Does this game matter much for the standings? Not really. For both teams it is a chance to make a statement after playing in the big game two weeks ago. For the Chiefs, they can show that they are still here at the top of the league and are maybe the favorite to win it all in season 2. For the Vikings they can show that even though the roster looks very different, they are still capable of making a deep run.
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Both teams that were probably below expectations in season 1 that are looking to bounce back for season 2. Both teams had very important drafts, with the Rams landing their QB and the Bears filling out their roster. This game can help one team start the season on the right foot and could have an impact on the playoff race down the line.
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
Two teams that were in a very close playoff race toward the end of the season a year ago, and two teams that could be competing for the division at the end of the year. The Commanders added some elite talents in the draft but still have some holes on the roster, while the Eagles remain one of the leagues best all around rosters.
Week 4: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers
Two new users that will still be very early in their PML careers. I think that both rosters are in similar spots with both teams doing well in the draft. Could these guys be playoff teams in season 1? Could this game be more important for draft position? Right now we really don’t know, but this will be a very interesting game for both of these teams.
Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
These two teams had the top records in the NFC last season at 15-2 and 14-3 respectively. One team ended up as the 1 seed and one ended as the 5 seed. Winning this game a season ago was the difference between home field advantage for the playoffs, and a road game in the wild card round.
Week 6: Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders
Both of these teams were wild card squads last year. It will be tough to overtake the Chiefs for the division crown, so they may be fighting for wild card seeding in this game, or potentially to try and keep their division mate out of the playoffs. The Raiders made a lot of moves this offseason to catch up to the rest of the rosters in the division, and we will see if it pays off.
Week 7: Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay was on the outside of the playoffs last season, while the Cowboys were a division winner. Now, the Cowboys have a new coach with a roster that seems to be on the way down, while the Packers made some offseason moves to get younger. Both of these teams are in competitive divisions where anyone can win it, but also may be competing with each other for wild card spots down the line.
Week 8: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
The Jets were the story of the offseason with their trades, while the Bills were a major story of season 1 with their fantastic start and late collapse. The AFC east will likely be a very close and competitive division with both of these teams competing for the top of the division and potentially wild card spots as well. We shall see how the big moves in the offseason pay off for the Jets in their chase for the AFC East.
Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
The Lions finished last season with a 5-1 record in the division, while the Packers went 2-4. The division record could have been what kept the Packers out of the playoffs at 9-8. If the Packers are going to get where they want to go they will have to improve in the division, while if the Lions want to stay as a top team they will have to handle business in the division.
Week 10: Washington Commanders at New York Giants
I think these two teams are very similar roster wise and will finish the season in similar spots. This game could be the deciding factor in who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t.
Week 11: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals
Both of these teams fell short of their goals last season. The Saints had a relatively quiet offseason besides drafting new QB Connor Weigman. The Cardinals made a few signings and draft trades to try and improve their defense and run game. I expect both teams to have a shot at the playoffs at this point in the season and this game could give the winner the boost they need or knock the loser out.
Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
If someone is going to take the AFC West crown from the Chiefs my pick would be the Chargers. The second time these two teams play will be week 18, so this may be the only matchup between the teams where both are playing their starters. If the Chargers are going to win the division, they will need to win this game.
Week 13: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One game separated these two teams in their division race last season. I expect that these two teams are the ones at the top of this division again with either one being able to win it. This will be the first time these teams match up, and it will be late enough in the season for the division race to be in full swing.
Week 14: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
This may not be the type of big game you are expecting, but it will play a crucial role in shaping the following offseason. At this point in the season these teams could be falling short of their expectations and may be competing for something other than playoff seeding.
Week 15: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Titans made some strong moves this offseason, while it seems like the Jaguars stood pat on their roster and hope for improved play this season. The Colts won the south at 10-7 last season with all 3 other teams finishing at 6-11. I think this division will be up for grabs this year and both teams could certainly still be in contention in week 15.
Week 16: Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
Team rocket facing off is always interesting, but it is not often that the game could have playoff implications. Both teams won their division last season and will be in the mix for the playoffs again this year.
Week 17: Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
We don’t know much about the Broncos as a team going in to this season, but we know that the games between these two teams last year were very meaningful. These rosters are fairly similar, and could be in a tight race come week 17.
Week 18: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
I expect both of these teams to still be playing starters even in week 18 with how close this division could be. These teams will play twice in 3 weeks before a potential 3rd matchup in the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see what both teams show in these games.
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