10 games to look forward to in the NFL's 2nd half
The first half of the NFL season has been controversial and unpredictable. Luckily, much of the focus should be on football in the second half of the year, considering the slate of games that remains on the schedule.
As the playoff picture rounds into form, here are 10 matchups to look forward to:
Chiefs at Cowboys, Week 9Heading into the back half of the year, the Chiefs hope to maintain their hold on a share of the best record in the AFC. On Sunday, they'll share the spotlight in a marquee matchup against Dallas.
It could be the Cowboys' final game with Ezekiel Elliott before he serves a six-game suspension. It will definitely be Tony Romo's first game back in Dallas as a broadcaster for CBS.
Falcons at Seahawks, Monday night, Week 11
The Falcons and Seahawks will meet for the first time since their shootout divisional playoff game in January, and they'll do so on Monday night in Week 11.
After their postseason battle, the Falcons rolled past the Packers to make the Super Bowl. The Seahawks will surely be out for revenge, while both teams will be looking to secure top positions in the NFC standings.
Saints at Rams, Week 12Currently, the Saints and Rams are among the bigger surprises of the 2017 season. Their Week 12 meeting will be one to watch, as the youth of Jared Goff and Sean McVay will contend with the experience of Drew Brees and Sean Payton.
Expect plenty of points.
Eagles at Seahawks, Sunday night, Week 13
As things stand now, the Eagles and Seahawks own two of the best records in the NFC. When they meet in Week 13, the outcome could be pivotal to conference seeding.
Carson Wentz may be leading the MVP race after eight weeks. How he performs against the Legion of Boom will determine if he'll be in it for the home stretch.
Saints at Falcons, Thursday night, Week 14Thursday Night Football has featured some absolute shootouts this season, and the same will likely be said of the Falcons' divisional battle with the Saints to kick off Week 14.
The NFC South foes will likely be jockeying for position atop the division, and they'll probably be doing it with the Saints in their Power Ranger-white Color Rush uniforms and the Falcons in their all-red sets.
Raiders at Chiefs, Week 14
The first meeting of the year between the Chiefs and Raiders was an all-timer that had about five alternate endings.
Marshawn Lynch ran on to the field from the sidelines and shoved an official, Alex Smith and Derek Carr each threw three touchdown passes, and the Raiders used an untimed down to score the game-winning touchdown. Don't miss Part 2.
Rams at Seahawks, Week 15Here's another rematch that's appointment viewing. In a battle for NFC West supremacy in Week 5, rookie Cooper Kupp dropped what would have been a game-winning touchdown for the Rams in the dying seconds of the game.
The foes remain neck and neck in the division. Their final meeting will likely determine the winner.
Patriots at Steelers, Week 15
Last year's AFC Championship Game featured the Patriots and Steelers, and that may be the case again this season.
The powerhouses appear to be on a collision course, unless the Chiefs or any other AFC representative has anything to say about it. If not, this Week 15 matchup will decide home-field advantage in the conference championship game.
Raiders at Eagles, Christmas Day, Week 16This Christmas, NFL fans will be treated to a Monday night doubleheader. The nightcap features a juicy matchup between high-powered offenses in the Raiders and Eagles.
The game will be played in Philadelphia, in front of a crowd known to be none too kind to Santa Claus.
Jaguars at Titans, Week 17
The way things are trending now, the season finale between the Jaguars and Titans could be played for the AFC South title.
The Texans are without J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season, and the Colts shut Andrew Luck down for the year. The Jags and Titans are tied at the halfway point of the season. Their Week 17 matchup could very well be flexed to Sunday night as the last game before the playoffs.
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