NFL

15 Best Out of Conference Games of the 2015 NFL Season

15 Best Out of Conference Games of the 2015 NFL Season

Tony Romo Cowboys
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We know who each team will play in 2015 and where they will play, but we don't know when. Even before free agency and the NFL Draft begin, there are several intriguing out of conference matchups that could very well be the matchup for Super Bowl 50. Here are the best 15 out of conference games of the 2015 NFL season.

15. Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers

Reggie Wayne Colts
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15. Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers

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In a battle between the NFC and AFC South champions, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 Draft (Cam Newton) faces the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (Andrew Luck). The Panthers' front seven will also have their hands full containing Luck in the pocket.

14. Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs

Stephen Tulloch Lions
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14. Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs

Stephen Tulloch Lions
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Two up-and-coming teams meet at Arrowhead Stadium as the Detroit Lions take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City's pass rush, led by Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, should be licking their chops against Detroit's porous offensive line.

13. Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford Lions
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13. Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford Lions
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The last time the Broncos and Lions met, Tim Tebow was under center and the Lions shut down Tebowmania 45-10 at Mile High Stadium. This time around, Peyton Manning -- if he decides to play this season -- will face his former head coach in Jim Caldwell.

12. Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals

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12. Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals

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Two of the best teams in terms of home-field advantage clash in Cincinnati as the Seahawks take on the Bengals. Cincinnati at home has been lethal, defeating New England in 2013 and Denver last season.

11. New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts

Adam Vinatieri Colts
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11. New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts

Adam Vinatieri Colts
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In a rematch of Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. The last time these two met, the Saints thrashed the Colts 62-7 in New Orleans. The players who remain from that team will want some revenge for that beatdown.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
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10. Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

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In a rematch of Super Bowl XL, the Seahawks host the Steelers in what will definitely be an emotional game. The 12th Man definitely won't forget that they felt screwed by the refs during that Super Bowl.

9. Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick 49ers
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9. Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers

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The 49ers and Ravens won't feature the Harbaugh brothers, but this game will still be a physical war. Both the Ravens and 49ers can be dominant on defense, and this will also be the first regular season matchup between these teams since Super Bowl XLVII.

8. Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens

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8. Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens

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The Super Bowl XLVII and XLVIII champions face off in Baltimore as the Ravens host the Seahawks. A lot of trash talk will be present here as Steve Smith goes one-on-one with Richard Sherman and Justin Forsett faces his former team.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Antonio Brown Steelers
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7. San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

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Two of the NFL's premier franchises face off once again as the 49ers take on the Steelers in Pittsburgh. San Francisco's pass rush will be much improved with Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis back, while the Steelers' offensive line remains a question mark.

6. Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
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6. Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
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In the first matchup since Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. This will also be the first time that Bruce Arians coaches against the team with which he won two Super Bowls as an offensive coordinator.

5. Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers

Alex Smith Chiefs
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5. Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers

Alex Smith Chiefs
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In 2011, the Green Bay Packers were undefeated heading into their matchup with Kansas City. A loss to the Chiefs was their only blemish of that season, and I'm sure Packer nation hasn't forgotten that.

4. Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher Bears
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4. Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher Bears
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The Chicago Bears will have plenty of former Denver Broncos on their roster when these teams meet. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall face the team that traded them, and John Fox and Adam Gase will look to get revenge on John Elway for dismissing them this offseason.

3. New England Patriots at New York Giants

Eli Manning Giants
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3. New England Patriots at New York Giants

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If there has been one team that is New England's kryptonite, it is the New York Giants. This time, the Patriots travel to New York and try to slay their demons who cost them two Super Bowl titles.

2. Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos

Sam Shields Packers
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2. Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos

Sam Shields Packers
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Two of the game's greatest quarterbacks clash in Denver as Peyton Manning takes on Aaron Rodgers. This game will also feature a trio of great pass rushers in Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews III.

1. New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys

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1. New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys

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The battle for the real distinction of America's Team will be decided on the field when the Patriots take on the Cowboys. The Cowboys have proved that they can win the big games -- just remember last year in Seattle.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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