Each NFL team’s most important game in 2019

There are two-plus months before the start of the NFL’s 100th season. But here’s a look at what may prove to be the key contest for each team.

Face it, the “most important game” could mean any number of things depending on the team. Is it revenge for a bitter loss this past season? A rematch from the recent postseason? Is it an opportunity to end a long losing streak against an opponent?

Is it the beginning of a stretch of crucial games for the team in 2019? Could it be an opportunity for a player to square off against its former employer? All could apply here and more.

So sit back and take in the reasoning behind this choices. It’s safe to say there’s more than a few divisional matchups listed here mentioned here and that’s certainly understandable. But there may also be a selection or two that require a little extra explanation.

Arizona Cardinals: Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams

For the third consecutive year, the Arizona Cardinals will kick off the season with a new head coach. The new man at the helm is former Texas Tech sideline leader Kliff Kingsbury. And barring an unexpected setback, there will also be a new signal-caller at the controls in 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray – the first overall selection in April’s draft.

When you finish dead last in the league in total yards, rushing, passing and points scored this past season, there’s a lot more that needs fixing than just your quarterback. The Cards are counting on their innovative head coach, his choice at quarterback and his system to jump start things. Understandably, it figures to take some time.

Hence, keep an eye on the first of two meetings with the reigning NFC champion Los Angeles Rams over the final five games. It will be a good gauge for the Cards, who have dropped four straight in this series by an unimaginable combined score of 130-25.

Next: Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons: Week 2 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The battle of the Birds – at least when it comes to the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles – has been a one-sided series as of late. Then again, this has been a series of streaks when it comes to this setting the last 10-plus years.

From 2006-10, the team from the City of Brotherly Love prevailed in four consecutive meetings. That was followed by three straight victories by the Falcons from 2011-15. But each of the past three seasons, including a playoff encounter in ‘17, the Eagles have managed to come away with a win over Dan Quinn’s squad. A year ago in the NFL’s Thursday night opener, Doug Pederson’s club held off Atlanta, 18-12.

In each instance, Philadelphia has limited the Falcons to 15 points or less. Of course, it’s also worth noting that each of those contests took place in the City of Brotherly Love. And in the last two contests, including a 15-10 setback in the ’17 NFC Divisional Playoffs, quarterback Matt Ryan and company had opportunities to grab a win late in the game only to fail inside the Eagles’ 10-yard-line.

It is worth noting that the Falcons don’t face their first NFC South opponent until Week 10, when a visit to New Orleans will be the first of five straight games vs. divisional rivals. But this Sunday night clash against a team that has given the Quinn’s club fits the last few years could be an indicator of things to come.

Next: Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens: Week 1 at Miami Dolphins

A season ago, the Baltimore Ravens owned a 4-5 record after nine games and were in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Enter then-rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson. And what followed was six wins in the club’s final seven regular-season games as John Harbaugh’s club claimed it first division title since 2012. Jackson threw for five scores and was picked off three times.

But he also ran for 556 yards and four scores during that stretch. Led by those young legs and a change in philosophy, the Ravens turned to the ground attack down the stretch and would finish with the second-most rushing yards in the league.

This offseason, the club promoted Greg Roman to offensive coordinator and the attack is being geared to take advantage of the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner’s skills. There have been more than a few changes when it comes to the pass-catching corps as well. So it will be interesting to see what the Ravens (who alternate road and home games all season) look like on opening weekend in South Florida against a Dolphins’ team under the guidance of first-time NFL head coach Brian Flores.

All told, it may be important for Baltimore to get off to a good start before an important three-game stretch vs. the division rival Browns, Steelers (at Pittsburgh) and Bengals from Weeks 4-6.

Next: Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills: Week 4 vs. New England Patriots

There’s been plenty of upheaval in upstate New York the last couple of offseasons. From a change at general manager shortly after the 2017 draft to the trading of a starting quarterback during the ’18 offseason that helped guide the team to the playoffs the previous year.

A year ago, the team took its lumps on more than one occasion. While there were some bright spots, the Bills finished 6-10 and in third place in the AFC East. It was a disappointing follow-up for a team that had reached the postseason for the first time since 1999.

In any case, Sean McDermott’s Buffalo Bills will once again have a lot of new looks this upcoming year. The club was extremely diligent the last few months, bolstering both the offensive and defensive lines via both veteran additions as well as during the first round of April’s draft. The former was the main focus of general manager Brandon Beane the last few months. The additions include center Mitch Morse, guards Spencer Long and Quinton Spain and rookie tackle Cody Ford. With the ninth overall pick in April, the Bills selected University of Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

So what will all of this mean when the team hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in early October? Buffalo has dropped five straight in this longtime rivalry and owns a 5-33 record in this series since Bill Belichick took over in Foxborough in 2000. A win would obviously be a huge stepping stone for the franchise.

