NFL Schedule 2015: Analyzing Top Prime-Time Games to Catch Next Season

The NFL revealed the road to the 50th Super Bowl with the release of the 2015 NFL schedule Tuesday night.

A brief glance at the slate's prime-time affairs tells the whole story, as the league put a special emphasis on Super Bowl rematches when crafting this year's schedule.

ProFootballTalk reveals the count:

The best part? This schedule will only look better in the coming weeks once the next generation of stars enters the league via the 2015 NFL draft.

Below, let's take a look at some of the top prime-time games to watch. NFL.com has the full week-by-week schedule.

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers, Week 2, Sunday Night Football

This again, right?

Few NFL matchups are better than the showdown between NFC powerhouses.

Aaron Rodgers' high-flying ways go head-to-head with Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom in what seems like a perfect encounter.

This time, though, things will go down inside the legendary walls of Lambeau Field. There, Rodgers and Co. will seek revenge after being on the wrong end of one of the most entertaining NFC Championship Games in history last year—when Packers head coach Mike McCarthy made some baffling gaffes, Brandon Bostick dropped an onside kick and the Packers allowed the Seahawks to escape in an overtime classic.

Perhaps this one will match or exceed expectations too, with both teams healthy and having one game in the books to warm up.

Either way, the one game to circle in red early in the season is this one. 

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, Week 10, Thursday Night Football

Oh, come on. Rex Ryan lumbering back into MetLife Stadium after six years as head coach of the New York Jets writes itself.

Knowing Ryan's off-field persona, there's sure to be some good trash-talking before the game no matter where each team stands in the AFC East.

In fact, Ryan's discontent is no secret, as Around the NFL captured a few days ago:

The on-field action figures to be great too.

New Jets coach Todd Bowles will have the defense playing at a high level. It's a good setup for a fun chess match considering the Buffalo Bills now feature LeSean McCoy in the backfield and Percy Harvin lining up across from Sammy Watkins.

Any way you slice it, this is a matchup to see.

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos, Week 12, Sunday Night Football

So, they meet again.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will dance for a 17th time, with the 2015 iteration going down in the latter's house.

The when, where and why doesn't matter. It's a showdown between two of the greatest ever. StatsCentre puts things into historical perspective:

It will be interesting to see where each team stands after losing key pieces this offseason. Manning lost one of his favorite targets in tight end Julius Thomas, while Brady's complementary defense lost what amount to its quarterback in Darrelle Revis.

In the end, though, the focus is on the seasoned gunslingers, as it should be. Don't miss out—it might be the final showdown between the two.

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos, Week 16, Monday Night Football 

There are few coincidences when it comes to the NFL schedule. 

Case in point: Last year, the Broncos visited the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 on Monday Night Football, and Cincinnati pulled off a stunning 37-28 upset.

Manning threw a pair of touchdowns and four interceptions, and his defense had no answer for Bengals rookie back Jeremy Hill, who rumbled for 147 yards and a score.

This time around, these AFC contenders may once again be jockeying for playoff positioning, if not their postseason lives. The Monday Night Football finale is a fitting one from such a standpoint, especially between two teams that once again appear to be evenly matched.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 22. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.