The unveiling of the NFL schedule is the first point in the NFL off season where you can begin to look forward to next year. After the NFL Draft you can start to fully evaluate the schedule and the 2008 season in general.
While I have looked at the schedules and have some opinions as to which teams have the most difficult road, I am going to save those judgments for after the NFL draft. I still want to see how the NFL draft plays out before I render my final verdict.
What it isn’t too early to do is start looking at some of the marquee match ups in 2008. Based on the free agent signings and performances over the last couple seasons here are the 10 games that I circled on the NFL calendar as being more noteworthy than the rest. I did not rate divisional games, as we always look forward to those. These are the best of the Non-Divisional Match Ups.
Honorable Mention: New York Giants (10-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) - October 26, 2008: I didn't want leave the NFL Champion NY Giants off the list. However, they don' have that one game that I am looking forward to like the other 10 on my list that is out of division. The Browns and Seahawks are solid opponents. How they do against Minnesota this time around will be a good storyline. The only game I considered putting on the list was the Steelers Game. Seeing the Steelers occupy 4 other games on the list; I decided to make this game my Honorable Mention.
10) Chicago Bears (7-9) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3)– September 07, 2008: A rematch of Super Bowl XLI. While the Bears failed to make the playoffs a year after making the Super Bowl, the Colts had another typical 12 plus win season in the Tony Dungy era. This game will mark the opening of Indianapolis’s new stadium. Brian Urlacher vs. Peyton Manning. If the Bears can return to their 2006 form in 2008 this has the making of an excellent opening game.
9) Washington Redskins (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6)– November 23rd, 2008: This is a solid rematch of the NFL Wildcard Round. The Redskins have lost 2 consecutive playoff games in Seattle, 2005 and 2007. The 2007 playoff game was very intriguing. After Seattle raced out to a 13-0 lead, the Redskins scored 14 unanswered points to take the lead. Seattle went on to score the final 22 points of the game, including 2 defensive touchdowns to pull away 35-14. This is also the return of Seattle Offensive Coordinator Jim Zorn as Washington Head Coach. Seattle is always a difficult place to win, so if the Redskins are going to win they will have their work cut out for them.
8) San Diego Chargers (11-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) – November 16th, 2008: The Chargers and Steelers have had some memorable regular season games over the last couple seasons. The most memorable was the Monday Night Football game when the Steelers defeated the Chargers, 24-22, on a Jeff Reed 40-yard field goal in the final moments of the game. The teams mett again in 2006. The Chargers beat the Steelers 23-13 to drop the Steelers to 1-3 in The Chin’s final season. After taking the 2007 campaign off these two AFC powers go back at it in 2008 in what has the makings of a terrific game.
7) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) at New England Patriots (16-0)– November 30th, 2008: A match up that has resulted in a couple AFC Championship Games this decade resumes in New England for the second straight season. The Steelers were embarrassed 34-13 in New England in 2007 in a game that many people thought could be the Patriots first loss of the 2007 season. The Steelers will get an opportunity to show if their defense can stop Brady, Moss, and company.
6) Dallas Cowboys (13-3) at Green Bay Packers (13-3)- September 21, 2008: A rematch of the NFC’s two best regular season teams in 2007. The two met in a highly publicized NFL Network Showdown as 10-1 heavyweights. Brett Favre did not come out of the gate strong and was knocked out of the game in the 2nd quarter. Rodgers stepped into the game down 27-10. He went 18 of 26 for 201 yards and one touchdown and brought the Packers back to down 27-24, before ultimately losing 37-27. This year Rodgers will be the starter and the Cowboys will be coming to Green Bay. This will be the first playoff team for the Packers in 2008 after they open up against division rivals Minnesota and at Detroit. It will be interesting to see how the Packers fare against a competitive team without long time quarterback Brett Favre.
5) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) - October 5th, 2008: A rematch of the best Wild Card Round game of the 2007 playoffs. The Jaguars became the first team in the history of the NFL to win two times in the same season in Pittsburgh. Both games were exciting to the end. The first game saw the Jaguars take a 22-7 lead into the 4th quarter. Roethlisberger threw two 4th quarter touchdowns and a two point conversion tied the game. Fred Taylor scored the go ahead touchdown on a 12-yard run to put the Jags ahead for good. In the playoff game, the Steelers again feel behind 28-10 after 3 quarters. They came alive in the 4th scoring 19 unanswered points to take a 29-28 lead. David Garrard had a 40 yard plus run on 4th down late in the game to set up the winning field goal. If this year’s rematch comes even close to those two games the NFL world is in for a treat.