Next: Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals

There will be a lot of new faces in Charlotte this season when the Carolina Panthers take the field at home in Week 1. Perhaps more importantly, quarterback Cam Newton is already starting to look like his usually-productive self. This offseason, the 2015 NFL MVP underwent shoulder surgery to fix an issue that plagued him during the second half of this past season.

Of course, Ron Rivera’s team slumped badly a year ago after a 6-2 start. The Panthers would lose their next seven games before finishing the season with a 33-14 road victory over the Saints, a club resting many of its main players for the postseason.

So what’s the significance of a Week 3 matchup against the club that finished with the worst record in the league a year ago? Carolina’s season gets off to a tricky start with two games in a 12-day span. Rivera’s club hosts the reigning conference champion Rams on the first Sunday of the season before welcoming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Charlotte on a Thursday night in Week 2. That’s a rough way to begin the year for any team, especially for a club that saw its share of departures this offseason.

Meanwhile, the trip west to Arizona begins a stretch where the team will play four road games in a six-week span, including an October 12 rematch with the Bucs in London. That should test the Panthers’ mettle.

Next: Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears: Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints

A season, this was a team that finished 12-4 won the NFC North for the first time since 2010. This was following a four-year stretch in which the Chicago Bears managed a combined 19-45 record and finished last in the division each of those seasons.

It was quite the NFL head coaching debut for Matt Nagy. But now the expectations are very high for a franchise that hasn’t made consecutive playoff appearances since the 2005 and ’06 seasons. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky made big strides in his second year and thanks to the August addition of standout edge performer Khalil Mack, the Chicago defense was arguably the most feared unit in the league.

The Bears have quite the interesting slate to start 2019. Chicago and Green Bay will kick off the league’s 100th season on a Thursday night at Soldier Field. And 10 days later, the Bears head to Denver to renew acquaintances with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. A Monday night trip to Washington is followed by a home date with the Vikings. Then it’s off to London to face Mack’s old club in the Oakland Raiders.

When Nagy’s team return after an off week, the club begins a three-game stretch against teams that reached the playoffs in 2018. It starts with home dates against the Saints and Chargers, followed by a trip to Philadelphia for a wild card rematch. That’s quite a stretch for a team that hopes to end its season in South Florida on February 2. And Chicago’s defense will face quite the test vs. Drew Brees and company.

Next: Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals: Week 1 at Seattle Seahawks

For the first time since 2002, Marvin Lewis will not be the head coach of the team that resides in the Queen City. This past season, the Cincinnati Bengals posted their third consecutive losing season and in 2018, finished in the AFC North basement for the first time since ‘10.

This was a club that began 4-1 a year ago only to drop nine of its final 11 contests. Therefore, it’s somewhat important that new sideline leader Zac Taylor and the Bengals get off to a good start in an attempt to erase that bad feeling of a year ago.

Hence, the franchise will kick off this newest era with an appearance in the Pacific Northwest for the first time since 2011. And while this club and the Seattle Seahawks don’t square off too often, there is still an air of familiarity here thanks to Cincinnati’s newest sidelined leader. As previously mentioned, Taylor comes over from the Rams, who he spent the previous two seasons as an assistant. That means he got a chance to see Pete Carroll’s club four times over that span.

The Bengals play four of their first six games on the road and Taylor will see another familiar foe in Week 2 when the team hosts the San Francisco 49ers. Lewis took this franchise to the playoffs seven times during his 16-year tenure but failed to come up with a postseason victory. And this is a team with its share of talent. A good start against a playoff team from 2018 could set a positive tone early on.

Next: Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Week 8 at New England Patriots

Simply put, there hasn’t been this much preseason excitement surrounding the Cleveland Browns since the team re-entered the league as an expansion club back in 1999. Of course, those early years were not filled with a lot of success, although a team led by head coach Butch Davis did reach the playoffs in the reincarnation’s fourth campaign (2002).

Since then, there’s been one winning season. That came back in ’07, when quarterback Derek Anderson enjoyed a big year and Romeo Crennels’ squad finished with a 10-6 mark and no postseason appearance. And over the past 11 NFL campaigns, seven different sideline leaders have led the Browns to a combined 45-130-1 record. But there were huge signs of life in 2018. After a 1-15 showing in 2016 and a 0-16 disaster one year later, Cleveland finished 7-8-1 in ’18.

Of course, it’s been an offseason of huge changes. Freddie Kitchens was promoted to head coach, Todd Monken was hired as offensive coordinator and the newcomers include wide receiver Baker Mayfield, pass rusher Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. There’s talk by some of the Browns winning a division title for the first time since 1989.

