A look at the Top 10 games to watch in 2022.
Week 1 — Broncos at Seahawks
Monday, Sept. 12, 6:15 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)
Broncos QB Russell Wilson returns to Seattle in primetime to face his former coach Pete Carroll following a public falling out that led to his trade in March. The Seahawks are one of two teams in the NFL that Wilson hasn’t defeated. (also: the Chargers).
Week 3 — Packers at Buccaneers
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
One of many showdowns between future Hall of Fame quarterbacks this year. Aaron Rodgers is 1-4 all-time against Tom Brady. Rodgers will no doubt be looking for some payback from when Brady & Co. beat Green Bay in the NFC title game at Lambeau Field two years ago.
Week 4 — Chiefs at Buccaneers
Sunday, Oct. 2, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
After winning Super Bowl LIV three years ago, Kansas City’s last two seasons have ended in bitter disappointment, including a loss to Brady and the Bucs in Super Bowl LV. Revenge will be on the minds of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid.
Week 6 — Bills at Chiefs
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
It’s a rematch of last year’s instant-classic AFC divisional game, when the teams combined for 25 points and four lead changes in the final 1:54 of regulation. Kelce’s TD catch won it in overtime, and one has a feeling Josh Allen & Co. will remember that feeling come October.
Week 8 — Packers at Bills
Sunday, Oct. 30, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
In one of several potential Super Bowl previews on the slate, Green Bay gets a road test in Orchard Park on Halloween weekend. It will be Allen’s second career showdown against the Packers (he’s 0-1), and coach Matt LaFleur’s first test against the Bills.
Week 9 — Rams at Buccaneers
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
It’s a rematch of last year’s thrilling NFC divisional game, in which Cooper Kupp’s long reception set up the eventual game-winning field goal for the defending champion Rams. Brady never forgets a devastating loss, while the Tampa Bay defense has some atoning to do.
Week 10 — Cowboys at Packers
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
This will be a game that reveals what the Cowboys are all about. If Dak Prescott and Dallas can upset Rodgers & Co. at Lambeau Field, it could be a launching pad for a playoff run. But Rodgers is also capable of sending his own message to the unpredictable Dallas D.
Week 15 — Patriots at Raiders
Sunday, Dec. 18, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
We’ll know a lot about Mac Jones’ growth in Year 2 by this point, as well as the re-stocked Raiders’ relevancy in the loaded AFC West. But this one comes down to coaching: Old guard Bill Belichick against his longtime assistant and new Las Vegas head man, Josh McDaniels.
Week 17 — Rams at Chargers
Sunday, Jan. 1, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
Los Angeles’ two teams meet at SoFi Stadium. Matthew Stafford and the Rams should be prepping for a title defense. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert and the Chargers will need to finish strong after falling excruciatingly short of the playoffs in a Week 18 loss last year.
Week 18 — Ravens at Bengals
Sunday, Jan. 8, Time/Network TBA
Both of these teams are likely to be in the playoff hunt in the pivotal final week of the regular season. Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who clinched the division title in Week 17 last year en route to an AFC title, face off against playoff-hungry Lamar Jackson’s Ravens.
