The NFL schedule release has transformed into a holiday among fans, and this year was not the exception. The schedule-makers provided us with quite a slate of marquee games, and here’s a breakdown of the best of the best by week:
Week 1
Without question, the top game of the week comes in the form of the defending Super Bowl champs hosting the Green Bay Packers for a re-match of the “Fail Mary.” It’s not only our first glimpse of football in 2014, but a potential playoff preview.
Week 2
Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens were real contenders last year, but both teams have re-tooled a bit in the offseason. This game is always hard-hitting and typically close.
Week 3
At 1:00 p.m., expect a resounding boo from the Philly faithful as DeSean Jackson makes his return to Lincoln Financial Field wearing a Washington Redskins uniform. This will be Jackson’s first chance to exact revenge of his former club, which released him over the offseason.
Week 4
The oldest rivalry in the league is reignited when the Packers travel to Soldier Field to face the arch-rival Chicago Bears. Expect a shootout between Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler, with post-season ramifications in late September.
Week 5
Alex Smith makes his first trip back to the Bay Area when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the San Francisco 49ers. Both of these squads were contenders in 2013, and we’re anxious to see what Niners defense has in store for its former quarterback.
Week 6
The NFC East rivalry between the New York Giants and Eagles historically provides us with classic bouts. In primetime, Eli Manning leads the G-Men to the Linc in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Week 7
There are so many intriguing games Week 7. The New York Jets face the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints face the Detroit Lions, but the nod has to go to the Denver Broncos hosting the 49ers. Two Super Bowl-caliber squads face off in Mile High in classic battle of offense against defense.
Week 8
Expect no shortage of offense when Green Bay heads to the Superdome to take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saint in another potential playoff preview. When these two teams squared off back in 2012, the Pack edged the Saints at Lambeau by one point.
Week 9
Check it: the first edition of the Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady for 2014 comes Week 9 when the Broncos head east to Foxborogh. It’ll be a homecoming of sorts for former Patriots Wes Welker and Aqib Talib, both of whom made the leap from New England to Denver over the past two offseasons.
Week 10
Ahmad Brooks made a lot of excuses after the Saints knocked off the Niners in November last season. These potential playoff teams see each other again Week 10, again in The Big Easy, perhaps with conference seeding on the line.
Week 11
Another potentially awesome week, the Houston Texans head to the Cleveland Browns in what could be a battle between two rookie quarterbacks. The Eagles and Packers square off in a defense-optional showdown, but the nod goes to the Pats visiting the Indianapolis Colts, in which Brady and Andrew Luck go head-to-head, with the Colts looking to get revenge for their playoff loss last January.
Week 12
Call it a homecoming for Lovie Smith when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to the Windy City to face his old team. Expect a warm embrace for Smith, and perhaps even Josh McCown, who will likely be starting under center for Tampa against his former squad.
Week 13
Thanksgiving will be kind to us this year, and I’m not talking about the feast. After the Bears-Lions and Eagles-Cowboys provide us with appetizers, the main course comes in the form of the NFL’s best rivalry: the Seahawks and the Niners. An always close, hard-hitting affair, this one is sure to excite.
Week 14
One of the up-and-coming division rivalries is the Carolina Panthers and Saints. Carolina pushed the Saints for the NFC South crown last season, and the two teams will square off in early December with similar ramifications at stake.
Week 15
In a game that theoretically could decide the NFC East, the Eagles host the Cowboys in primetime. At this point in the year, we’ll be discussing Tony Romo‘s late-season struggles and perhaps yet another Cowboys collapse. Or perhaps this is the year the team proves us right.
Week 16
The Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for their second bout with the Jets, and it’ll be a homecoming of sorts for new Pats corner Darrelle Revis. Will marquee free-agent signee Eric Decker be stranded on Revis Island?
Week 17
Let’s chock this one up to the AFC North, where the Pittsburgh Steelers host the defending division champion Cincinnati Bengals, perhaps with the playoffs in the balance. The Steelers are looking to bounce back into contention this season, but will have to get past Andy Dalton and the Bengals, who are looking to take the next step forward in 2014.
