Eels can handle Newcastle’s Best Jackson ready to pass his first test
SUNDAY 4.05PM
It’s been too long to call it revenge, but the Eels will still celebrate if they can knock out Newcastle after what happened in the 2001 grand final. Parramatta fans have long memories, and they’ll also know that their team hasn’t won a comp since 1986. This crop of players has the talent and the size to trouble the top teams, but their recent finals record is a concern. The Knights limped into the finals with a poor loss to the Broncos, and they need to find a way to unleash strike centre Bradman Best if they want to cause the upset.
TUESDAY 10.15AM
All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson as he attempts to turn a good team into one of the greats. Baltimore’s quarterback is one of the best runners in the game, but the concern is he doesn’t have the arm to make them genuine contenders. It’s something he’ll have to change because the Ravens have already lost a couple of running backs to serious injuries. They start the season in Las Vegas in front of what should be a wild crowd. The Raiders went 8-8 last year, but need more consistency if they want to reach the playoffs.