NFL.COM Must See Games This Season............

[Mike75]

NFL.COM  Must See Games This Season............

 

.

Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams

The obvious storyline for this deal at the Coliseum is the battle for Los Angeles. Not to be confused with "Battle: Los Angeles," an Aaron Eckhart-driven film that didn't feature long hair and a motorcycle, but arguably was better than the much-ballyhooed football flick in which he played an assistant coach. Yes, "Any Given Sunday" was worse than that sci-fi movie nobody remembers from seven years ago. It's been over three times that long since these two franchises squared off in Los Angeles. In case you were wondering, Jeff Hostetler won the game at quarterback. This time around, it's the well-promoted Rams against the well ... well ... the Chargers. OK, no joke: These Bolts have legit potential, despite their lack of hype (at least compared to the Rams). Anthony Lynn's guys have the pieces to make a move in the West, a la their L.A. brethren last season. The Bolts were mostly quiet during free agency, until GM Tom Telesco made a big move for center Mike Pouncey. Think the Chargers win this sucker. Calling it now. Joey Bosa gets two sacks, while Andrew Whitworth contains Melvin Ingram.

 

 

 

Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers

We already discussed L.A.'s regional affair in the first slot. Now head up the 5 for Raiders-Niners. Well, the far more scenic drive is up the 1. (In what other state can you alternatively take in ocean and farm views, back to back? With all the negative publicity California has shouldered lately, this an appropriate forum to stand up for the state ... in a football article.) Jimmy Garoppolo shoulders the expectations (and burden) of the 49ers faithful this season. Which is not too dissimilar from what Derek Carr experienced last season, after a prolific 2016 campaign. If Jimmy G's winning streak is to continue -- or rather, be halted -- Oakland's secondary must step up. The unit was bad last season. The Raiders allowed opposing QBs to rack up a 101.8 passer rating. At least they made up for it by not picking off passes -- Oakland was dead last with five interceptions. Jon Gruden's AFC West hopes will be D.O.A if that isn't fixed. Maybe Shareece Wright, Marcus Gilchrist, Leon Hall and Rashaan Melvin will help. They're not exactly John, Paul, George and Ringo.

 

 

 

Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

An NFC Championship Game rematch, although that battle for conference supremacy wasn't much of a match at all. Should be different this time around. The obvious factor is the change at quarterback for the Vikings, with Kirk Cousins taking over for the departed Case Keenum, who didn't perform anywhere near the mean of his 2017 catalogue in January's NFC title bout. On a much smaller scale -- but worth noting -- is the absence of the man who made the key play, the turning point, in that game: Patrick Robinson. The veteran cover man is now back with New Orleans, and no one thinks his departure will derail Philadelphia's repeat hopes. Perhaps not, but one season doesn't carry to the next, especially not in the salary cap era that accounted for Robinson's egress. And it's those mid-tier players like Robinson (and Nick Foles) who make all the difference in a championship run.

 

 

 

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Given Tom Brady's age (41 in August), the fact that neither he nor Aaron Rodgers will leave their current NFL addresses (especially with Jimmy G being shipped out of New England last year) and the fact that the AFC East and NFC North only play each other once every four years, this might be the last time these two future Hall of Famers square off. We've only seen Brady and Rodgers duel once before, which is rather hard to believe. It came in a great late-season game in 2014, when Brady, Gronk and the Pats couldn't quite grab the road win at Lambeau. A Rodgers-to-Randall Cobb connection on third down put the clock hex on New England that day. In 2010, Rodgers was hurt, meaning Matt Flynn (you know, the guy who was supposed to be Seattle's QB for years) had to deliver in Foxborough. He almost did, minus some really bad clock management. With all the coverage of the great quarterbacks today, this is the rare matchup that hasn't been overexposed. It's like "Blade Runner," which screamed for a sequel for many years before the gift of Ryan Gosling.

