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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Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) scrambles away from San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) and defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews (90) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) scrambles away from San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) and defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews (90) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

This could be the best game of Sunday. The Ravens are one of those battle-tested teams that can always go on the road and steal a game, while the Broncos are always incredibly tough to beat at Mile High. This year, both teams are once again expected to be in the postseason chase, albeit with different looks on both sides.

The Broncos are a completely different team after firing John Fox and his staff, replacing them with Gary Kubiak and Co. Kubiak spent last year with Baltimore as the offensive coordinator, helping Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett to career years. It will be awesome to watch Kubiak and Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh square off in a battle of wits, seeing who knows the other best.

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning has shown the arm strength of a high school kid this preseason. Can Manning still make all the plays he needs to? In fairness, Manning has a terrific defense backing him up and a quality running back in C.J. Anderson. The main question is whether Manning can throw outside the numbers and down the field if Baltimore dares him. This should be a fascinating contest.

TV: CBS; 4:25 p.m. ET
Odds: DEN (-5)

Next: Pittsburgh at New England

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