So what about an acid test against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in late October at Foxborough? It’s an opportunity for Kitchens, Mayfield and the rest of this newest regime to show how far it has come in a relatively short time.

Next: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: Week 4 at New Orleans Saints

It was a game that put the Dallas Cowboys’ defense on the map. The red-hot New Orleans Saints entered a late November clash with Jason Garrett’s club winners of 10 consecutive games dating back to the second week of 2018. The eventual NFC South champions were averaging a brisk 37.2 points per game entering this Thursday night clash and in six of 11 outings, Sean Payton’s squad had totaled 40-plus points.

But the Cowboys’ defense rose up, limited the Saints to 176 total yards and handed Drew Brees and company a 13-10 setback. It was the fourth straight win for a team that would go onto win the NFC East that season. Garrett’s club would overcome a 3-5 start to win seven of its final eight games and capture its third division title in five years.

This offseason, Dallas appears to have overcome some issues regarding its defensive line (see Randy Gregory and David Irving) and added the likes of Christian Covington and Kerry Hyder. The team also swung a trade for end Robert Quinn and signed safety George Iloka. With emerging linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch and pass-rushing stud Demarcus Lawrence, could this be the best defense in the league in 2019?

In any case, the Cowboys head to the Superdome for this prime time affair with the Saints. So can Garrett’s team make another defensive statement against the NFC’s top playoff seed in ‘18?

Next: Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos: Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears

Back in 2015, the Men from Mile High City parlayed one of the better team defensive efforts in one season into an NFL championship. Led by coordinator Wade Phillips, the Denver Broncos overcame spotty quarterback play from aging Peyton Manning and young Brock Osweiler to post a 12-4 record and an eventual 24-10 victory in Super Bowl 50.

A year ago, it was the Chicago Bears who rose from the ashes of four straight last-place finishes to win the NFC North with a 12-4 mark. However, that club’s season ended in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs with a home setback to the then-defending league champion Philadelphia Eagles.

That Bears’ defense was under the direction of Vic Fangio. The club finished third in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game and was number one vs. the run. Chicago finished tied for third in the league with 50 sacks, allowed an NFL-low 283 points and led the way with 36 takeaways.

Of course, Fangio is now the head coach of the Broncos and will have the opportunity to face his most recent former employee on the second Sunday of 2019. The well-traveled assistant, with his eighth different National Football League franchise dating back to 1986, is a sideline leader in this league for the first time. And now he gets to face a team that he worked for the previous four seasons.

Next: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions: Week 6 at Green Bay Packers

There was a time that the Detroit Lions had their problems winning a game at Lambeau Field. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that the Men from Motown struggled to beat the Green Bay Packers regardless of where the game was played.

That’s changed dramatically in recent years due to a number of circumstances. Regardless, the Lions have swept this longtime rivalry each of the past two seasons. From 1992-2014 and including a postseason tilt at Green Bay in ‘94, Detroit dropped an astounding 24 consecutive road tilts in this series – the first three at Milwaukee.

A season ago, new head coach Matt Patricia led his team to two victories over the Pack and in both instances, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was at the helm for both games. That wasn’t the case in 2017, when it was backup Brett Hundley at the controls for Green Bay. In ’18, Rodgers threw for 442 yards and three scores without an interception in Week 5 at Ford Field. But the Lions also sacked him four times and recovered a pair of his fumbles in a 31-23 win. In the season finale at Lambeau Field, the Packers’ signal-caller started the game but wasn’t around long in an embarrassing 31-0 loss to Patricia and company.

As for this year’s trip to Green Bay, the Week 6 clash is not only a Monday night affair with the Pack but the Lions’ first divisional game of the season. And it’s worth noting that the Detroit is now 3-1 in its last four trips to “Titletown.” A big game indeed.

Next: Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers: Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears

There’s obviously a very good reason that the NFL opted to forgo its recent tradition of letting that the defending Super Bowl champion host the first game of the season. The league decided to have longtime rivals Green Bay and Chicago clash at Soldier Field on the first Thursday night of 2019.

Dating back to the franchise’s first meeting in 1921 and including a pair of postseason clashes, the Packers own a two-game lead (97-95-6) in this storied setting. And that advantage has been built primarily over the last two-plus decades or so, starting in 1992 with the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre and followed by his successor in prolific passer Aaron Rodgers. From 1985-91, the Bears prevailed in 12 of the 14 meetings – sweeping the Pack six times over that span. Since ’92, the team from “Titletown” owns an impressive 40-15 mark in this rivalry.

A year ago in Week 15, the Bears snapped an eight-game home losing streak to the Packers (dating back to a 21-14 setback in the 2010 NFC title game) with a 24-17 victory over Rodgers and company. It was also sweet revenge for Nagy’s club, which had squandered a 20-0 third-quarter lead at Lambeau Field in an eventual 24-23 Sunday night loss in Week 1.

