After a more than half a year hiatus the NFL is back, and with it are some exciting matchups. Whether it is new venues, players playing against old teams or blockbuster matchups, this season has it all. This Friday’s game features the first ever NFL match in São Paulo with the Packers and Eagles showing down. Russel Wilson makes his return on week two to the Mile High City after an unideal two season campaign. Some fans even have the Harbaugh Bowl, for Ravens at Chargers, in week 12 penciled in as their game of the year. In this week’s roundtable, our Daily Campus sports writers will answer which game they are most excited for this season.
Tyler Pruneau, Campus Correspondent (He/Him)
Week 8, Chiefs vs 49ers
When it comes to making the National Football League schedule, the games are always different. Every year the NFL makes sure to put in rematches from the previous year, whether it is a wild card playoff game, or even a Super Bowl rematch. This year the 2024-2025 season is no different. What makes a game special for players and fans is the previous history between the teams. In recent years, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers have seen each other a few times. During the regular season, the two dominating teams faced each other once in 2022, where the ’Niners lost 44-23. More importantly, they’ve seen each other in the Super Bowl twice, first in the 2019-2020 season and second this past season. In both Super Bowls the ’Niners lost. To keep it short, San Fransisco has a big chip on their shoulders that they would like to get rid of. The 49ers are set to face the defending champs at San Francisco week eight and it should be a fun one.
Patrick Boots, Campus Correspondent (He/Him)
Super Bowl LIX
Call me basic, but I’m looking far ahead to the Super Bowl. And why not? It’s a spectacular presentation with (hopefully) two great football teams competing for the trophy. This season’s Super Bowl will be held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, home to the previous seven Super Bowl games, and fans should look forward to a Mardi Gras-inspired theme. Since the season is just starting, there’s no way to tell which teams will be matched up. However, the New England Patriots have been in three of New Orleans’ Super Bowl appearances, and the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49-ers have each been in two. The “big game” is also famous for its commercial breaks, which are always a treat, with cinematic trailers, new product announcements and ads from major brands. Super Bowl LIX will air on Fox affiliate stations and is scheduled for Sunday Feb. 9, 2025.
Jake McCreven, Campus Correspondent (He/Him/His)
Week 14, Falcons at Vikings
Kirk Cousins makes his return to Minneapolis following the end of a six-year tenure in purple this off season, opting to sign a hefty contract to enter “win now” mode in Atlanta. Considering that this game is being played in the beginning of December, Atlanta may have divisional championship hopes to play for, creating a potential trap game scenario for a Falcons team who may overlook a Vikings squad already missing vital pieces on both sides of the ball. Minnesota is 42-25 (.626) at home since US Bank Stadium was constructed in 2016, which includes a victory over Atlanta in 2019. Despite Vikings fan’s adamant denial of animosity towards Cousins, it is hard to deny the Instagram comment sections that poke fun at the former Vikes quarterback, which, if serving as a precursor to December’s contest, may lead to a long day for Cousins and company. You’d be shortchanging yourself to say you aren’t looking forward to this week 14 cauldron of emotion.
Connor Sargeant, Associate Sports Editor (He/Him/His)
Week 17, Lions at 49ers
When I look at the NFL schedule every year, I am always on the lookout for the most exciting matchups with long term implications, and this season is no different. Week 17 features the Detroit Lions traveling out to Santa Clara, CA, and I think this will be the biggest matchup of the year. Not only is this a rematch of last season’s epic NFC Championship game, but considering both teams are preseason Super Bowl favorites, this is a game that will likely determine home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This was also a matchup that could have gone either way the last time these sides squared away. Detroit never had their home crowd and made a statement early on, grabbing a 24-7 lead at halftime. However, home field advantage is a very real thing, and it catalyzed the 49-ers’ comeback, sending them to Super Bowl LVIII. For any franchise with the desire to play in the biggest sporting event in the United States, home-field advantage is a necessity, and this will be the matchup that will most likely decide that.
Thaddeus Sawyer, Campus Correspondent (He/Him)
Week 7, Eagles at Giants
The standoff between Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants finally came to an end this past offseason after two years, one franchise tag and numerous misleading reports. Despite Barkley publicly saying he wanted to be a “Giant for life,” he reportedly turned down a deal from New York that would have guaranteed him $23 million. Instead, he opted to sign with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year deal worth up to $46.75 million, with only $3 million more guaranteed than the deal the Giants offered. HBO’s Hard Knocks: Offseason that followed Giants general manager Joe Schoen gave fans an inside look to how the discussions between team and player went down. The series led to arguments between fans on who disrespected who and a mixed sentiment towards Barkley’s decision. It will be interesting to see how Barkley is received upon his return to New York. On one hand, a hero’s welcome for a fan favorite who seemed to have all the makings of franchise icon for six seasons wouldn’t seem totally out of place. However, for those same reasons, don’t be surprised to hear boos mixed in after he crosses state lines into Pennsylvania.