The NFL released the 2005 schedule this week and we scoped out what we think will be the 10 premier and most hyped games of the season.
Of course, the way the topsy-turvy NFL works, many of these contests could be complete dogs come gametime. Still, these are our preseason contenders for the top contests on the 2005 schedule based on 2004 results - with a particular emphasis on those games that have the most hype potential. The Monday Night Football schedule looks particularly strong, especially considering the slate of piss-poor games that lowlighted the MNF calendar last year.
Oakland at New England (Thursday, Sept. 8)
The NFL's Thursday night kickoff game has quickly become one of sports' most anticipated events. It's like a mini Super Bowl complete with all the pomp, pageantry and star power that helps make American football the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet. Before New England raises its third Super Bowl championship banner, expect endless replays of Charles Woodson's uncalled illegal head slap on Tom Brady in the 2001-02 AFC playoffs and plenty of hype about new Oakland receiver Randy Moss. This will officially be the 31st big game in a row in which Brady, the NFL's best player and the winningest QB in modern football history, plays second fiddle in the pregame hype wars to an opposing offensive player. Oh yeah, one other thing: When the Patriots step on the field on Sept. 8, it will have been 989 days since their last loss at home (Dec. 22, 2002). If the Patriots win, they don't play at home again until Oct. 2 and their Gillette Stadium winning streak will reach 33 months and 1,013 days.
Philly at Atlanta (Monday, Sept. 12)
Monday Night Football debuts with a major NFC statement game and a rematch pitting the 2004 conference title contenders. Atlanta was dominant at home last year, posting an 8-1 record (including playoffs) and outscoring its opposition 235-152. Philly begins the long haul toward what it hopes will be a record fifth straight appearance in a conference title game. But the road already looks rocky for the Eagles. Emboldened by his performance in Super Bowl XXXIX, Terrell Owens is already demanding that the Eagles rip up his $49 million contract and replace it with a new one. Owens also remains the only person in America unaware of the fact that Philly actually lost the Super Bowl.
New England at Pittsburgh (Sunday, Sept. 25)
The AFC's ultimate heavyweights meet for the third time at Heinz Field in less than a year, in what will be a premier late-day broadcast in Week Three. Each team traded haymakers last season – the final cumulative score for both games was 61-61. Of course, the Steelers got in their best licks in October. The Patriots returned the favor in January in the AFC title game, when Brady played his single best game of the year (130.5 passer rating) when his team needed him most – on the road against the top defense in football and a 16-1 team that did not lose at home all year. The winner of this contest will have the inside track on Super Bowl XL.
Pittsburgh at San Diego (Monday, Oct. 10)
By Week 5, we'll have a pretty good idea if the 2004 Chargers were a fluke or a budding contender. We'll also have time to get the same read on Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, who fizzled as his rookie campaign concluded last year. A win over the Steelers on Monday Night Football would be a major statement for San Diego, which went just 2-4 against quality opponents last year and was ousted at home in the playoffs by the 10-6 Jets in the wildcard round.
St. Louis at Indy (Monday, Oct. 17)
St. Louis somehow managed to cling to its reputation as a high-powered offense last year, despite a relatively inept attack that generated just 319 points and put them in the bottom half of the league in scoring. Still, all the pieces are in place for a Monday Night Football offensive barnburner. Even the Rams should be able to put points on the board against a defense that Indy management continues to neglect in the misguided (and disproven) belief that offense wins championships. The Colts, of course, are led by Mr. October Peyton Manning and should have little trouble running up and down the field against an inept defense (392 points allowed in 2004) and a team that went just 2-6 on the road and 1-3 against the AFC in 2004.
N.Y. Jets at Atlanta (Monday, Oct. 24)
This interconference Monday Night Football match-up features Michael Vick, the most exciting player in football, and has the potential to be a Super Bowl preview – assuming Herm Edwards can keep it all together on the sidelines this year. Of course, much of New York's fate may rest on the shoulders of John Abraham, who has yet to re-sign with the Jets and may be looking at other options.
Indy at New England (Monday, Nov. 7)
Each of the past two seasons, Indy has faced New England in the regular season. Each time, Indy came painfully close to winning. Each time, the regular season loss cost the Colts homefield advantage over the Patriots in the playoffs. Each time, the Colts were beaten badly in the postseason in snowy Foxboro. Each time, Peyton Manning played his worst game of the season in the playoff loss to New England. One way or another, Indy's postseason hopes rest on beating New England at least once and perhaps twice during the 2005 season. It all starts here in the top Monday Night Football matchup of 2005. This will probably be the most hyped and most watched game during the upcoming regular season.
San Diego at Indy (Sunday, Dec. 18)
Manning played one of the most inspiring games of his career last year in a late-season match-up at home against the Chargers. Oh, sure, it was one of his lowest-rated games statistically, but he overcome a rough outing, by his standards, to lead his team to an important come-from-behind victory over a San Diego club that went 12-4 and won the AFC West. This Sunday brunch contest (10 a.m. on the West Coast) will feature many of the most exciting offensive players in football: Manning, Marvin Harrison, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, among others.
New England at N.Y. Jets (Monday, Dec. 26)
For the fourth straight season, the Patriots and Jets will meet on Week 16. The late-season game has played a pivotal role in postseason positioning all three previous times. This year, it's the final Monday Night Football game of the season. New York last beat New England in Week 16 of the 2002 season. That win helped secure the AFC East title for the Jets and essentially forced the Patriots out of the playoff picture as they attempted to defend their first Super Bowl title. New York and New England are the preseason favorites to be the two dominant teams in the AFC East and this game could very well determine the division title.
Seattle at Green Bay (Sunday, Jan. 1)
New Year's Day is traditionally reserved for college bowl games. This year, one of America's greatest football traditions is dumped on, as the NFL takes over New Year's Day and the big college bowl games move to Jan. 2. More on that as the offseason evolves. In any case, the last time these two teams met, in the January 2004 playoffs, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck declared victory before the overtime coin toss. He promptly went out and threw an interception that was returned for the game-winning touchdown. He gets his shot at redemption on the final Sunday of the season, in a game between leading NFC contenders that could have serious playoff implications. With a 4:15 start, this will be one of Week 17's premier national broadcasts. It may also be the final game in the Hall of Fame career of quarterback Brett Favre. Break out the sap-o-meter.
