NFL Schedule 2017: Biggest Highlights of This Year's Schedule
While we know the opponents of teams ahead of time, knowing when the games are is what we most look forward to.
Whether you're planning trips to see some games, organizing your schedule for prime-time games, seeing when your favorite team has a bye week or waiting for that game toward the end of the season that could make or break a season, this is the kind of fun and drama we want as fans of the sport.
Last season, the quality of games was down and the ratings showed that.
This season, there are some intriguing storylines that will create an interest in particular games.
With the opponents chosen and with free agency pretty much done, the NFL had all the information it needed to create the best matchups for certain dates to intrigue an entire fanbase that is longing for exciting football again.
Given what we know now (because we all know things change during the season), hopefully the NFL has done just that with the current schedule.
Here are 10 games that are not only exciting, but also fascinating due to other factors such as a player or coaches returning to face a former team.
Click here for a link to the schedules.
Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots (Week 7)
1 of 10
This game writes itself.
A rematch of Super Bowl 51 midseason? Duh. Of course, this is a highlight of the schedule.
It's not too far-fetched to think that these two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, could meet in the Super Bowlย again.ย
The Falcons haven't changed much from last season, but the Patriots have added some great pieces, highlighted by wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
However, this time they won't be at a neutral fieldโthey'll be in Foxborough.
Something tells me we shouldn't expect a 28-3 lead for the Falcons in this one.
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 2)
2 of 10
I'll admit this game doesn't exactly get my juices flowing for the reasons it is being highlighted, but it's definitely a highlight if only forย the return of Mike Glennon to Tampa Bay.
For those not aware, the Buccaneers draftedย Glennon in the third round in 2013. While in Tampa, Glennon started 18 games, winning five and losing 13.
A free agent this offseason, Glennon signed a deal to become the new starting quarterback for the starved Chicago Bears.ย It's essentially a one-year deal:ย He will receive $15 million in 2017 as a part of a three-year, $45 million deal, with $18.5 million guaranteed and two options after this season.
So, will Glennon conquer his former team? Will he make the Buccaneers regret drafting incumbent starting quarterback Jameis Winston? Or will Winston show why Glennon is nothing more than a career backup who was in the front free-agent class at the right time?
Tune in Week 2 of the NFL season to find out!
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (Week 6)
3 of 10
For the love of everything in the universe, please, football gods, make it so the Cleveland Browns start Brock Osweiler in Week 6 when they take on the Texans in Houston.
Oh, the game will be horrific, but that is why I and most others will probably watch.
Osweiler versus Tom Savage doesn't get anyone excited on the surface, but when you consider the fact that the Texans gave up a second-round draft pick just to get Osweiler out of the building, this game will be incredible should he find his way into the starting role.
Of course, the Browns don't need to keep Osweilerโit's been widely speculated the team will cut ties with himโbut for sheer comedic value, every NFL fan needs to see Osweiler totally bomb in his return to Houston.
Count your blessings. We need this, people.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins (Week 13)
4 of 10
Ah, yes. A coach's revenge game makes the list.
In Week 13, when the Denver Broncos travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins, they'll be led by former Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.ย With a stout Broncos defense in tow, coupled with Joseph's knowledge of the Dolphins and quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Joseph should have no issues in stopping them.
Time for Dolphins head coach Adam Gase to change things up.
Who knows? Based off last season, these teams could fight for the final wild-card spot in the playoffs, so there are those implications, too.
I'm sure this will be an emotional game for Joseph, now in his first head coaching gig.ย Go get revenge, Vance.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (Week 2)
5 of 10
In a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game, the Green Bay Packers will seek revenge against the Atlanta Falcons come Week 2.
Despite being led, carried and quarterbacked (whatever term you want to use) by Aaron Rodgersย on offense, the Packers defense simply could not stop the Falcons' attack.
This game will be one of the more intriguing ones of the season, of course.
Not only because it's a rematch, but also because neither of these teams has changed a ton. We could see similar results to last time these two teams metโlots of scoring.
