Top 10 Non-Divisional Games of the 2009 Season

Week 1: Titans vs. Steelers

Last meeting (2008): Tennessee 31, Pittsburgh 14

This could be one of the better games to kick off the season in the past couple of seasons. The previous meeting saw a battle for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, LenDale White stomping on the terrible towel, and a dominating Tennessee victory.

This meeting should be closer and should set the tone for a terrific 2009 season.

Week 3: Falcons vs. Patriots

Last meeting (2005): New England 31, Atlanta 28

Another treat in this Week 3 matchup as Matt Ryan makes his first trip to Foxboro. The Falcons take their high-flying offense to test a revamped Patriots defense. 

This could end up being a classic offensive vs. defensive game.

Week 4: Seahawks vs. Colts

Last meeting (2005): Seattle 28, Indianapolis 13

Week 4 offers us so many exciting games early in the season, including San Diego versus Pittsburgh and Ravens versus Patriots.

However, I think that the Seahawks versus Colts could end up being the game we all anticipated in 2005. Remember the possibility of having a 14-0 Colts team going into 12-2 Seattle?  

This could have 3-0 versus 3-0 written all over it.

Week 8: Panthers vs. Cardinals

Last meeting (2008): Arizona 33, Carolina 13

This Week 8 matchup is a rematch of the divisional round in last season’s playoffs which saw Jake Delhomme throw six interceptions and the Cardinals rout the Panthers on their way to the NFC Championship game. 

This game should be closer than that.

Week 9: Chargers vs. Giants

Last meeting (2005): San Diego 45, New York Giants 23

This should be an awesome matchup, depending on how well both teams are playing early. 

This one could go either way, but something tells me this game could be something special. Watch out for one last LT sighting against the mighty G-Men.

Week 10: Patriots vs. Colts

Last meeting (2008): Indianapolis 18, New England 15

This game is always entertaining as long as both these teams play each season with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning at the helm. 

Week 12: Panthers vs. Jets

Last meeting (2005): Panthers 30, Jets 3

By Week 12, we could have Mark Sanchez as the starting QB for the New York Jets going face-to-face with a very talented Panther defense. This could be a rough game for Sanchez, but also for Jake Delhomme as the Jets have a solid defense as well.

Week 14: Chargers vs. Cowboys

Last meeting (2005): Dallas 28, San Diego 24

This game has playoff implications written all over it. Could this possibly be an elimination game for either side?  Romo versus Rivers could be a battle for the ages.

Week 15: Packers vs. Steelers

Last meeting (2005): Pittsburgh 20, Green Bay 10

The Packers and the Steelers in a December game? What could be better? 

Two teams that are both geared for the cold weather looking to put the icing on the 2009 season. Both teams could be fighting for a playoff spot as well.

Week 16: Chargers vs. Titans

Last meeting (2007): San Diego 17, Tennessee 6

Santa is kind enough to bring us a little early gift with this Christmas Day matchup. 

The Chargers have some pretty tough tests, but this could be their ticket to the playoffs. Tennessee could be looking to improve playoff seeding. As I write this, I notice how brutal the Chargers' schedule is.

This is all up for debate of course, but I know I will be glued to my TV in anticipation for these matchups.