This rematch with Chicago will also be the first of three straight games vs. the team’s NFC North rivals. It’s a stretch run that could be crucial to not only the Packers’ playoff hopes but also which team walks away with the division crown.

Next: Houston Texans

Houston Texans: Week 7 at Indianapolis Colts

The big news these days when it comes to the Houston Texans has little to do with the talent on the field. The team parted ways recently with general manager Brian Gaine. There’s been numerous reports that the team wanted to add New England Patriots executive Nick Cesario. There was talk of tampering charges that would be filed against the Texans, the club nixed the request and New England passed on the complaint. But this story could be far from over.

On the field a year ago, Bill O’Brien’s squad became just the sixth team in NFL history to overcome a 0-3 start and reached the playoffs. Houston would reel off nine consecutive victories starting with a wild 37-34 overtime triumph at Indianapolis in Week 4. Ironically it was the Colts that would end the Texans’ winning streak in Week 14 at Houston. While O’Brien and company went on to win the AFC South, the team was humbled at home by those same Colts in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.

So in late October, it’s the first of at least two meetings with Frank Reich’s team this upcoming season.  Can O’Brien and company get back on track against a foe they managed to defeat three straight times from 2015-16 and swept in ’16? Over the past two seasons (including playoffs), the Colts are now 4-1 in this setting and won three straight games at Houston. It’s a big test for the reigning AFC South champs.

Next: Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts: Week 5 at Kansas City Chiefs

Much like their divisional rivals from Houston, the Indianapolis Colts wound up digging themselves quite an early hole one season ago. Under new head coach Frank Reich, the club would drop five of their first six contests and were riding a four-game losing streak heading into Week 7.

But then things began to click for a club being built by general manager Chris Ballard. Andrew Luck would catch fire and once again began to look like one of the better quarterbacks in the league, He got plenty of help from a supporting cast that included running back Marlon Mack, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, tight end Eric Ebron and a much-improved office of line. The talented signal caller also started to hit his groove just 1 year after missing all of 2017 with shoulder surgery.

Five consecutive victories would put the team one game over .500. When it was all said and done, Reich’s squad parlayed a 9-1 stretch into the club’s first playoff appearance since 2014. A playoff win over the AFC South champion Houston Texans would be followed by a humbling 31-13 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round.

This season, the Colts will play three of their first five games away from home. The club opens the season with road tilts against the Chargers and Titans before hosting the Falcons and Raiders. Then it’s a prime time playoff rematch at Kansas City. That should be plenty of motivation for Reich and company as the franchise seeks a fifth Super Bowl appearance in South Florida.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 2 at Houston Texans

The good times have been few and far between for the Jacksonville Jaguars the last decade or so. Yes, Doug Marrone’s squad Doug Moran’s club won the AFC South in 2017 and came within one victory of the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. But the team couldn’t stop New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady in the fourth quarter in the AFC title clash.

Fast forward to 2018, when the team not only managed to avenge that conference championship game loss to the patriots but got off to a 3-1 start. But it quickly fell apart for a team that had its issues offensively and didn’t get the kind of big plays from their defensive unit as was the case one year earlier.

A Week 2 clash at Houston with the defending AFC South champions could give us a good idea in terms of seeing how many strides Marrone’s team has made this offseason. A year ago, the Texans swept Jacksonville and their defense completely stifled the Jaguars’ attack in both contests – limiting them to a combined 10 points in two outings. You may recall that in 2017, Marrone’s squad manhandled Houston twice (by a combined score of 74-14).

In any case, the Jaguars have dropped eight of their last 10 games vs. this AFC South rival. If Marrone’s team is to bounce back in 2019, an early win at Houston could wind up being a springboard.

Next: Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs: Week 14 at New England Patriots

Imagine that you’re a team that finished with 12 wins, a division title, the number-one seed in the AFC playoffs and in two games against the reigning dynasty known as the New England Patriots, the club puts 40 and 31 points on the board, respectively. Now consider that the Kansas City Chiefs wound up losing both of those games, including the conference title game at home.

This offseason, head coach Andy Reid and the organization made wholesale changes on the defensive side of the football. There’s a new coordinator and Steve Spagnuolo as the club makes the switch to a 4-3 alignment. There have been plenty of personal moves as well. Justin Houston, Dee Ford and Steven Nelson are some of the performers now with other teams and safety Eric Berry was released this offseason. In their place are defensive ends Frank Clark and Alex Okafor, outside linebackers Damien Wilson and Darron Lee and free safety Tyrann Mathieu – to name a few.

Yes, the Chiefs play four of their final six games vs. their AFC West rivals, including a pair with a Los Angeles Chargers’ team that finished with as many wins as Reid’s team did in 2018. In fact, Kansas City hosts the Bolts on the final Sunday of the season. But it’s this acid test against the reigning Super Bowl champions that looms extremely large in terms of the big picture.

