5 Best NFL Games so Far This Season

The 2014 NFL season has been exceptional so far, with an incredible amount of parity leading to tension-filled showdowns every week.

There have been so many exciting games through these first 15 weeks that picking only the five best proved to be a difficult task.

While there were certainly many other amazing contests in 2014, these five stand out as the best of the best. 

Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos (Week 1)

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Final Score: Denver 31, Indianapolis 24

Denver Scoring Leaders

P. Manning: 269 pass yards, 3 TDs

M. Ball: 67 rush yards, 1 TD

J. Thomas: 7 receptions, 104 yards, 3 TDs

Indianapolis Scoring Leaders

A. Luck: 370 pass yards, 2 pass TDs, 19 rush yards, 1 rush TD

R. Wayne: 9 receptions, 98 yards

In this Week 1 offensive showdown, Peyton Manning got to host his old team in Denver and showed his successor Andrew Luck how it's done.

After the Broncos jumped out to a 24-0 lead, the Indianapolis Colts scored 24 of the final 31 points in the game but came up just short at the end. 

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints (Week 1)

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Final Score: Atlanta 37, New Orleans 34 (OT)

Atlanta Scoring Leaders

M. Ryan: 448 pass yards, 3 TDs

S. Jackson: 52 rush yards

J. Jones: 7 receptions, 116 yards

New Orleans Scoring Leaders

D. Brees: 333 pass yards, 1 TD

M. Ingram: 60 rush yards, 2 TDs

M. Colston: 5 receptions, 110 yards

In this Week 1 matchup between NFC South rivals, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for a franchise-record 448 yards en route to a big overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The two teams combined for a remarkable 17 points in the final two minutes and 50 seconds of the game, but the fast-paced finish still led to overtime, as Matt Bryant hit the game-winning field goal for Atlanta.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos (Week 3)

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Final Score: Seattle 26, Denver 20 (OT)

Seattle Scoring Leaders

R. Wilson: 258 pass yards, 2 TDs

M. Lynch: 88 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 3 receptions, 40 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Denver Scoring Leaders

P. Manning: 303 pass yards, 2 TDs

M. Ball: 38 rush yards, 2 receptions, 6 receiving yards

E. Sanders: 11 receptions, 149 yards

In arguably the most highly anticipated matchup of the season, the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks did not disappoint as the two teams clashed for a full 60 minutes, yet they still needed overtime.

But this Week 3 game ended the same way that the 2013 Super Bowl did: with a Seattle victory. Manning rallied his team for 17 points in the fourth quarter, but Russell Wilson came on top yet again.

Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins (Week 6)

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Final Score: Green Bay 27, Miami 24

Green Bay Scoring Leaders

A. Rodgers: 264 pass yards, 3 TDs, 34 rush yards

J. Nelson: 9 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

Miami Scoring Leaders

R. Tannehill: 244 pass yards, 2 TDs

L. Miller: 53 rush yards, 1 TD

J. Landry: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

It looked like the Miami Dolphins had this game totally wrapped up as the fourth quarter was winding down, but Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had other ideas.

He led the team on two consecutive long drives and had an intentional fake spike in the red zone to set up the final game-winning touchdown.

Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots (Week 13)

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Final Score: Green Bay 26, New England 21

Green Bay Scoring Leaders

A. Rodgers: 368 pass yards, 2 TDs

E. Lacy: 98 rush yards

D. Adams: 6 receptions, 121 yards

New England Scoring Leaders

T. Brady: 245 pass yards, 2 TDs

L. Blount: 58 rush yards

R. Gronkowski: 7 receptions, 98 yards

In this possible Super Bowl preview, the Packers established their superiority over the New England Patriots and claimed the (temporary) title as best team in the league.

Aaron Rodgers outdueled Tom Brady, throwing for 123 more yards and leading his team on a number of long, productive drives. Brady made it close at the end, but it wasn't enough.