The NFL product will sell no matter who is wearing their jerseys on the field on Sundays. But let’s face it—not all NFL games are created equal.
Some games will make fans plan their weeks around watching them, others will set them up for a productive work week by allowing for an early bedtime.
Don’t waste another second of precious NFL Sundays watching a bottom-dweller bore fest—just make sure you catch these games before all is said and done.
Week 2: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET)
On the surface, an interconference matchup would hardly seem like one of the top games of the season, but this is one of the most interesting games of the season considering the unexpected rise of the Phillip Rivers-led San Diego Chargers.
The Seahawks have earned their title as the best team in football (or at least one of them)—but San Diego is still teetering somewhere between being a true contender and just another team for the Broncos to beat up on in the AFC West.
If Rivers is truly ready to finally take the Chargers to the Promised Land, he will need to be able to beat great defensive teams like the Seahawks, who will be away from their home nest in Seattle where their effectiveness tends to plummet.
Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts (8:30 p.m. ET, Monday Night Football)
This is a special game to watch for all of the personnel geeks out there. Colts general manager Ryan Grigson will test his handpicked squad against the new-look Eagles.
Despite their success in terms of wins and losses, the Colts, by in large, are a very similar team to the one Grigson took over in 2012, outside of quarterback. After winning Executive of the Year in 2012, Grigson has missed on more than his share of draft picks, free agent signings and trades.
While the Colts have flat-lined, the progressive Eagles have taken a turn for the better under Chip Kelly’s management as the clear favorite to repeat as NFC East Champions.
The Eagles are built on speed and efficiency—the Colts have taken the opposite approach of trying to force themselves into being a power-running team. So far, the results have been underwhelming (see: Richardson, Trent). Getting back on track against Grigson’s old team would be a huge bonus for a Colts team that is running in place.
Week 4: New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys (8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday Night Football)
If you prefer your NFL games to resemble a Madden game on “rookie” mode, this is the game for you.
The Dallas Cowboys have a good chance to field one of the worst defenses in NFL history this season. All the New Orleans Saints have done is reload their holster of weapons for Drew Brees to pepper the Cowboys’ secondary with.
With the Saints set to rack up an obnoxious amount of points and touchdowns, Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense will send off some fireworks of their own. Because they will inevitably be playing from behind (which will be a common theme for them this year), the Cowboys will have no choice but to throw it all over the yard. Sit back and watch Dez Bryant and Co. put on a show, win or lose.
Week 5: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET)
This is one reason and one reason only to spend your Sunday afternoon watching a Browns vs. Titans game—Mr. Johnny Football.
Because of their early Week 4 bye, heavy odds are on the Browns to make the inevitable switch to Johnny Manziel at this time. Under Brian Hoyer’s watch, there are equally good odds that the Browns enter this game 0-3, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, giving the Browns the perfect excuse to make the switch.
As far as the actual game goes, this will be an even-played game no matter who is at quarterback for the Browns. Who knows, the Titans may find themselves in a similar quarterback situation if Zach Mettenberger finds his way onto the field after an impressive preseason.
Week 6: Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 p.m. ET)
This game does not feature any quarterback controversy or foreshadow any type of offensive fire show—this is just a good matchup between two evenly matched teams with similar strengths and weaknesses.
In particular, both team have great defensive fronts, but have unproven offensive lines. The Ravens are going to have their hands full blocking Gerald McCoy (who has looked as good as any defender this preseason), while the makeshift Buccaneers offensive line will just be trying to get a hand on Ngata and Co.
Look at it this way: When Lovie Smith and John Harbaugh are coaching a game, chances are that the on-field product will be of high quality.
Week 7: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers (1:00 p.m. ET)
Not only are both of these teams fighting for position in the NFC playoff picture, but their contrasting styles make this a particularly intriguing game to watch.
The Panthers prefer more of a traditional, physical approach that features a good ground game and defense. Meanwhile, the Packers are trying to be the Green Bay “Eagles,” with aspirations of reaching 75 plays per game.
After all, Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers are playing in the same game, chances are you will be glad you tuned in.
Week 8: Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons (9:30 a.m. ET, Wembley Stadium, UK)
As far as overseas games go, this matchup is about as good as it gets.
Defensive enthusiasts need not attend, as Matt Ryan and Julio Jones will try to trade blows with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson in a game where the winner will go to whoever scores last.
Both quarterbacks are similar in that they are both trying to get into the all-important “elite” category. A good way to do it will be by outshining their professional equal and getting their team one step closer to the playoffs.
Week 9: Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots (4:15 p.m. ET, Wembley Stadium)
This AFC Championship rematch features two teams that have completely restocked their talent in the offseason to get back to the Super Bowl while they still have Hall of Fame quarterbacks at their disposal.
Beyond the obvious and overplayed rivalry between Peyton Manning and Tim Brady, there are a lot of other intriguing aspects of this game to watch. Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib has to feel at least a bit slighted after being replaced by Darrelle Revis.
Speaking of Revis, watching him go toe-to-toe with Manning and Demaryius Thomas will be a thrill to watch. If he is on the field, Wes Welker’s return to Foxborough will be something to watch as well.
If you have to miss this game, don’t worry—there is a good chance there will be a repeat of this matchup in late December.
Week 14: Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET)
This game simply has too many fun aspects to it to list them all. Chip Kelly’s offense vs. Seattle’s Legion of Boom is the football version of an unstoppable force hitting an unmovable object. Does Chip Kelly have the horses and/or the brains to navigate the leagues’ top defense?
Meanwhile, Russell Wilson will have his hands full trying to move the ball against the Eagles’ improved defensive front.
This is a classic matchup between old school, smash-mouth football and new-school, progressive philosophy—something has to give.
Week 16: New England Patriots at New York Jets (1:00 p.m. ET)
Patriots-Jets games are always a spectacle, but this matchup has a historic meaning for both franchises.
For Jets fans, the idea that Darrelle Revis would be wearing a Patriots uniform in MetLife Stadium was unthinkable a few years ago. Now, it’s a reality that they will be up close and personal with.
As rowdy as fans are during these games, a Revis interception of Geno Smith (or Michael Vick) may start riots.
This game could have playoff implications, too, as the Jets may very well be in the hunt for a wild card berth during this time. And the Patriots may already have the division locked up heading into the divisional matchup.