And hey, lots ofย scoring means ratings in the NFL.
Regardless of the winner, this game should be a fun one.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (Week 1)
6 of 10
We get this game right off the batโyes!
After a stellar 2016 season, former Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye signed a monster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.ย With that, Bouye stayed in the same division as his old team, setting up two meetings a year.
His return to Houston will be something to watch. Not only for his return, but we will also get to see Bouye match up with Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. This has all the makings for a legendary cornerback/wide receiver battle.
As we all know, things change from year to year.ย Hopefully Bouye's play keeps up; hopefully Hopkins' production won't be impacted by the play of projected starter Tom Savage.
But for now let's ignore all that: We'll finally have a real excuse to watch a Texans-Jaguars game.
New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders (Week 11)
7 of 10
Leading up to the 2016 playoffs, one of the most highly touted potential showdowns was between the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.
Yeah, the Tuck Rule game comes to some people's minds, but this is the playoff game we never got to see after Raiders quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg late in the season against the Indianapolis Colts.
Finally, though, we get to see this matchupโin Mexico.
Carr and Tom Brady should create plenty of headlines leading up to it, and rightfully so.ย This will be a battle of two dynamic and fun offenses, and it will be even more intriguing if the Raiders acquire Marshawn Lynch.ย
It may have come a bit later than we liked and with different circumstances, but for the first time in what seems like forever, we're going to have a meaningful Patriots-Raiders game.
New York Giants at Oakland Raiders (Week 13)
8 of 10
In 2017, the Oakland Raiders will be taking on the NFC East, a division that includes both the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
At first glance, a game with the Cowboys is going to jump off the page for most, but I expect the Giants will be the team to beat in the NFC East. Same for the Raiders in the AFC West, so this game will be important for both teams.
The Giants bring a stout defense that could give quarterback Derek Carr some trouble. Raiders receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtreeย willย do battle with a secondary consisting of safety Landon Collins and cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple. The Raiders offensive line will also have its hands full with a Giants defensive line consisting of Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison and Robert Thomas.
On the other side, quarterback Eli Manning will have to worry most about All-Pro Khalil Mack. Behind him, the Raiders secondary has some talent with safeties Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson, as well as cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith. But they'll have their hands full with receivers Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepardโand remember, this is before the draft, where the Giants could add other playmakers.
This is going to be an exciting game in Week 13. The Dallas game will also be fun, but this is the Giants' year in the NFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams (Week 14)
9 of 10
The great debate atop the 2016 NFL draft board was about which quarterback the Los Angeles Rams should draft: Carson Wentz or Jared Goff?
Well, as you probably already know, the Rams decided to go with the guy from Cal, while the Philadelphia Eagles scooped up Wentz with the second overall pick.
On Week 14 in 2017, we will finally get to see these two sophomore quarterbacks do battle in Los Angeles.
So far, it looks like Wentz was the better selection after a pretty terrible rookie campaign from Goff, but perceptions can change between now and then. Still,ย I'd favor Wentz here. Goff hasn't shown me anything noteworthy, andย his weapons on offense are nothing to get excited about.
Prediction: North Dakota State 1, Cal 0.
San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins (Week 6)
10 of 10
It will be impossible to craft a headline leading up to this game that doesn't mention San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's relationship with Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and all the trade talk surrounding the Michigan State product this offseason.
In my notes following the schedule release, I titled this the "Oh, what could have been" game.
Cousins would have definitely been an upgrade over current 49ers quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, but that darn franchise tag thwarted our fantasies of Cousins heading to the West Coast.ย While we still may get our wish next season, Cousins remains in Washington and will beat up on his (probable) future team.
Don't hurt them too bad, Kirkโyou'll need them next year.
The Redskins should win this game, but the drama surrounding it should make for some intriguing chatter before and after.
Statistics courtesy ofย Pro Football Focus,ย NFL.comย and Pro Football Reference. Contract details courtesy ofย Spotrac.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
