The Rams and Bucs put on the best game of 2000. They meet again this season
For married people, football season is for better and for worse. There are 248 regular-season games on tap, with enough modern technology available to be able watch 'em all. But we wouldn't suggest trying it unless you like curling up in bed with a good batch of divorce papers.
So you've got to pick your spots, stick and move. Visit your spouse's Uncle George one weekend, watch Eddie George the next.
(You single folks can just make sure Ray's Pizza has your address on file and skip this whole charade of selecting the best games to watch. Just watch 'em all.)
However you play it, do not miss the matchups on this list, the Top 10 Games to Watch in the 2001 NFL Season.
ST. LOUIS at PHILADELPHIA, Week 1 Sunday, Sept. 9 — The best game of Opening Day features the last two league MVPs (Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner) and 2000's runner-up (Donovan McNabb), a TV-friendly Rams offense, its new-look defense, plus Philly's nasty D and nastier fans. Is this Veterans Stadium or heaven?
N.Y. GIANTS at DENVER, Week 1 Monday, Sept. 10 — The NFC champions are the first guests at Denver's new home, Invecso Field at Mile High, where the Broncos will begin their season on a Monday night for the fourth straight year. Giants coach Jim Fassel guarantees that his team will wear blue.
TENNESSEE at BALTIMORE, Week 5 Sunday, Oct. 7 — The Ravens' dominating play on defense last year is the type that keeps opposing coaches in the film room all night. For Titans coach Jeff Fisher, it may have been all summer.
PITTSBURGH at KANSAS CITY, Week 6 Sunday, Oct. 14 — Are these two proud franchises a legit threat to return to the postseason? We'll know by Week 6 whether the Steelers' young receivers are developing enough to improve upon a nine-win season. And we'll have a read on how quickly the Chiefs adapt to new coach Dick Vermeil and quarterback Trent Green.
N.Y. GIANTS at MINNESOTA, Week 11 Monday, Nov. 19 — A red-circle date if ever there was one, as this represents the Vikings' chance to avenge last year's humiliating 41-0 loss to the Giants in last season's NFC Championship Game.
TAMPA BAY at ST. LOUIS, Week 12 Monday, Nov. 26 — The last two meetings between these teams were classics — the Rams' late-game comeback in the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago and the Bucs' improbable 38-35 shootout victory on Monday night in 2000. Round 3 promises to be just as exciting.
INDIANAPOLIS at BALTIMORE, Week 13 Sunday, Dec. 2 — Despite the talents of QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison, the Colts last year never gave off a Super Bowl vibe. How they perform against the current champs could give a good indication of what's to come.
ST. LOUIS at NEW ORLEANS, Week 15 Monday, Dec. 17 — The last two NFC West champs hook up in a late-season affair that clearly will go a long way to determining this year's division winner. The Saints took two of three from the Rams last season, including a victory in the 2000 wild-card playoffs. They're no joke again in 2001.
TENNESSEE at OAKLAND, Week 16 Saturday, Dec. 22 — This rare Saturday night prime time affair — the NFL won't play on Monday, Dec. 24 or Monday, Dec. 31 — will almost certainly have playoff implications for both teams, who combined for a 25-7 record a season ago. Don't be surprised if this one determines who gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
BALTIMORE at TAMPA BAY, Week 17 Saturday, Dec. 29 — Another Saturday night matchup boasts two of the NFL's most relentless defenses. Lack of scoring sometimes leads to snoring, but these squads turn suffocation into an art form. With playoff positioning on the line, health insurance is at a premium.
