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Every single week in the NFL, there are usually four games that are of "must-see" caliber. However, when you take a look at the schedule over the span of an entire season, it gets much harder to pick out the "must-see" games. Listed below are twelve games that have a lot of meaning behind them though, and are ones that I can see being hyped as the best match-ups of the season.
September 7th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Some people may be questioning the move of the Miami Dolphins playing in the first game of the season. The NFL usually likes to have a team that could make a huge turnaround from the year before go up against the defending Super Bowl champions. Last year, the Oakland Raiders battled the New England Patriots. The game had meaning because Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan were added to the team's offense. Unfortunately, we saw that the Raiders really weren't that much of a threat still. The Dolphins were perhaps the hottest team in the NFL in the second half of last season. Nick Saban turned the Dolphins team around, and they have only gotten better. If Daunte Culpepper develops a solid relationship on the field with Chris Chambers, Culpepper could easily return to his MVP-form of two years ago. The Steelers had a very quiet offseason, but they are still the team to beat, like it or not.
September 10th, 2006: New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
Make sure you catch this game, because it's a match-up that you'll only get to see once every four years in the regular season, barring a trade. It's brother vs. brother, Manning vs. Manning, Eli vs. Peyton. Peyton didn't put up the same stats this past season that he did two years ago and will be without Edgerrin James, while Eli made a dramatic improvement over the span of two seasons. Eli still needs to work on his "off" games, in which he seems to throw nothing but interceptions all day long. I bet Archie Manning will love to see this one, as will everyone in the entire nation. Of all of the games on the schedule, this is the one I'm most excited about.
Semptember 24th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
These two teams will also meet in a Week 17 match-up in a game that could be just as important, but this game could set the tone for the division. Carson Palmer barely had the time to face the Steelers in the postseason before tearing his ACL, and would love nothing more than to make a statement that the AFC North is theirs. Likewise, the Steelers will have their sights set on showing that there is a reason they won the Super Bowl.
October 8th, 2006: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Not only is this a division rival game, but it marks the fact that Terrell Owens will be returning to Philly. I'm sure he will be booed like you wouldn't believe and will have a special surprise waiting for the Eagles' fans if he scores a touchdown. The Eagles were not a very good team last year, but they seemed to have countless injuries that kept them from contending.
November 5th, 2006: Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
Although the Patriots were not as good last year, this has been one of the top rivalries in the NFL the past few years. The Colts have to travel to New England once again, but Manning already showed last year that he may very well be over the "Belichick" curse. However, one of the keys in beating the Patriots was the use of Edgerrin James. Without James, it may be difficult for the Colts to run the clock down on the Patriots defense.
November 19th, 2006: San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
The San Diego Chargers needed to be featured in one of these games, despite losing Drew Brees and having the most disappointing seasons in the league last year. Phillip Rivers could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, or he could appear like a "rookie" during his first year as the starter. Whatever happens, it should be fun to see LaDainian Tomlinson go up against one of the best run defenses in the league. Purchase Denver Broncos Tickets.
November 19th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings Tickets
Why is this an interesting game? Not only could the Vikings be a quiet contender, but it'll mark the return of Daunte Culpepper against Minnesota. Culpepper will want nothing but revenge on his former team, but the Vikings want to show that there is a reason they got rid of him in the first place.
November 23rd, 2006: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Tickets
Any time these two teams meet, it's a rivalry. The Chiefs could very well have a 2,000-yard rusher on their team in Larry Johnson, but they still need to find a way to make an impact at the wide receiver position. The Broncos surprised the league last year with the consistency of Jake Plummer, but is that too difficult to match again?
November 27th, 2006: Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Of all of the teams listed in these top twelve games, the Packers will have the hardest time in contending. However, if Brett Favre does decide to come back, this will be the final Monday Night game of his career. The Seahawks are coming off of an impressive season and were able to lock up Shaun Alexander for a very long time. Who knows too - at this time two seasons ago, the Packers were a playoff time since they were healthy.
December 7th, 2006: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns made the biggest splash in free agency in an attempt to bring proven veterans to their team and being able to win games at the line of scrimmage - something that's critical in the AFC North. Plus, the Browns want to make up for an embarrassing 41-0 loss on Christmas Eve to the Steelers last year.
December 17th, 2006: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers Tickets
It seems like the Steelers are featured in a lot of these games, but you have to admit that their is an "excitement" value associated with them. The reason this game was selected though isn't due to the Steelers, it's due to the Panthers. Steve Smith was unbelievable last year, but too often he was the only threat on their offense. This year, they have Keyshawn Johnson added to the mix, which suddenly adds another huge dimension to the Panthers offense. This could be hyped as an early "Super Bowl preview" late in the season if both teams are at the top of their division.
