Must-See NFL Games on the 2013 Regular-Season Schedule

Since the NFL released the schedule for the 2013 regular season, fans across the country have been checking their teams' schedules for next year's matchups.

Every year there are always two or three games per week that stand out to the common fan and become must-see television spectacles. This year is no different.

Whether it's a rematch of a playoff game or just a battle of the NFL's elite, these games look great on paper and will give the people what they want.

So without further ado, here are the standout games each week has to offer during the upcoming NFL season.

Week 1

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

The NFL season starts off with two rematches from the 2013 playoffs. The Super Bowl champion Ravens return to Mile High, where they took down Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the divisional round in the postseason.

Both teams have made changes to their rosters; Denver added wide receiver Wes Welker from the Patriots, while Baltimore lost half of its defense, including Ray Lewis. But the reigning champs added another linebacker as well: former Bronco Elvis Dumervil.

The Broncos will look for revenge after they saw a Joe Flacco Hail Mary send their Super Bowl hopes down the drain last year.

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers

This rematch features the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers and 2010 Super Bowl champion Packers.

The 49er faithful hope to get a second helping of what Colin Kaepernick did to Green Bay in the divisional round of last year's playoffs. After beefing up their defensive line and trading for wide receiver Anquan Boldin, the 49ers look to return to the Super Bowl this year.

Week 2

Denver Broncos at New York Giants

The NFL wants the fans to see as much of Peyton Manning as they can before the 37-year-old retires.

The Broncos headline the list of regular-season games two weeks in a row as the bothers Manning take on each other yet again.

Although this game is between two of the better teams in the NFL, this Week 2 matchup is more about the sibling rival for the ages, as two future Hall of Famers battle for family supremacy.

Week 3

Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers

Last year we saw Andrew Luck flourish as a rookie for the Colts. After the team lost Peyton Manning, nobody thought the highly touted prospect could lead Indianapolis to an immediate turnaround.

Even though he struggled at points, Luck led his team to a playoff berth and gave eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore a fight until the last few minutes.

Now the sophomore has to travel to the Bay area to take on one of the best defenses in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if the upstart Colts are ready for the beast of the NFC.

Week 4

New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons

Both 2012-13 conference runner-ups face off in Week 4. Tom Brady will travel to the dirty South in hopes of taking down one of the NFC favorites.

Even without Wes Welker, the Patriots will be a formidable opponent for the Falcons. Brady will look to slice-and-dice Atlanta's defense, which lost three of its five cornerbacks in the offseason. 

Matt Ryan leads a Falcon offense that welcomes Steven Jackson and hopes he can complement the speed Roddy White and Julio Jones bring to the receiver position.

This game will see which offense is more dominant as the teams look to find their rhythm early in the 2013 season. 

Week 5

Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts

This game is all about the quarterbacks. Two sophomore quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck, compete in what should be a great battle between young teams.

Wilson has a much more stable team with Seattle. With a top-five defense and "Beastmode" as the running back, the Seahawks bring a physicality that not many teams can match.

Andrew Luck leads a young and now experienced Colts team that has its ups and downs on defense. If it can get behind the home crowd, Indianapolis can make this a very entertaining game.

Week 6

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

This is the first mention of Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III on this list. After single-handedly beating America's Team in the same building last year in a memorable Thanksgiving showdown, RG3 looks to repeat his actions in 2013.

Now experienced, the Redskins look to take the next step forward toward legitimate Super Bowl contender. That is, if Griffin's knee holds up.

Week 7

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Ladies and gentlemen, the legend returns to the land he once brought a Super Bowl championship.

This will be Peyton Manning's first time back in Indianapolis since becoming part of the Denver Broncos, which means this will be his first time going up against his predecessor, Andrew Luck.

Even though Luck is considered to be the next Peyton, No. 18 will look to teach the sophomore QB a few things when he makes his return to Indianapolis. Luck, on the other hand, will try to show the Colts organization that they made the right choice in getting rid of the Hall of Famer to draft the rookie sensation.

Week 8

Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos

Many think the must-see game of Week 8 is the Vikings hosting the Packers. It will be the first time former cheesehead Greg Jennings pulls a Brett Favre and plays against his former team while being employed by its biggest rival.

But the matchup between the Broncos and Redskins has it all. It will be two electrifying QBs going up against two stout defenses. This will be RG3s first time playing in Mile High, so the thin air could effect his running ability, taking away a huge part of his game.

Even so, both Manning's and Griffin's passing games can make this contest a great one. Both can throw the ball accurately down the field. Expect plenty of fireworks when these two teams go at it at the halfway point of the season.

Week 9

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

It's all about pride with these two titans of the AFC.

Even though the Patriots have dominated the series recently, the Steelers have had their moments. The last time these two AFC foes fought on the gridiron, the men of steel came away with a 25-17 victory at Heinz Field.

Although New England was beaten on both sides of the ball that day, this game will be different. In the last three instances in which the Steelers have managed to beat the Patriots, New England has come back and won the next matchup by at least 13 points every time.

Even with Big Ben in his prime, the Steelers seem to be getting ready to rebuild. After letting Mike Wallace, James Harrison and Keenan Lewis go via free agency, Pittsburgh has a lot of holes to fill before it can compete with last year's AFC runner-up.

