PFCritics Posted April 16, 2006 Report Share Posted April 16, 2006 Every single week in the NFL, there are usually four games that are of "must-see" caliber. However, when you take a look at the schedule over the span of an entire season, it gets much harder to pick out the "must-see" games. Listed below are twelve games that have a lot of meaning behind them though, and are ones that I can see being hyped as the best match-ups of the season.(Note: Original format: http://www.pfcritics.com/news101/2006NFLGamesoftheYear.php )September 7th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh SteelersSome people may be questioning the move of the Miami Dolphins playing in the first game of the season. The NFL usually likes to have a team that could make a huge turnaround from the year before go up against the defending Super Bowl champions. Last year, the Oakland Raiders battled the New England Patriots. The game had meaning because Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan were added to the team's offense. Unfortunately, we saw that the Raiders really weren't that much of a threat still. The Dolphins were perhaps the hottest team in the NFL in the second half of last season. Nick Saban turned the Dolphins team around, and they have only gotten better. If Daunte Culpepper develops a solid relationship on the field with Chris Chambers, Culpepper could easily return to his MVP-form of two years ago. The Steelers had a very quiet offseason, but they are still the team to beat, like it or not.September 10th, 2006: NYG vs. Indianapolis ColtsMake sure you catch this game, because it's a match-up that you'll only get to see once every four years in the regular season, barring a trade. It's brother vs. brother, Manning vs. Manning, Eli vs. Peyton. Peyton didn't put up the same stats this past season that he did two years ago and will be without Edgerrin James, while Eli made a dramatic improvement over the span of two seasons. Eli still needs to work on his "off" games, in which he seems to throw nothing but interceptions all day long. I bet Archie Manning will love to see this one, as will everyone in the entire nation. Of all of the games on the schedule, this is the one I'm most excited about.Semptember 24th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh SteelersThese two teams will also meet in a Week 17 match-up in a game that could be just as important, but this game could set the tone for the division. Carson Palmer barely had the time to face the Steelers in the postseason before tearing his ACL, and would love nothing more than to make a statement that the AFC North is theirs. Likewise, the Steelers will have their sights set on showing that there is a reason they won the Super Bowl.October 8th, 2006: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia EaglesNot only is this a division rival game, but it marks the fact that Terrell Owens will be returning to Philly. I'm sure he will be booed like you wouldn't believe and will have a special surprise waiting for the Eagles' fans if he scores a touchdown. The Eagles were not a very good team last year, but they seemed to have countless injuries that kept them from contending.November 5th, 2006: Indianapolis Colts vs. New England PatriotsAlthough the Patriots were not as good last year, this has been one of the top rivalries in the NFL the past few years. The Colts have to travel to New England once again, but Manning already showed last year that he may very well be over the "Belichick" curse. However, one of the keys in beating the Patriots was the use of Edgerrin James. Without James, it may be difficult for the Colts to run the clock down on the Patriots defense.November 19th, 2006: San Diego Chargers vs. Denver BroncosThe Chargers needed to be featured in one of these games, despite losing Drew Brees and having the most disappointing seasons in the league last year. Phillip Rivers could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, or he could appear like a "rookie" during his first year as the starter. Whatever happens, it should be fun to see LaDainian Tomlinson go up against one of the best run defenses in the league.November 19th, 2006: Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota VikingsWhy is this an interesting game? Not only could the Vikings be a quiet contender, but it'll mark the return of Daunte Culpepper to Minnesota, in the dome where he used to thrive so much. Culpepper will want nothing but revenge on his former team, but the Vikings want to show that there is a reason they got rid of him in the first place.November 23rd, 2006: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City ChiefsAny time these two teams meet, it's a rivalry. The Chiefs could very well have a 2,000-yard rusher on their team in Larry Johnson, but they still need to find a way to make an impact at the wide receiver position. The Broncos surprised the league last year with the consistency of Jake Plummer, but is that too difficult to match again?November 27th, 2006: Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle SeahawksOf all of the teams listed in these top twelve games, the Packers will have the hardest time in contending. However, if Brett Favre does decide to come back, this will be the final Monday Night game of his career. The Seahawks are coming off of an impressive season and were able to lock up Shaun Alexander for a very long time. Who knows too - at this time two seasons ago, the Packers were a playoff time since they were healthy.December 7th, 2006: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Browns made the biggest splash in free agency in an attempt to bring proven veterans to their