Top 10 NFL Matchups of 2020
The NFL ran into its first problem with COVID-19 this past week when 77 false-positive COVID tests came back. This seemed as if it was a trial run to prepare Goddell and the NFL headquarters for a chance this happens during the NFL season. The NBA has not seen problems in weeks and their gameplay in the bubble has been electric as ever. All eyes are going to be on the NFL, it’s up to them to hear their cries that we need football this fall in the safest and healthiest manner possible. As always there are certain games on the national NFL schedule that fans keep their eyes on more than others. The fans of the greatest sports league in the world expect to see their superstars go head to head. Here are the top ten games to look forward to in the 2020/2021 NFL schedule.
1. Vikings at Saints Week 16 Dec 25th
What could be better than this? These two teams have created somewhat of a rivalry throughout the last few seasons. Drew Brees and the Saints have been on the losing side of two heartbreaking playoff losses to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings full of historic plays and hanging heads in New Orleans. A matchup that comes on primetime Christmas day should be full of holiday spirit as well as a lot of points on the scoreboard. Brees is known for getting his team fired up and I’m sure he won’t forget Mike Zimmer’s squad slamming the door on two of his seasons. The Saints may need this win to advance to the playoffs considering they now have to play Tom Brady twice in sixteen weeks. How many times can we see Ralphy shoot his eye out this game will be huge in the top of the standings in the NFC.
2. Chiefs at Ravens, Week 3, Sept 28th
This could be a preview of an AFC championship game. These teams are similar in ways that attract so many football fans drooling over their flashy and new style of offense. Both Baltimore and Kansas City are well-coached and have enough playmakers on defense to make this game as challenging as possible for these elite quarterbacks. The MVP’s from 2018 and 2019 should make for a special game. Lamar Jackson knows that the debate between the best Quarterbacks in the league will be between him Mahomes. This game will not only foreshadow the AFC playoff picture but could lead to a rivalry between two of the best teams in football with some of the most talented stars we’ve had the privilege to watch in years. The young generation of football players and fans are going to want to emulate Jackson and Mahomes more than anyone, a game with both of them in it should make for some of the best football the league will produce all year.
3. Buccaneers at Saints, Week 1, Sept 13th
It is shocking to see that this game won’t be played on primetime. A battle between two top ten quarterbacks of all time, one would think that the NFL would center week 1 around this game. Tom Brady has played in the same uniform for 20 years, he now takes his talents to Tampa and one of the best divisions in football. The level of competition the NFC has compared to a weak AFC that Brady has been picking apart since the early 2000’s will be an adjustment for Tom. That being said he also has the best surrounding cast he has ever had including an offensive mastermind in Bruce Arians and two pro bowl receivers with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs seemed to cater to this team around Tom’s wishes; they even signed Rob Gronkowski out of retirement to reunite him with his old quarterback. The Saints have the same core that Sean Payton and Drew Brees have led to wins for years. New Orleans appears to never be able to get over the hump and a test like they have in week 1 will prepare them for difficult games down the stretch. Brees and Who Dat nation are going to have to go through Brady to get Brees his last ring and a proper ending to an extraordinary career. This week 1 battle is can’t miss football.
3. Giants vs Cowboys, Week 5, Oct 11th
The Giants have had a hard time with Dallas for a few years now. The sight of Jason Garrett clapping his hands after a Dak touchdown has haunted Giants fans for 4 years now. Garrett will now swap his navy blue polo for a royal one with a NY initial in the corner. The Giants have not beat Garrett and Dallas since 2016 which was Prescott and Elliot’s rookie year. The Giants hope they can lean on Garrett to help their young potential stars on offense finally emerge. Barkley, Engram, Shepard, Tate, and Slayton have all proved they can succeed in this league but the Giants injury report is what they need to keep clean to have any chance to compete next season. The Cowboys begin the McCarthy era with the same talented roster that Garrett could not finish the season with plus a few veteran additions that will produce immediately. Dallas signed Haha Clinton- Dix, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Greg Zuerlein in this years free agency. Dak Prescott’s prove it year is going to be based on if he can pick up McCarthy’s system in a shortened offseason. The depth of playmakers Dallas has should give Prescott some insurance when first starting the 2020 season. Reports from Cowboys camp have raved about the improving pass-catching ability from Ezekiel Elliott, combining that with possibly the best wide receiving core in the league in Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb the cowboys should have no problem giving defenses a handful. Both teams improved tremendously this offseason. It will be interesting to see if the Giants can get Garrett some revenge and stay in a game that they have not won since Victor Cruz was a Giant.
