Fansided

NFL 2015: Top five Week 1 games

By Matt Verderame

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gestures against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gestures against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers

This is going to be a game with plenty of offense. The Chargers are expected to compete for the AFC West title this year, behind a revamped offensive line and a rejuvenated Philip Rivers. Rivers signed a four-year contract extension in August and has looked good in limited preseason action, hoping to get San Diego back into the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Lions are aiming for a second consecutive postseason appearance. Many are down on Detroit after it lost both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the offseason. General manager Martin Mayhew is relying on newcomer Haloti Ngata and inside linebacker DeAndre Levy to anchor this group, while the passing of Matthew Stafford takes care of the rest.

Whoever loses this game could be in some early trouble. In Week 2, the Chargers travel to take on the Cincinnati Bengals while the Lions remain on the road to play the Minnesota Vikings, before returning home to face the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. This appears to be a very even matchup, and a critical one for both squads.

TV: FOX; 4 p.m. ET
Odds: SD (-2.5)

Next: Baltimore at Denver

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