The primetime games have been set, and it’s time to take a look at what could be the most exciting matchups in those coveted time slots. This article will ignore divisional matchups, as they tend to have much more on the line by default. Instead, here are five of the best inter-division and inter-conference matchups of the 2022 NFL season.
Week 1 – SNF – Thursday, Sept. 8
How often can it be said that the very first game of the season could also be the last game of the season? That might be what NFL fans get this year as the Bills visit the Rams to kick off Week 1 of 2022.
The Rams obviously won Super Bowl LVI, and might even have a better team than they did back in February. They’ve added Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner, and could still bring back Odell Beckham, Jr. Add to that the experience of winning a Super Bowl for most of the players on their roster.
Buffalo also improved their squad. They have a better offensive line and back field through free agency and draft selections. Plus, they were just one play away from hosting the AFC Championship Game last year. The Bills sit at the top of most sportsbooks’ Super Bowl odds, while the Rams sit at about fourth or fifth, depending. This matchup could very well be Super Bowl LVII, so getting it Week 1 is special.
Week 4 – SNF – Sunday, Oct. 2
A Super Bowl rematch, especially a recent one, will almost always make a list like this. When it’s a matchup between quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, then it’s a no-brainer.
The Chiefs no doubt lost some talent, but are still AFC juggernauts until proven otherwise. Brady is back after a three week retirement to try and lay waste to the NFC once again. Mahomes trails Brady in head-to-head matchups just 3-2, but Brady’s wins have come when it has mattered most, in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LV.
All eyes should be on this game once again, as both teams outside the quarterbacks are among the best in the league.
Week 8 – SNF – Sunday, Oct. 30
Speaking of potential Super Bowls, Packers vs. Bills has been a popular early season matchup pick for a few seasons now.
The Bills and quarterback Josh Allen continue to improve, as stated above. This team seems to be without a single glaring hole on its roster, and have the strong arm quarterback to throw against the wind in one of the coldest stadiums in the NFL.
Green Bay, on the other hand, just lost the best receiver in the entire NFL. They are patching that hole with young talent and some veteran experience, but nothing is guaranteed. If it is cold by in Buffalo by Halloween eve, then Aaron Rodgers will have no issues going throw-for-throw with Allen, as he plays in another one of the coldest venues in the league.
This game could be an absolute shootout, where defense is an afterthought. Those matchups, while driving coaches crazy, surely, are some of the best to sit down and enjoy. Buckle up for this one.
Week 8 – TNF – Thursday, Oct. 27
This is a very interesting one, and one that might not be on too many people’s radar. This inter-conference matchup is one against two contrasting play styles and coaching philosophies.
Baltimore plays with a run-first type of offense, including utilizing the mobility of quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Buccaneers pride themselves on stopping the run, especially up the middle of the defensive line.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady likes to stay in the pocket and get medium sized chunk plays behind a solid offensive line. The Ravens thrive on that, blitzing more than anyone in the league and playing great defense in the secondary.
Much will be made of the scheming and game-planning of the coaching staffs going into this matchup. Watching which style will come out on top might say a lot about the strength of these two teams going forward.
Week 17 – MNF – Monday, Jan. 2
The NFL was one overtime away from having this matchup as the 2022 AFC Championship Game. It could happen again this year. But the really intriguing about this game is when it takes place.
This game happens in the second-to-last week of the 2022 NFL season, which makes it precarious for the two teams involved. Both Cincinnati and Buffalo are expected to be in the playoffs, so if they are expecting to meet in said postseason, then what would they show, or not show, each other of their playbooks?
One or both of these teams may have “checked out” of the regular season by this point, as their seedings could be locked up. But this could be a great game of cat and mouse between the two squads, as they may want to win, but not show their entire hand just in case they meet in just a few weeks.
Featured image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
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