Vikings-Saints, Giants-Colts: 10 Big Games In First Half Of 2010 NFL Season
If you're like me, and most football fans are, you'll watch any
NFL game between any two teams at any time of the day or night. With that being said, not all NFL games are created equal. Some are far more intriguing than others. Chances are that even the most ardent NFL fan will watch the Green Bay Packers take on the
Chicago Bears long before they'll watch the
St. Louis Rams battle the
Oakland Raiders.
Below are ten big games from the first half of the2010 NFL Season. Keep in mind that we stayed away from division matchups unless they involved a prominent player returning to his former, long-time haunt. We did this because the intrigue of division games, like the New York Jets against the
Miami Dolphins, or the
San Diego Chargers against the
Denver Broncos, are fairly self-evident, even to the most casual NFL Fan.
All times are Eastern.
Week 1
Minnesota @ New Orleans - Sept 9 (Thursday Night), 8:30PM on NBC
Minnesota Vikings at the New Orleans Saints is a rematch of the thrilling 2009 NFC Championship Game. This is the first game of Vikings quarterback Bret Favre's 20th season. Meanwhile, the Saints start the defense of their Super Bowl championship. Prior to last season, I never thought I would ever have to write, "the
New Orleans Saints are the defending Super Bowl champions."
Baltimore @ New York Jets - Sept. 13 (Monday Night), 7:00PM on ESPN
This is not only the first half of a Monday Night doubleheader but it's also the primetime debut of the New Meadowlands Stadium. The
Baltimore Ravens are a perennial playoff team and the
New York Jets, thanks to boisterous head coach Rex Ryan, a stellar defense, and playing in the Big Apple, are the new darlings of the NFL.
Week 2
New York Giants @ Indianapolis - Sept. 19 (Sunday Night), 8:20PM on NBC
This Sunday night game features
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning squaring off against his brother,
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. It's a matchup everyone looks forward too except Eli and Peyton's mother. The brothers met once before in 2006 in a Week 1 affair held in New York City. Peyton and the Colts were victorious that night, 26 to 21.
Week 3
Tennessee @ New York Giants - Sept 26 (Sunday) 1:00PM on CBS
Neither of these teams made the playoffs in 2009, but in 2008 they were the best teams in their respective conferences. The
Tennessee Titans versus the Giants makes our list because these are two of the best rushing teams in the NFL. It wouldn't surprise us if they combined for 400 yards on the ground. They probably won't but if they did we wouldn't be surprised.
Week 4
Washington @ Philadelphia - Oct. 3 (Sunday) 4:15PM on FOX
It's the return of Donovan McNabb to the City of Brotherly Love. As a
Philadelphia Eagle, McNabb led the franchise to a Super Bowl and five NFC Championship games. Apparently that wasn't enough because the Eagles traded him to a division rival for a couple of draft picks. The
Washington Redskins, especially McNabb, will be pumped for this game.
Week 5
Minnesota @ New York Jets - Oct. 10 (Monday Night) 8:30PM on ESPN
It's not McNabb returning to Philadelphia, but it's close. Okay, it's not close but it still should be interesting. Brett Favre returns to New York to compete against the team he played for in 2008. At one point in that season the Jets were the best team in the AFC. Then the head coach at the time, Eric Mangini, screwed everything up. This is also a matchup of two of the NFL's best defenses.
Week 6
Dallas @ Minnesota - Oct. 17 (Sunday) 4:15PM on FOX
Just about every game featuring the Cowboys is big. And just about every game featuring Favre is big. So it goes without saying when Brett Favre plays the
Dallas Cowboys it's going to be big. In the 1990's, the Cowboys eliminated Favre and the Green Bay Packers from the playoffs three years in a row. There's always some bad blood brewing when Favre and the Cowboys clash.
Week 7
Minnesota @ Green Bay - Oct. 24 (Sunday Night) 8:20PM on NBC
This is Favre's second trip to Lambeau as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Originally, it was a sight abhorred by the Packers' brass. Well, it happened and despite all the media hype the world kept spinning and the heavens stayed closed. Last year, the Vikings defeated the
Green Bay Packers on the frozen tundra, 38-26. Favre threw for four touchdowns in his much heralded Lambeau return.
Week 8
Minnesota at New England - Oct. 31 (Sunday) 4:15pm on FOX
For Halloween the Vikings travel to Foxboro to take on the
New England Patriots. This inter-conference showdown will feature two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, Brett Favre and Tom Brady. Of course this game will probably be decided by Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and/or the Patriots pass rush. By the way, the last time an NFL Sunday fell on Halloween was 2004.
Pittsburgh at New Orleans - Oct. 31 (Sunday Night) 8:30PM NBC
The
Pittsburgh Steelers missed the playoffs last year but they had the same record as two other teams that did make it. By this point in the 2010 campaign not only has Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned from suspension but he should also have his game legs back. This marquee matchup could very well repeat itself in Super Bowl XLV.