Next: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers: Week 10 at Oakland Raiders

The Los Angeles chargers have coming an awfully long way since opening 0-4 in 2017 under new head coach Anthony Lynn. The club finished that season with nine wins in its 12 outings. This past year, the Bolts finished 12-4 and claimed their first playoff berth since 2013. A wild card win at Baltimore sent the club to the next round. But Lynn’s squad was taken apart by the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Foxborough.

As for this upcoming season, many feel the Chargers are primed to win their first AFC West title since 2009. But we may not find out that much about this club’s title chances until very late in the year. Philip Rivers and company face only one divisional rivals in their first nine games, hosting the Denver Broncos in Week 5.

That means the club has quite the important stretch the final seven games of the season. It starts with a Thursday night affair with the Silver and Black at Oakland, followed by a clash with the reigning division champion Kansas City Chiefs on a Monday night in Mexico City. Following an off week, there’s trips to Denver and Jacksonville, respectively, followed by a Sunday night affair with the Minnesota Vikings.

As for the final two weeks, there’s a rematch with the Raiders at Los Angeles and then the season finale at Arrowhead Stadium against the chiefs. It’s safe to say that the Bolts need to get off to a good start when it comes to this run. And keep in mind, the team will be facing the Raiders off a short week.

Next: Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams: Week 5 at Seattle Seahawks

After two seasons at the helm of the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay has established himself as one of the up-and-coming head coaches in the league. He took over a club that had failed to reach the postseason for more than a decade. In 2017, the Rams finished 11-5 and won the NFC West for the first time since 2003 and were in the playoffs for the first time since ‘04

This past year, the club tied for the best record in the NFL (13-3). The Rams claimed the second seed in the conference playoffs, knocked off the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs and then went to New Orleans and defeated the Saints in overtime in the conference championship game.

However, it’s safe to say there’s a sour taste in the mouth of McVay and company after the club – which finished second in the league in points scored in 2018 – was limited to a field goal in a 13-3 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.

Of course, the Rams are hoping to get back to the “Big Game” and win it for the first time since 1999. But first things first and that’s holding off the surging Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s club overcame a 0-2 start a year ago and wound up winning 10 games. And McVay’s club did sweep Russell Wilson and company this past season.

But it’s worth noting that the ‘Hawks hung 31 points on the board against the eventual NFC West champions in each contest in ’18. And Wade Phillips’ defensive unit permitted 190 and 273 yards on the ground, respectively, in those victories. Can the Rams hold off Carroll’s team again? This Sunday night clash at Seattle could be a good indicator.

Next: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins: Week 7 at Buffalo Bills

It’s been tough times for a franchise that too many years ago, was one of the most consistent in the league. But since the league realigned in 2002, the Miami Dolphins had made just two postseason appearances. The first came in 2008 after the team bounced back from a 1-15 showing and finished 11-5 on the way to winning the AFC East. In 2016, then-head coach Adam Gase rallied the team from a 1-4 start to win 10 games and claim a wild card berth.

The ‘Fins new sideline boss in Brian Flores, late of the New England Patriots. And he and the team have an opportunity to give a good start if they can hold their own at home early in the season. The club hosts the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots before traveling to Dallas in Week 3. The team then doesn’t travel until Week 7 as the Bills welcomes the Chargers and Redskins to South Florida in the span of three weeks (the ‘Fins are off in Week 5).

And that’s when things get really interesting for Flores and company. Simple math tells you that the club will play seven of its final 11 contests on the road. And the stretch begins in Orchard Park against a Bills’ club that has prevailed in eight of the past 12 meetings between the longtime AFC East rivals dating back to 2013. Can the Dolphins get off to a good start in what figures to be a very difficult two-plus months?

Next: Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings: Week 4 at Chicago Bears

A year ago, there were high expectations for a Minnesota Vikings’ team that won 13 games in 2017 and came within one victory of the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1976. And who knows what would have happened that afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium with the faithful from the Twin Cities rooting on the home team?

So when the Purple Gang went out and made a major investment in free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins – to the tune of three years and $84 million guaranteed – Mike Zimmer’s club became a popular pick to represent the NFC in Atlanta this past February. But the Vikings struggled to find their rhythm throughout the season. And with an opportunity to grab a playoff berth with a home win over the Chicago Bears in Week 17, the club looked lifeless in a 24-10 setback.

So on the final Sunday of September, Zimmer’s club has the first of two meetings with the reigning NFC North champions. The teams will then clash again in the regular season finale at U.S. Bank Stadium. That wraps up a stretch in which the Vikings play three of their final four games against each of their divisional rivals (Lions, Packers and Bears, respectively) and all at home.

