The 2006 NFL schedule was recently released and diehard football fans quickly scoured their favorite team's calendar for the coming season. If they are anything like me, they first mentally guestimated how many wins the schedule might allow for — setting a high and low number — then they noted the dates and times of key matchups and rivalry games, and only after getting a handle on all of this did they move on to take a look at what interesting games might be on the schedule for the rest of the league in 2006.
This is exactly what I did anyway. Sure, I was savoring the fact that my favorite team is the reigning Super Bowl champion, but that only means that the schedule is tougher and everyone is out to get you. So I went through the same steps I do every year when I see the schedule. I will spare you the resulting thoughts and conclusions for now, and instead focus on the schedule from a wider fan perspective.
Deciding which games should be competitive is difficult business. There are no guarantees that the good teams from 2005 won't collapse and I am sure that there will be some breakout teams no one was expecting. I don't hold a crystal ball. But given what we saw in 2005, and what my gut tells me about teams in 2006, what follows are 10 games I am looking forward to in 2006. I will start today with the AFC and tackle the NFC next week. After each game, I note the questions the game might answer and spell out why I think it might be worth watching.
AFC
1) Thursday, September 7: Miami @ Pittsburgh
Okay, this does involve the Steelers, but it is the opening game! Plus, it should be very interesting. Daunte Culpepper has moved from the frigid climes of Minnesota to the warm sunshine of Miami. Many questions remain to be answered: will he be healthy enough to start? Can Nick Saban take Miami from a surprisingly-competitive nine-win team in 2005 to a playoff contender in 2006? If they can knock off the defending Super Bowl champs, that will certainly get their season off with a bang.
On the Steelers' side, can the champs keep their focus after the miracle season of 2005? Can Ben Roethlisberger rebound from a rather mediocre Super Bowl game and prove that he is an elite quarterback? Can Fast Willie Parker continue to grow into a starting running back? Who will replace the veteran leadership and inspiration of Jerome Bettis? How much will they miss the versatile Antwaan Randle El? The road to a Super Bowl repeat is long and hard. The Steelers will begin this arduous task in a nationally-televised game to officially kick-off the NFL season. Even in April, I can hardly wait.
2) Sunday, September 10: Cincinnati @ Kansas City
At the end of last season, the Cincinnati Bengals had already clinched their division when they met the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs were looking for a win and hoping for some help in order to make the playoffs. Bengals starting quarterback Carson Palmer was held out of the game while Chiefs running back Larry Johnson ran up and down the field. The Bengals seemed to lack focus heading into the playoffs and went on to lose both their first round playoff game and their starting quarterback.
This game will give the Bengals a chance to prove that their record in 2005 was not a fluke and that last year's game against the Chiefs was meaningless. It is also worth noting that the Bengals will have to toughen up their run defense if they plan on winning the AFC North again and this time making a playoff run.
The Chiefs are now in the Herm Edwards era. The expectation is that the offense won't change that much, but the talent at wide receiver seems a little thin to me. While no one knows the status of Priest Holmes at this point, but I for one would like to see what kind of numbers Larry Johnson can put up as the featured back for a whole season. This game should give us an early measure of these two potential playoff teams.
3) Sunday, September 24: Denver @ New England
Last year's playoff game between these two teams was one of many where critical calls/penalties impacted the game. The Patriots had to feel like the game slipped away from them with these uncharacteristic penalties and turnovers. I am sure Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and company would love nothing more than to avenge that loss and prove they still know how to win big games. Injuries severely hampered them last year — will free agent losses do the same this year? One thing is for sure: they won't have Adam Vinatieri to win games for them anymore.
The Broncos, of course, would love to show that they have New England's number now. Denver has a strong running game, a patient and opportunistic quarterback, and a defense that doesn't give up the big play us the usual recipe. Can Denver find this mix again? This should provide a good early look at two perennial AFC powerhouses.
4) Sunday, October 22: San Diego @ Kansas City
As the above list of games already indicates, the AFC West is a competitive division. It also has some great rivalries. Last year, the San Diego Chargers were seen as one of the better teams not to make the playoffs. Kansas City eliminated the Chargers from the playoffs with another dominant performance by Larry Johnson in what was his eighth straight 100-yard game. This fact only adds to the rivalry of this important divisional game.
