NFL Preseason: 5 Biggest Matchups in the Final Week

Is there such a thing as a big matchup in the NFL preseason?  Usually big matchups denote games between two good teams where getting a win is crucial to both.

With that being the case, there is just no way I can sell that for a preseason game because, well, it's preseason, and the wins and losses don't matter.

This is why I'll act as though we are somewhere in the midst of regular season play.  If this week's preseason schedule was say, Week 12 of the regular season, what would most likely be the biggest matchups?

Here's my guess as to what they would be...

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

The Giants and Patriots should be two teams contending for their division and a playoff spot.  They both play in tough divisions so every win they can get will go a long way toward separating themselves from the pack.

These two teams have a recent history with one another.  Back in the 2007 season, they met on the final week of the regular season.  The Patriots were in the midst of their quest for a perfect season and the Giants already had their playoff spot determined.

There was much talk about how competitive the game would be because many speculated that the Giants wouldn't give much effort and/or rest some starters since they had a playoff game the following week.

Well, the Giants and Patriots put on a show and the game was very competitive.  The Pats prevailed 38-35 and became the first team to ever go 16-0 in regular season play.

The two teams then met in that year's Super Bowl and this time the Giants pulled the stunner and ended New England's fairy tale year. 

Will the Patriots get their revenge?  It starts this week in a preseason grudge match that is sure to be loaded with intensity, hard hits and big plays (sarcasm ends here).

These two teams know how to compete.  They actually do play each other in Week 9 this season so this will certainly be one of the premier matchups that week.

Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Texans and Vikings both have hills to climb in their respective divisions this year.  Houston has to overcome Mt. Saint Manning and the Colts while Minnesota has to play king of the hill with Green Bay.

The Vikings are led by the one and only Adrian Peterson and now have Donovan McNabb as the trigger man.  Houston has an array of offensive talent led by Arian Foster and Andre Johnson.

I'd give the edge in defense to the Vikes although Houston addressed a huge weakness by signing CB Johnathan Joseph.

This game would be a battle and would ultimately come down to the wire.  Neither team can afford too many losses in their struggle to keep pace with others in their division.

In the end, the Texans win by a close margin and pull ahead of the Colts in the division.  As for the Vikes, they take the tough loss in stride as McNabb says they showed their youth.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons

Is the person holding that sign in the above picture a prophet?  I think he just might be!

The Falcons and Ravens meet in a highly anticipated matchup and some think it could even be a preview of the Super Bowl.  Just like the others, Atlanta and Baltimore both play in tough divisions so a win here would be tremendous for both teams.

If it's Week 12 of the regular season, I could see both teams coming in with records of 7-3 (accounting for their bye weeks).  Atlanta could be trailing by one game to the Saints and Baltimore might be trying to catch up to the 8-2 Steelers.

A loss for either team could end up being a big blow to their hopes for winning their division.

But Matt Ryan and the Falcons' new-found aerial attack prove to be too much for Joe Flacco and the Ravens.  Atlanta wins 27-17.

Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Broncos and Cardinals both play in arguably the two weakest divisions the NFL.

Just last season the Seahawks won the NFC West and made the playoffs with a 7-9 record.  And it was only back in 2008 when the Chargers won the AFC West with an 8-8 record.

There are no "Beasts of the East" or "Monsters of the Midway" in those two divisions.  Maybe they're all battling for the "Weakest of the West" crown.

But nonetheless, these two teams will need every victory they can muster this season.  The Cardinals have new life with Kevin Kolb, and the Broncos have a new coaching staff that likes to bring toughness to their team.

In a Week 12 game, I could foresee this being a crucial matchup of division-leading 4-6 teams and neither wants to lose any ground in their division race.

Of course, the loser of this game need not worry because their rivals will have lost too so they'll go into Week 13 with a division-leading 4-7 record.

New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles and Jets are two teams primed to make a serious run at the Super Bowl this year.  Like Atlanta and Baltimore, could this be a Super Bowl preview as well?

Last season the Jets lost a close game to Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game.  The Eagles lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers in a wild card game that went down to the wire.

Both teams made some improvements this offseason and are gearing up for another run.

In a Week 12 matchup, the Jets will be battling New England for division supremacy while the Eagles will be in a dog fight with the Giants and Cowboys.

Just like when the Eagles play the Giants, this game will have a little extra intensity because of a city rivalry between New York and Philadelphia.  Philly always seems to think they live in the shadow of the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple.

Plus, we all know how Rex Ryan loves to talk almost as much as he loves feet.  This game promises to be one of the best matchups of the season.

They actually do meet in Week 15 this season.  So don't count on seeing many sparks fly during this week's preseason game.

They'll be saving that for December 18th when their seasons could be on the line.