4) New England Patriots (16-0) at San Diego Chargers (11-5) – October 12th, 2008: You could flip 3 and 4 around if you want. I think the Colts and Chargers games were more entertaining last season, and therefore put it at number 3. The Patriots have had the Chargers number. The Chargers lost a heartbreaking 2006 Divisional Round game 24-21 in Sand Diego. The Chargers had an 8 point 4th quarter lead, but could not hold on. Kaeding missed a 50 plus yard field goal that would have sent the game to OT. In 2007 the Patriots blew the Chargers off the field before they knew what happened. The Patriots led 24-0 at halftime and won 38-14. In the 2007 AFC Championship the Chargers kept the game competitive, but couldn’t break into the endzone. The Chargers 4 field goals came up short, 21-12. This is the game the Chargers hope they can finally break through.
3) Indianapolis Colts (13-3) at San Diego Chargers (11-5)– November 23, 2008: Another rematch of playoff teams that met in both the regular season and playoffs. The first regular season game saw the Chargers force 6 Peyton Manning interceptions and the Chargers race out to a 23-0 lead in San Diego. The Colts scored 21 straight points and still had a chance to win the game, but Adam Vinatieri missed a chip shot that sealed the Colt’s fate. In the Divisional Round rematch in Indy, the Colts lost 28-24, despite the fact that Rivers, LT, and Gates missed significant time in the second half with injuries. These two have played very entertaining games the last few seasons and nothing should be different in 2008.
2) Dallas Cowboys (13-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)- Dec. 7th, 2008: This is always a special game. The Steelers and Cowboys have met 3 times in the Super Bowl, with the Steelers winning in Super Bowls X & XIII. The Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX. Because they play in different conferences, the rivals meet only once every 4 years. That is why I have it rated higher than their regular season record and postseason record in 2007 would indicate. Big Ben and Romo are two young quarterbacks that are coming off 30 touchdown pass seasons. TO returning to Pennsylvania is an interesting storyline, even if it isn’t Philadelphia. The two teams should be fighting for playoff position in this December contest. It should be a very intriguing game between two teams that we don’t see play each other that much.
1) New England Patriots (16-0) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3)– November 2nd, 2008: As long as Tom Brady is in a Patriot uniform and Peyton Manning is pitching products in his Colts gear this will continue to be the Main Event. Both quarterbacks are future first ballot Hall of Famers. Both play on the teams that have experienced the most success in the 2000 decade. There is mutual respect and dislike for one another on both sides. Last year’s game saw 9-0 Patriots square off against the 8-0 Colts. This year they meet in a Week 9 showdown as well. Every game these two play seems to come down to the closing minutes of the 4th quarter.
Those are the 10 games that stood out on the schedule to me when the schedule was released. As we all know it probably won't turn out that way. Few could have predicted the 10-1 Cowboys would meet the 10-1 Packers last year. What looks good in April can be pretty boring come October and November. Furthermore, I’m sure you could find a series of other games depending on your allegiance. Finally, my list doesn’t even include the intriguing divisional match ups. What that adds up to is another exciting year of NFL football.
My plan is to have a draft recap up after the April 26th and 27th NFL Draft. Shortly thereafter I will look at the big winners and losers of the NFL schedule. While I defiantly have some opinions on that, I want to hold off on that until I see if there are any other big trades or moves during the draft. My goal is to start doing my division by division previews beginning in May. This blog and www.fantasyfootballmaniaxs.com is the place to keep up to date on all the NFL happenings.
What is the game you are most looking forward to in 2008? Do you think I identified the correct games or did I overlook something? I look forward to reading your comments.
Interesting ones, and some classics for sure. I think it odd, however, that the Steelers are listed so many times. I think Cleveland is going to have some similar, and perhaps more intense matchups this year. As for being a Denver fan, I'm excited about the matchups against Jacksonville and New England. Jacksonville has always seemed to have our number, and for some reason, even when not too hot, we've had New Englands.
We'll see though.
