25 NFL games you need to watch this season

What a way to kick off the season. The defending Super Bowl champs added several interesting pieces, including Brandin Cooks, Mike Gillislee and Stephon Gilmore, while the defending AFC West champs are a must-watch team solely due to the speedy Tyreek Hill.

Could this matchup by an NFC Championship preview? Both teams have been perennial NFC playoff contenders, and the subplot is Eddie Lacy's return to Green Bay. The Russell Wilson vs. Aaron Rodgers matchup isn't too bad, either.

It won't take long for Adrian Peterson to make his return to Minnesota. AP will face his former team in his former city, hoping to add ball control to one of the league's most explosive offenses. Meanwhile, rookie Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray will try to replace Peterson in Minnesota.

Green Bay doesn't get any time to rest after a tough Week 1 matchup against Seattle, visiting the defending NFC champs in Week 2. The Green Bay secondary was obliterated last season, so the Packers will be out to show that they've improved in the offseason while attempting to stop Matt Ryan.

If you enjoy watching running backs, there won't be a better matchup all year than the Cowboys and Cardinals. Ezekiel Elliott will take on David Johnson in a game that could wear out the clock in Week 3, barring a potential suspension for Elliott.

The matchups between the Steelers and Ravens usually play a part in deciding the AFC North race. That could be the case again this year in a key matchup between the two teams in Baltimore.

The Packers toppled the Cowboys in Dallas during last year's playoffs, and Week 5 features an intriguing rematch. The Cowboys weren't able to find an answer for Aaron Rodgers in a 34-31 loss and could have even more trouble this year after major turnover in their secondary.

Week 6 will feature a rematch of a hard-fought 18-16 win by the Steelers in last year's Divisional Round. The game should be a great early-season test for both teams and features some of the league's top offensive weapons, including Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.

One of the best rivalries in the NFL will feature a Thursday night game in Week 7 that could determine the AFC West. The Chiefs won both matchups last season, and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has made it a point of circling these games as Oakland tries to move to the top of the division.

If you love track meets, the Saints and Packers will be an attractive matchup. Both teams struggled with their pass defense last season, and each team has a future Hall of Fame quarterback. At least on paper, the game looks like a high-scoring affair.

The rematch of Super Bowl LI comes in Week 7. The 34-28 overtime win by New England was one of the best games in Super Bowl history, and there will be plenty of anticipation for the rematch between Matt Ryan and Tom Brady.

If you enjoy defense, this could be quite the battle. Houston ranked first in defense last season, while Seattle finished the season ranked fifth. The game features some of the league's most marketable defensive stars, including J.J. Watt, Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman.

The rivalry at midseason could play a huge role in which team wins the NFC East. The subplot is a new group of Washington wide receivers vs. a new Cowboys secondary after offseason turnover.

The organization formerly known as the Dallas Texans visits their former home in what's a dark-horse Super Bowl preview. The Chiefs won the AFC West last season, while the Cowboys claimed the NFC East.

This AFC battle should have playoff implications for both sides. It also features one of the AFC's best young quarterbacks (Andrew Luck) vs. one of its best veterans (Ben Roethlisberger).

If Dallas and Atlanta are able to have similar success to last season, this game will receive plenty of hype. At worst, there will be plenty of offensive players worth watching, including Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones.

The Patriots are considered the overwhelming favorites in the AFC, while Oakland remains a trendy pick after making the playoffs last season. The visit to Oakland will almost certainly be a difficult test for Tom Brady and company.

This is a rematch of last year's NFC Divisional Round matchup, as well as one of the best regular-season games in 2016. The Seahawks won the regular-season game 26-24, ending in what looked like a missed pass interference against Julio Jones. Atlanta got revenge in the playoffs with a 16-point win at home.

Two of the NFL's most storied franchises will battle in what's likely to be a treat for NFL fans between Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger under center. The game is certainly a possible Super Bowl preview.

Will the Cowboys and Giants be battling for the NFC East again? Their matchups always have extra muster as a division rivalry, along with the flare that Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. bring to the field.

A rematch of last year's AFC Championship, the Patriots-Steelers matchup will be a difficult test for New England on the road. Coming down the stretch of the NFL season, it could have major playoff implications.

Oakland will host the Cowboys in another matchup that could have huge playoff implications. At this point in the year we should know if the Dallas secondary is able to hold up, which will be important against a Raiders offense led by Derek Carr and Amari Cooper.

Minnesota and Green Bay battled for the AFC North title last season, and that could be the case again in 2017. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will try to use the elements of Lambeau Field to their advantage.

Two 2016 NFC division winners square off in Week 16. The Dallas offense, led by second-year players Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, will get a tough test from what is still an elite Seattle defense.

The battle of the birds could determine the winner of the NFC West in Week 17, as it's meant to be. The teams played two barn burners last season, with a 6-6 overtime tie in Week 7 and and a 34-31 win by the Seahawks in Week 16.