NFL Sweet 16: 16 Most Intriguing Possible Future Games

This is a list of the 16 most intriguing possible games in the NFL's near future.

Each potential matchup involves a storyline that makes it juicy.  Please keep in mind that some of these scenarios are very unlikely to happen.  The list has nothing to do with the potential quality of the game.  You will not find any games on the list strictly because it involves two good teams.

Feel free to disagree with the rankings—then let me know in the comments.

16. Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans

This matchup is mildly interesting in the regular season, but officially gets juicy if by some miracle these teams end up in the Super Bowl against each other. 

Matt Hasselbeck was the starting QB in Seattle for years.  Imagine him in the Super Bowl against his former team!  Neither franchise has won a Super Bowl, either, so that adds intrigue to the situation as well.

15. New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers

Drew Brees started his career off with the Chargers.  However, he has become so synonymous with the Saints franchise that this matchup is not as juicy as it would have been several years ago.

A Super Bowl between these two teams—especially this year in New Orleans—would still provide for a great story.

14. Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos

Can you imagine a Super Bowl matchup between the Broncos and Bears this year?

Jay Cutler started off his career with the Broncos, and Peyton Manning is trying to add to his already gaudy legacy by winning a Super Bowl for the Mile High City.

13. Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

These are the only two franchises that have never made it to a Super Bowl that have existed since the Super Bowl was created.  A Super Bowl matchup between these two teams is very unlikely in the near future, given the current state of the Browns.

The winning franchise gets a colossal monkey off their back.  The losing franchise becomes more distraught—if that is even possible.

12. San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos

Most people said that Peyton Manning's best shot at winning a Super Bowl was with the San Francisco 49ers.  You can debate all day long why he did not choose them.

A rematch of Super Bowl XXIV would provide the answer to whether or not Peyton made the right choice.

11. Carolina Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

This game would feature the player who won Offensive Rookie of the Year last year, Cam Newton, versus the player that deserved to win the award—A.J. Green.  Plus, you have to factor in Andy Dalton as well—the other player that deserved to win the award more than Cam Newton.

10. San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens

We already got to see the Harbaugh Bowl this past Thanksgiving.  Any future games between these two teams—especially a Super Bowl matchup—would be really juicy.  Two brothers coaching against each other in the Super Bowl would be unprecedented.

9. St. Louis Rams vs. Washington Redskins

The Redskins mortgaged their future for Robert Griffin III.  I thought it was a foolish move.  How he, Sam Bradford and those traded first rounders pan out would dictate which team looks forward to this matchup more.  Either way, it is intriguing as hell.

8. Washington Redskins vs. Indianapolis Colts

A matchup between Andrew Luck and RG3 - need I say more?

7. Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens play twice each year.  This ranking is strictly for a possible playoff matchup - especially one in the AFC Championship game.

Art Modell stole the Browns from the city of Cleveland and brought them to Baltimore to become the Ravens.

Modell has not owned the Ravens for years, but bitterness still remains ultra high.  Modell is probably the only man that the state of Ohio hates more than LeBron James.

6. Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles

This ranking is only for a playoff matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles that takes place in Atlanta.

Michael Vick is still loved by a large contingent down in Atlanta.  An NFC Championship matchup between these two teams in Atlanta would put the city on tilt.

5. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Oakland Raiders

This game is actually going to happen this year in Cincinnati.  If Bengals fans do not sell out this game (they managed to black out numerous home games last year despite being a playoff team) and boo and heckle Carson Palmer so vigorously that he cries, then they are gutless dogs.

Carson Palmer said he would rather retire than set foot inside Paul Brown Stadium ever again.  For a guy considered to be the franchise player, that was appalling.  He quit at an unprecedented level.

The Bengals made out like bandits in their trade with the Raiders that sent Palmer to Oakland.  However, they should harbor resentment towards Carson Palmer forever.

4. New York Giants vs. New York Jets

This ranking is strictly for the possibility of a matchup in the 2014 Super Bowl which takes place in New York

I will argue it would be the biggest sporting event in the history of the Big Apple.  The rest of the country might not be as enamored, but NYC would come to a screeching halt.

3. Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning and his new team the Denver Broncos versus his former team, the Indianapolis Colts.  This game has to take place in Indianapolis for it to achieve its full effect.

2. Denver Broncos vs. Future Tebow Employer

Imagine Future Tebow Employer coming to Denver to face off against Peyton Manning and the Broncos—especially if it was somehow in the playoffs.

Imagine what would happen if Tebow actually pulled off the win in that game.

Would the state of Colorado implode?  Would Twitter explode?

1. New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning versus little brother Eli Manning.

Peyton going for his second Super Bowl win, while Eli is going for his third—and back to back, no less.

The 2013 Super Bowl is taking place in New Orleans where their father Archie Manning played for the Saints.

This would be the dream matchup for the NFL and every sportswriter on earth.