Today is a good day to be an NFL fan.
The regular season schedule is finalized and public, which means it's time for NFL fans to start looking ahead at who plays who, start dreaming about tailgating and fantasy football drafts, and continue impersonating drunk Jerry Jones whenever possible.
That said, let's cut right to it -- the 20 most compelling games to watch this NFL season (at least, in one writer's opinion).
20. Jets vs. Dolphins: Sunday, Sept. 26 (Week 3)
Context: Jason Taylor returns to Miami, but will still be known to most as "that guy from 'Dancing With the Stars.'"
Why to Watch: To confirm that Jason Taylor isn't worth what the Jets are paying him; the Jets' D vs. the wildcat; this rivalry doesn't get nearly enough credit.
Key matchup No. 1: Brandon Marshall vs. Antonio Cromartie on Sunday
Key matchup No. 2: The combination of Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards vs. the Miami nightlife on Friday/Saturday.
19. Ravens vs. Falcons: Thursday, Nov. 11 (Week 10)
Context: Top two QBs from the 2008 draft face each other for the first time.
Why to Watch: Matt Ryan vs. Joe Flacco; to see if Michael Turner can return to 2008 form; to see if Roddy White is ready to become a superstar; because this game will likely have some, if not a lot, of implications on both conference playoff races.
18. Cardinals vs. Seahawks: Sunday, Oct. 24 (Week 7)
Context: Matt Leinart faces his former coach in the Seahawks' Pete Carroll.
Why to watch: Carroll will spend all week throwing praise Matt Leinart's way from their USC days, and Leinart will respond with a 96-yard, 4-INT outing; regardless of the outcome, an excellent opportunity to make fun of any USC fans you know.
17. Vikings vs. Patriots: Sunday, Oct. 31 (Week 8)
Context: Brett Favre vs. Tom Brady
Why to watch: Belichick's hoodie; Childress' pop star headset; can Adrian Peterson hold on to the ball; can anyone on the Patriots' defense keep up with Peterson when he does hold on to the ball; Tom Brady vs. Jared Allen and a good Vikings pass rush.
16. Cowboys vs. Colts: Sunday, Dec. 5 (Week 13)
Context: Cowboys try to adapt to playing in a dome without an obscenely huge jumbotron.
Why to watch: Tony Romo out to prove he can hang with an elite quarterback; Peyton Manning out to prove the Super Bowl loss isn't a sign of things to come; to see if Felix Jones can carry more of the load against good teams.
15. 49ers vs. Packers: Sunday, Dec. 5 (Week 13)
Context: Two quarterbacks drafted in 2005, two very different paths.
Why to watch: Pressure's on Aaron Rodgers to take Green Bay to the next level; pressure's on Alex Smith to keep his job; if the 'Niners are going to get to the playoffs, they need to beat good teams; at least one unreasonably long Jermichael Finley touchdown; Frank Gore trying to prove he can stay healthy; Vernon Davis trying to prove last year was no fluke.
14. Ravens vs. Jets: Monday, Sept. 13 (Week 1)
The context: Rex Ryan vs. the former team.
Why to watch: First Jets game in the new stadium; Rex Ryan's new defense vs. his former defense; Ray Lewis' season opening dance; potential Rex Ryan interview done by Jon Gruden; opportunity to repeat the many Rex Ryan catch phrases that emerge from "Hard Knocks."
13. Cowboys vs. Vikings: Sunday, Oct. 17 (Week 6)
The context: Minnesota crushed Dallas in last year's playoffs and tacked some points on at the end, which didn't go over too well with the Cowboys.
Why to watch: The Cowboys are still mad about last season; the "can Romo win a huge game" subplot continues; Miles Austin and Sidney Rice -- two of the game's best playmakers.
Over/Under on combined back-foot, across the body, side-armed throws from Romo and Favre: 10
12. Ravens vs. Patriots: Sunday, Oct. 17 (Week 6)
Context: Last January, the Ravens crushed New England. They'll try and do it again.
Why you should watch: Bill Belichick doesn't forget beatdowns; to see how Anquan Boldin is meshing with Joe Flacco; to see if Ray Rice can repeat his playoff performance against the Patriots.
11. Giants vs. Packers: Sunday, Dec. 26 (Week 16)
Context: First time Giants travel to Lambeau Field since their NFC Championship win in January 2008.
