The NFL schedule release is a far cry from evoking the emotion brought out by Etta James’ hit “At Last” but it does give fans hope that football season is growing closer. As Spring continues to envelop our fine nation, fans grasp at straws such as this famed release to give them a sense of the sport they long to see on Sundays. Worship services aside the NFL is the greatest thing to hit Sunday outside of the second coming of Christ, and the schedule release is the equivalent of the miracle of turning water(a slate of games) into wine(a full schedule). So drink it in, as each passing day brings the greatest sport on the planet closer to your television.
As a model of mediocrity the NFC East is one of the NFL’s most-watched divisions, and nearly always provides the kind of jaw-dropping, cutthroat moments NFL fans thrive on. But when will these moments occur in 2014? Here are the top 10 games of the upcoming NFC East slate.
10. Week 14: Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
At the low end of this list is a match between the reigning Super Bowl Champs and beasts of the NFC East. What will Chip Kelly’s offense be able to do against the Legion of Boom? If that is not enough of a story for you, check out the battle at running back between last season’s rushing champ LeSean McCoy and beast mode, Marshawn Lynch.
9. Week 9: Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
A showdown on “Monday Night Football” between the two dumbest-faced quarterbacks in football deserves its spot in prime time in Week 9. Eli Manning will travel to the house that Peyton built to take on the elder Manning’s replacement who is looking to take the next step towards “elite” in his third season, something Eli never mastered.
8. Week 6: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
The first meeting between these two perennial powerhouses in the NFC East will take place in Philadelphia where it is always sunny in early October. This contest will be Tom Coughlin and Chip Kelly’s third contest so consider this a rubber-match of sorts. Chances are these two teams will both be in the playoff hunt come January, this game will provide an early taste of playoff football.
7. Week 13 Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts
What is not to like about a faceoff between the first two picks of the 2012 NFL draft? Now in their third seasons, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will battle to avoid the term “bust” inside the dome in Indianapolis.
6. Week 8 Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
There are not many things spookier than Jerry Jones, so this near-Halloween showdown between division rivals could be haunting to one of the two parties. In a division with so little wiggle room between contender and pretender every game counts, especially those against division rivals on “Monday Night Football”. On second thought maybe Cris Collinsworth is a tad creepier than Jeruh, but at least viewers will have the best of both worlds in that respect.
5. Week 16 Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
This will be the two teams’ second meeting in 2014, but could be for all of the marbles. In a group so tightly contested, division rivalries near the season’s end could mean everything for the winning side, and futility for the loser. This game will also be a tremendous test of Washington’s wet paper towel of a secondary, where in this scenario Chip Kelly’s offense will be a cue-ball.
4. Week 3 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Thanksgiving has not been the same since John Madden has stopped drooling over the turkey given out to the prime performers on America’s fattest holiday. While the more ironic match here would be Cowboys versus Redskins, a rematch of last season’s division-deciding game will suffice for this national celebration. The only question remains is which team will end up as a goat on turkey day.
3. Week 3 Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Consider this homecoming for DeSean Jackson who’s departure from the city of brotherly love left a bloodthirsty fan base in his wake. There has not been a more highly-anticipated return to Philadelphia since Terrell Owens returned as a Cowboy in 2006. Expect a rabid crop of fans and highly emotional players to make this contest a cannot-miss event.
2. Week 17 Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
The classic battle of Cowboys versus Indians could very well be for a division title in the season’s final game, or will almost certainly have an impact in the playoff race. Dallas missed its chance at glory in 2013, we’ll see if Jason Garrett can bounce back alongside perennial chock artist Tony Romo on the big stage in 2014.
1. Week 17 Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Fans of both the Giants and Eagles must look to this game as the end all be all for 2014. The two most talented franchises in the division will square off in a contest that could very well be for all the marbles. To top it all off, Nick Foles ‘s Napolean Dynamite features will face up with Eli’s world-renowned dumb face to add even further viewing pleasure to this season finale.