Best Vs. Best

There are always games within the games in the NFL, and often they're one-on-one matchups. But only rarely are we treated to a full-fledged confrontation between a premier offensive player and a premier defensive player, each as good as anybody in the league at his position and each looking to prove something at the expense of the other. Football reputations are made in moments like these. The 2007 NFL calendar provides but a handful of such showdowns. Here are eight that promise to be great.

WEEK 1 ||| SEPTEMBER 10

Carson Palmer

CINCINNATI BENGALS
QUARTERBACK

VS.

Ed Reed

BALTIMORE RAVENS
SAFETY

In 2004, Palmer's first year as an NFL starter, he threw for 698 yards and three touchdowns in a two-game split with the AFC North-rival Ravens. He also threw four interceptions, three of which landed in the hands of Reed, the Ravens' two-time All-Pro. The following year Reed missed both Bengals games with an ankle injury, and Palmer threw five TDs against just one pick in two victories. Last year the two played each other even. "You have to know where he is at all times," Palmer says of Reed. "You have to play a chess match with him." And a rematch, too: Palmer and Reed will meet again in Week 10, in what's sure to be a tight division race.

WEEK 2 ||| SEPTEMBER 16

LaDainian Tomlinson

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
RUNNING BACK