A look at the top 10 games to watch in 2022.
Week 1: Broncos at Seahawks
Monday, September 12, 6:15 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson returns to Seattle in prime time to face his former coach, Pete Carroll, after a public dispute that led to his trade in March. The Seahawks are one of two NFL teams Wilson hasn’t beaten. (also: the Chargers).
Week 3 — Packers at Buccaneers
Sunday, September 25, 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
One of many matchups 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 rematch from when Brady & Co. beat Green Bay in the NFC title game at Lambeau Field two years ago.
Week 4 — Bosses at Buccaneers
Sunday, October 2, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
After winning Super Bowl LIV three years ago, Kansas City’s last two seasons 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 trainer Andy Reid.
Week 6 — Bills at Chiefs
Sunday, October 16, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
It’s a rematch of last year’s instant classic AFC division game, when the teams combined for 25 points and four lead changes in the final 1:54 of regulation. Kelce’s TD catch won in overtime, and one has a feeling Josh Allen & Co. will remember that feeling in October.
Week 8 — Packers at Bills
Sunday, October 30, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
In one of the possible Super Bowl previews on the slate, Green Bay has a test drive at Orchard Park on Halloween weekend. It will be Allen’s second career matchup against the Packers (he’s 0-1), and coach Matt LaFleur’s first test against the Bills.
Week 9 — Rams at Buccaneers
Sunday, November 6, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)
It’s a rematch of last year’s exciting NFC divisional game, in which Cooper Kupp’s long catch set up the eventual game-winning field goal for the defending champion Rams. Brady never forgets a devastating loss, while Tampa Bay’s defense has something to fix.
Week 10: Cowboys at Packers
Sunday, November 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 beat 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 vs. Raiders
Sunday, December 18, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
By this point, we’ll know a lot about the growth of Mac Jones in Year 2, as well as the relevance of the replenished Raiders in the charged AFC West. But this one comes down to training: old guard Bill Belichick against his former assistant and new Las Vegas leader Josh McDaniels.
Week 17: Rams vs. Chargers
Sunday, January 1, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)
The two Los Angeles teams meet at SoFi Stadium. Matthew Stafford and the Rams should be gearing up for a title defense. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert and the Chargers will need to finish strong after falling woefully short in the playoffs in a Week 18 loss last year.
Week 18: Ravens at Bengals
Sunday, January 8, Time/Network TBA
Both teams are likely to be in the hunt for the playoffs 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, take on Lamar Jackson’s playoff-hungry Ravens.