But it’s the first meeting of the season with Matt Nagy’s club at Soldier Field that may give the club a good idea if it did enough this offseason on the offensive line to match up with that Chicago defense.

Next: New England Patriots

New England Patriots: Week 9 at Baltimore Ravens

It’s not going out on a limb to say that the most important game for 31 other teams in this league would be to face the defending Super Bowl champions. In 2019, at least during the regular season, 13 different clubs will get the opportunity to square off with the New England Patriots at least once. For Bill Belichick and company, it is in the familiar position of being defending NFL champions. The 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in early February at Atlanta was the team’s third NFL title in the past five seasons.

But that was 2018 and it’s on to ‘19 for the franchise from Foxborough. After opening the season on the Sunday night at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, four of the team’s next six games are against their AFC East rivals – including a pair with the New York Jets. But it’s a Week 9 prime time affair at Baltimore that kicks off an interesting stretch for Belichick’s team. John Harbaugh’s Ravens have always given New England fits, regardless of where the clubs have played.

The Patriots are off the following week but then continue what amounts to a five-game stretch against playoff teams from 2018. There’s a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles in Philadelphia, followed by home date with the Cowboys, a Sunday night tilt at Houston and then an AFC Championship Game rematch with the Chiefs in Foxborough.

That’s a tough set of games for any team. Of course, the Patriots aren’t just any team. But it will be very intriguing considering Belichick’s club did struggle away from home (until it counted most) in ’18.

Next: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints: Week 2 at Los Angeles Rams

There’s little doubt that revenge will be on the minds of the New Orleans Saints when they travel to Los Angeles on the second Sunday of 2019 to face the club which came into their building this past January and knocked them off in the NFC title game in overtime, 26-23. But Sean Payton’s team has quite a challenge in facing the reigning conference champion this early in the season.

That’s because the Saints will be traveling to the West Coast after a short week. The reigning NFC South champions host the Houston Texans in the first half of the season’s Monday night doubleheader. And if recent form holds for Payton’s club, the squad from the Big Easy might already be a little behind the eight ball, per say. All told, the Saints have dropped their last five season openers dating back to 2014. In fact the club has dealt dug itself more than a few holes early in the season early in recent years. Drew Brees and company have opened 0-2, 0-3, 0-3, 0-2 and 0-1 starts, respectively, the past five seasons.

Including playoffs, this will be the fourth meeting in three seasons between these clubs. In 2017, the Rams held off the Saints at the L.A. Coliseum, 26-20, in Week 12. A year ago, Peyton’s squad handed McVay and company their first loss of ’18 after eight wins, 45-35. And there’s the aforementioned NFC title game, won by Los Angeles. So will revenge be enough for the Saints to get the victory?

Next: New York Giants

New York Giants: Week 1 at Dallas Cowboys

There was a 1-7 start as well as a three-game losing streak to end the season. In between there, the New York Giants won four times in a five-game stretch. And that included a 30-27 overtime victory over the eventual NFC North champion Chicago Bears. Still, this is a club that has combined for an 8-24 record the past two seasons after winning 11 games and claiming a playoff berth in 2016.

This offseason, general manager Dave Gettleman continued his reshaping of the roster. You will recall that last October the club dealt away players like defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Eli Apple. In March, talented wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and pass-rusher Olivier Vernon were traded to the Cleveland Browns. And when it was all said and done after one night at Nashville in April, the Giants selected three players in the first round.

Of course, the club used the sixth overall pick on quarterback Daniel Jones from Duke University. He’s the franchise’s choice as the heir apparent to veteran Eli Manning. But when will the transition begin? It figures to be an interesting summer. And perhaps the bigger question when it comes to Big Blue and its season opener at AT&T Stadium is not whether the team can snap its recent losing ways vs. the Dallas Cowboys but who will be behind center at the start of 2019?

Next: New York Jets

New York Jets: Week 7 vs. New England Patriots

It’s been a long stretch for the New York Jets since the franchise’s last postseason appearance. And it’s somewhat hard to believe that this was a team that reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and ‘10. Since then, the club has managed one winning campaign (10-6 in 2015) and owns a combined 50-78 win loss mark the past eight seasons dating back to 2011. Following that double-digit victory campaign in ’15, the Jets own a dismal 14-34 record in their last 48 contests.

So enter former Miami Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase, who guided that club to the playoffs in his first season on the job in 2016 but has struggled since. His team did get off to a 3-0 start a year ago but dropped nine of its final 13 contests. Now he takes over the Green and White with three year of experience in the AFC East. The Jets also spent some money to bolster their roster this offseason, landing coveted free agents in running back Le’Veon Bell and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley.

