Earlier in the week, the NFL released its 2009 NFL schedule. (Click
here to view full schedule.)
After taking a closer look at the schedule, we have selected the best and/or most intriguing matchup of each week. Of course, there is a lot of subjectivity involved, but here goes:
Week 1 - Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots: This was the toughest week to pick only one game. With Terrell Owens beginning a new chapter of his career, is he missing piece that gets the Bills into the playoffs? With Tom Brady returning after a week one season-ending injury in 2008, do they dominate again like they did with him in 2007?
The defending-champion Steelers take on the Titans (
remember the towel-stomping incident?) to kick off the season on Thursday, September 10th. Also, Jay Cutler makes his Bears' debut against the Packers in what I view as the league's best rivalry.
Week 2 - New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys: This is the beginning of a new era for the Cowboys as they play their first game in their new billion-dollar stadium. Talent-wise, both teams rank near the top of the NFC. However, locker-room issues have challenged the Cowboys. The Cowboys have parted ways with several players with off-the-field issues (Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens and Tank Johnson). Will the Cowboys experience addition by subtraction in 2009?
Week 3 - Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals: Since I expect this to be one of the highest-scoring games of the year, it'll likely end up being a 9-6 game. Since 1997,
only two Super Bowl losers have made the playoffs the following year. Will the Cards avoid the curse? This will be the Cardinals first game of the year against an opponent that made the post-season in 2008.
Week 4 - San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers: With the return of Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman, the Chargers defense should be much improved over last season when they allowed 349.9 yards per game (eighth worst in NFL). Both teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and they played each other close (11-10) in 2008.
Week 5 - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos: New Broncos coach Josh McDaniels faces his mentor Bill Belichick. There were
rumors that the Patriots leaked the news that Jay Cutler and the Broncos were in the initial trade rumors that sent Matt Cassel to Kansas City.
Week 6 - Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings, who struggled early last year (1-3), and the Ravens have similar styles - strong defenses (both in top six in fewest yards allowed in 2008) and running games (both in top five in rushing yards in 2008) with less-than-mediocre passing attacks (both in bottom seven in passing yards in 2008).
Week 7 - Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants: This match-up between the last two NFC representatives in the Super Bowl could get a lot more interesting if the Giants replace Plaxico Burress, who was released this off-season, with Anquan Boldin, for whom
the Cardinals say they will now entertain offers.
Week 8 - Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills: There are some games between better teams this week. However, the Texans have won eight games the past two seasons and the Bills have won seven games the past three seasons. This is the midway point of the season and it just might be when one of these two teams finally breaks through the mediocrity. If not, Andre Johnson and Terrell Owens should provide some excitement.
Week 9 - San Diego Chargers at New York Giants: This will be the first time that Phillip Rivers and Eli Manning, who were involved in a draft-day trade, face off against each other. The Giants played the Chargers in 2005, but Drew Brees was the Chargers' QB. Another player involved in that trade (via the draft pick used to select him) was Shawne Merriman, who will be back and healthy in 2009.
Week 10 - New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts: Since 2003, the Colts and Patriots have played each other. For the third year in a row, the Patriots will head to Indy. (From 2004-2006, the Colts hit the road for this match-up.) With Tom Brady back (Pats' fans can knock on wood), what's not to love about a Tom Brady-Peyton Manning showdown in prime time?
Week 11 - Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys: This will be the first-game ever between the 'Skins and Cowboys in the new Texas Stadium. The
beat-down that occurred on the streets of DC on tax day best sums up the feelings of animosity in this rivalry.
Week 12 - Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: This is the first of their two match-ups in 2008. Baltimore visits Pittsburgh in week 16. These two bitter rivals met in last year's AFC Championship game and their two matchups in the last third of the season will help determine the winner of the division. This is smash-mouth football at its best.
Week 13 - Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts: In each of the past three seasons, the Colts and Titans have split their in-season series games. This will be the second of their 2009 match-ups and this game could have playoff consequences.
Week 14 - Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears: Franchise QBs are made to win big games. Although Jay Cutler is 17-20 with the Broncos, many of those 20 can be attributed to the Broncos' defense. I expect a three-way battle between these two teams and the Vikings for the NFC North title. So, in the league's best rivalry, does Cutler help the Bears make their final playoff push?
Week 15 - Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints: This is the only Saturday Night Football match-up of the year. The Cowboys have had well-publicized struggles post-November. Since winning the NFC South in 2006, the Saints have missed the playoffs two years in a row despite their talent. This game is likely to be crucial to each team's playoff aspirations.
Week 16 - Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles: Broncos safety Brian Dawkins returns to the team where he was the heart and soul. Philly fans took it hard when the Eagles let him walk via free agency including one fired seasonal Eagles' employee,
who will be Dawkins' special guest.
Week 17 - Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys: Last year, the Cowboys were embarrassed by the Eagles in the season finale in a game where the winner would earn a playoff berth. Could this be deja vu all over again?
Of course, the most intriguing games of the season take place
after week 17.
