In L.A., Dylan Hernandez reports the crowd of 25,351 at StubHub Center for Chiefs-Chargers yesterday was "evidence of the heightened expectations" for the Chargers this season. The team seemed like "visitors in their home when they hosted the Chiefs" in '17. There were still "plenty of the red shirts in the stands" Sunday, but "on the whole, this was a pro-Chargers crowd." The team "finally had home-field advantage." But as the team's mistakes "piled and the Chiefs' lead widened," the L.A. fans "booed" (L.A. TIMES, 9/10).
BAY BUILDING BUZZ: In S.F., Eric Ting cited a source with the 49ers as saying that there are "several metrics" that "show 'increased optimism' among fans" for the team in '18. The team said "social media engagements have increased" by 75% compared to this time last year, and the "average time spent on team's official website was up" 71% for the month of July. The Cowboys-49ers preseason game "drew a 9.7 rating, the highest rating for a 49ers preseason opener" since '13. Online ticket retailer StubHub has a "number of metrics that indicate individual 49ers games are in demand again." The team "jumped thirteen spots" on StubHub's "most in-demand team list," and are now currently the NFL's sixth-most in-demand team (SFGATE.com, 9/7).
SILVER ANNIVERSARY: ESPN.com's Mike Reiss noted as Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and his family "enter their 25th year of ownership," they surprised season-ticket holders who have "been with them from Day 1 by sending them personalized footballs." A "nice touch, no doubt, as the season is set to kick-off" (ESPN.com, 9/9).
