The NFL has released the 2015-16 NFL schedule today and fan bases around the United States and the globe are either excited or already complaining about the season to be. Do not fret, there is plenty of time for your favorite team to recover from an early year road trip or to fold after a cake walk beginning to the season.
It is never too early to looking at upcoming match-ups to figure out which games are already must see television. You have to admit the NFL is really good about tying story-lines into the schedule. Let’s look at a few of those games so you can reserve the time on your calendar well before any other RSVP is required.
Season Opening Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots
What better match-up to start the year than the defending Super Bowl champs and a team with a venomous and vocal fan base. Big Ben vs Tom Brady will be great but no Le’Veon Bell will make for a lesser outcome than fans and the league would want. An early season gift from league schedulers will be the early season conspiracy theory.
Week 2 – Sunday Night Football: Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers
Revenge will be on the mind of every Packer player and fan heading into this match-up after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last year. The Seahawks will be out to prove they are still the team to beat while Russell Wilson will be out to show why he deserves Aaron Rodgers money.
Week 6 – Sunday Night Football: New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts
Make no mistake about it, deflate gate will still be on people’s minds and the media will eat it up. Can the Colts prove that the free agency additions have closed the gap and positioned them to make a Super Bowl run?
Week 7: Oakland Raiders vs San Diego Chargers
I know, I know…but think about it for a minute. This could be the battle for Los Angeles as both teams are rumored to be contenders to bring an NFL team back to LA. Besides, why else would this game matter.
Week 9: Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts
This is more sentimental than anything else. This could be the final time that Peyton Manning ever plays a game in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Andrew Luck will be attempting to keep the tears to a minimum in what is sure to be an emotional night for Colts fans and Manning.
Week 10: Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets
Two reasons why this game matters right now. First, the new Rex Ryan team comes into New York to the place he called home for so many years. Second, a true test slightly half way through the season to see if Ryan, Shady and crew are for real. But it is the first reason and the New York media that will make this game juicy.
Week 12 – Thanksgiving Day Monster
The Eagles head to Detroit to face the Lions, the Panthers head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys, and the Bears will take a trip to Green Bay to battle the Packers. All three games appear to have playoff implications or hated and heated rivalries. Good job NFL, I cannot wait for the TV on Thanksgiving Day.
Week 17: San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos
This could be the final game in the storied career of Peyton Manning. It is fitting that it will be a home game and if the Broncos fail to make the playoffs you can expect to see cut aways to Archie, fans, teammates and video clips reliving the career of one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time.
What games can you not wait to see?
Leave a Reply