Great match-ups. I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't a Mike Greespire post (a bit heavy on the Steelers side). Week one - Dallas at Cleveland will be a great season opener also.
A little heavy on the Steelers but I don't mind its just your thoughts on it.
What about the Seahawk/Cowboy game on turkey day? The two best teams in the NFC facing off should get more credit as it may determine who gets Home Field thru the playoffs.
(I'm not putting down the Giants or Packers but I think the Giants will be a WC again, and the packers will not be a 13-3 team without #4 taking snaps)
The one gripe I have about the schedule is that the Bears have SEVERAL games on NBC. They SUCK! THEY SUCK! THEY SUCK!! They shouldn't have ANY games on NBC! THEY SUCK!!!
How the heck StreetCred says their isn't a game on the Giants' schedule worth watching other than the Steelers? He smoking something.
Giants vs Cowboys in Texas will definately be a good game, as the Cowboys have something to prove after noticably looking past the Giants in several articles. Besides, I'm sure we will see TO cry again after the Jints whoop that butt.
St8 Property - The title of the blog CLEARLY states that these are the best NON-Divisional Matchups for 2008. Giants vs. Cowboys, Skins, Eagles - ruled out.
Yeah, every week will be a battle for Pittsburgh this year.
I do think Dallas-Cleveland and Seattle-Dallas are very interesting matchups, and Seattle-Giants. I think Peyton Manning is going to beat the Bears like he beat the Saints in the opening game last year. But the rest of your list is top-notch.
Jmacsmac - Thanks for the comments. Denver and Jacksonville was a good game last season and seeing Baily vs. Moss will be interesting as well. I think the fact the Steelers are on here so much speaks to the difficulty of the schedule.
This is a list you would probably prefer to be on only once or twice.
MidniteCowboy - Thanks for the post. Pittsburgh's schedule is ridiculous this year. They play the AFC South and AFC East which means 6 playoff teams, plus SD and NE. Half their schedule was in the playoffs. They play Cleveland twice who won 12 games, plus Philly and Houston. They definatley have the most good games this year, which is not a good thing for them.
ISaidJoe - Thanks for the post. Seahawks vs. Cowboys is definatley a good game. I'm not certain Seattle is not a team in decline this year. They have gotten old at some spots and had injuries to their WR. I'm interested to see if they win the NFC West this season.
John464 - I laugh at that as a Packer fan. You know how it goes. NBC isn't going to leave the 3rd biggest market in the nation off TV.
ST8 Property - Thanks for the post. I'm looking forward to all 6 of the Giants division games. That isn't what this list is about. They play the AFC North. I wasn't going to put 5 Steeler games on the list. I got grilled by people for putting 4 of them on and those I thought were legit. Cleveland, Cincy, and Baltimore weren't exactly doing it for me.
In the NFC they get Minnesota, Carolina, and the NFC West. Be happy the NY Giants aren't on here a lot. I think it is commical that everyone wants to be included in everything, good or bad. While being on this list 4 times may seem good, it is because Pittsburgh has the toughest schedule in the NFL. Who goes into the season saying I hope we have the toughest schedule in the NFL?
Last edited by StreetCred on April 17th at 1:14 PM.
Moseby - Thanks for the post. How happy are you that the Steelers play 8 playoff teams this year? I think I would gladly take my team not being on this list so many times and have a little bit easier schedule, but that is just me.
I don't think Manning will do to the Bears what he did to the Saints last season. While the Bears don't have the passing game the Saints do they traditionally have a tough defense. I see this like the old Ravens and Colts games; low scoring with the Colts probably pulling away in the 4th. Your other suggestions were excellent games as well.
It seems the biggest criticism so far is that I put too many Steelers games on the list.
Just so everyone knows I am not a Steeler fan in disguise. They play 8 playoff teams, plus 10-6 Cleveland twice, 8-8 Houston, and 8-8 Philly. It is easily the toughest schedule in the NFL. Only 4 games against teams with losing records; Baltimore and Cincy.
In all fairness I probably should have put the Indy game on here and could have easily put the Tennessee and NY Giants games on here too. That doesn't include the interstate rivalry with the Eagles that happens only once every 4 years.
I have a question for the people that thought I put the Steelers on here too much. Which one of their games do you think had no business being on the list of best games in 2008?