 

 

 

New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings

You can probably guess why this game is on here. Even moving past the Stefon Diggs home-run ball from the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Saints at Vikings presents a fascinating matchup between an offense built to play indoors and a defense fully throttled to stop it. Then there's New Orleans', well, new-look defense, which was actually doing far more to impose its will in last year's thriller than Mike Zimmer's defensive unit. Kirk Cousins' arrival in Minnesota actually makes this game juicier. Don't forget the Redskins-Saints tussle last year, which Washington should've pulled out. Cousins torched Dennis Allen's defense for 322 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in the 34-31 loss. This 2018 showdown should be another classic. Diggs repeat?

 

 

 

Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans

Only one Cowboys game makes this list. For good reason, too. Specifically, Dallas won't be all that good. Afraid Jason Garrett's group could be in for another meh 9-7 campaign. What makes this matchup stellar is that it features a rare intra-state meeting between these two organizations, combined with the fact that both should at least contend for the playoffs (though it will be an uphill battle for the team three hours north of Houston). While on the subject of the Texans, the return of J.J. Watt -- and what kind of player he'll be at this stage of his career -- has been lost in the underpass of Deshaun Watson's expressway to stardom. Of course, we don't know what to make of the latter's return from a serious injury of his own. Yet with Watt back in the fold, Whitney Mercilus' return and the Honey Badger's arrival, Houston looks formidable on all sides of the ball.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars

We know the Eagles will be aiming for the first repeat since the Patriots pulled off the double-play in 2003 and '04. Plenty of league observers think Jacksonville could very well be the team that stands in Philly's way come February. Quarterback remains the central issue for both franchises. Will Carson Wentz assume his pre-injury form? Will Blake Bortles play viably enough to keep Jacksonville in games when necessary, and not press when it's not necessary? Both teams have a few new faces. Compelling on this front, even if it didn't garner headlines, is Donte Moncrief joining a Jags offense that lost Allen Robinson to free agency. Since Robinson's season-ending injury in Week 1 of last season, Jacksonville has lacked a WR1. Moncrief might not be that -- however, it's hard to gauge his career considering all the injuries he's endured. On the other side of the ball, the Jags' defense will be a heckuva matchup for Wentz and Philadelphia's offense.

 

 

 

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Some folks might think Patriots at Steelers should be higher in this rundown. Yet, since we get this game nearly every year (because of how high both teams finish in the standings, which is to their credit), it fails to nab a loftier slot. Truthfully, most of the matchups between Bill Belichick's squad and Mike Tomlin's guys have been dull to mediocre. Last season's game was an exception, with Rob Gronkowski Winslow-ing the crap out of Pittsburgh's secondary from his tight end spot ... before the other, significantly-less-famous tight end made the most significant non-play in the NFL since #Dezcaughtit. Given Ben Roethlisberger's propensity to torch great teams at home (as opposed to playing down to the cruddy outfits on the road) and the not-surprising departure of Malcolm Butler from New England, we might see another fourth-quarter shootout. Home-field is always on the line when these two franchises link up.

 

 

 

Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots

Yep. Vikings at Patriots belongs in the top five. Here's the laundry list of reasons why:

A) These very well could be the two franchises featured in Super Bowl LIII.
B) Kirk Cousins can certainly make hay against the New England secondary, a la Nick Foles in February. (It used to be that "a la Nick Foles" was something you didn't want written next to your name.)
C) Somehow, 2,759 words into this piece, we haven't yet broached the subject of Dalvin Cook returning to action in Minnesota. The Vikings running back looked awesome in brief duty last year before suffering a torn ACL in October.
D) Like Packers-Patriots (just below), it's another matchup we rarely see.
E) Love them or hate them, the Patriots are always championship contenders, and in these days of parity (mediocrity), their games against top opponents are must-watch. Think of New England vs. the Seahawks in 2016 (Gronk versus Kam) or the 49ers in 2012 (Kaepernick withstanding the Pats' second-half comeback).
F) There are plenty of Minnesota defenders who remember Brady destroying them in front of their home crowd in 2014. Those kids are all grow'd up now.
G) In that vein, will all those Pats combo routes work on the Vikes' back seven? Maybe. But who's covering Adam Thielen for the other side?

