One of the many perks of being Super Bowl champions, with the exception of last year’s Ravens, is hosting the following season’s opening game in primetime.
Though the official schedule for the 2014 season won’t be announced until April, we do know each team’s home and road opponents, which gives us some insight as to who might be heading to Seattle for the first of the league’s 256 contests.
Fresh off a 43-8 whooping in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Broncos could be an interesting choice for the opener. They opened the 2013 season as well, avenging a devastating loss in the divisional round to the Ravens with a 49-27 victory. The game was played in Denver because of a scheduling conflict with Baltimore’s MLB team, the Orioles. As you probably recall, Peyton Manning tied an NFL record with seven touchdown passes.
For a rematch of the most recent NFC championship — one of the better games played during the 2013 season — the league could call for the division-rival 49ers to open against Seattle. Plenty of sparks flew the last time these teams played (cough, Richard Sherman) and the rivalry is developing into Bears/Packers and Steelers/Ravens territory.
One of the more memorable regular season games the past few years is the “Fail Mary” game between the Packers and Seahawks, the last game played with replacement referees. With Green Bay set to travel to the Pacific Northwest in the 2014 season, pitting two of the top teams in the NFC up against one another in the NFL opener would be a great way to kick off the season.
Lastly, there’s always a chance that the league and networks will schedule the Cowboys in a must-see primetime game. This is probably the most improbable of all the scenarios, but it’s not impossible. “America’s Team” continues to draw monster ratings year after year with the unpredictable Tony Romo under center, and their 2006 playoff matchup with the infamous bobbled snap by the aforementioned Romo remains one of the most exciting finishes in postseason history.
Back up your vote with a comment as to why you think a certain team should open its season with a trip to Seattle.
Don’t think the nfl would do 49ers that’s to good a game to waste on the 1st game of the year that everyone will watch anyway…49ers game will be later in the year on a Sunday night
S.F. will probably want to open the season in their new stadium as well. Because of that, I don’t think the NFL will put them on the road in their first game. Denver seems more likely.
I dont think it will be Denver. The loss would still be fresh in everyones mind. The networks wouldn’t want a potential blowout in the first game as it will turn many of the viewers away. Also similar it will be a prime time game during the season along with both the Hawks/49ers games. For that reasonI think it will be either Dallas or GB.
I think there’s a greater chance that the Seahawks would blow out Dallas than Denver (again).
I agree, I think Denver was a better team than their showing in the Super Bowl. That said they still got blown out and therefore a casual NFL fan may not tune in (thinking there will be another blowout). The Cowboys bring with them a huge audience and will lead to high ratings for the first game. Green Bay would be a good matchup and also an interesting first game.
Got to go with Dallas. San Francisco likely will open at home in their new stadium in week 1 and I think the NFL would be better off saving the Denver rematch for SNF in November during sweeps. I think Dallas brings more eyeballs to the TV than Green Bay would, so I pick Dallas.