Here’s a look at the top three games for fans to keep an eye on for NFL Week 1 of the 2012 season.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
What better way to kick off the regular season than to see two teams that were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the NFC last season? Both of these teams are talented enough to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2012 and this will be a good test for both teams early on at the beginning of the season.
While the Packers contained one of the top offenses in 2011, the 49ers were near the top as well when it came to their defense–so something’s gotta give on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos
One of the most highly anticipated games for Week 1, Peyton Manning makes his first official start since the 2011 playoffs with a new team against a Steelers’ squad looking for revenge after an early exit from the playoffs last January. While nobody knows what to expect from Manning after an up-and-down preseason, he may be relieved to know that Pittsburgh will be playing without safety Ryan Clark and linebacker James Harrison.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
Thanks to rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green along with a stellar defense, the Bengals emerged as one of the biggest surprises during the 2011 season as they made the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Cincinnati certainly have what it takes to be one of the top contenders in the AFC North and Monday night’s matchup against Baltimore will certainly be an early test after they lost both games during the regular season last year by seven and eight points.
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