The most compelling game from each week of the 2022 NFL schedule

Could the season opener be an NFL preview? The defending champion Rams open their season against a very formidable foe, as the Bills return the core from a roster that enters the season as a Super Bowl favorite led by Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and former Ram Von Miller. LA has plenty of talent left over from last year, however, headlined by Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald.

The Week 2 schedule features a selection of great matchups, but Miami’s visit to Baltimore could be the most interesting. It will be a chess match as new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel takes his selection of weapons led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle into enemy territory against new Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s rebuilt secondary. A healthy Lamar Jackson at quarterback is always a must-watch, as well.

In a rematch of the classic 2020 NFC Championship game, we will be treated to a head-to-head square-off between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady once again. The quarterbacks are getting ever so closer to the end of their incredible NFL careers, and are also two of the NFL favorites.

Kansas City will visit Tampa Bay in a rematch of the Super Bowl from only two years ago. The Chiefs’ offensive line is likely to be in much better shape this time to protect Patrick Mahomes, but Tom Brady is still going strong at age 45.

The Cowboys have a goal of getting where the Rams finished last season as World Champs. Dak Prescott continues to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he has a huge challenge with Aaron Donald and the ferocious front seven of the Rams.

The thrilling 42-36 overtime win by the Chiefs over the Bills in last year’s AFC Divisional Round was considered by many to be one of the greatest playoff games in history. The game featured an incredible final two minutes of regulation, plus an overtime that was all but decided by the coin toss. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are two of the game’s brightest stars, and the matchup could have huge implications for playoff positioning.

KC gets an opportunity for a rematch of both their recent Super Bowls, facing the Bucs in Week 4 and 49ers in Week 7. Of course, the 49ers are likely to have a much different look than they did in 2019 with Trey Lance at quarterback, but they are still one of the top teams in the NFC. Patrick Mahomes remains at the helm in KC, but he no longer has Super Bowl stars Tyreek Hill or Damien Williams.

NFL fans will be treated to another possible Super Bowl preview, with the Packers visiting Buffalo. Green Bay remains an NFC favorite despite losing multiple offensive weapons, with Aaron Rodgers still under center. Josh Allen leads a dynamic Buffalo offense.

The Rams shocked Tampa Bay in last year’s NFC Divisional Round, though the Bucs did nearly mount a comeback late in the contest. The Bucs defense was embarrassed by Cooper Kupp and will try to come up with a way to stop the superstar wideout this time around.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy returns to Lambeau Field, where he led Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to a Super Bowl victory. The Cowboys and Packers are also two of the favorites in the NFC.

The Week 11 matchup between Philadelphia and Indianapolis features two of the most completes rosters in the league. It’s also an opportunity for former Colts assistant Nick Sirianni to face his former team, as he leads his Eagles and starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The 2018 matchup between the Rams and Chiefs is considered by some to be one of the greatest games in NFL history, as LA emerged with a 54-51 win. The players on the field are very different four years later, but the teams remain two of the favorites with high-powered offenses led by Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford.

Buffalo eventually had their way with New England in last year’s playoffs, but the Patriots won a defensive, weather-impacted divisional game earlier in the 2021 season. The teams are set to fight for the AFC East again this season, and the Bills visit to Foxborough could have a huge impact on the ultimate winner.

The rivalry game between the Ravens and Steelers is always a must-see, especially in December. The revamped Baltimore defense will try to hold the Pittsburgh offense down in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.

The Week 15 matchup features one of the league’s best young quarterbacks against one of its best old signal callers, as Joe Burrow faces off against Tom Brady. Both teams are hoping for a return to the Super Bowl, where the Bucs advanced two years ago and Cincinnati fell to the Rams in the Big Game last year.

Russell Wilson knows the Rams very well, as he’s faced them twice per season every year of his career as the Seahawks quarterback. He will get a chance to face them again in his new digs, as the Broncos visit LA on Christmas Day. Denver is hoping to return to the playoffs with Wilson now under center.

It’s the game that wasn’t the AFC Championship last year, as Buffalo fell just short one week earlier against the Chiefs. Josh Allen and company will finally get their chance to face Cincinnati’s dynamic offense, led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.

Week 18 features all divisional games, with playoff spots and divisional titles likely on the line. That’s certainly a possibility in both NFC North matchups, as the Browns visit the Steelers and the Ravens go to Cincinnati. Cleveland is hoping to have Deshaun Watson quarterbacking against an elite Steelers defense, while rookie Kenny Pickett could be in a high stakes matchup at the end of his rookie campaign.