Most anticipated games of the 2019 season

Last night, the NFL released the schedules for all 32 teams for the upcoming 2019 season. While this used to not be a big deal, with some fans not even noticing the schedules, This has become a big day in the NFL offseason. ESPN even had a two-hour special releasing and dissecting the schedules of some teams. Immediately, I noticed some games that should be great games. Before we even know the final rosters for these teams, here's the game's I'm looking forward to the most in the 2019 season.



Thursday, September 1st: Packers at Bears

It's the first game of the new season. By the time September come, I'll be dying for some real, competitive football. The Packers and Bears kicked off Sunday Night Football last season and they did not disappoint. Khalil Mack, with his new team, bludgeoned the Packers in the first half. Leading Aaron Rodgers to be carted off the field before halftime. Rodgers miraculously returned and lead one of the great comebacks of his career. The Bears haven't made too many changes this offseason, But the Packers have had a very eventful offseason. Mike McCarthy is now gone after being fired, Aaron Rodgers has been attacked by former players for how he treats teammates, and They've been very active in free agency, something they historically haven't done a lot. This being the Kickoff Game alone should put it on this list, But the fact that we also get one of the game's best rivalries with it make it even better.

Sunday, September 8th: Steelers at Patriots 

   
We only have to wait three days to get to our next pick here. Steelers-Pats is always one of the better games of the year and usually one or both of these teams are among the best teams in the league. This will be the first time we see Pittsburgh without both Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell after they both talked their ways out of Pittsburgh. Similar to Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger has caught some heat from former players about how he treats players. Pittsburgh will need to prove that they are the same team even without those elite players. On the other side, New England will be raising their sixth championship banner and celebrating the Super Bowl win last season. Even with the loss of fire power, I expect this to be a great game.

Sunday, September 15th: Saints at Rams

The only way this game gets better is if it was being played in New Orleans again. A rematch of the NFC Championship Game last season, This game sparked the most controversy last season when Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman blatantly interfered with Saints WR Tommylee Lewis. You can see the play below.

This play resulted in a league-wide rule change where now all defensive and offensive pass interference can now be reviewed. The boos in New Orleans would have been deafening, but I'm sure this game will live up to the hype.

Monday, September 16th: Browns at Jets

What a difference a year makes right? Last year when these two teams played, This was widely regarded as the worst prime-time game of the season between two of the league's worst teams. While the game still wasn't great for the most part, It got very exciting when Cleveland finally brought Baker Mayfield in right before halftime. The Browns ended up snapping their losing streak and The Mayfield Era began. This year, The Browns and Jets might be some of the more exciting teams in the NFL. The Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr, and New York signed Le'Veon Bell.  Both Sam Darnold and Mayfield should lead both of their teams to better seasons and this will be a high scoring match up.

Sunday, October 27th: Packers at Chiefs 

This makes this list just for the QB match up alone. Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are both Generational quarterbacks. Rodgers is still widely regarded as the best quarterback in the league, but Mahomes coming off his impressive MVP season is making a great case of his own. I expect this to be a high-scoring game with great performances from both QBs. Whoever has the ball last wins this game. 

Sunday December 16th: Colts at Saints

The Colts went from one of the league's worst to one of the best in just one season. That's mostly due to the resurgence of Andrew Luck as one of the league's best quarterbacks. They will face arguably their toughest test of the season however when they come to New Orleans on Sunday night. This will be Luck's first game in New Orleans, one of the tougher places to play in the NFL. Another game that should be high-scoring. This could be the closest thing to the Rams-Chiefs game from last season.

Sunday, December 8th: Chiefs at Patriots

  Probably the game I'm looking forward to the most this season was my favorite from last season. The AFC Championship game was thrilling from start to finish. 38 total points scored in the 4th quarter leading into an overtime with the winner going to the Super Bowl. With this game being so late in the regular season, home field advantage for the playoffs should be on the line for at least one if not both of these teams. Plus, similar to Rodgers vs Mahomes, This is the greatest quarterback of all time vs one of the best up and coming quarterbacks. Anytime you can see a match up like this you make time to watch it.