Well, I'm not happy about having to play such a difficult schedule on paper. But, I think the challenge is exciting. The most important thing is and has been to win all of your division games. That is still a possibility, although difficult. If so, they will win enough games to take the division. Everything starts over in the playoffs, so they would be battle-tested. Plus, I wouldn't have to see or hear as many "Steelers are overrated" comments if they can go 10-6. If not, well, then they didn't deserve it anyway.
Think the Bears are going to have a lot trouble scoring points. Even before the draft, just not sure what their offensive identity will be. Don't like them to do well early in the season, later - maybe.
Moseby - Great point. Even though the Steelers have a challenging schedule, if the Steelers go 6-0 or 5-1 in the division, they will win enough games outside of it to get to 10-6. If they go 3-3 or 2-4, they won't.
The division games are so important, even though they only make up 6/16 of the schedule. The reason is that only 2 games are different in the overall schedule, so if one team has a tough schedule, everyone is probably in the same boat.
I don't know what to think of the Bears. They had players hurt on defense. They lost some of their line and receivers. Those guys were liabilities anyway. Not sure what to expect from them in a wide open division with a lot of teams facing uncertainty. The NFC North is a toss up this season.
The NFC North COULD be a toss-up. We'll see. I usually don't automatically pick the incumbent to be the favorite in a division. But I still think, all things being equal - injuries, draft, coaching, etc. - the Packers are the favorite. People can claim the Farve-to-Rodgers change if they want. But my question would be - what other team in that division had an entrenched, dependable starter. Kitna? No, inconsistent. Grossman-Orton-Griese-Draft pick for the Bears? Nope. The Vikings? Giant question marks all around. If you eliminate the QB position from the profile of all four teams, who stacks up? Packers-Vikings-Bears-Lions in that order for me. Peterson can't carry that offense to the playoffs. The Vikings have to be much better on the back end defensively. The Bears can't have Hester and the Defense score all of their points. The Lions have to run the football and not turn it over as much. GB has questions, but much fewer.
Moseby - Sometimes we make to big of a deal of the HOF QB moving on. The 49ers went 10-6 the first year Montana was hurt and Young was the MVP after that. The Chiefs went 13-3 the year after Montana retired with Steve Bono. Miami made the playoffs and won a game the year after Marino left.
The million dollar question to me is whether Rodgers can stay healthy or not. My fear is that after 5 games Craig Null is going to be seeing major time. If Rodgers can stay healthy the whole way, the Pack should contend for the division or a wildcard. If he can't stay healthy, they will be in pretty rough shape this season.
I like all but one of oyur picks cred.....the Seahawks Skins might not be what everybody thinks as you never know which team will show up in either side. As for the Steelers, you KNOW they will show up week in and week out. They also have the toughest road schedule this year by far! If I said the NFC norris would go to Detroit this year, would you wonder what I was smoking? I see them pulling what Cleaveland did last year!
Netsteeler - Thanks for the post. I had that Seahawks game 9th. I like the story lines. Zorn going back to Seattle, rematch of the playoff game from 2005 and 2007. It's not in line with the top 5 games, but I still think it is pretty solid. Good enough to make the top 10 in my view, but there are a few other games you could go with there. What game would you go with there instead?
Steelers do have the toughest schedule by far this year in terms of opponents winning percentage, playoff teams, and overall quality opponents. If they can survive it they will be better in the playoffs for it.
I'm not sure what is going to happen in the NFC North. GB is a mystery without Favre, Minnesota can't throw the ball or stop the pass, Chicago can't play offense in general, and Detroit needs to upgrade both their running game and defense. I could see 9 wins winning that division, so anything is possible. I don't know who I am going to pick to win that division.
Last edited by StreetCred on April 19th at 8:36 AM.
