Every sportswriter will tell you that picking the top NFL games is darn-near impossible these days in the National Parity League because it is futile to predict which teams will be red hot in December. But those bossy bosses tell us we get no paycheck this week if we don't try.

I still have memories of that super-tight playoff race in January — and, at the same time, I feel so much has changed in the NFL since the Super Bowl. Davante Adams packed his bags and skipped town, fleeing from Lambeau to Vegas. Russell Wilson has flown from the Seahawks' nest to romp with the Broncos. Matt Ryan has flown from the Falcons to the Colts, echoing Matt Stafford's Lions leap last year.

There is little sense in naming the playoff crop before Labor Day, and if I picked every 'big game' of 2022, my list would include half the games of each weekend in the NFL's 18-week saga. (That's actually good news!) So, I knocked the list down using my 'Top Seven Must-See Teams' list: Rams, Bengals, Bills, Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders and Titans. I also added a few intriguing matches with the Broncos, Packers, etc.

This compilation will surely displease fans in Dallas, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, but let's pretend I'm from Missouri — and so far those towns just haven't 'shown me.' The western teams, however, have made my eyes pop.

That's it for apologies.

The 2022 season opener (Rams-Bills) is a blockbuster, but I actually get more juiced awaiting the clash of the Titans and Bills on Sep. 19. Also, I'm thrilled to see a showdown between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady on the schedule (Sep. 25), and I'm even more thrilled to see Josh Allen go head-to-head versus Joe Burrow on Jan. 2! Gotta wait a looong time for that one.

Several games could be nationally televised (NT), even though they do not occupy prime programming spots like Thursday Night Football (TNF) or the last game on Sunday (SNF).  Some of the games not marked "featured" could have their start times changed by the NFL, pushing them into the 4:00 p.m. Eastern slot — and, thus, become available nationally.

Here's my list of the Must-See Games of 2022.

Away               @ Home                     Day      Date                (Featured)

Titans              Bills                            Mon.,   Sep. 19            (MNF)
Packers            Bucs                           Sun.,     Sep. 25            (NT)
Raiders            Titans                         Sun.,     Sep. 25
Chiefs              Bucs                           Sun.,     Oct. 2             (SNF)
Rams               49ers                          Mon.,   Oct. 3             (MNF)
Bills                 Chiefs                         Sun.,     Oct. 16            (NT)
Packers            Bills                            Sun.,     Oct. 30            (SNF)
Rams               Bucs                           Sun.,     Nov. 6             (NT)
Broncos           Titans                         Sun.,     Nov. 13           
Bengals           Titans                         Sun.,     Nov. 27           
Rams               Chiefs                         Sun.,     Nov. 27            (NT)
Broncos           Ravens                        Sun.,     Dec. 4 
Chiefs              Bengals                       Sun.,     Dec. 4             (NT)
Raiders            Rams                          Thur.,   Dec. 8             (TNF)
Bengals           Bucs                           Sun.,     Dec. 18            (NT)
Cardinals         Broncos                      Sun.,     Dec. 18            (NT)
Bills                 Bengals                       Mon.,   Jan. 2               (MNF)

Mark your calendars!