NFL's 7 Most Intriguing Matchups of the Preseason

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With one week of the preseason in the books, teams have a better picture of their Week 1 starting lineups.

Some interesting matchups over the weekend, such as the Saints and Patriots game, captivated fans across the country with big-time players facing off.

Three weeks remain until the regular season starts and the following are the seven best matchups remaining for the preseason.

Week 2: NY Giants vs. NY Jets

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Whenever these two cross-town rivals square off, it's sure to be a big deal.

Even though the Giants won the Super Bowl last year, these two teams will fight for New York supremacy in what is much more than a meaningless preseason game.

Add Tim Tebow into this mix and the stars are aligned for a very interesting matchup at Metlife Stadium.

Week 2: San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans

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A very underrated Super Bowl preview, the 49ers-Texans matchup pits two very good teams against one another in a test of depth and overall roster strength.

While Matt Schaub and the Texans offense won't be on the field for very long, their first few series against the 49ers defense will be a good litmus test for their 2012 success.

Don't be surprised if the 49ers and Texans are the last two teams standing when all is said and done.

Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots

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The Patriots and Eagles square off in a rematch of the 2004 Super Bowl, pitting familiar coaches Bill Belichick and Andy Reid against one another.

Conceivably, Belichick will let his first team offense get a few more series' in.

Seeing Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Tom Brady and the whole Patriot passing attack on the field against Nnamdi Asomugha, Trent Cole and the Eagle defense bodes well for fans.

Week 3: Washington Redskins vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III both did well in their NFL debuts, Luck shredding the Rams secondary and Griffin making some nice plays down the field.

Both rookie quarterbacks will be on the same field in Week 3 of the preseason when the Redskins and Colts square off.

Look for this matchup to be the most-watched affair in an otherwise boring Week 3.

Week 4: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

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Does there even need to be an explanation here?

Since the 2007 Super Bowl, it seemed like a rivalry had been brewing between the Patriots and Giants. Last year's Super Bowl may have finally tipped the pot over.

Though it's only a preseason game, emotions will be high.

Week 4: Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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New head coach Mike Mularkey will have to get through his old team, the Atlanta Falcons, before he coaches a meaningful regular season game.

Mularkey will try to run his offense, a scheme that many in the Falcons organization are familiar with, against Atlanta in a final tune-up for Jacksonville.

Will the head coach be able to call a good game against his former team?