So can Gase lead this club from the basement to a division title? That would be a tall order considering that the New England Patriots have grabbed the top spot in the AFC East each of the past 10 seasons. Meanwhile, New York hasn’t finished first in this division since 2002.

Speaking of the Pats, the Jets will face Bill Belichick’s team twice in the first seven weeks of 2019. And it’s worth noting that Gase has knocked off New England each of the past two years while in command of the ‘Fins.

Next: Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders: Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Once again, there’s talk that the Silver and Black is back. And that certainly remains to be seen despite the fact that the Oakland Raiders had another very busy offseason in terms of in acquiring veteran players. Then again, 2017 proved to be a year in which the club welcome back a familiar face in head coach Jon Gruden. And then over the course of the next few months, stretching into October, the franchise parted ways with former first-round draft choices such as defensive standout Khalil Mack and talented wide receiver Amari Cooper.

It all resulted in a 4-12 finish and residence in the basement of the AFC West. This year, there are once again a slew of new faces. The free-agent additions include tackle Trent Brown, linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall and free safety Lamarcus Joyner. The Raiders also traded for seven-time Pro Bowler Antonio Brown and he and fellow wideout Tyrell Williams should provide quarterback Derek Carr with a little more firepower.

Which brings us to the team’s first meeting of the year with the reigning AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs. Gruden’s club kicks off the season on a Monday night at home against the Broncos and then hosts Andy Reid’s team six days later. But Oakland is a mere 2-10 against the Chiefs under Reid dating back to 2013. But a surprise win by the Raiders could be huge for Gruden’s newest version of the Silver and Black.

Next: Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles: Week 14 vs. New York Giants

In Week 1 of this upcoming season, Doug Pederson’s Philadelphia Eagles will welcome the Washington Redskins to the City of Brotherly Love. Six weeks later, the Birds will fly south to renew acquaintances with the reigning NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys in what is the second leg of a three-game road trip.

However, it’s then worth noting that that the next time the Birds will see a divisional neighbor in 2019 won’t be until Week 14, when they host the New York Giants on a Monday night. That begins a stretch of four consecutive contests versus their NFC East rivals. That prime time affair is followed by a trip to Landover, Maryland over to face the ‘Skins, a home tilt with the Dallas Cowboys and then a season-ending trip to MetLife Stadium to renew acquaintances with Big Blue.

A year ago, it took the Eagles more than half the year to find their stride. The then-defending Super Bowl champions didn’t win two consecutive games until Weeks 12 and 13. Pederson’s club wound up rallying from a 4-6 start to finish 9-7 and reach the playoffs as a wild card. But the team was swept by the eventual NFC East champion Cowboys. All told, it’s going to be quite the four-game stretch run for an Eagles’ team that looks as talented as any in the league thanks to a very productive offseason.

Next: Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 6 at Los Angeles Chargers

This past season, Mike Tomlin’s team appeared to be in line for a fourth straight AFC North title. The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame a sluggish start but owned a 7-2-1 record after 10 games. Inexplicably, the Black and Gold began to unravel – dropping four of their final six outings. And a 9-6-1 record wasn’t enough to get the club back into the postseason.

The problems began in Week 12 at Denver in what would become three consecutive losses to AFC West teams. And it was a rough 33-30 home loss to the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers in prime time that may have proven to be the toughest pill to swallow. Pittsburgh owned a 23-7 halftime lead against Anthony Lynn’s team only to fall apart in the second half.

So for the second straight year, the teams will meet on a Sunday night. Only this time, it will be on the Bolts’ home field. From Weeks 4-10, the Steelers will play five home games and will be off in Week 7 following the tilt with the Chargers. That includes divisional showdowns with the Bengals (Week 4) and Ravens (Week 5), which are obviously very important contests when it comes to deciding who will prevail in the always-competitive AFC North. Still, it’s this rematch with the very-talented Chargers that should be a good gauge for veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Tomlin’s new-look club.

Next: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers: Week 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It has been a very troubling five-year stretch for a team that had reached three consecutive NFC Championship Games from 2011-13. This past season, the San Francisco 49ers did have to deal with their share of bad luck when it came to injuries.

One of their prized possessions of the 2018 offseason was running back Jerick McKinnon, late of the Minnesota Vikings. But he suffered a knee injury before the season even started. And in a Week 3 loss at Arrowhead Stadium, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a torn ACL and like McKinnon, was done for the year.

When it was all said and done, the Niners would finish 4-12 and in third place in the NFC West. Make it five straight non-winning seasons for a franchise that since 2014 owns a dismal 25-55 record. And now head coach Kyle Shanahan embarks on his third season with the club.

