Sports Talk: NFL's Must-See Matchups

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A LOOK AT THE top five games of the NFL season:

» New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts, Sept. 6
The season's first game may be its best. The opener has everything you are looking for (the Super Bowl champs; stars like Peyton Manning and Reggie Bush; lots of hype) except defense. In the end, lackluster defenses may keep both the Colts and Saints out of this year's big game. But so what? It's week 1 — just enjoy the firepower. Here's betting a 30-foot catfish po'boy and a bathtub full of chili that these dynamic offenses put up at least 60 points combined.

» Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders, Sept. 23
This was supposed to be the first duel between rookie quarterbacks Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell. But given that it would take an Appalachian State-like miracle for Oakland to sign Russell by week 3, this game instead could determine who picks first in next year's draft. Browns fans should really hope for a win, since Cleveland's choice belongs to Dallas. Raiders fans should try to imagine a backfield with Russell and Darren McFadden in 2008.

» Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers, Oct. 7
This rematch of Super Bowl XL shows just how quickly things change in the NFL. The Steelers lost Bill Cowher and Jerome Bettis to retirement and Antwaan Randle El to the Redskins — and they're the team that won. After an 8-8 year, Pittsburgh should bounce back under new coach Mike Tomlin, who still has Willie Parker, Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward at his disposal. Seattle just needs to stay healthy to win a fourth straight NFC West title.

» New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 4
It's a real shocker this game is on the list, right? Before last year, Pats coach Bill Belichick was the one person who could shut down Peyton Manning. But there's nothing like an 18-point comeback in the AFC Championship to turn the tables. New England reloaded this year by bringing in Randy Moss, Donté Stallworth and Adalius Thomas to avenge that loss. Home-field advantage in the playoffs may be at stake.

» Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins, Dec. 30
Both teams would like to think this game will have playoff implications. Odds are it won't for either side. Nevertheless, there is a good chance the season finale may be Joe Gibbs' last patrolling the Redskins' sideline. After three up-and-mostly-down seasons since his return, Gibbs' legacy is on the line this year. Can the savior go out with a win over the Cowboys? With or without a return to glory, beating Dallas wouldn't be such a bad finale.

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