NFL Preseason Schedule 2013: Falcons vs. Ravens and Best Matchups of Week 2

They say the NFL preseason does not mean much in the grand scheme of things. Tell that to the players fighting for one of 53 precious spots and the coaches on a short leash tasked with trimming the roster from sometimes 90 men all the way down to 53. 

Week 1 of the NFL preseason is in the books, and it meant more than most realize. There were the odd moments, like New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez throwing his first interception of the year—that was subsequently returned for a touchdown.

But there were important moments as well, such as the coming-out party for Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel, or Rob Ryan's unveiling of his new 3-4 defense in New Orleans. 

The stars of the show in the NFL preseason continue to be the young players. Guys like Manuel are the reason you should tune in to the preseason in the first place.

Don't look now, but Week 2 of the NFL preseason is set to have some imperative matchups as well. Here's a breakdown of the three can't-miss games on the schedule. 

Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills 

It has been a very, very long time since anyone has been able to claim that either of these franchises will partake in a can't-miss game. 

Friday, August 16, will finally change that. 

Both the Vikings and the Bills are in similar positions, as both have continued to look up to better teams in their respective divisions. The Vikings have done little in the past few years to compete with the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, while the Bills have struggled to put a dent in the armor of the New England Patriots in the AFC East. 

Another thing the two franchises share in common? Things are on the upswing. 

Any game Adrian Peterson is partaking in is at least worth glancing at the highlights. But now the Vikings have an electric duo at receiver with Greg Jennings and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson. There's even a veteran backup quarterback in Matt Cassel who can take things over should Christian Ponder fail. 

On the other hand, Buffalo thinks it may have found a franchise quarterback in rookie E.J. Manuel, who made his debut in Week 1 of the preseason by going 16-of-21 for 107 yards and a touchdown while adding another 28 yards on the ground. 

Watch the youngsters on both sides carefully on Friday. They could have more of an impact on the upcoming season than most think. 

Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams

A day after the Vikings and Bills do battle, the Packers will visit another team on the rise in the St. Louis Rams. 

The Packers are always worth watching thanks to a guy named Aaron Rodgers, but what is going on behind him in the backfield may be even more interesting in the preseason. 

Rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin are currently engaged in a battle for the right to be named No. 1 on the depth chart.

After Franklin recorded just 14 yards on six carries and Lacy sat out due to a hamstring issue in Week 1, things are about to get serious for both on Saturday. Neither have a firm grip on the starting role, and that is going to have to change. 

For St. Louis, the matchup with the Packers is an opportunity to show they belong. The final record of 7-8-1 a year ago is misleading, considering the Rams went 4-1-1 in the NFC West, home of the Seattle Seahawks and a San Francisco 49ers team that would go on to play in the Super Bowl. 

Not only that, the Rams have one of the most exciting young weapons in the NFL in rookie receiver Tavon Austin. He and the rest of the young players on both sides are more than enough reason to tune in to Saturday's contest. 

Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens 

In this case, the NFL did not save the best for last in preseason Week 2, as the Falcons and Ravens are set to do battle on Thursday, August 15, as one of four games set to kick off the week of action. 

Here you have the defending Super Bowl champions without familiar faces like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Instead you have names like rookie safety Matt Elam and former Denver Broncos superstar Elvis Dumervil to usher in a new era. 

The Falcons enter the 2013 season just attempting to prove they belong in the list of contenders after once again ultimately failing in the postseason. 

There are serious issues along the offensive line, and the Falcons plan on starting a rookie cornerback in Desmond Trufant in an effort to shore up the pass defense. 

On paper, the Ravens and Falcons are contenders. The preseason will act as a warm-up for young guys who will play critical roles in every game down the line. It's worth tuning in for the superstars alone, but don't forget about the new guys. They'll make the difference in 2013. 

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling