The best games on the 2019 NFL schedule

Each team’s most compelling non-divisional game, including a link to their full schedule.

Eagles – Week 11 vs. New England. Carson Wentz will be the sixth different Eagles quarterback to start opposite Tom Brady. Or will it be Josh McCown? The Birds’ others: Donovan McNabb (2003, 2005; lost both), A.J. Feeley (2007, lost), Vince Young (2011, lost), Sam Bradford (2015, won), Nick Foles (2018, BDN).

Dallas – Week 15 vs. L.A. Rams. The Dallas defense spent a good part of the offseason washing off the tiremarks after giving up 273 yards rushing to the Rams in last year’s playoffs.

N.Y. Giants – Week 10 at N.Y. Jets. Big Blue has a pretty friendly overall schedule including this road game at their home stadium. They just have to sit on the other sidelines. The Giants are 8-5 in this series, though the Jets won in overtime in 2015.

Washington – Week 8 vs. Minnesota. Think the Redskins miss playing franchise tag with Kirk Cousins? He came up small for the Vikes in Week 17 last year, but he’d still be better than what Washington has now.

Chicago – Week 16 vs. Kansas City. The Bears defense gave up the fewest points last year while the Chiefs offense scored the most. Currently scheduled to be the Sunday night game.

Detroit – Week 3 vs. L.A. Chargers. One thing current Lions head coach Matt Patricia could do when he was an assistant at New England for all those years was beat Philip Rivers.

Green Bay – Week 4 vs. Eagles. Carson Wentz vs. Aaron Rodgers in primetime on a Thursday night? Yeah, that’s cool.

Minnesota – Week 6 vs. Eagles. Remember the video gag Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey pulled trashing Eagles fans prior to Super Bowl 52? Gotta hand it to him. It was pretty good.

Atlanta - Week 7 vs. L.A. Rams. The Falcons surprised the Rams in the playoffs two years ago, when Julio Jones put up 9-94-1.

Carolina – Week 15 vs. Seattle. Have played the Seahawks eight times in the last seven years. Seattle has won six, including at the buzzer last season.

New Orleans – Week 2 at L.A. Rams. Bet the officials are thrilled this isn’t in New Orleans after last year’s blown pass interference non-call in the NFC Championship.

Tampa Bay – Week 10 vs. Arizona. Bucs coach Bruce Arians shows off his snazzy glasses and high-powered offense to the Cardinals, where he was head coach from 2013-17.

» NFL Flex Scheduling rules

Arizona – Week 2 at Baltimore. Kyler Murray’s first NFL road game is a challenging one.

L.A. Rams – Week 7 at Atlanta. Last time they played in Atlanta was February’s Super Bowl when Sean McVay’s offense became Bill Belichick’s latest victim.

San Francisco – Week 5 vs. Cleveland. At home on a Monday night coming after their bye -- and before they have to play at the Rams. Early litmus test for two aspiring teams.

Seattle – Week 3 vs. New Orleans. Best part of whenever the Saints visit Seattle is dialing up the replays of Marshawn Lynch’s devastating touchdown from the 2011 wildcard game. The crowd was in such a frenzy they registered on a local seismograph. One of the wildest plays of this generation.

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Buffalo – Week 13 at Dallas. First Thanksgiving game for the Bills in 25 years.

Miami – Week 16 vs. Cincinnati. Three days before Christmas, there should be dozens of people showing up to Hard Rock Stadium for this one.

New England – Week 13 at Houston. Could be a trap game for the Pats, who host KC the following week. Or, just as likely, Tom Brady could put up 50 on former QB coach Bill O’Brien.

N.Y. Jets – Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh. The Le’Veon Bowl.

Baltimore – Week 7 at Seattle. Earl Thomas returns to CenturyLink Field, and will see former coach Pete Carroll for the first time since gesturing with his middle finger that Pete was No. 1 in his heart.

Cincinnati – Week 8 vs. L.A. Rams (London). Cincy coach Zac Taylor goes against his mentor. Wait, Sean McVay has a coaching tree already? Yep. Has a branch in Green Bay (Matt LaFleur), too.

Cleveland – Week 8 at New England. Browns fans say, “we’re going to the Super Bowl!” New England fans say, “hold our beer.”

Pittsburgh – Week 1 at New England. The Steelers last opened up a season in Foxborough in 2015 when head coach Mike Tomlin suggested a headset malfunction was typical New England hijinks. The Steelers are 1-4 at New England under Tomlin.

» READ MORE: That time Mike Tomlin was NOT happy with the Patriots

Houston – Week 6 at Kansas City. The Texans’ first three road games this season are at New Orleans, at the Chargers and this visit to Arrowhead Stadium.

Indianapolis – Week 15 at New Orleans. So much for Andrew Luck vs. Drew Brees on a Monday night in December.

Jacksonville – Week 1 vs. Kansas City. Nick Foles’ first start with the Jaguars will be against Andy Reid, who drafted him for the Eagles in 2012. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Tennessee – Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay. Marcus Mariota vs. Jameis Winston for the first time since their NFL debuts in 2015. Winston (21-33 career) was the first overall pick in that draft. Mariota (27-28) was second.

Denver – Week 11 at Minnesota. The Broncos come out of their Week 10 bye with four road games in five weeks.

Kansas City – Week 14 at New England. Hate to keep picking Patriots games, but their two meetings last season were terrific. They combined to score 151 points! In two games!

L.A. Chargers – Week 8 at Chicago. Both teams went 12-4 last year, and each plays in the two toughest divisions.

Oakland – Week 5 vs. Chicago in London. English tabloids paying paparazzi big bucks for a shot of Jon Gruden and Khalil Mack having fish & chips.

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