Buffs in the NFL: Must watch games in 2020

In case you missed it, the NFL announced its 17-week, 256-game regular-season schedule for 2020 which is slated to begin in primetime on September 10 as the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans from Arrowhead Stadium. Of the 256 regular-season games, here are 11 you might want to circle on your calendar; if you’re a Colorado Buffaloes fan that is.

Sunday, September 13 (11:00am MT, CBS)

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., a second-round selection by the Jaguars in last month’s draft, is expected to make his NFL debut at TIAA Bank Field against the AFC South rival Colts.

Sunday, September 20 (11:00am MT, FOX)

Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys

Get your popcorn ready! A pair of the best cornerbacks to ever grace Folsom Field, Isaiah Oliver (Falcons) and Chidobe Awuzie (Cowboys), square off at AT&T Stadium in Week 2.

Sunday, September 27 (2:25pm MT, FOX)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos

Phillip Lindsay has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in each of his first two seasons with the Broncos. Now in his third year, he’ll get the chance face Tom Brady for the first time when the Buccaneers travel to Denver, Colo. for a Week 3 tilt.

Monday, October 5 (6:15pm MT, ESPN)

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

There’s a potential you’ll see up to four former Buffaloes in this Week 4 Monday night matchup. Expect Falcons cornerback Oliver, Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari and kicker Mason Crosby to all see the field. Meanwhile, Kabion Ento, a former receiver for the Buffaloes who went undrafted in 2019, has converted to cornerback for the Packers. However, he spent much of last season on Green Bay’s practice squad.

Thursday, October 22 (6:20pm MT, FOX/NFL Network/Amazon)

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Veteran Giants tackle Nate Solder, the 17^th overall pick by the New England Patriots in 2011, could face Eagles rookie linebacker Davion Taylor in this Thursday night contest.

Sunday, November 1 (6:20pm MT, NBC)

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

A week after squaring off against Solder, Taylor and the Eagles host NFC East rival Awuzie and the Cowboys on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Sunday, November 15 (11:00am MT, FOX)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers

Shenault gets to suit up at one of the most historic venues in the NFL (Lambeau Field) against the Packers trio of former Buffaloes, Bakhtiari, Crosby and Ento.

Sunday, November 29 (11:00am MT, FOX)

New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals

The offensive tackle Solder versus fourth-year defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who the Bengals re-signed to a one-year deal earlier this month.

Thursday, December 3 (6:20pm MT, FOX/NFL Network/Amazon)

Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens

Cornerback ‘U’ will be on full display when the Cowboys’ Awuzie and Ravens veteran Jimmy Smith, a first-round pick by Baltimore in 2011, grace M&T Bank Stadium for this Thursday night contest.

Sunday, December 20 (6:20pm MT, NBC)

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys

A pair of ‘Money Gang’ members, the 49ers Ahkello Witherspoon and Awuzie, reunite at Jerry’s World for this Sunday Night Showdown on NBC. Earlier in the day, you can also check out two of the more dynamic players to put on pads when Shenault and the Jaguars take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at 11:00am MT on CBS.

Sunday, December 27 (11:00am MT, FOX)

New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens

The last time a Colorado Buffaloes player was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft was 2011, and there just happened to be two that year. Wrap up 2020 by watching Colorado Buffaloes greats Nate Solder and Jimmy Smith take the field on December 27^th.