The NFL Schedule released this past Thursday. This year is filled with a lot of great teams, including a lot of great games. Today, we pick the best game from each week in the regular season
Week 1: Buccaneers at Saints, 4:25 PM, FOX
After the Buccaneers signed Tom Brady, this was a highly anticipated game. Lucky for us fans, the NFL scheduled 1 of the 2 matchups between these teams in week 1. Not only do we get to see Brady and Brees, but it will be played in the Superdome, one of the best stadiums in the league. The newest great rivalry will feature many great games for years to come!
Runner Up: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Week 2: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM, FOX
If I told you this would be the best matchup for any week in 2019, you would call me crazy. However, both teams drastically improved this offseason, creating exciting matchups between players in their new uniforms. We will get to see stud 2nd overall pick Chase Young harass Kyler Murray who now has his new toy DeAndre Hopkins. Also, we have a great coaching duel, featuring Redskins new Head Coach Ron Rivera versus young mastermind Kliff Kingsbury. In my opinion, one of the highlights of this game will be between the 2 best defensive players in the draft, Chase Young and Isaiah Simmons. With so many great young and new players, we are surely in for a great game.
Runner Up: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys
Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 PM, ESPN
This one shouldn’t be a shocker to anybody. These two teams had a great game in 2019 which was also in week 3. The Chiefs ended up winning 33-28, handing the Ravens one of two regular season losses in 2019. This season will be in prime time unlike last year, and could have major playoff implications revolving around the 1 seed. It is a bit shocking that these 2 great teams are scheduled to play so early in the year, but Lamar and Mahomes will surely provide a great game with many more to come.
Runner Up: Green Bay Packers at New Orlean Saints
Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM, CBS
The Steelers had a legitimate shot at the playoffs last year, but were held back to their injuries at the QB position. They will be facing off the Titans, who shockingly went all the way to the AFC Championship in 2019. Now that Big Ben is healthy, we will have a great game including many great players like James Connor, Juju, Derrick Henry, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and many more. Many may have picked the 49ers versus Eagles or Patriots versus Chiefs, but I picked the Steelers and Titans because of how well these 2 teams match up!
Runner Up: Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers
Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 PM, NBC
This game will include 2 teams that have been considered Super Bowl contenders since 2018. We will see a great QB duel in Kirk Cousins vs. Russel Wilson. We will also have one of the best rushing matchups ever, which includes Dalvin Cook vs. the Seahawks #1 rush offense. Both teams are fairly average or below average at the CB position, which will allow Thielin and Lockett to have great games. This game will be one of the biggest games all year, as the Seahawks and Vikings are both very good teams, but play in very competitive decisions. This game will surely be looked back at when it rolls around playoff time.
Runner Up: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 PM, FOX
Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady. Mike Evans vs. Davante Adams. Those 2 matchups say enough, but there are even more, including 2 good defenses, Gronk, and Aaron Jones. Assuming that Jordan Love doesn’t steal Rodgers job, we will get to see some of the greatest QBs ever face it off, with both of them having a great team around them. The advantage goes to the Bucs, as the Packers will have to adjust to the warm weather down in Tampa.
Runner Up: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM, CBS
The AFC North has drastically improved this offseason. I believe that the Steelers and Ravens are the 2 best teams in the division. Not only is it a game between 2 good teams, but it is against division rivals. Lamar Jackson will fair off against Big Ben, two QBs who have completely different play styles. With both teams explosive offenses, and above average defenses, this game will be extremely tense and down to the wire.
Runner Up: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 PM, FOX
This was for sure the greatest rivalry in 2019. The teams met twice, where the team on the road won both times. The first game went to OT because of poor kicking performances, and the 2nd game was decided by less than 1 yard. Both games were a very heavy atmosphere and were very intense. Both teams were fairly quiet this offseason, releasing some players, and not making shocking signings. The rivalry should be as good as last year, and this game will be especially great in the one and only CenturyLink Field.
Runner Up: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 PM, FOX
In 2019, these were the 2 best teams in the NFC, and it could be the same in 2020. In 2019, the teams met in the NFC Championship, with the 49ers routing the Packers in a 37-20 win. The Packers had a rough offseason, and were bashed for drafting Jordan Love. However, the chemistry between Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams hasn’t changed. On the other side, the 49ers released Sanders, but had an above average draft, headlined by DT Javon Kinlaw. The 49ers stellar defense, and the Packers offense filled with superstars should provide one of the best TNF Matchups of the season.