Ok cred, you asked for it. but I gotta go week by week, no top ten, or the sleelers would of course be 1-5
week one San Diego over Carolina at home
week two the Viks over Indy at home(almost went with indy)
week three Dallas over Green Bay on the road
(or Pitt at Philly!)
week four Philly over Chicago on the road( Mcblab proves the Bears missed out!)
week five Pittburgh over Jacksonville on the road,(revenge win)
week six Arizona over Dallas at home!!!!!
week seven Denver over New England UPSET SPECIAL!
week eight, Pittsburgh over the football Giants ( wanted the raiders over the Ravens in a barn burner)
week nine Indy over the Pats at home
week ten Indy upsets Pittsburgh at Heinz field (detroit upsets the Jags)
week eleven New York Giants over the ravens in N.Y.
week twelve San Diego beats Indy at home
week thirteen Pitt fianlly wins in New England! PLZ
week 4teen Pittsburgh Beats Dallas at home, Clinch
week fifteen Green bay Jacksonville Tie?
weel 6teen Tampa Beats the Bolts at home
week 7teen Minnisota beats the Giants and finally get to the Playoffs!
of course this is only my opinion, I could be wrong! gonna be interesting to come back later and see! can you lock this post so I aint tempted to change it?
Last edited by netsteeler on April 20th at 1:31 AM.
moseby: do the Lions have the best Qb in there division?
i bet those words have never been uttered b4. LOL
NetSteeler: Minnesota beating Indy? Minn has the worst pass defense in the league! Manning will tear them up..it wont even be close!
AZ over Dallas...you got some cajones son!
netsteeler....The last time the steelers went to Jax and beat them was that sunday night FLUKE field goal win 17-16 few years back...Jaguars have won 5 straight against the Steelers (including playoffs) Big Ben has a MAN CRUSH for Rashean Mathis or vice versa, however you want to look at it. He has Ben's playbook or something because he has the most INTs against him. In other words, the Jags have the Steelers number and you're dreaming if you think they go into Jax and win!
And Green Bay definitely doesn't have a chance to beat Jax without Favre....you're reaching for a wildcard spot so I can't blame you.
HM--Steelers beat the Gints in a close one.
10. Colts CRUSH the Bears 45-10.
9. Seattle over Washington
8. Pittsburgh over San Diego
7. New England over Pittsburgh
6. Packers over Cowboys
5. Jaguars over Steelers
4. Patriots over Chargers
3. Chargers over Colts
2. Steelers over Cowboys
1. Colts over Patriots
Hawkwiz - That definatley was a game I was considering. Very close to the top 10, although I don't think it has quite the storylines of the other games.
Netsteeler - Thanks for the post. Arizona over Dallas I am not seeing. Vikes over Indy I'm not seeing. Denver over New England I am not seeing. Detroit over Jacksonville I am not seeing. Indy beating Pittsburgh is not an upset, even if on the road.
No surprise that you have Pittsburgh winning most of their big games, excpet for the tragic upset, lol. While I can see them winning a few of them, I don't think they will beat New England, Jacksonville, and New York Giants this season.
Edclinch - I am looking forward to the divisional games. The Giants playing the AFC North and NFC West is not very interesting to me other than Seattle and Pittsburgh. Minnesota is okay. Carolina is alright. Just nothing that jumps out at me as being top 10.
Jon464 -
HM - I think the Giants win in a close one
10 agree, but I think the score will be much closer and lower
9 Agree
8 Too close to call. Depends on health of Rivers and LT
7 Agree
6 I think the Cowboys win by about 10 points
5 Agree
4 Agree
3 I think Colts get them back in close gam
2 Agree
1 Agree
Cards will surprise next season, I think they make a wild card. They have a high powered offense, all they need is a decent draft and they will make a WC spot in the playoffs.
thanx for leaving out the attitud ATTITUDE70?
why does everyone have to bring up past games? LET IT GO! I did a long time ago, and in 8 months we will know if I was stoned or not and ir you are igniant or not, I am looking to the fture, where my team gets past the 2 banes in their existance, the pats and the jags. Yeah a lot of it is hope, but mostly its confidence, mostly.
streetcred, I wasnt trying to post upsets, it just kinda worked out that way, I think the vikings have a chance to win their division, but I think the Lions will prevail this time.
I live in Chicago, but am originally from Wisconsin. I am a disgruntled Green Bay Packer fan that now loves the Jets. My favorite sports are Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Hockey and soccer are at the bottom of my list. I would rather watch the Spelling Bee than either of those sports. My favorite athletes of all time are Brett Favre and Michael Jordan. While I like debating many sports, NFL Football is by far my favorite topic to discuss.
In addition to this blog I am also a writer for the Fantasy Football Maniaxs. It is quite an honor to be writing with a group of knowledgeable football fanatics. The address is http://www.fa ntasyfootball maniaxs.com. I hope you enjoy the blog.
