Styles make fights. And matchups make fantasy points. There are plenty of things we take into account when trying to figure out which players we're going to target for our fantasy rosters and while a particular team's schedule isn't the biggest factor, it does play a part.
But more than that ... watching two teams score a lot of points is just plain fun. (Apologies to any defensive coordinators reading this.) That's way I've put together my list of the top 10 games on the 2020 NFL schedule that could turn out to be fantasy bonanzas.
You might notice that some teams appear multiple times. They're probably the teams you'd expect. This is not an accident. So as they say in fantasy football. Let's do that fantasy football.
10. San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, Week 16
These two teams played an uptempo duel in the desert late last season. This year, the Cardinals come back with a retooled offense featuring DeAndre Hopkins at the head of a hydra-like pass-catching corps. This game also features Niners first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk making his return to the Valley of the Sun after starring at Arizona State. With a little luck, this Christmas Day tilt could bring you the gift of a fantasy championship.
9. Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, Week 2
Because the Falcons' defense was so poor early last season, the Falcons offense was the fantasy gift that kept on giving. Even though Atlanta focused on defense in the draft, this group could have a tough time slowing one of 2019's most prolific offenses -- that also added a dynamic playmaker in CeeDee Lamb. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Todd Gurley, and the rest of the Dirty Birds will have to keep their foot on the gas to stay in this one.
8. New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, Week 13
In so many ways, these teams enter 2020 as mirror images of each other offensively. Veteran quarterbacks who have perennially been fantasy favorites. Versatile running backs who, at their best, have top 10 potential. Elite wide receivers who can dominate a game at any time. In the past, it's been common to need to score at least 30 points in this rivalry to earn a win. That could again be the case when they resume unpleastantries in the ATL.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, Week 1
This will likely be the last season that we see Tom Brady and Drew Brees on an NFL field at the same time. So it's only fitting that the first time we see the new-look TOMPA BAY Buccaneers, it comes against his veteran counterpart. Oh ... and it also means plenty of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara.
6. Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 12
Last season, Mahomes and the Chiefs got the best of Brady and the Patriots. This year, Mahomes and company meet up with TB12 under a different set of circumstances. Nonetheless, the Bucs and their anticipated high-octane offense will need to hit on all cylinders if they plan to keep up with the track squad that Kansas City will roll out.
5. Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans, Week 2
Fantasy managers love quarterbacks who can run. In 2019, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson both finished in the top four in QB rushing yards -- let's ignore that there was nearly an 800-yard difference between the two. Nonetheless, both players are expected to again be top five at their position and boast a slew of playmaking teammates that could make for a high-scoring affair.
4. Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs, Week 1
Remember that time the Texans jumped out to a 24-0 lead over the Chiefs in a playoff game only to give up 41 unanswered points and eventually get boat-raced? Good times. Houston gets to go back to the scene of the crime and run it back against Kansas City to start the 2020 season. I'm pretty sure no one is going to remind Deshaun Watson and company about what happened the last time. Nope. Not a single person.
3. San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints, Week 10
When these teams met in Week 14 last year, people were expecting a defensive struggle. Instead, we got one of the highest-scoring, most entertaining games of the season. We'll see if the Niners are again up to the challenge of winning a tough game in the Superdome. If so, they'll likely have to light up the scoreboard once again to get it done.
2. Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints, Week 15
The most prolific passer of the last decade hosts the man poised to become the most prolific passer of the next decade in a game that should be must-see TV for football fans of both the fantasy and non-fantasy persuasion.
1. Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens, Week 3
When these teams faced off in Week 3 last season, both Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson topped 20 fantasy points. This year's matchup of the top two fantasy quarterbacks -- and last two NFL MVPs -- figures to feature the same type of fireworks.
Marcas Grant is a fantasy analyst for NFL.com and a man whose top starter is sourdough. Send him your quarantine culinary cues or fantasy football questions on Twitter @MarcasG or Instagram at MarcasG.
