I've got a few blogging tricks left up my sleeve now that we're back in full swing, but it's never too early too look ahead to the best games on the schedule so you can plan all those upcoming weddings, baptisms and appendectomies around them. In chronological order, here are 10 NFL Games to Watch in 2014:
1) Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks, Week 1
You gotta hand it to whoever does the scheduling for the season opener these days. There's no doubt that Fail Mary 2.0 will get all the pre-game hype we can handle and not just because it's the official kickoff for the 2014 regular season. Aaron Rodgers has had September 4th circled on the calendar for a loooong time, and you better believe the Packers are ready to avenge the blown call heard round the world even if it means getting steamrolled in the hostile environs of the newly Lombardi-ed Seahawks. Prediction: As much as I believe the Packers are due some cosmic justice for what happened in Seattle in 2012, how could I possibly bet against the team that just smacked Peyton Manning around like he was JV and the12th Man?2) Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens, Week 4
An obvious but great angle to this intra-conference matchup is WR Steve Smith suiting up in purple against the only other professional team he's ever known. He was none too thrilled. People cried... but mostly because their dads were attention-seeking trolls. Anyway, an equally intriguing but sure-to-be-overshadowed part of this matchup will be the clash of two great and still rising defenses. It may not be pretty or high-scoring, but I expect some bloody noses, turnovers, and embarrassing moments for Joe Flacco and/or Cam Newton. Prediction: Seeing as how Cam Newton would probably give anything to have even the mid-grade receiving corps that Joe Flacco does, I think the Ravens have the edge at home.3) Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers, Week 5
If you've got the stomach for another week of heartfelt reunions, Alex Smith will return to the place that scorned him for many years, then sort of liked him for a minute, then looked the other way entirely when Colin Kaepernick proved to be a worthy replacement while Smith was getting his head checked. After a great debut season with the Chiefs, Smith is still looking for respect and long-term cash but he'll have to settle for plain vengeance in the meantime. I doubt the 49ers will make it easy on him, but hopefully fans will be just as classy toward him in the new digs as he was when he was eagerly pacing the sideline, waiting to be traded from San Francisco two years ago. Prediction: As surprising as the Chiefs were last season, they didn't have a schedule like this and have lost a step on key parts of their roster. Give it to the home team again.
4) Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 9
Like #5 below, it's impossible to leave this kind of storied rivalry off the list - it rarely disappoints, no matter how these two teams seem to be faring otherwise. Whether the Steelers are pulling off a mind-boggling upset with Charlie Batch at the helm or Joe Flacco is throwing that once-in-a-season immaculate Hail Mary, or Mike Tomlin's playing chicken with the punt return, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are always popcorn-worthy. And they both look to be on the rebound this season and likely fighting for playoff territory by Week 9. Prediction: Who knows? As always, they'll find a way to split this series.5) Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, Week 9
In case you lost count, we are due our 16th head-to-head battle between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady this season with a high likelihood of getting to 17 in the postseason. It'll be hard to top the tug-of-war overtime extravaganza of #14 in Foxboro last season, but America deserves a better battle between these two perennial winners than #15's AFC Championship could afford. At least Wes Welker will be far less motivated to take out Aquib Talib with a rib shot this time around. Prediction: Tom Terrific rarely disappoints at home and against Peyton Manning. If Rob Gronkowski survives through Week 9, it's in the bag.6) San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints, Week 10
Some would put the 49ers-Saints game of 2013 right under the original Fail Mary in terms of playoff-altering blown calls. With New Orleans on the cusp of field goal range on a go-ahead drive, Ahmad Brooks hit Drew Brees hard to force and recover a fumble but Brooks was then flagged for roughing the passer and the resulting loss put San Francisco behind Seattle for good in the division standings. So the Niners are going to play the Saints very hard this time around for their third matchup in as many seasons. If it's anything like the last one or Alex Smith's miraculous drive in 2011 divisional playoffs that left me clinically depressed for weeks, we're in for another ride. Prediction: I don't like it and you probably don't like it either if you read this blog, but I get the sense this is a game of destiny for the 49ers and they'll do whatever it takes to keep Drew Brees on the ground, yellow flags or not.7) Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles, Week 10
It's not a classic rivalry, really, but Panthers-v.-Eagles is still an intriguing matchup for a variety of reasons. Both teams were surprising division champs in 2013, finally turning the corner after years of mediocrity and missed chances. And they may have the toughest uphill battle to repeat that kind of success. On another level, though, this should be a fascinating clash of styles - the Panthers being of the slow, physical, in-the-mud grind and the Eagles of the turbo-powered 80-snap offensive romp. Prediction: This is a tough call [3 months from now] since both teams have some question marks going into 2014. I feel like the Panthers will be a better second-half team with so many changes, and they have just the kind of athleticism on defense to keep Philly off rhythm. Kuechly for president.
8) Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, Week 13
Strike up the turkey carver, we get to have a divisional family reunion between two of the most talented and heated rivals in the game on Thanksgiving. San Francisco has proven a much more formidable opponent in recent meetings since getting routed by Seattle in Week 2 last season, so don't expect a cakewalk for the returning champs. Do expect Michael Crabtree to go into hiding though. Prediction: Like the Steelers and Ravens, I fully expect these rivals to split their divisional series in 2014. Under the bright lights in the bay, I like the Niners giving fans something else to celebrate on Turkey Day.9) Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts, Week 13
Russell Wilson may have eclipsed his 2012 QB draftmates for now, but I'm holding out hope that No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck and No. 2 RG3 give us a duel to remember at Lucas Oil in November. Luck shows no signs of slowing down after two 11-win seasons and a playoff victory under his belt, but Griffin's another story after a lackluster 2013 campaign at less than 100%. But if Washington can turn it around under new leadership in a division that's always up for grabs this draft class clash has plenty of tasty bylines to get too excited about. Prediction: Although much remains to be seen in Luck's and Griffin's development, Luck is at least a lap ahead going into 2014 and Griffin needs a whole lot of help from his defensive teammates. The Colts have the edge until proven otherwise.10) New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers, Week 13
The above QB duel is intriguing but merely an opening act to a rare cross-conference meeting between two of the very best, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Trust me, it would have been a Super Bowl to remember if the Patriots and Packers could have eked their way to the chilly Meadowlands. Anyway, after facing setbacks due to injury last season, both teams look ready to bounce back and have another shot at the Lombardi in 2014. The stakes will be steep by the time Brady and Rodgers enter their second face off of all time at Lambeau. Prediction: Something tells me this is the kind of game that Bill Belichick lives for - a substantial defensive challenge and the opportunity to prove that his QB is still the best in the game. I think the Pats pull off the upset.
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