His job is to watch the NFL all week

On Sundays, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz watches a lot of football.

As Paste BN's NFL editor, Middlehurst-Schwartz spends Sundays in the regular season coordinating coverage of multiple games at once. He constantly changes which game plays on his screen, deciding which moments our journalists should cover for readers like you.

And the job doesn't end on Sunday. During the week, he watches all the games again, using a special camera angle for a view of the entire field. He reviews play after play, teasing out compelling analysis of each team's position and their prospects for the season.

Then, before he knows it, Sunday returns and it all starts over again.

👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with Middlehurst-Schwartz about what to watch this NFL season, from new rules to the Kansas City Chiefs' run for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat.

But first, don't miss these stories made possible by your Paste BN subscription:

• Here's how Georgia's new election rules could bring havoc in November.
• How much does the American dream cost?
• Alabama is a test case for efforts to help women get abortions in states where it's legal.
• At 68, she wanted to have a bat mitzvah. Her son made a film about it.
• 'Slow down!' A Michigan mom's texts to her son may come back to haunt her.

Tackles, touchdowns ... and Taylor Swift

Today is the final Sunday before regular games of the NFL calendar begin. Whether you're a loyal fan or a casual viewer, there's a lot to look forward to this season, Middlehurst-Schwartz said.

One exciting element of this year's season is the Kansas City Chiefs' run for a third consecutive Super Bowl title, what Middlehurst-Schwartz says would be a "historic feat." On the Chiefs' side is their roster of all-star players like tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But while they don't lack in confidence, their weakness could be keeping up momentum all season.

"They need a lot of things to go their way," Middlehurst-Schwartz said. "They've made changes to their team this year and are going to try to be more explosive. It will be an interesting Chiefs-versus-the-world kind of season. Are they going to be able to pull it off, or will someone else emerge?"

✉ Want all the NFL news on and off the field? Sign up for Paste BN's 4th and Monday newsletter.

While the Chiefs are scrounging to hold their territory on the field, they won't lack for attention off the field. Pop star Taylor Swift will be back in the stands cheering on boyfriend Kelce, surely guaranteeing a mass audience for this season, Middlehurst-Schwartz said.

"There aren't too many things that are more popular in America than the NFL, but Taylor Swift is one of them," Middlehurst-Schwartz said. But he doesn't make assumptions about which fans Swift is bringing to the NFL.

"The NFL already had an incredible female fan base before," he said. "Last year people felt like initial coverage was assuming Swift fans didn't have NFL knowledge."

When you're not looking for Swift on the screen, spot these changes to the game coming this year:

◾ Guardian caps, optional soft shell additions to a helmet designed to absorb impact.

◾ A new kickoff rule designed to limit high-speed player collisions.

◾ A ban on the hip-drop tackle, a technique with much higher risk of injury compared with traditional tackles.

These changes largely come out of a desire to prioritize player safety, said Middlehurst-Schwartz.

The new kickoff rules have a big margin for error, but they do also have the promise of returns for teams, Middlehurst-Schwartz said. He'll also be watching how referees call a new rule against hip-drop tackles. This play is pretty hard to observe, so there's likely to be debates over what justifies a penalty, he said.

"It often happens on the fly," Middlehurst-Schwartz said of the hip-drop tackle. "It will be interesting to see how people react when that kind of play results in a swing of a game."

What Middlehurst-Schwartz is watching for this season: New York Jets' quarterback Aaron Rodgers is back after injuring his Achilles within hours of the season starting last year; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's contract negotiations; and Jim Harbaugh's return to the NFL.

So get your jersey ready. Paste BN is going to be at many early season games this year, including the Chiefs' home opener on Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens. The newsroom is even sending reporters to Brazil, where the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles face off on Friday. Middlehurst-Schwartz says he's ready for Sundays to be a "fire-hose" of NFL news again, and he's excited for the opportunity these early weeks present.

"There's a lot to juggle, but every team right now is relevant," he said. "Everyone has hope, so you've got to pay attention."

Read more NFL coverage from Paste BN:

• What is a hip-drop tackle? And why is banned from the NFL?
• Dive into Paste BN's annual projection's of each team's record.
• NFL owners approved a rule allowing portions of franchises to be sold to private equity firms.
• NFL roster cut deadline winners, losers: Tough breaks for notable names.

Thank you

I'm a yinzer, so I'll be cheering for the Steelers this year, no doubt about that. Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you. 

Best wishes, 

Nicole Fallert