The NFL released its 2014 schedule Wednesday, and yes, we forgive you if you can't wait for it to start. There's a Super Bowl rematch. A star returning to his former home. Part II of an old-school/new-school quarterbacking rivalry. And that's just the first month.
Check out these 10 games you absolutely can't miss from the upcoming season:
Sept. 4: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks ended the 2013 season by thumping the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. They'll begin the 2014 season by aiming to do the same against a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a new-in-green Julius Peppers. Will Pete Carroll's crew return with the same fire? Or will they suffer from a dreaded post-championship hangover?
Sept. 7: Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
Part I of Old Colt versus New Colt went to the young'un, with Andrew Luck guiding Indy to a 39-33 home win last October. The rematch takes place in Colorado, though, where Peyton Manning gets the chance to show his replacement a thing or two about NFL quarterbacking.
Sept. 21: Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Nothing to see here. Just another entry in this heated NFC East rivalry ... turned up to a boil by the return of ex-Philly receiver DeSean Jackson.
Sept. 21: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
No regular-season game can make up for a 43-8 loss on football's biggest stage. But the Broncos will try their best to make it happen when they travel to the Pacific Northwest.
Sept. 28: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
This always-simmering rivalry hasn't been the hottest of late, but this time around it should be radiating enough to thaw a local sidewalk in winter. Peppers took the drive up the Lake Michigan coast during the offseason, while Aaron Rodgers surely still recalls the hit that forced him to miss seven games last fall.
Sept. 28: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
Like Jackson versus Eagles, only with wide receiver Steve Smith's old team coming to his new house. Good thing Smith isn't the fiery type.
Nov. 2: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
AFC Championship Game rematch. Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady. Possible AFC Championship Game preview. But other than that ...
Nov. 27: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
NFC Championship Game rematch. Richard Sherman versus Michael Crabtree. Pete Carroll versus Jim Harbaugh. Potential landmark in the NFC West race. Possible NFC Championship Game preview. But other than that ... (Happy Thanksgiving to us.)
Nov. 30: Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts
Year 1 of the Andrew Luck-versus-Robert Griffin III, No. 1-versus-No. 2 showdown went to Griffin. Year 2 was won, resoundingly, by Luck. Is the Colts' QB unquestionably the better signal-caller? Or will this late-November meeting be another step in RG III's resurgence?
Dec. 14: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Yeah, we already mentioned the first matchup. This rivalry is just that good.
