The NFL preseason is almost over (thankfully), and the regular season is right around the corner. Fans are chomping at the bit to watch the games that actually count. There are 16 games, with all 32 teams in action, scheduled for Week 1. Everyone will want to watch their favorite team play, but which three games are must watch? Below are the three games (in the order in which they will be played) I think are must see TV for Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season.
THREE NFL WEEK 1 MUST WATCH GAMES
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Thursday Sept. 10, 8:30 NBC
U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman announced Monday that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell failed to reach a settlement regarding Brady’s four-game suspension for his alleged role in Deflategate. And on Thursday the judge announced he was nullifying Brady’s suspension. It is unbelievable that this saga is still at the forefront of the sports news cycle, but the judge made the correct decision. The NFL will almost certainly appeal, but their case for suspending Brady for four games is as flimsy as tissue paper.
When I released my AFC regular season predictions, I picked the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers to each win their respective divisions. I then predicted the two teams would meet in the playoffs, in my AFC playoffs predictions.
Yes, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first two games of the season, so he won’t play in this game. Center Maurkice Pouncey suffered an ankle injury in the second game of the preseason against the Green Bay Packers, and he’ll reportedly miss the first 10 weeks of the 2015 season. Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant will miss the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount has to serve a one-game suspension so he will miss the game against the Steelers.
So why is this game a must watch? Because I still think either the Patriots or Steelers will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50. Sure, there are questions both teams need to answer throughout the course of the season, but there is a good possibility either the Patriots or Steelers reach Super Bowl 50. There’s a significant chance that these two teams could be challenging each other for home field advantage come playoff time. Plus, with Brady’s suspension vacated, it will be fun to see just how much he elevates his game in the wake of the Deflate controversy. Brady and the Patriots are polarizing, and this game will be fun to watch whether you love or loathe them.
TENNESSEE TITANS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Sunday Sept. 13, 4:25 CBS
The Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both finished the 2014 season with records of 2-14, but this this game is still appointment viewing because of the quarterbacks. The Bucs selected Jameis Winston with the overall number one pick in this year’s draft, while Marcus Mariota went to the Titans with the second pick in the draft.
Fans have mixed views as to how these two quarterbacks will pan out in the NFL. I don’t believe Winston will have a good career in the league. I know it’s early, but the former Florida State quarterback hasn’t looked great in the preseason. Prior to the 2015 NFL Draft, I said I wouldn’t take Winston with the number one overall pick. He’s athletic, and he proved to be electrifying at times in college, but I simply wouldn’t trust him to lead my franchise. Mariota has been steadier than Winston throughout the preseason thus far. I don’t know if the former Oregon quarterback will have a great NFL career, but I trust him more than I trust Winston. Mariota is the smarter quarterback, and he will probably make less mistakes overall.
Neither of these teams will make the playoffs this season, but no matter how you feel about Mariota and Winston, it will be entertaining and interesting to see two rookie quarterbacks, and the last two Heisman Trophy winners, take the field in the same game. If one of them happens to do something spectacular, and/or goes on to have a great career, do you really want to miss this game?
NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
Sunday Sept. 13, 8:30 NBC
Fans should watch this game because the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys playing in Week 1 gives us a division rivalry game right out of the gate. Last season the Giants went 6-10, and missed the playoffs. The Cowboys went 12-4 in 2014, and won the NFC East. In my NFC regular season predictions I picked New York to win the division in 2015, and I have Dallas outside looking in when the playoffs roll around.
Even though I have the Cowboys missing the playoffs (they go 9-7), is there a chance they compete to repeat as division champions? Sure there is, and both teams want to get off to a good start, particularly against a divisional opponent. This game also features two signal callers who I ranked in my top 12 quarterbacks heading into the 2015 season.
Whether you love or loathe the Giants or Cowboys, this is a Week 1 game that means a little more than many of the other Week 1 games.
What do you think? Do you agree, or is there another game you feel is more of a must watch? Let me know your thoughts!
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