December 18th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
It could very well be the top offensive game of the year again - one of those games where you just sit back and watch in awe.
September 7th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Some people may be questioning the move of the Miami Dolphins playing in the first game of the season. The NFL usually likes to have a team that could make a huge turnaround from the year before go up against the defending Super Bowl champions. Last year, the Oakland Raiders battled the New England Patriots. The game had meaning because Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan were added to the team's offense. Unfortunately, we saw that the Raiders really weren't that much of a threat still. The Dolphins were perhaps the hottest team in the NFL in the second half of last season. Nick Saban turned the Dolphins team around, and they have only gotten better. If Daunte Culpepper develops a solid relationship on the field with Chris Chambers, Culpepper could easily return to his MVP-form of two years ago. The Steelers had a very quiet offseason, but they are still the team to beat, like it or not.
September 10th, 2006: New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts
Make sure you catch this game, because it's a match-up that you'll only get to see once every four years in the regular season, barring a trade. It's brother vs. brother, Manning vs. Manning, Eli vs. Peyton. Peyton didn't put up the same stats this past season that he did two years ago and will be without Edgerrin James, while Eli made a dramatic improvement over the span of two seasons. Eli still needs to work on his "off" games, in which he seems to throw nothing but interceptions all day long. I bet Archie Manning will love to see this one, as will everyone in the entire nation. Of all of the games on the schedule, this is the one I'm most excited about.
Semptember 24th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
These two teams will also meet in a Week 17 match-up in a game that could be just as important, but this game could set the tone for the division. Carson Palmer barely had the time to face the Steelers in the postseason before tearing his ACL, and would love nothing more than to make a statement that the AFC North is theirs. Likewise, the Steelers will have their sights set on showing that there is a reason they won the Super Bowl.
October 8th, 2006: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Not only is this a division rival game, but it marks the fact that Terrell Owens will be returning to Philly. I'm sure he will be booed like you wouldn't believe and will have a special surprise waiting for the Eagles' fans if he scores a touchdown. The Eagles were not a very good team last year, but they seemed to have countless injuries that kept them from contending.
November 5th, 2006: Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
Although the Patriots were not as good last year, this has been one of the top rivalries in the NFL the past few years. The Colts have to travel to New England once again, but Manning already showed last year that he may very well be over the "Belichick" curse. However, one of the keys in beating the Patriots was the use of Edgerrin James. Without James, it may be difficult for the Colts to run the clock down on the Patriots defense.
November 19th, 2006: San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
The San Diego Chargers needed to be featured in one of these games, despite losing Drew Brees and having the most disappointing seasons in the league last year. Phillip Rivers could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, or he could appear like a "rookie" during his first year as the starter. Whatever happens, it should be fun to see LaDainian Tomlinson go up against one of the best run defenses in the league. Purchase Denver Broncos Tickets.
November 19th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings Tickets
Why is this an interesting game? Not only could the Vikings be a quiet contender, but it'll mark the return of Daunte Culpepper against Minnesota. Culpepper will want nothing but revenge on his former team, but the Vikings want to show that there is a reason they got rid of him in the first place.
November 23rd, 2006: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Tickets
Any time these two teams meet, it's a rivalry. The Chiefs could very well have a 2,000-yard rusher on their team in Larry Johnson, but they still need to find a way to make an impact at the wide receiver position. The Broncos surprised the league last year with the consistency of Jake Plummer, but is that too difficult to match again?
November 27th, 2006: Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Of all of the teams listed in these top twelve games, the Packers will have the hardest time in contending. However, if Brett Favre does decide to come back, this will be the final Monday Night game of his career. The Seahawks are coming off of an impressive season and were able to lock up Shaun Alexander for a very long time. Who knows too - at this time two seasons ago, the Packers were a playoff time since they were healthy.
December 7th, 2006: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns made the biggest splash in free agency in an attempt to bring proven veterans to their team and being able to win games at the line of scrimmage - something that's critical in the AFC North. Plus, the Browns want to make up for an embarrassing 41-0 loss on Christmas Eve to the Steelers last year.
December 17th, 2006: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers Tickets
It seems like the Steelers are featured in a lot of these games, but you have to admit that their is an "excitement" value associated with them. The reason this game was selected though isn't due to the Steelers, it's due to the Panthers. Steve Smith was unbelievable last year, but too often he was the only threat on their offense. This year, they have Keyshawn Johnson added to the mix, which suddenly adds another huge dimension to the Panthers offense. This could be hyped as an early "Super Bowl preview" late in the season if both teams are at the top of their division.
December 18th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts
It could very well be the top offensive game of the year again - one of those games where you just sit back and watch in awe.
