2015 NFL Schedule: Anticipated Early-Season Matchups to Watch

The entire sporting world came to a grinding halt Tuesday when the NFL released its 2015 schedule.

That’s right, on a day that included multiple NBA playoff games, multiple Stanley Cup playoff games and early-season baseball action, the NFL proved its status as king once again by simply releasing the dates for its 2015 schedule.

The opponents were already known, we just needed the actual dates and times. Naturally, it was national news.

Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait too long into the 2015 season to see marquee matchups between some of the league’s biggest stars. With that in mind, here is a look at some early-season showdowns to watch during the 2015 season. 

The full schedule can be found on NFL.com.

Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons

Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly spent the entire offseason making headlines. We will get to see if his head-turning moves will work right away against a vulnerable Atlanta Falcons defense.

The Eagles brought in Tim Tebow, traded LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso, traded Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, watched Jeremy Maclin leave and signed DeMarco Murray, among other moves, this offseason. Given their recent track record, chances are the Eagles will make some headlines at the NFL draft as well. 

They are a fascinating story as Kelly attempts to find NFL success with his uptempo offense that he perfected at Oregon.

There are a number of questions with this team (Who will play quarterback? Will Murray be as effective without the dominant Dallas Cowboys offensive line?), but the biggest question in this first game could be about the Atlanta defense. The Falcons were dead last in total defense last season and 27th in scoring defense.

Even Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White couldn’t overcome that performance. 

This is a perfect opportunity for the new-look Eagles to establish some early confidence against a weak defense. Look for Kelly’s team to take advantage.

Week 2: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

Yes, this is a matchup between the NFC’s two best teams over the past couple of seasons. Yes, this is a matchup between two of the biggest superstars in the league in Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Yes, historic Lambeau Field is the backdrop, and it pits Rodgers and the lethal Packers offense against Richard Sherman, the Legion of Boom and the Seahawks defense.

Still, this game makes the list primarily because of the rematch factor after last season’s unforgettable NFC Championship Game.

The Seahawks eventually won 28-22, but they trailed 16-0 early and then 19-7 with about four minutes remaining. They needed a fake field goal to get that first touchdown, but they scored to trim the lead to 19-14 late in the fourth quarter.

From there, Packers tight end Brandon Bostick went down in infamy when he dropped an onside kick that eventually led to a go-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion for Seattle. The Packers answered with a field goal of their own to force overtime, but the Seahawks won on a deep touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse.

It was one of the most memorable games in recent playoff history and undoubtedly stuck with Green Bay all offseason. The question now is how much of a motivating factor it was with an early rematch on the horizon.

Rodgers discussed the loss, per Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "You just go home. Think about it. And stay with it and move on and start getting ready for the off-season program. This one's going to hurt for a while because of the close proximity of feeling that feeling when the clock hits zero and you're ahead. We gave it away."

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The Packers have a chance at some revenge, although the stage won’t be nearly as bright. Still, these two teams are expected to challenge for division titles, and a head-to-head victory could be critical for home-field advantage in the playoffs. 

Do you think Green Bay would have blown that playoff lead at Lambeau?

Week 5: New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

It is an event anytime the New England Patriots play. It is an event anytime the Dallas Cowboys play.

It is certainly an event when they play each other.

This game pits Tom Brady against Tony Romo and provides an early road test for the defending Super Bowl champions. Sure, it isn’t a conference showdown and both teams have more important games in terms of the 2015 playoff race, but sports fans love superstars and big-time events.

This one fits both of those criteria.  

Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News named this showdown as the top must-watch contest of the entire NFL season:

"

It’s America’s Colors vs. America’s Team. It’s Super Bowl champs vs. Super Bowl drought. It’s Tom Brady vs. Tony Romo in the fourth quarter. Heck, it’s even Robert Kraft’s billions vs. Jerry Jones’ billions. The millions of fans of each team will be watching; the rest of us will be hate-watching. It all counts in large amounts. 

"

It’s hard to argue with that.

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