There are no bad weeks in the NFL, although Thursday Night Football has seen some serious duds in recent years. We all love the NFL so much because one game has such meaning, add the adage “Any Given Sunday” and there’s no wonder we are glued to our TV sets on game day. However, some games do have more appeal, and here are some dates to circle on the 2018 NFL schedule.

Week 1 | Texans @ Patriots | Sunday, Sept. 9th, 1 PM ET

Even thought it’s Week 1, this one has a lot of meaning for many reasons. To start with, it will be QB Deshaun Watson’s first regular season game since tearing his ACL in practice leading up to their Week 9 matchup. Watson looked to be well on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year before the injury. He had tallied 1,699 yards passing, with 19 TD’s and 8 INT’s, with 3 of those interceptions coming in his first start, recording only five in his next 6 starts. He also amassed 269 yards and two more TD’s when rushing the football.

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Why this game stands out to me was the Week 3 meeting between these two when the Texans held a 33-28 lead with just over 2 minutes left in regulation. Tom Brady then worked his magic, moving his team down the field and into the endzone, but it was a glimpse of the Texans future.

With a lot of the same core back for each, with additions and subtractions to both on and off field personnel, this may be the game of the opening week.

Week 12 | Falcons @ Saints | Thursday, November 22nd, 8:20 PM ET

I had to include a Thanksgiving game, who doesn’t love spending a Thursday in late November on the couch watching football while the smell of turkey roasting overtaking the house? Or whatever tradition you follow, it’s a day we all love.

This year’s Turkey Day threesome features three division matchups, highlighted by the second and final meeting between the Saints and Falcons. This game most likely will have a playoff feel, with the NFC South projected as the closest division in all of football this season.

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For the Saints, who finish the season against Tampa Bay, Carolina, Pittsburgh then close out at home against Carolina again, may really need a win in Week 12 to get them into the playoffs.

The Falcons finish with 3 of four on the road, including trips to the Frozen Tundra and to division rivals Carolina and Tampa Bay. If the tryptophan doesn’t have you in a food coma on the couch before the late kickoff, this one will be a great way to top off a great day of football, food and family.

Week 13 | 49ers @ Seahawks | Sunday, December 2nd, 8:20 PM ET

NBC has another great game on the schedule in Week 13 when Richard Sherman makes his first start against the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle, a team he had great success with for the first seven years of his career. It seems the outspoken Sherman could never get over the play calling in the late stages of Super Bowl XLIX leading to the Seahawks missing out on back-to-back championships.

The once superstar cornerback, who is making his way back from an Achilles injury, was cut by the Seahawks this offseason, signing with the hated rival 49ers. Sherman may be the most outspoken player in the league, and plays with a lot of passion and I’m expecting to see fireworks in this one. Provided Sherman’s injury doesn’t derail his season early.

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With major loss on defense, the Seahawks have taken a big drop in oddsmakers eyes, setting their season win total at 8, with the 49ers taking a big leap forward this season with a win total of 8.5. The fact that the first game between these two in 2018 is so late in the season will give this game even more meaning, adding to the excitement. If you are wondering, they play again two weeks later in Week 15.

There are three games I definitely will be watching this season, not that I’ll miss many. Other games worth noting are Patriots at Titans in Week 10; this will be Malcolm Butler’s chance to get back at Belichick after benching him in the Super Bowl and in Week 11 when the Rams host the Chiefs. This game is intriguing because players from both sides switched these jerseys this offseason, including CB Marcus Peters and WR Sammy Watkins.

But this is the NFL and there will never be any shortage of drama. If you haven’t already done so, load up your account at your online sportsbook, and get digging into the numbers. There’s value to be had, you just need to find it.