My thoughts on the 2014 NFL Schedule

Last night, the 2014 NFL Schedule had been released. Many games intrigue me, others do not. There are a few winners and losers of the schedule release, which I'll get to. It is one of my favorite days of the year and I love it. So here are my thoughts and takeaways on the schedule.

Games that intrigue me
Week 1- Packers vs Seahawks: The first game of the season is a rematch of the "Fail Mary" game that took place 2 seasons ago and it was the most bizarre finish we've probably ever seen to end a game. I am surprised that ESPN is not airing this game considering that I thought the opening night game would be the Seahawks hosting the 49ers and the fact that ESPN carried the "Fail Mary" game two seasons ago.

Week 1- 49ers vs Cowboys: This game stands out to me considering that this game is the regional 4:25PM game on FOX and it's a lock that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call this one. The 49ers are going through a tumultuous offseason with Aldon Smith getting arrested and contract extension talks with Colin Kaepernick and head coach Jim Harbaugh holding off. I am curious to see how the 49ers season plays out and don't forget about those Cowboys that love getting attention.

Week 1- Colts vs Broncos: Nobody is facing more pressure than Peyton Manning and the Broncos this upcoming season. After the embarrassing Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Peyton & Co will come out with a chip on their shoulder. Don't forget that Andrew Luck and the Colts are one of the AFC's best teams too.

Week 1- Chargers vs Cardinals: The second game of ESPN's Monday Night Football opening week double header intrigues me because these were two teams last season that exceeded expectations finishing 10-6 and 9-7 respectively. Both these teams want to prove that their previous seasons were no fluke, so a national TV game on a Monday night is a nice way to kick off their respective seasons.

Week 2- Bears vs 49ers: The first ever game at Levi's Stadium on a national TV stage will be great. The match up is great considering that both teams will be contending all season long.

Week 3-Broncos vs Seahawks: The rematch of Super Bowl XLVII will have all eyeballs on it. This game will prove many things such as whether Denver's renovated defense is good against an elite defense like Seattle's and if Manning will figure out Seattle's defense or not.

Week 6- Giants vs Eagles: A prime-time game between two great division rivals that will be contending for the NFC East crown. The Eagles new-look offense and the renovated Giants defensive back field will both be tested.

Week 7- 49ers vs Broncos: This matchup is just flat out great. Two elite teams going at it that have "Super Bowl or bust" labels on them. TV ratings should be high for this one.

Week 8- Packers vs Saints: A Sunday night matchup with two of the leagues best quarterbacks going at it in Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. This is must see TV.

Week 9- Broncos vs Patriots: Manning vs Brady. What else is new. Could be the final time these two match up.

Week 9- Ravens vs Steelers: One of the leagues best rivalries for sure, could have very big division title implications on it. Don't forget what Mike Tomlin did the last time these teams met.

Week 9- Colts vs Giants: This Monday night matchup is great. Andrew Luck vs Eli Manning. The Giants new secondary will have to prove they can cover the Colts great receiving core.

Week 10- 49ers vs Saints: Two of the NFC's elite teams going at it. This game has playoff implications written all over it.

Week 10- Bears vs Packers: The NFL's oldest rivalry from the great Lambeau field on a cold November night is indeed the case. This could be a division implication game as well as a few others.

Week 11- Patriots vs Colts: Present vs Future match up considering that this is Brady vs Luck III. One of the leagues most underrated rivalries for sure. This matchup had "Sunday Night Football" written all over it.

Week 12- Cowboys vs Giants: A matchup NBC airs just about every season since I have no clue how long. This could very we'll be a division title implication game.

Week 12- Ravens vs Saints: This is a great matchup that we rarely see since they are in different conferences. Two former Super Bowl winning quarterbacks going at it in the lights of the super dome will be fascinating. Don't forget this is where the Ravens won their Super Bowl two seasons ago.

Week 13- Seahawks vs 49ers: The best rivalry in the NFL today on Thanksgiving night is the best any fan could ask for. One of the teams could very well be undefeated entering in this game.

Week 13- Redskins vs Colts: This is the first of many of RG3 vs Luck match ups. It's a certain that ESPN will be all over this matchup and I'm shocked that this is not a Monday Night Football game.

Week 13- Patriots vs Packers: A battle between two top-four quarterbacks in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. This is another rare matchup that we only see every four years.

Week 15- Cowboys vs Eagles: One of the leagues best rivalries going at it in the City of Brotherly Love. This game will have an impact on who wins the NFC East for sure.

Week 16- Seahawks vs Cardinals: Considering that the Cardinals beat the Seahawks in Seattle this past season, Arizona gets rewarded a Sunday Night Football home game against the defending champs. Playoff implications are on this one.

Week 17- Cowboys vs Redskins: This is probably the game that decides the NFC East considering the history Dallas has had the last three seasons with them being eliminated in week 17 against the eventual NFC East champion. Let's see if the trend continues.

Winners

New England Patriots- Consider that their in the leagues weakest division and that they have opponents that they are better than for most of their match ups. They do play Denver this season, but that's at home so it won't be bad. Two challenges await when they go to Indianapolis to play the Colts and Lambeau to play the Packers.

Denver Broncos- The schedule broke pretty well for Denver. Three of the first four are at home with an early bye. The road schedule is not too bad, expect Seattle and Foxborough are the two challenges Peyton & Co must face this season.

Seattle Seahawks- The defending champs have a decent schedule for sure. A few challenges reign toward the end of the season twice against division rival San Francisco and going on the road to a hostile Philadelphia environment.

Losers

New York Jets- Despite their opener against the Raiders, they have a bear of a schedule. They have the best three NFC North teams in consecutive weeks and after that they play three consecutive playoff teams in San Diego, Denver, and New England. That pretty much guarentees a losing season because don't forget they play New England twice and have other opponents that are much better than they are in Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

Cincinatti Bengals- Last season, people looked at the Bengals with expectations. They won the AFC North and lost in the wild card round to San Diego, thanks to Andy Dalton, who tends to flop in the postseason. Since they won their division last season and some of their division rivals got better while they didn't do much this offseason, their schedule is tough. They finally get to play the big boys in the AFC like Denver and New England and it won't be easy.

Oakland Raiders- A team that brought in random veterans to make them selves look good. Uh, your still the AFC west's worst team and their schedule is not easy. Six division games against two playoff teams and one team that's pretty good too. And oh yeah, they have four games against the leagues best division.