3. Patriots at Seahawks, Week 2, September 20th
Even without the 12th man in Seattle, this Sunday night football matchup should be as entertaining as any. Cam Newton feels like he was cheated in Carolina, and the consensus around the league is that the former Heisman Trophy winner is out for blood in 2020. It’s hard to imagine Bellicheck and McDaniels starting Jarrett Stidham at the beginning of the season and from the looks of it, this New England team is behind Newton, who brings the energy that is comparable to their last Quarterback who had the fanbase’s hearts for 20 years. The patriots may lack offensive playmakers but fans are excited to see what their offense can do with a mobile quarterback. New England’s defense should not be the problem unless they get destroyed by the time of possession. If Pete Caroll can find a way to get Cam to turn the football over this could be a long night for New England. Seattle is one of the most exciting teams to watch the league. Russell Wilson and the great group of receivers including Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf never get old. This offense should only get better this year with the additions of Philip Dorsett and Greg Olsen. The biggest addition to this Seattle squad in safety Jamal Adams is what makes this team title contenders. Pete Caroll has never had this much talent on both sides of the football. A rematch of Super bowl 49 should be a good test for both teams early on in the season.
4. Cardinals at Cowboys, Week 6, October 19th
Every NFL season the media jumps on a team to explode into the elite category of teams. This season the hype is centered around Kliff Kingsberry and his Cardinals team. Kyler Murray is what many seem to think as the next superstar Quarterback, the combination of mobility and arm strength reminds many of Russell Wilson. Murray showed flashes of brilliance last year but the lackluster offensive line and defense did not allow the Oklahoma product to completely flourish last year. The Cardinals drafted to fill both of those needs with Clemson’s do it all defensive playmaker Isaiah Simmons and promising tackle Josh Jones from Houston. Not to mention Murray now gets to throw to arguably the best receiver in the league now with Deandre Hopkins in a blockbuster trade that sent him from Houston to Arizona. This should be a completely different Cardinals team that can battle with a star-filled team like Dallas Cowboys. These two offenses should both be top ten in the league making for an entertaining shootout in mid-October.
5. Eagles at Cowboys, Week 15, December 27th
This second matchup between these two rivals should have dictated the playoff picture for a few years straight now. The Eagles were able to knock Dallas out of the playoffs last season in a tight game at Lincoln Financial Field. This season Dallas gets to host the birds in late December. Both Quarterbacks in this matchup have their biggest seasons ahead of them. Carson Wentz will have to win games like this to fight off Jalen Hurts who the Eagles unexpectedly took in the second round of the draft. The Eagles are not going to give Carson much time to prove he is their guy for the next ten years. Considering the injury history that Wentz has he may be on the outs if he comes away from this season without a playoff appearance. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot folded at the wrong time when they took on the Eagles at the end of last season. Prescott has turned down several large contracts that compare to what some of the league's elite Quarterbacks are getting paid. He is betting on himself and all eyes will be on number four to produce with his many weapons.
6. Titans at Broncos, Week 1, September 14th
Tennessee proved that they were no joke last season. They defeated both New England and Baltimore on the road last season in the playoffs. Mike Vrabel seems to have rejuvenated Ryan Tannehill's career and has gotten the most out of Derrick Henry who has torched defenses for the last two seasons. Denver is expected to take major steps forward this season and it will be up to Drew Locke to take that second-year leap where we have seen the elite quarterbacks of the league mature and make their mark. Both teams are filled with young talent on both sides of the football which should make for a great ending to the Monday Night Football doubleheader in week 1.
7. 49ers at Jets, Week 2, September 20th
The Niners were just a few plays away from becoming super bowl champions last season. Kyle Shanahan and his young talented roster are going to be determined to play into February. They added two more talented players in the first round of the draft with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk which should help the Niners become even more depth in key positions. The Jets travel to Buffalo week 1 and return home to face the NFC champion at Metlife Stadium in week 2. If Adam Gase and Sam Darnold start off 0-2 their season could be in turmoil early. They added Meckhi Becton in round 1 of the draft to protect Darnold but the Louisville product is considered to be a project and there may be no tougher test than to go against Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. If the Jets can’t prove they can compete in a game like this Gase’s seat will only get hotter and Darnold’s time to prove that he is their guy will be in doubt. The Jets have a lot to prove this season which makes games like this early in the season so vital for the team's growth.
8. Raiders at Patriots, Week 3, September 27th
This game consists of two of the most entertaining coaches in the game who are close to polar opposites. Gruden’s animated coaching style always makes his teams fun to watch. The Raiders added Henry Ruggs with their first-round selection, his big-play ability, and blazing speed should fit right in Las Vegas. This game is important for Derek Carr he will be challenged with one of the most seasoned and disciplined defenses that the NFL has to offer. If Carr still struggles with the upgrades the silver and black made they may have to look elsewhere for a franchise quarterback. This is Cam Newton’s job to lose and a home loss to a young and inexperienced team like Gruden’s Raiders may lead to McDaniels and Bellicheck giving Jarrett Stidham a look. This should be a fun week 3 battle between two storied franchises and may even play a role in the AFC wild-card picture in January.
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