Best individual matchups of the 2017 NFL season

The defensive genius that is Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will be tested in the first game of the NFL season. Tyreek Hill took the NFL by storm with his speed in his rookie season for the Chiefs, and he's been promoted to No. 1 wideout for Kansas City after the team released Jeremy Maclin. Opening night in the NFL could have plenty of fireworks.

It's not the first go-around for the Rodgers vs. Sherman matchup, but it should be quite a chess match. Rodgers has consistently been one of the most accurate passers in the league, while Sherman is the anchor of the elite Seattle defense.

It won't take long for Peterson to play his former team. He will visit his old NFL home in Week 1 on Monday Night Football as a member of the Saints and is likely to get quite an ovation from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd.

The student faces the teacher as former Chiefs offensive coordinator Pederson travels to Kansas City to face his old boss, Reid. Furthering the connection, Pederson was Reid's very first starting quarterback as a head coach in the NFL with the Eagles, mentoring Donovan McNabb. The Eagles and Chiefs are built similarly, with strong defenses and offenses capable of scoring points when needed.

Arians did a spectacular job replacing Pagano in 2012, who was recovering from cancer. Arians recovered from kidney cancer himself this offseason, and the two close friends are both looking to lead their teams back to the playoffs in 2017.

Another case of the student facing the teacher, former Washington offensive coordinator McVay faces his former team and head coach Gruden. McVay was hired by the Rams as the youngest coach in the league this offseason.

Based on last season, there aren't two better quarterbacks in the NFC than Rodgers and Ryan. Ryan denied Rodgers the MVP Award in 2016, and the game could be a track meet on Sunday Night Football in a dome.

This won't be O'Brien's first chance to face his former team and Pats head coach Belichick, but it should still be a good strategic matchup. Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel also held the same role with the Patriots from 2001-04.

The strength of this matchup will depend on which version of Newton shows up this year. The 2015 version was nearly impossible for opposing defenses to stop, resulting in the MVP. Last year's version was very different, as Newton was hit often and struggled through injuries. If the old Newton shows up, Bill Belichick will need to be on top of his game.

Chiefs fans certainly remember the holding call on Fisher on a two-point conversion attempt in the AFC Divisional Round last year that all but ended K.C.'s season. Fisher held Harrison, a wily veteran who is still going strong at age 39. He will get another shot at stopping Harrison in Week 6.

Perhaps the loudest wide receiver in the league faces the most gregarious cornerback in what should be an interesting head-to-head matchup as the Giants face Seattle. The pair faced off once previously, when Beckham Jr. had 108 yards receiving in a 38-17 loss in 2014.

Aside from this matchup being a rematch of last year's epic Super Bowl, we'll get to see an offensive rematch between Brady and Ryan. The former MVPs both have favorable odds to win the award this season.

Charles still has to make Denver's roster and stay healthy, but he'd get his first chance to take on his former team in Week 8. He didn't exactly comfort Chiefs fans with his comments about joining the Broncos this offseason, but arguably the Chiefs' best running back ever should still get a warm welcome in Kansas City.

The 2017 draft class featured a wealth of great running back options. Arguably the two most talented will face each other in Week 9 when the Jaguars play Cincinnati. Fournette has a power running style, while Mixon is a much more versatile back.

A rematch of the 2015-16 AFC Championship Game, the Patriots will visit Denver in Week 10. That's a tough matchup for any quarterback, and Brady has probably had nightmares about Miller after getting pressured so often in the aforementioned playoff game.

Beckham Jr. gets a major challenge early in the season when he faces the Seahawks, but a matchup against Peters could be even more difficult. No defensive back has more interceptions over the last two seasons than the K.C. cornerback.

Lynn finished last season as Buffalo's interim head coach, but the organization decided to look elsewhere for a head coach. The Chargers were able to scoop up Lynn, who will face his former team in Week 11.

Two of the top MVP candidates in the AFC, the 40-year-old Brady will face the 26-year-old Carr in Week 11. The game could also be an AFC playoff preview.

Ryan had two huge games against the Seahawks last season, losing during the regular season on a controversial non-call and easily winning in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. Seattle couldn't really find an answer for Ryan last season, but it'll try to find better luck this time.

This could be our final chance to see Rodgers take on Big Ben in an NFL game. Rodgers turns 34 in December, while Roethlisberger is 35 and has been contemplating retirement annually.

The 2016 NFL Draft featured a great debate over whether Goff or Wentz was better. The results of that debate still remain to be seen, but we'll get a chance to see the No. 1 overall pick (Goff) take on the No. 2 overall pick (Wentz) in Week 14.

The former defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Zimmer is likely playing for his job this season in Minnesota. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is has an important year ahead as he faces his former coordinator.

The most recent matchup between Brady and Roethlisberger was last year's AFC Championship. Brady won that game easily and is looking to do the same at Pittsburgh in a game that could have huge playoff implications.

Arguably the best pass rusher in football, Mack will be a major challenge for a stellar Cowboys offensive line that lost talent in the offseason. Dallas allowed only 28 sacks last season, tied for seventh best in the NFL.

Two similarly mobile and efficient quarterbacks will square off when Wilson and the Seahawks face Prescott and the Cowboys. Both teams made the playoffs last season and have high hopes again this year.