Week 15: New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 ET
The last time Brady and Big Ben went head-to-head, the Steelers’ dream of going to the Super Bowl was crushed in Boston. Running back Le’Veon Bell was sidelined early in the game, and wide receiver Antonio Brown caught heat after it.
That AFC Conference Championship tilt saw the Patriots wallop the Steelers in New England, 36-17.
This time around, visions of Super Bowl dreams could be on the line once again. This is provided both franchises have played as well as they did last year. It is almost a no-brainer right now to envision that Brady and the Patriots could be competing for home field advantage in the playoffs.
As for Roethlisberger and the Steelers, this might mark the final game Big Ben faces Brady on an NFL field if Roethlisberger retires after the season.
Either way, both teams and all parties involved are sure not to disappoint when this late-season contest kicks off at a chilly Heinz Field.
Week 16: Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 ET
Matchups between these two NFC South teams are typically high-scoring affairs. Week 16 marks the second game of the season between quarterback greats, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.
As of now, the Saints have yet to commit to life beyond Brees. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is signed only through the 2017 season. So oddly enough, this matchup could represent the last time Brees and Ryan square off as divisional rivals. Even more sad is it could be the last time Brees plays at the Super Dome as a Saints quarterback.
As for stakes, it is pretty easy to envision the Falcons competing for a postseason berth based on their 2016 success. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said right now about the Saints.
However things play out during the season, both Ryan and Brees are bound to score lots of points and toss for hundreds of yards no matter what their team record is by then.