 

 

 

Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos

Rams at Broncos features the classic employee-takes-on-his-former-employer subplot, with Case Keenum seeking great vengeance against a team that discarded him. (Aqib Talib also fits this bill, while we're at it.) From Keenum's perspective, you see, the 2016 Rams were (loosely) in the playoff hunt before Jeff Fisher and Co. benched him to get a look at the rookie. (The rookie who just so happened to be the No. 1 overall pick, but I digress.) Oh, and don't forget that 2015 debacle in Baltimore, either, when everyone watching the game knew Keenum had sustained a head injury. Well, everyone except the Rams' staff, who apparently had their heads up their ... well, they left him out there. The Commish wasn't happy about it. Keenum rebounded with the Vikings last season, even producing a solid outing against his former team: 71 percent completions, 280 yards, 100.8 passer rating. Meanwhile, Keenum's former understudy in L.A., Jared Goff, has endured few starts on the road against stout defenses and rowdy crowds. He did fare very well in Seattle. We'll see about the Mile High City.

 

 

 

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

the money Arizona shelled out for Sam Bradford ($20 million for 2018, babe), juxtaposed with the fact the Vikings were more than willing to see him fly the coup with the Cards while they wooed Kirk Cousins, makes this matchup a wee bit sexy. Sans Tyrann Mathieu, will the Cardinals be able slow down a quarterback they allegedly were far more interested in than Bradford? That's right, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2010 wasn't exactly first choice in Arizona. He was that Bumble swipe that you find in your feed and say, "Yeah, my last few dates sucked -- why not?" One other reason to watch this game: a healthy David Johnson against that formidable Vikes defense.

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams

The finest regular-season game of 2017 is the premier matchup of 2018. Who doesn't remember Chris Long's strip-sack of Jared Goff? Or that this was the contest where Nick Foles first entered the fray -- and Philadelphia lore -- for the Eagles? In that December showdown, Foles replaced Carson Wentz, then led two scoring drives and hit Nelson Agholor on a key third-and-long to salt away the clock. Philly's road triumph was integral to Doug Pederson's squad achieving home-field advantage for the 2017 playoffs. The loss partially cost the Rams a chance to get a playoff bye, while Wentz's torn ACL abbreviated the opportunity for football heads to watch the second overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft duke it out with the only man taken ahead of him. Hopefully this year, the Goff-Wentz duel goes the full four quarters. With the Rams' improvements at corner and defensive tackle, look out ... they might be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this time around. #FlyEaglesfly #RamRamsram?

[Mike75]

MY Must See Games Of The Seasons

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs At Los Angeles Rams---CB Marcus Peters went from the Chiefs to the Rams and WR Sammy Watkins went from the Rams to the Chiefs so it will be weird watching these two dual but in opposite uniforms than they were in a year prior.

 

Seattle Seahawks At Denver Broncos--Both of these teams are not as strong as they were a few years prior in the Super Bowl but could still be an interesting game.

 

New England Patriots At Tennessee Titans--A playoff rematch but this time Brady travels to Nashville to play against two corners who use to play for the Pats Butler/Ryan and a RB duo Lewis/Henry that will be tough as well as WR Corey Davis who scored two TD catches vs the Pats. Will be a closer game this time no doubt.

 

San Francisco 49ers At Green Bay Packers--QB Jim Garoppolo travels to face the Packers and Aaron Rodgers in what will be one hell of a show as both QB will give their best to see who is best.

 

Carolina Panthers At Pittsburgh Steelers--These two don't play much in fact this is the second time Cam has face the Steelers the first time the Steelers won by 18 in Charlotte as the Steelers ran for 250 yards behind Blount/Bell.

 

Philadelphia Eagles At New Orleans Saints--This could very well be an NFC title game preview as both will be expected to be the cream of the NFC crop. Cousins vs. Brees in a shootout sounds fun.