So why is the season opener against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ team that finished 5-11 each of the past two seasons so important? First, the Niners will be facing a head coach in Bruce Arians that they are familiar with due to his days with the Cardinals in the NFC West (although Shanahan only faced him in 2017 and was swept in the process). But more significantly, it’s an opportunity to see just how healthy Garoppolo is and whether he is capable of recapturing the form that offered so much promise down the stretch in ’17.

Next: Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks: Week 3 vs. New Orleans Saints

Pete Carroll’s team was thought to be in rebuilding mode a year ago. And after the Seattle Seahawks dropped their first two games at Denver and at Chicago, respectively, that indeed look like the case. But the team would rally with a Week 3 victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. And by season’s end, the club had forged a 10-6 win-loss record, good enough to claim a wild card berth and the franchise’s sixth postseason appearance in the past seven years dating back to 2012.

Once again, it was an offseason of many changes for Carroll and company. But the franchise got creative a few days before the draft and thanks in part to a trade that sent defensive end Frank Clark to Kansas City, general manager John Schneider would turn what was four selections into what would eventually be 11 choices.

After opening 2019 with a pair of AFC North clashes with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Seahawks play host to their first conference foe in the form of the reigning NFC South champion New Orleans Saints. A year ago, Carroll’s club led the league in rushing. But they will take on a defense that allowed finished second in the NFL against the run in 2018. More importantly, the ‘Hawks will face the NFC’s top playoff seed from a year ago and that shapes up as a true test for a club that appears to be back on track after looking like it was headed in a different direction.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons

The last time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in the playoffs was back in 2007. The head coach was Jon Gruden and the team finished with a 9-7 win-loss record. By 2009, the club’s new sideline leader was Raheem Morris, The organization has certainly gone through its share a field bosses since then.

More recently, the club is coming off consecutive 5-11 finishes and two last place appearances in the NFC South. Hence the team’s new head coach in 2019 will be Bruce Arians, back in the NFL and on the sidelines after a year in the broadcasting booth.

In recent seasons, the team has held its own against the New Orleans Saints, splitting the season series four straight years. The Bucs have also won three of the last five meetings with the rival Carolina Panthers, sweeping the club in 2016. But it’s been a different story as of late vs. the Falcons. After defeating Atlanta three straight times with quarterback Jameis Winston at the helm, the Buccaneers have dropped five consecutive games to Dan Quinn’s club.

After hosting the Saints in Week 11, Arians and company will face the Falcons twice in the final six games. Can he and the team ended their recent losing ways in this divisional rivalry? It’s also worth noting that this is the only NFC South rival the Bucs will face from Week 12 on.

Next: Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans: Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts

Three consecutive 9-7 finishes is certainly a far cry for a franchise that went a combined 5-27 over a two- year span from 2014-15. But the bottom line remains that the Tennessee Titans have only parlayed one of those winning campaigns into a playoff appearance. And this is a club that still hasn’t won a division title or at least 10 games since 2008.

A year ago, first time NFL head coach Mike Vrabel took his team on quite the rollercoaster ride. It was a season full of many ups and downs as he threw caution to the wind numerous times in terms of decision making. Despite injuries and inconsistency, the Titans entered the final Sunday with a four-game winning streak. And with a 9-6 record, the team hosted the Indianapolis Colts with an opportunity to claim a postseason berth. But minus quarterback Marcus Mariota, Vrabel’s team fell short by a 33-17 count.

And speaking of their longtime divisional rivals, Nashville plays host to Andrew Luck and company in mid-September. It’s safe to say that the Titans have had their issues in this series, dropping 13 of the last 15 clashes dating back to the teams’ second meeting in 2011. And Luck has never lost a game in this rivalry as a starter (11-0). This past season, Vrabel’s team was swept by a combined 71-27 score. Can they knock off this surging team at least once in ’19?

Next: Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins: Week 4 at New York Giants

In the weeks leading up to the 2019 NFL draft, the discussion on who the first quarterback that would be drafted focused on Ohio State signal-caller Dwayne Haskins. But lo and behold, New York Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman surprised nearly everyone via his selection of Duke University signal-caller Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick.

It was thought that team president Bruce Allen and the ‘Skins would have to move up in order to get the former Buckeye. But they remained patient and the talented prospect fell to them at No. 15. Now with the recent news that the Giants are basically holding an open quarterback competition between Jones and veteran Eli Manning, is there a possibility that Haskins and Jones could square off against each other for their respective teams in early October? It would be quite the rookie showdown if that was indeed the case.

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The tilt vs. Pat Shurmur’s club will be Washington’s third divisional game in the first four weeks of the season. The Redskins close 2019 with three straight NFC East foes, hosting the Eagles and Giants before traveling to Dallas on the final Sunday. By then, you have to figure the team will know what they have in Haskins one way or another. In any case, a possible clash vs. Jones and the Giants makes for a lot of intrigue indeed.