31st August 2017. For fans of American football, the long drought of the offseason is finally almost over. With the next season beginning in just a few weeks, it's time to ramp up the hype levels again and start building excitement for the games ahead. With this year's draft in the books and the first games of the pre-season starting to peek over the horizon, now is also a good opportunity to catch up on what you need to know about the upcoming season. Some players have changed teams, and other teams have had their fortunes shift. There have even been some rule changes implemented for the upcoming season. With two divisions and 32 teams between them, keeping track of everything that goes on each year can be a challenge. Whether you select one favourite to watch or opt to follow several on their journey through the months-long regular season, there's sure to be no shortage of excitement. The 2017 season also features another first for the NFL: more overseas games. In past years, the league has played two games as exhibitions in London. This year, that number jumps up to four! What else has developed since the end of the last Super Bowl?
Important developments in the off-season
The off-season is a time for horse-trading, team-building, and deal-making in the NFL. After the New England Patriots clinched yet another Lombardi Trophy at the conclusion of Super Bowl LI, every team in the league returned home to begin planning for next year. A few developments have made for some potentially interesting changes this year. First, of course, is the relocation of the San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles, following the St Louis Rams to the California city. They are now known, of course, as the Los Angeles Chargers. Next, six teams changed head coaches this off-season. The San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing 2016-17 season and opted to replace their coach with Kyle Shanahan, an experienced offensive and