 

Los Angeles Rams At Oakland Raiders--Should be another cool game with two young QB's Carr and Goff starting for their respective teams. Always interesting when these two interconference teams play.

 

New England Patriots At Jacksonville Jaguars--If the Jaguars have the same defense as last season the Patriots are not gonna fare as well as they did at home months earlier. Also Jax has revenge in mind as well.

 

Dallas Cowboys At New Orleans Saints--Any time these two play it is always a very competitive and close game Brees vs. Prescott should be a good one. Elliott/Cowboys and Kamara/Saints are two of the best young RB in the game today.

 

Atlanta Falcons At Green Bay Packers--Should be a great game as Rodgers and Ryan dual in what could be a high scoring game like it is almost every time the two play.

 

Denver Broncos At Arizona Cardinals--These two only meet up once every four or five years and both teams will have QB's that played for Minnesota last year Bradford is with the Cards and Keenum is with the Broncos.

 

New England Patriots At Detroit Lions--Belichick visits his former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

 

Los Angeles Chargers At San Francisco 49ers--These two rarely play each other should be a great game as two really good QB's face each other Rivers vs. Garoppolo.

 

N.Y. Jets At Cleveland Browns--These two teams will have just drafted their QB of the future and have new ones playing for them for the Browns Tyrod Taylor and for the Jets Teddy Bridgewater.

 

Tampa Bay Bucs At N.Y. Giants--Recently the Giants traded pass rusher JPP to the Bucs and got a first round draft pick i believe so it will be interesting to see who the Giants new pass rusher is.

 

Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers--These two play in London the last part of October. I've never woken up early to catch an NFL game so it will feel very strange watching the kickoff at 6AM in pajamas,lol. Rivers vs Mariota gonna be good.

 

Green Bay Packers At Los Angeles Rams--Rodgers is a hell of a QB but he will be facing one of the best defenses he has ever faced as he duals against a top 5 secondary with Peters/Talib and Suh/Donald/Brockers up front...ouch.

 

Washington Redskins At Arizona Cardinals--Both teams will have different QB's this time around as the Skins have Alex Smith and the Cards have Sam Bradford and if im correct neither are long ball throwers so there will be plenty of short throws.

 

San Francisco 49ers At Minnesota Vikings--Should be a great game between two teams expected to go far in the NFC as both teams only recently signed new free agent QB's to mega deals in fact Kirk Cousins/Vikings and Jimmy Garoppolo/49ers are the two highest paid QB's in the NFL right now. These two will most likely keep the game close as both are really good QB's.

[Machiavelli]

Eagles Rams should be great. 

 

They're the leading NFC contenders in your mind, right?

[Mike75]

Eagles Rams should be great. 

 

They're the leading NFC contenders in your mind, right?

 

Yes but the NFC is loaded

 

Any of these 6 below could win the NFC

 

Eagles Rams,49ers,Vikings,Saints,Packers.

[Machiavelli]

Damn.

 

So all the Niners needed was that QB?

[mike499]

Rams at 49ers and also 49ers at Vikings

[Mike75]

Damn.

 

So all the Niners needed was that QB?

 

Mark my words the 49ers will win with Garoppolo.

 

The 49ers were 1-10 when they decided to play Garoppolo and how did he do?  5-0 five straight wins and no losses to end the season and i know how good he is i watched him methodically carve up the Titans secondary all day completing 31 of 43 passes for 380 yards and 1 TD and still thought we had him beat we kicked a FG with 60 seconds left taking the lead 23-22 but the bastard led a drive and with 1 second left his FG kicker drilled a game winning FG stunning Tennessee 25-23. The next week Garoppolo faced the number one Jaguars defense with the two best corners in the game and same result the 49ers won 44-33 he was 21 of 30 passes for 250 yards and 2TD. Garoppolo also has Kyle Shannahan one of the brightest offensive/QB masterminds in the NFL as well.

[KingRevolver]

I think the Vikins kill the Cards in that game.