Polls, Season Finale: It always comes back to him

I wanted a tidy five Pulse Predictions before the season begins, so here we are, hours before kickoff, betting our final coins on an imaginary prize. The subject: Aaron Rodgers.

For all the NFL’s pageantry, there may be no man who drives more conversation inside the sport and out than Rodgers. (Other than Travis Kelce over the past year, of course.) On-field wizardry and off-field … interests … fuel the aura around him equally. Put him in the country’s biggest media market, and a frenzy appears.

The funny thing is, for all the New York headlines, Rodgers has played just four snaps as a Jet. He’s 40 years old. The franchise’s playoff hopes — and those of the coaching staff’s future employment — likely hinge on his output.

Therein lies our overall question: Will Rodgers actually be good this year?

Two factors at play:

• His health. Again, this man is 40 and coming off an Achilles tear. It is impressive that he’s back at all. Can the Jets protect him?
• The team around him. This is a playoff roster if the QB is a top-15 guy. I am frankly more worried about play caller Nathaniel Hackett than anything, but he’s had plenty of success with Rodgers in the past. Call it a wash.

We’ve seen multiple people predict a huge year for Rodgers. In these digital pages, our Dianna Russini said he could win his fifth MVP.

So here’s the actual, zoomed-in question: Does Rodgers finish top-five in MVP voting this year?

Make your voice heard here.

Things You Need to See: A ludicrously strong first pitch

It’s a late entry, but Ludacris may have claimed the Best First Pitch of the Year award with this effort last night in Atlanta:

It’s #LudaNight in ATL 💪#GetBack pic.twitter.com/XMyA7F5srm

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 5, 2024

Yes, those big, fake arms are in the style of his iconic “Get Back” video from 20 years ago, which makes me feel ancient. The only other entry I’ll entertain for the award is Decoy’s toss last week.

Watch This Game

📺 NFL: Ravens at Chiefs
8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
All of football is officially back. Rejoice. We get two of the best five quarterbacks in the NFL and maybe the AFC’s two best teams. Remember last year, when the Lions announced themselves as legit with a win at Arrowhead in Week 1? Baltimore has less to prove, but I expect a good game nonetheless. 

📺 Tennis: Emma Navarro vs. Aryna Sabalenka
7 p.m. ET on ESPN
This will be Navarro’s toughest test yet with a trip to the final on the line. Jessica Pegula plays Karolina Muchova directly following this match. 

Get tickets to games like these here.