The Patriots, on the other hand, only lost Wes Welker this offseason and have kept their defense intact. If Tom Brady can continue to play at a high level, the Patriots should be able to manage the six-time Super Bowl champions.

Week 10

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

I said there would be rematches, and rematches you shall receive.

This game was one of the most entertaining matchups from the 2013 playoffs. Down 27-7 in the third quarter, the Seahawks came from behind and scored 21 straight points, going up 28-27 with only minutes remaining.

Matt Ryan channeled his inner Tom Brady and led a last-minute drive that eventually led to the game-winning field goal.

But the theatrics didn't stop there, as a questionable onside kick with seconds remaining almost gave the Seahawks the win.

Seattle's looking for payback. I'm just looking for a great rematch.

Week 11

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

This game has become a staple to the NFL schedule in recent years, mainly because these two teams have such similar styles.

Both have wide-receiving corps that are full of Pro Bowlers. With targets ranging from Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley to Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, Aaron Rogers and Eli Manning light it up week in and week out.

The NFC powerhouses also like to rush the passer. The Giants have one of the best defensive end duos in Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck, while the Packers have Clay Matthews, arguably the best pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL.

With both teams so eerily similar, it's great to watch them try to gain the advantage on one another when they play. Even though the Giants have a two-game winning streak against the Packers, Aaron Rogers will look to discount double-check New York come Week 11.

Week 12

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

On Sunday night, November 24, New England fans everywhere will collectively yell, "BOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" as Wes Welker makes his return to Gillette Stadium.

In the offseason, Welker turned down Tom Brady to join forces with...wait for it...Peyton Manning? This just adds fuel to the fire of the already hot Brady-Manning rivalry.

With this move, the power has shifted slightly to favor Manning. After being the No. 1 seed in the AFC last year, the addition of Welker only increases the odds that the Broncos will be at the top spot this year.

Week 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Gobble, gobble, everyone.

While you all stuff your faces with turkey, ham, stuffing and cranberry sauce while sitting around the television, the NFL has the best rivalry set to play to end your Thanksgiving night.

No matter what time of the year it is, these two teams always battle it out in a slugfest to see which team rules the AFC North. 

Both teams made some drastic changes to their rosters in the offseason. The Steelers let go of former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison and No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace. The Ravens lost half of their defense, including Ray Lewis, Paul Kruger and Ed Reed, along with star wideout Anquan Boldin to the 49ers.

While both teams look different on paper, it doesn't mean they'll play any differently. Watch out for some nasty hits and give thanks to the NFL for giving you this late-November treat.

Week 14

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Even though these two teams see each other twice a year, this game is still a must-see.

Like the teams in the last slide, these opponents bring a unique physicality to the game. They both want to control the clock with a formidable running game and a very tough defense; only in this case, a Super Bowl could be on the line.

After the moves made in the offseason by both of these teams, it's hard to see who else can challenge either one to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The 49ers added wide receiver depth, while the Seahawks added some receiving as well, along with two Pro Bowl defensive linemen.

After seeing what both of these teams did in the playoffs last year, with Seattle losing a close game to Atlanta and San Francisco making the Super Bowl, it's gonna be fun watching these division rivals battle for top dog in the NFC.

Week 15

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants

After what should be an epic clash with their division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks must travel across the country to New York (well, New Jersey, if you want to get technical) and and go up against a defensive line that is equally as good as theirs.

With both teams looking for a playoff spot, these NFC powers have to bring everything to the table to ensure a victory. Eli Manning's receivers might not be able to get away from Richard Sherman and Co., and Russell Wilson has to avoid heavy pressure from both defensive ends.

It's going to be close to playoff time, which means teams can't turn the ball over. And since Eli Manning is prone to throwing an interception or two at any given point and Richard Sherman is one of the best at taking the ball away, the Giants may find themselves out of contention after this game.

Week 16

Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

This might be the rematch to end all rematches.

Matt Ryan wishes he could have had a mulligan in last year's NFC Championship Game. After marching down the field needing a touchdown to win, the Falcons were inside the 20 with a 1st-and-10.

Four plays and an incomplete pass on fourth down later, the 49ers got the ball back and punched their tickets to the Super Bowl. Ryan and the Falcons left the field with a sour taste in their mouths.

The Falcons have what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl this year. After a 13-3 season last year, the Dirty Birds look to repeat the process and get themselves back to the top spot in the NFC. With an offense that is second-to-none when it comes to speed, Atlanta can score points in the blink of an eye.

This one could decide the seeding in the playoffs, and if the Falcons can find a way to avenge last season's mishap, then the NFC's road to the Super Bowl will have to go through Atlanta again.

Week 17

Washington Redskins at New York Giants

One of the biggest rivalries the NFL has to offer is the biggest must-see game of Week 17.

Two high-flying offenses take the stage in the regular-season finale, and neither quarterback wants to disappoint. Robert Griffin III and Eli Manning will be looking to lead their teams to the playoffs.

For the Redskins, it's all about taking that next step with a healthy RG3 heading into the postseason. For the Giants, the goal is to get back to the promised land after taking a year on hiatus.

It's all-or-nothing time when these NFC East foes battle for what could be the division crown and bragging rights for the rest of the year. We'll see if RG3 is the real deal or if Manning is as elite as we think he is.