Runner Up: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, 1:00 PM, FOX
I am definitely going to be questioned for this pick, but it was getting a bit repetitive with the same teams. Anyways, this is one of the greatest rivalries in the league, and has no reason to be worse in 2020. Carson Wentz is capable of being an elite QB as we saw in 2018. Now that Daniel Jones had a full year to develop with the Giants, he could put up a good fight against the Eagles, especially with Saquon Barkley. Also, the Giants defense will surely improve in 2020, mainly because of the signing of star CB James Bradberry. Now that the Eagles have Darius Slay, we could two good teams play an intense game because of the NFC East rivalry.
Runner Up: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
Week 11: Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4:05 PM, CBS
The Chargers vs. Broncos has the potential to be the most intense game all year. With Melvin Gordon switching from the Chargers to Broncos, and Chris Harris switching from the Broncos to the Chargers, we will see old players suit up in their new uniforms against their old teams. Both teams had good offseasons, especially the Broncos, who drafted KJ Hamler, Henry Ruggs, and signed Gordon. The two teams will be playing a meaningful game, as the second team behind the Chiefs has a really good chance at the playoffs. Don’t be surprised to see a couple fights break out!
Runner Up: Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 PM, CBS
In the 2018 AFC Championship, we got to see Tom Brady face Patrick Mahomes in one of the greatest AFC Championship games of all time. In Mahomes first ever season as a starter, he went to OT against Tom Brady, where he ended up losing. You could call that game the passing of the throne, as it looks like Tom Brady gave up his AFC throne to Mahomes. Now, Mahomes will get his chance at revenge. We will get to see 2 completely types of receivers, in Mike Evans vs. Tyreek Hill, and Chris Godwin vs. Mecole Hardman. There are many great matchups in this game, but it will be dominated by the GOAT Tom Brady and the rising star Patrick Mahomes!
Runner Up: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Week 13: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM, CBS
Obviously these aren’t the 2 best teams to play each other this week, but this game is the start of the future for the NFL. It will feature #1 overall pick Joe Burrow against the #5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa, assuming they both start. Both teams have heavily improved from 2019, as the Dolphins cashed out on Byron Jones and the defense, while Burrow is handing it off to Mixon and throwing it to Boyd and A.J. Green. Who knows, Burrow and Tua could be the next Brady and Manning.
Runner Up: Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens
Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 PM, NBC
We saw this SNF game in 2019 where the Bills ended up winning 17-10. That game had playoff implications on the line, and this game could very well be a playoff deciding game. Josh Allen and co. will have to provide a very good game on offense to match up against the Steelers loaded offense with JuJu, James Connor, and many more. The Bills have the best chance to win the division than any time this decade, and this game could result in home field advantage during the playoffs.
Runner Up: Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers
Week 15: San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 PM, NBC
The 49ers defense was elite in 2019, but it will be a true task to stop the Cowboys offense. With new addition CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliot, Micheal Gallup, Amari Cooper, and one of the best offensive lines in football, the 49ers might have one of their tougher games here. The Cowboys offense might succeed, but their defense will struggle. Even though the Cowboys made great signings on their front 7, their secondary is still a concern. You can expect this to be one of the many great SNF matches.
Runner Up: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints
Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints, 4:30 PM, FOX
In the last 3 years, the Saints have had incredible regular seasons that were crushed by unfortunate events in the playoffs. 2 of those unfortunate events were caused by the Vikings. In 2017, the Vikings had the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ against the Saints, scoring the game winning TD with not time left on the clock. In 2019, Kyle Rudolph caught the game winning TD against the Saints in OT, crushing the Saints miraculous season in the 1st round. These 2 teams have become enemies in the last couple years, and we will see another great matchup between them, but this time on Christmas.
Runner Up: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Week 17: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM, CBS
After the infamous Myles Garrett incident in 2019, we will get to see the Browns and Steelers game where a lot will be on the line. Not only will there be a LOT of hate on the field, but this could possibly be a game for the playoffs, especially with a 7 team playoff in place. A historic division rivalry with 2 teams that hate each other in the final week of the season. Get your popcorn ready ladies and gentlemen!
Runner Up: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers