Analysis: NFL schedule filled with enticing matchups
By Barry Wilner
From Russell Wilson playing his first game as a Bronco in Seattle to Doug Pederson vs. Carson Wentz, the NFL schedule is filled with spicy matchups from the outset. Too bad we have to wait four months for it all to begin.
And it should begin with a bang.
The Seahawks prospered like never before with Wilson as their quarterback for the last decade, including a Super Bowl title and another they should have had if not for some, uh, curious play calls in the 2015 game. They rewarded Wilson’s desire to go elsewhere with a monster trade this offseason and he landed in Denver.
Now, thanks to the NFL’s desire to play off such storylines, the opening Monday night game of the 2022 season sends Wilson and his new team back to his old stomping grounds.
Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews interviews then-New England Patriots AB Tom Brady NFL game between the Patriots and the NY Giants, Oct. 10, 2019, Photo: AP Photo/Elise Amendola
Yum. Delicious.
“I think he’s gonna be kind of excited,” new Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said Friday. “I mean, I think it’s a really interesting game to put right there on on Monday night. But I’m glad we’re doing it early … because that was going to happen at some point in the season. So I mean, hey, let’s attack it. You know, let’s all get into it. Let’s all rally around the Broncos and let’s get ready to go in there in a hostile environment and have a good game.”
</diWant more? In Week 1 alone, there’s the kickoff game on Thursday night, Sept. 8, with the Super Bowl champion Rams hosting the current favorite to win it all, the Bills. There’s Jacksonville, with recently hired coach Doug Pederson, at Washington and new QB Carson Wentz. In 2017, Wentz seemed headed for league MVP honors working under Pederson for the Eagles. Wentz was injured late in the schedule and Nick Foles took over. Pederson and Foles beat New England and Tom Brady for the title.
Mississippi QB Matt Corral poses before the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. Photo: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Speaking of Brady, he led Tampa Bay, as the defending champ, to a tight victory over Dallas in the 2021 opener. This year, the first Sunday night contest has the Bucs at the Cowboys. Very tasty.
As for the remainder of the 18-week schedule, here are some other confrontations that should whet your appetite.
WEEK 2
Amazon Prime Video debuts as the Thursday night outlet for the NFL with Kansas City hosting the Chargers. The AFC West figures to be the best division, and each team could make a statement here.
The sport’s oldest rivalry is renewed on Sunday night with Chicago at Green Bay.
WEEK 3
Packers at Buccaneers. Aaron Rodgers vs. Brady. Need we say more?
WEEK 4
Chiefs at Buccaneers. Patrick Mahomes vs. Brady. Need we say more?
WEEK 6
When the Bills travel to Arrowhead Stadium, they or the Chiefs could make an early statement about AFC supremacy.
WEEK 7
The Dolphins will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NFL’s only perfect season when they entertain the Steelers on Sunday night. Miami beat Pittsburgh in the AFC title game in the 1972 season.
WEEK 8
Wentz again. His return to Indy, where he spent one fruitless season, as the Commanders take on the Colts.
WEEK 10
The only reason we can figure out that this is a Thursday nighter is the prospect of Matt Corral of Carolina and Desmond Ridder of Atlanta being the starting QBs as rookies. Non-contenders in prime time in November?