team and being able to win games at the line of scrimmage - something that's critical in the AFC North. Plus, the Browns want to make up for an embarrassing 41-0 loss on Christmas Eve to the Steelers last year.December 17th, 2006: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina PanthersIt seems like the Steelers are featured in a lot of these games, but you have to admit that their is an "excitement" value associated with them. The reason this game was selected though isn't due to the Steelers, it's due to the Panthers. Steve Smith was unbelievable last year, but too often he was the only threat on their offense. This year, they have Keyshawn Johnson added to the mix, which suddenly adds another huge dimension to the Panthers offense. This could be hyped as an early "Super Bowl preview" late in the season if both teams are at the top of their division.December 18th, 2006: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis ColtsIt could very well be the top offensive game of the year again - one of those games where you just sit back and watch in awe.http://www.pfcritics.com/news101/2006NFLGamesoftheYear.phpThanks for reading...any comments are appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ox Posted April 16, 2006 Report Share Posted April 16, 2006 I like alot of what you've got listed here, but I would flip flop one game. I would definatley put the Cinci vs. Stillers Week 17 game as the must see of the series. It will most likely be a division decider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFCritics Posted April 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I was hesitant on which one I should pick...ultimately they'll both be critical since they'll be the two teams fighting it out for the division(unless my Browns stun everyone, lol). The Week 17 game will definitely have more suspence is the standings are close, but the game earlier in the season will perhaps allow the other team to hold a division lead for more than half the season, building their confidence right from the get go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 I like the list overall, a lot of those games will be very interesting to see. The ones that don't get my blood flowing much are Chargers/Broncos, Vikings/Dolphins, or Packers/Seahawks. I am oddly anticipating the Browns/Steelers game that you mentioned... I want badly to see our northern rivals to dispose of our eastern rivals.... While we sweep both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 I'm really looking forward to the Manning vs. Manning game this year and both of the Steelers games. Broncos / Chiefs ??? Who cares ??WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who? Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 December 7th baby.. There's nothing that I would like to see more than seeing us beat the Steelers.. but I can't leave out beating the Bungals too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 December 7th baby.. There's nothing that I would like to see more than seeing us beat the Steelers.. I would love to see that to !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who? Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 December 7th baby.. There's nothing that I would like to see more than seeing us beat the Steelers.. I would love to see that to !!!WHODEY !!!I can guess something that you would like to see even more..Kimo Von Oelhoffen tearing his ACL, am I right? Haha, just kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I don't want to wish ill-will on someone else... That's just bad news...That sh*t comes back to haunt you !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who? Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I don't want to wish ill-will on someone else... That's just bad news...That sh*t comes back to haunt you !!!WHODEY !!!Haha, well, I don't know about that now.. being a Brown's fan, I've realized that everything that is bad can and will happen to my beloved team. Kellen Winslow is all I have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I don't want to hear sh*t about bad things happening to anyone's team...Try being a Bengals fan for the last 15 years prior to Marvin coming on board and then come talk !!! WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who? Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I don't want to hear sh*t about bad things happening to anyone's team...Try being a Bengals fan for the last 15 years prior to Marvin coming on board and then come talk !!! WHODEY !!!Listen.. both Browns and Bengal's fans have been through a lot of stuff, The Drive, the Fumble, Tim Couch, Kijana Carter, 15 years without a playoff experience, Red Right 88, Akili Smith, and I could go on and on.We both have had it bad, but things look good for the Browns and Bengals as of lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'll drink to that !!! WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I find much more pleasure in the state of the Ravens. They are devolving into one of the worst teams in the AFC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who? Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good point TDB, we can all just agree on hating the Ravens, they suck dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashman2020 Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 adding a post?have to add a post so i can play a game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 adding a post?have to add a post so i can play a game Your wasting space here dude !!!Sh*t, I guess I did to...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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