Why to watch: Packers looking to erase memories of '08; Eli Manning trying to live up to his contract; the maturation of Aaron Rodgers; constant shots of Tom Coughlin's frozen face.
10. Patriots vs. Jets: Sunday, Sept. 19 (Week 2)
Context: One team on the rise, and one on the fall -- both competing for the AFC East crown.
Why to watch: Randy Moss vs. Darrelle Revis; the inevitable "Mark Sanchez sophomore slump" talk; whatever Rex Ryan says leading up to the game; whatever Rex Ryan says following the game; winner (fair or not) will be labeled front runner in the AFC East.
9. Chargers vs. Colts: Sunday, Nov. 28 (Week 12)
Context: We finally get the matchup that was supposed to be last year's AFC Championship game.
Why to watch: If there's a team that has Peyton Manning's number, it's the Chargers; to see if San Diego really misses LT or Antonio Cromartie all that much; the Phillip Rivers scowl; Peyton Manning's audibles (still one of the more impressive skills in all of football).
8. Giants vs. Cowboys: Monday, Oct. 25 (Week 7)
Context: One of the NFL's more consistent rivalries on Monday night.
Why to watch: These teams tend to have shootouts; the Giants are trying to reclaim the division; the Cowboys are trying to hold on to the division; it's Giants/Cowboys on Monday night -- what else are you doing?
7. Saints vs. Ravens: Saturday, Dec. 19 (Week 15)
Context: The Super Bowl champs playing a tough team, in a tough place to play.
Why to watch: No one can slow down Drew Brees; no one can catch Ray Rice; something has to give, right?
6. Jets vs. Steelers: Sunday, Dec. 19 (Week 15)
Context: The return of Santonio Holmes
Why to watch: What kind of reception Holmes gets; the new tough-nosed defense (Jets) vs. the old tough-nosed defense (Steelers); never-ending discussion of whatever new trouble Ben Roethisberger has gotten into by then.
Bold Prediction: The Jets keep Holmes out of the Pittsburgh bars
5. Colts vs. Patriots: Sunday, Nov. 21 (Week 11)
Context: Manning vs. Brady -- they meet yet again.
Why to watch: Who knows how much longer either quarterback can play at this level; Randy Moss might choose to show up and play; the hoodie, the Patriots' home field, and Tom Brady vs. Manning and co -- still an event after all these years.
4. Vikings vs. Packers: Sunday, Oct. 24 (Week 7)
Context: Favre Bowl III
Why to Watch: Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre; because these games were incredibly entertaining last year; Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre.
Number of people who will say "I'm sick of Favre -- I don't want to watch this game," before scrambling home to watch the game and/or check the score religiously on their phones: pretty much every NFL fan.
3. Giants vs. Colts: Sunday, Sept. 19 (Week 2)
The context: Manning vs. Manning, Double-Stuff Oreo bragging rights at stake
Why to watch: Because Michael vs. Marcus Vick isn't becoming the dominant sibling rivalry in the NFL anytime soon; these are two teams the media will deem preseason Super Bowl contenders; the young, talented receivers on both teams; the stone-faced coach (Caldwell) vs. the red-faced coach (Coughlin).
Over/Under on commercials involving a Manning shown during this game: 14
2. Redskins vs. Eagles: Sunday, Oct. 3 (Week 4)
The context: Donovan McNabb returns to Philadelphia, only this time he's on the other end of Andy Reid's horrible clock management.
Why to watch: McNabb's return to Philly; the pressure on Kevin Kolb; Shanahan vs. Reid (West Coast vs. West Coast); DeSean Jackson's pregame comments; McNabb's inevitable 55-attempt, 450-yard game.
It would be hilarious if: Eagles fans give McNabb a warm pregame reception, raising the number of warm receptions McNabb has received in Philadelphia to...one.
1. Vikings vs. Saints: Thursday, Sept. 9 (Week 1)
Context: Favre throws pick. Saints win NFC. Saints Win Super Bowl. Favre gets rematch.
Reasons you should watch: The NFC Championship subplot; a season opener with high-scoring teams (unlike the last two years); Adrian Peterson with fresh legs looking for redemption. Plus, it's the first game of the season -- you better be watching.
Chance Brett Favre retires instead of playing in this season opener: 0 percent.
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