The new NFL season kicks off Thursday night in Los Angeles, and my first prediction of the year is that the teams playing the initial game of 2022 also will meet in the final one in February 2023.

Before we get to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., however, here’s a look at eight things to expect over the next several months from a league that saw several starting quarterbacks, other stars and big-name announcers switch teams in a whirlwind offseason, including one who will be suspended until at least Week 12.

The Giants and the Jets — and their respective hopefuls at starting quarterback, Daniel Jones and, eventually, Zach Wilson — need to show tangible improvement this year, but there won’t be enough of it to put an end to what have been lengthy postseason droughts for both local franchises, including dual 4-13 records in 2021.

Wilson already has been declared out until a potential return in Week 4 against the Steelers due to his preseason knee issues, meaning 37-year-old Joe Flacco will open the season Sunday against the Ravens, his primary former team. Despite offseason improvements via free agency and the draft, the Jets need to survive a mostly daunting first-half schedule before a Week 10 bye if second-year coach Robert Saleh’s team looks to avoid a 12th straight season out of the playoffs.