2022 NFL Top 10 Primetime Games: Super Bowl Champion Rams Featured Heavily in Primetime Slate
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Top 10 NFL Primetime Games 2022
The NFL has delivered several compelling primetime matchups for this season. With the insane amount of talent in the league right now, the high-profile, heavy-hitting matchups seem to come every week. There are several exciting games to break down between Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football this year. This article features the top ten primetime games in 2022.
#1: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
When: Week 1 – Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 8:20 PM EST
Where: SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
How to Watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, Peacock, fuboTV
I have had this circled as the opening game of the NFL season since the Rams lifted the Super Bowl trophy in February, and I’m happy the league saw this as the best option here. Buffalo is currently the Super Bowl favorite this year after adding superstar pass-rusher Von Miller to an elite defense. The Rams may have lost Miller, but they said Bobby Wagner to their defense, and Allen Robinson is set for a breakout season with the best quarterback he’s ever played with. Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen should put on a show in this game as we get a potential Super Bowl preview in Week 1 of the season. Of course, this game will also feature Sean McVay, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford raising the championship banner under the lights in Los Angeles.
Bills @ Rams | Week 1 🍿
Who are you taking in the opening game of the 2022 season? pic.twitter.com/ArW4Ziy9pi
— PFF (@PFF) May 12, 2022
#2: Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When: Week 4 – Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 8:20 PM EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
How to Watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, Peacock, fuboTV
The Chiefs have yet to have the opportunity for retribution for their embarrassing 31-9 loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, but they will be given that chance on Sunday Night Football this year. Kansas City overhauled its offensive line as a result of that loss to Tampa, but they also lost Tyreek Hill in the time that they last faced Tom Brady and the Bucs. Patrick Mahomes will be tasked with a heavier burden against a top-notch defense if the Chiefs want to get their revenge in this game, but it’s worth noting that Chris Godwin will likely not be available for this game as he recovers from his torn ACL. Brady leads the all-time series between him and Mahomes 3-2, but the two elite passers have delivered some memorable games in recent years, and this should be another such example.
#3: Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers
When: Week 17 – Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 8:20 PM EST
Where: SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
How to Watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, Peacock, fuboTV
There should be some significant playoff stakes on the line in the first game between the two Los Angeles neighbors in SoFi Stadium. The Chargers are ready to take the next leap after adding J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack to their defense, and Justin Herbert has quickly become one of the best passers in the NFL. They will be fighting tooth and nail for playoff positioning in the loaded AFC West. Meanwhile, the Rams will likely be in the conversation for the number one seed in the NFC late in the season. This game takes place on New Years’ Day and should be an exciting way to bring in the new year.
#4: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
When: Week 2 – Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 8:15 PM EST
Where: SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
How to Watch: Amazon Prime
After a disparate offseason, this game represents a significant early-season litmus test for these two divisional rivals. Losing Tyreek Hill undoubtedly changes the offensive approach for the Chiefs, and I’m very intrigued to see how it impacts their overall productivity, especially against one of the most improved defenses in the NFL. The Chiefs are currently favored to win the AFC West again, but I like the Chargers’ chances to unseat them as the divisional winners this year. Justin Herbert delivered an exhilarating four-touchdown performance, including the game-winner, in a win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead last season. The two matchups between these teams last year were must-watch television.
Justin Herbert hits Mike Williams for the game-winning touchdown as the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, 30-24. pic.twitter.com/xweJepve0p
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 26, 2021
#5: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
When: Week 4 – Monday, October 3, 2022 at 8:15 PM EST
Where: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, CA
How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, fuboTV
Arguably the best rivalry in the NFL right now, the Rams and 49ers will meet early in the season in primetime. San Francisco is expected to start Trey Lance at quarterback this year, and this will be his biggest test to date in a matchup with one of the best defenses in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Rams will be hungry to continue to assert themselves over their rival after beating them in the NFC Championship last year. The Niners had a six-game win streak over the Rams before that game and will be hoping to regain that form. Anytime Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan’s teams take the field against one another, we’re likely to see a nailbiter.
#6: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
When: Week 15 – Monday, December 19, 2022 at 8:15 PM EST
Where: Highmark Stadium – Orchard Park, NY
How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, fuboTV
The defending Super Bowl champions are heavily featured in this article, with four of the top six primetime games featuring the Rams, and this is yet another stellar matchup for them. The Packers will be learning to live without Davante Adams this season, but by Week 15, Aaron Rodgers and the offense should be reasonably well adjusted. The Packers could also have one of the best defenses in the NFL this year that could give Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and company a difficult time. The Packers knocked off the Rams in Lambeau last year but fell short of meeting them in the NFC Championship. Still, this could be a potential playoff preview between two NFC heavyweights.
Rasul Douglas pick six vs the LA Rams pic.twitter.com/naAJ1IYBSQ
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) March 19, 2022
#7: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
When: Week 8 – Monday, October 31, 2022 at 8:15 PM EST
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, OH
How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, fuboTV
The Browns were only given two primetime games in the NFL, presumably due to the questionable status of Deshaun Watson regarding a potential suspension. However, if Watson is active, this game should be highly anticipated. The Browns are currently the favorites to win the AFC North after trading for the superstar quarterback, but Joe Burrow and the Bengals made the Super Bowl last season. Despite the Bengals winning the division last year, the Browns have a four-game win streak over their divisional rival that they hope to extend here. On Halloween night, Watson and Burrow could put on a stellar performance.
#8: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
When: Week 14 – Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 8:20 PM EST
Where: Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
How to Watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, Peacock, fuboTV
September 17, 2015. That’s the last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs, and Kansas City has a 13-game win streak over their divisional opponent. Russell Wilson and the Broncos will be hungry to reverse that trend this season, and the two AFC West teams meet twice in the final five weeks of the season. First, they face off on Sunday Night Football in Denver in Week 14 in a game that should have significant playoff implications. Denver has had some close calls against Kansas City in recent years and will be hoping that their massive upgrade at quarterback will be enough to knock off the Chiefs finally.
Drew Lock with his SECOND rushing TD to give the Broncos (+425 ML) the lead over the Chiefs 👀
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/p35adiCLZ2
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) January 8, 2022
#9: Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills
When: Week 8 – Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 8:20 PM EST
Where: Highmark Stadium – Orchard Park, NY
How to Watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, Peacock, fuboTV
In Week 4, 2018, a rookie Josh Allen was stymied by Green Bay in a 22-0 road loss at Lambeau Field. Allen threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in that game. Since then, a lot has changed as he’s now one of the league’s ascending superstars. Aaron Rodgers is the two-time reigning MVP, but Allen has come close to winning the award in both of those seasons. This game could ultimately be a surprisingly low-scoring game between two elite defenses. Still, the prospect of Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers facing off on Sunday Night Football should be exciting for all football fans.
#10: Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals
When: Week 17 – Monday, January 2, 2023 at 8:30 PM EST
Where: Paul Brown Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, fuboTV
The defending AFC Champion versus the current Super Bowl favorite in Week 17, this game could be one of the most critical matchups of the season. In Joe Burrow’s two seasons in the NFL, he has yet to face Josh Allen. Those two quarterbacks are rising superstars who should define the modern era of the NFL. If the Bills want to get to the Super Bowl this season, they may have to get through the Bengals in the postseason. This Week 17 matchup should have significant implications, perhaps for the number one seed, and both teams will see themselves as championship contenders this season. This could also provide fireworks for fantasy players as this will be the final game of the fantasy football season.
Fireworks in Bills vs Bengals to win your fantasy championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/00DvKG4fNA
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) May 13, 2022