During the offseason, San Diego let quarterback Drew Brees go to the Saints and are apparently ready to let Phillip Rivers take over. It should be interesting to see if Rivers can earn the Chargers' confidence, but the defense better learn to stop the run if they want to make the playoffs this year.
5) Sunday, November 5: Denver @ Pittsburgh
This rematch of the AFC Championship game should be a good one. These two teams have knocked each other out of the playoffs a number of times in the past and quite often on the other team's field. Obviously, Denver will be highly motivated coming into Pittsburgh. But the Steelers have a lot of pride and they will be looking to regain their dominant home-field advantage that has lost a bit of its luster in recent years. Whatever the records come November, I am sure this will be a tough, hard-fought football game. If the teams live up to their high standards, this could be an important game, as well.
6) Sunday, November 5: Indianapolis @ New England
This game really doesn't need any introduction. Last year, the Colts must have felt a weight was lifted off their backs when they finally managed to beat the Patriots handily in New England. Of course, home-field advantage didn't turn out to be as valuable as they thought. Nevertheless, I am quite sure that both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will be plenty motivated for this matchup. Seeing them compete on the same field is always entertaining.
The more interesting side of the story, I think, comes from the Colts. How will the loss of Edgerrin James affect the offense? Can Peyton Manning carry the load alone or will someone step up and take The Edge's place? If it comes down to a field goal, the Colts should be in much better shape having acquired Vinatieri and jettisoned Mike Vanderjagt.
7) Sunday, December 10: Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
It might not have the flash of the Patriots game, but this matchup has become a strong rivalry. The Jags always seem to play the Colts tough.
Can the Jaguars keep it up? They have had a tough defense for years, but their offense hasn't really gotten on track. Can they stay healthy and develop a rhythm that allows them to put up enough points to win? Will one of the younger players break out and provide the star power they need? If both teams are as competitive as they were in 2005, a late divisional game like this could have a lot on the line. No matter what the record, I wouldn't bet on a blowout either way.
8) Sunday, December 10: New England @ Miami
New England has owned the AFC East in recent years, but Miami is poised to make a serious run at knocking them off. With the addition of Daunte Culpepper, if he can get and stay healthy, the 'Fins are looking to build on the six straight wins they had to end the 2005 season. They might have to do so without Ricky Williams. But isn't that why they drafted Ronnie Brown? If they have any hopes of winning the division, this game will be a crucial game, symbolic and otherwise.
9) Monday, December 18: Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
Last year, the Colts won a shootout in Cincinnati to run their record to a perfect 10-0. Both teams had powerful offenses and opportunistic defenses. Both teams made the playoffs and promptly lost. This game is the start of a challenging end to the Bengals' 2006 season. They play at Indy, at Denver, and then finish the season hosting the Steelers. If the Bengals can finish strong in 2006 they will have a great chance to repeat as division champs and head into the playoffs peaking at the right time.
For the Colts, they know all too well that regular season record means nothing and that it isn't easy to simply turn the offense back on in the playoffs. Maybe without the distractions of a possible undefeated season they can simply focus on winning games until there are no more games left to play.
Sunday, December 31: PIttsburgh @ Cincinnati
The AFC North crown could very well come down to this New Year's Eve game. Last year, the Steelers won two games in Cincinnati, including a playoff game. For Bengals fans, the anger and frustration from after that playoff loss lingered for a long time, and I am sure it is still in their minds heading into 2006. The Bengals talked a lot last year about a changing of the guard in the AFC North. A win in this game and another divisional title would prove that they can do more than talk. Of course, the Steelers will do everything in their power to keep that from happening. What a way to end the year and the regular season!
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So, there you have it. Ten games I am looking forward to in 2006. They are dominated by divisional rivalries and clashes between playoff-caliber teams. I look forward to being surprised by any number of teams, however, and so plan to tune in every week to see what the greatest sport on the planet has in store. And check back in a week or so for my NFC picks.
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