cornerbacks like Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns' Joe Haden.   (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Which Eli Manning Shows Up? - Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings to his name, but didn't look anything like a champion last season, leading all quarterbacks in interceptions with 27. Trying his hand in a new West Coast offense, the New York Giants QB will be asked to get the ball out quicker than ever before. On paper, that could spell disaster or fireworks for Manning and the G-men. It all comes down to which Eli Manning shows up. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Which Eli Manning Shows Up? - Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings to his name, but didn't look anything like a champion last season, leading all quarterbacks in interceptions with 27. Trying his hand in a new West Coast offense, the New York Giants QB will be asked to get the ball out quicker than ever before. On paper, that could spell disaster or fireworks for Manning and the G-men. It all comes down to which Eli Manning shows up. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Michael Sam - As the first openly gay football player in the professional league, Sam entered the NFL with a huge splash. But after less than one full season with the St. Louis Rams, he was cut loose to become a free agent. This Christmas, we're wrapping up a jersey and putting it under the tree for Sam, because he deserves a place in the NFL. (Photo: L.G. Patterson/AP Photo)

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Will Michael Sam Get Playing Time? - What a whirlwind. Michael Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams this past weekend only for the Dallas Cowboys to add the rookie defensive end to their practice squad on Wednesday. Although Sam has ways to go, it will be interesting to see if the rook gets some regular season game action. If he does, he'll become the first openly-gay player to play a regular season game in the NFL.(Photo: L.G. Patterson/AP Photo)