I was beginning to think that Sky Sports had abandoned the NFL. No mention of any games on their web site. The September magazine showed no listings. But at last they have revealed their schedule for the first four or five weeks of the new, 2005 season.

And we kick off, Thursday September 8th, with the Raiders at The New England Patriots. Any Raiders fan will tell you the last time these two met we were robbed of victory and a Superbowl appearance. Yes – honest! In the bloody ‘Snow Game’.

But this isn’t why I don’t like the Patriots. Although their streak will have to end soon, I don’t like them because they keep winning. To be fair, they are very good at winning. Which is why this year, although I am a true Raiders fan, I will still end up supporting the team that look like they can take the Patriots down a peg or two. The trouble is, I don’t have a clue who that team might be yet. I sadly guess I wont be betting on the Raiders for the job though. Not this year at any rate.