We finally made it to the schedule release. 125 days from now the Houston Texans will be in Kansas City to kick off the 2020 season against the Super Bowl champs. Every year fans look forward to this release in order to talk themselves into 10 wins for their beloved team. This is the hope each schedule release brings, while also giving us a chance to circle our favorite matchups.
Let’s take a look at some of the games I circled and the interesting developments surrounding these games.
Best Sunday Night game: 49ers at Cowboys NBC 8:20 PM ET Week 15
Before I get into this game, I just would like to know what exactly the Niners did to the schedule makers this year to get such a wild stretch of games. From Week 6 to Week 13 they play the Rams twice, Patriots, Seahawks, Packers, Saints, and Bills. All of those teams finished with a winning record and 4 of these 7 games will be on the road.
After a matchup with the Redskins, the Niners will have another matchup with a team with playoff aspirations in the Dallas Cowboys. Late in the season both of these talented teams should be fighting for either seeding or just a chance to make the playoffs. December football separates the good from the great, and this game will be a test for both teams to see who is ready for the next step.
Best Monday Night game: Chiefs at Ravens ESPN 8:15 PM ET Week 3
ESPN has to thank the schedule makers for possibly giving them the game of the year. Anytime you get a matchup between two of the biggest stars in the game it becomes must see TV. This game features the last two MVP’s of the league in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Many people had this game penciled in as their AFC Championship last season until Derrick Henry bulldozed his way into the Ravens’ spot. Regardless, these two teams are the best the AFC has to offer. This game should result in fireworks and brilliant performances by the game’s rising young stars.
Best Thursday Night game: Packers at 49ers FOX 8:20 PM ET Week 9
The Thursday night schedule is quite impressive this year. Many years ago you would never see a NFC Championship rematch be placed on a Thursday Night. But this year the NFL decided to have a really nice stretch of Thursday Night games. During this stretch you will see this game, Colts/Titans, Cardinals/Seahawks, Cowboys/Ravens, and a Super Bowl rematch of 2 seasons ago between the Patriots and the Rams.
This matchup stands out the most, as the Packers will look for revenge after getting washed in the 2 times they went to San Francisco last season. The Packers will return much of the same team, while the Niners have lost DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders. You have to think Aaron Rodgers will eventually get his revenge on the team that passed him up back in 2005 and have sent him home in the playoffs 3 times.
Christmas Game?
The NFL made a bold decision with this year’s schedule scheduling a game for Christmas Day. Now we have seen Christmas games recently, but they usually fall on a day where there are normally games played. Scheduling a game for Friday is outside the box, but I am sure fans will be ready for Christmas football.
NBA decision makers must be agitated as this is the time slot in which they schedule their biggest games. Now they will be going up against a rematch of arguably the best playoff game last year. These two teams have given us some classic games going back to 2010. Christmas Day should not be any different as both of these playoff contenders will give NFL fans their last present of the day.
Playoff rematches
Texans at Chiefs NBC 8:20 PM ET Week 1
Packers at 49ers FOX 8:20 PM ET Week 9
Titans at Ravens CBS 1 PM ET Week 11
Seahawks at Eagles ESPN 8:15 PM ET Week 12
Vikings at Saints FOX 4:30 PM ET Week 16
I think the most interesting thing about these rematches, is the fact that they will all take place with the same road/home designations as they did in the postseason. Texans will have the most to prove, as the last time they took the field they blew a 24-0 lead in Arrowhead.
We will see if Derrick Henry can once again dominate against a Ravens team that made big additions to their defensive line. The Eagles will also find out what a healthy version of their team can do against a team that barely bested them in Wild Card weekend last year.
Most intriguing Brady game?
Bucs at Saints FOX 4:25 PM ET Week 1
Seeing Tom Brady in a Buccaneers uniform will take some getting used to. He will not have time to get used to it, as he is being fed to the Superdome right from the jump. Tom Brady and Drew Brees have only faced off 5 times since 2002. This year they are guaranteed 2 matchups with room for one more showdown in the postseason.
Seeing these all time greats go head to head should not be taken for granted at all. Add in the insane environment of the Superdome, 2 great offenses, and we are looking at a game with legendary potential.
Most likely game to get flexed to Sunday Night Football in Week 17
Seahawks at 49ers
When both of these teams are playing at a high level, more times than not it leads to magic on the field. Last year’s Week 17 matchup between the two was a classic that decided the NFC West at the 1 yard line. This year they will play the last game of the season in San Francisco rather than Seattle.
I would be surprised if both of these teams aren’t competing for a playoff spot or seeding for this game. Let’s hope that they are, so that we can see another thrilling finish to get ready for the postseason.
Some other games to watch out for: Falcons at Bucs, Titans at Texans, Packers at Bears, Steelers at Browns
Tony Romo’s favorite game?
Chiefs at Saints 4:25 PM ET CBS Week 15
Tony Romo has become America’s favorite football announcer. He brings great knowledge, enthusiasm, and a true love for the game which has endeared him to many. So it’s only right that he will be calling the game that is potentially a super bowl preview. Patrick Mahomes’ first trip to the Superdome should be an unreal game, as there will be stars all over the field.
Mahomes, Brees, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill, Alvin Kamara, Travis Kelce just to start. This will also be a return to New Orleans for some legendary LSU Tigers like Clyde Edwards-Hilaire and Tyrann Mathieu. Not to mention a legendary coaching matchup between Andy Reid and Sean Payton.
We are looking at a game that could be talked about for years to come. Just from watching Tony in the booth the past few seasons, I have a feeling he is going to be all the way ready for this game.
Most stacked week
Week 1
There are many weeks that feature 1-2 heavyweight matchups, but only one week will have an entire slate of great games. Week 1 will feature many games with legitimate playoff aspirations going head to head. Texans/Chiefs is a great opener as we previously mentioned before. Seahawks/Falcons will be a fun game between two veteran teams. Some great divisional matchups headlined by Tom Brady’s first trip to the Superdome as a Buccaneer. The NFC has two other huge matchups with the Packers taking on the Vikings and the Rams open up their new stadium by welcoming in the Dallas Cowboys.
Some sleeper games include 4 top QB’s from the 2018 Draft going at it. The number 1 pick of that draft Baker Mayfield will take his Browns to Baltimore to play the number 32 pick of that draft and league MVP Lamar Jackson. While Sam Darnold will lead his Jets into Buffalo to play Josh Allen and the Bills.
The 2 top QB’s from the 2020 draft may also be represented as the Chargers will play the Bengals setting up a potential Herbert/Burrow matchup. To cap it off, the AFC runner up Tennessee Titans will head to Denver on Monday night and see the new look Broncos offense.
The schedule makers stacked the deck in week 1 this season, and fans everywhere are anticipating that first weekend of NFL football.
Liked the article? Any games you’re looking forward to? Games that I missed? Let us know on Twitter @ThenNowSports.
