49ers at Vikings

Sept. 23, 2012 (Week 3)

The 21st overall pick of the 1998 draft made an immediate impact, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after he led the NFL with 17 receiving touchdowns. Moss made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams as a member of the Vikings, but he eventually wore out his welcome in Minnesota, walking off the field before the conclusion of the team's regular-season finale at Washington in 2004 and then earning a fine for his infamous touchdown celebration in Green Bay a week later. Moss was traded to the Raiders in the offseason.

His homecoming game arrived in his final NFL season. He retired before the 2011 campaign, but signed a one-year deal with the 49ers in 2012 at the age of 35. The player with the second-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history made his first career start for San Francisco against the Vikings, finishing with three receptions for 27 yards in a 24-13 loss to his original team.

Saints at Chargers
Oct. 2, 2016 (Week 4)

Brees' homecoming game might be the most laid-back entry on this list since so much time passed between his exit and his return. He spent 10 more seasons in New Orleans (2006-2020) than he did in San Diego (2001-2005), and only one of his 13 Pro Bowl seasons came as a Charger (2004).

The selection of Philip Rivers in the '04 draft, along with a severe shoulder injury suffered in the final game of the '05 season, spelled the end of Brees' tenure with the Chargers. He revived his career with head coach Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors in eight of the next nine seasons before returning to play Rivers and Co. Brees threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions in the game, but he led a game-winning drive (one of 53 in his career, second in NFL history behind Peyton Manning's 54) that culminated with a one-yard rushing touchdown by fullback John Kuhn with 1:57 to play that gave the Saints a 35-34 win.

After 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees retired with the most passing yards in NFL history (80,358), the second-most passing touchdowns (571), and as the only quarterback to lead the Saints to a Super Bowl title.

Saints at Vikings
Sept. 11, 2017 (Week 1)

Peterson is one of the best running backs to ever play the game. After being selected seventh overall in the 2007 draft, he took the NFL by storm, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and breaking the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards in a Week 9 win over the Chargers. The seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro peaked in 2012 when he won the MVP award after running for 2,097 yards, the second-most in a single season in NFL history.

His 10-season run (2007-2016) with the team came to an end after the Vikings declined his $18 million option following a 2016 campaign that saw him miss all but three games due to a knee injury. While both sides initially expressed an openness to a reunion, Peterson signed with New Orleans and the Vikings selected Dalvin Cook in the second round of the 2017 draft. He made his Saints debut on Monday Night Football at Minnesota. Peterson was limited to 6 carries for 18 rushing yards while Cook finished with 22 carries for 127 yards in the season-opening game, a 29-19 Vikings victory. This homecoming is most memorable for the mid-game death stare Peterson gave Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline.

49ers at Seahawks
Dec. 2, 2018 (Week 13)

No one has more more interceptions since 2010 than Sherman (36), formerly the face of Seattle's Legion of Boom. A fifth-round pick in 2011, Sherman's run of consecutive All-Pro seasons from 2012 through '14 helped power the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowl appearances and one title (the only Super Bowl win in franchise history).

His time in Seattle ended after a torn Achilles caused him to miss the final seven games of the 2017 season, as the Seahawks released him in the offseason. Acting as his own agent, Sherman signed a three-year, $27.2 million contract with the rival 49ers, but San Francisco's defense was no match for the Seahawks in his homecoming game, a 43-16 Seattle victory. He did help the Niners make a run to the Super Bowl the following season, leading the team with three INTs.

Colts at Patriots
Nov. 5, 2006 (Week 9)

Winning followed the NFL's GOAT kicker everywhere. The Patriots made their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history in 1996 after signing Vinatieri as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State. He made the game-winning kicks in the first two Super Bowl wins of the New England dynasty.

Vinatieri did top his successor, Stephen Gostkowski, and the Patriots in his homecoming game after leaving in free agency for the Colts at age 34. Vinatieri made two field goals on four attempts, which proved to be enough in a 27-20 Colts win. His presence also helped provide Peyton Manning's Colts with the swagger required to win it all, as his first season in Indianapolis concluded with a 29-17 win over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Bears at Panthers
Oct. 10, 2010 (Week 5)

Peppers, born and raised in North Carolina, was destined to be a Panther. After playing both football and basketball for the home-state Tar Heels, the second overall pick of the 2002 draft became an instant wrecking crew, capturing Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with 12 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Peppers bolted for the Bears to the tune of six years and $91.5 million after five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections in his first eight seasons (2002-2009) with the Panthers. He played against his hometown team in his fifth game with Chicago, and Peppers made the most of his opportunity. He intercepted QB Jimmy Clausen and made four tackles (one QB hit) in a 23-6 win for the Bears, who went on to make a run to the NFC title game that season.

Broncos at Washington
Nov. 15, 2009 (Week 10)

Bailey earned four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances in what turned out to be his last four seasons in the nation's capital, including leading the NFL in passes defended (24) in 2002. However, Washington decided it was time to move on in 2004, as it traded him to the Broncos along with a second-round pick for running back Clinton Portis.

Bailey returned to Washington in 2009 after continuing his dominant play with the Broncos, including a 2006 campaign when he led the NFL with 10 interceptions. Washington defeated Bailey's Broncos, 27-17, in the homecoming game, as the cornerback recorded four tackles. But his 12 career Pro Bowl nods (tied for most in NFL history among DBs with Hall of Famer Ken Houston) and three All-Pro selections earned him a permanent home in Canton.

Broncos at Eagles
Dec. 27, 2009 (Week 16)

Has there ever been an athlete who represented the city of Philadelphia via on-field playing style more than Dawkins? The hard-hitting safety captured the heart and soul of Philly for 13 seasons (1996-2008), earning seven Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro nods during that stretch. He remains the Eagles' career leader in forced fumbles (32) and co-leader in interceptions (34).

Dawkins said years later that leaving Philadelphia for Denver in free agency was "a traumatic experience." When he returned to the City of Brotherly Love in Week 16 of his first season as a Bronco, the notoriously rough Philadelphia crowd gave Dawkins a standing ovation during pregame introductions. The Hall of Famer recorded eight tackles in a 30-27 Denver loss, as Eagles kicker David Akers hit the game-winner with four seconds to play. Dawkins retired after earning two Pro Bowl selections in three seasons (2009-2011) with the Broncos.

Washington at Bills
Oct. 19, 2003 (Week 7)

Bruce Smith never led the NFL in sacks in a single season, but the first overall pick of the 1985 draft was incredibly consistent, which is why he's the NFL's all-time leader in sacks with 200.

The eight-time All-Pro (tied for the most selections in NFL history among defensive linemen) was asked to take a pay cut after recording seven sacks in 1999 at age 36, snapping a seven-season streak in which he posted at least 10 QB takedowns. He was ultimately released and left for Washington with the most sacks (171) and forced fumbles (35) in Bills history.

Smith's homecoming arrived in his final NFL season. He made the penultimate start of his career that day and recorded a tackle, but the Bills won 24-7. He made the most of his four seasons in the nation's capital, though, vaulting past Reggie White's career sacks record to finish with the most in NFL history.

Seahawks at 49ers
Nov. 7, 2004 (Week 9)

They call Rice the GOAT for a reason. His 16 seasons with the 49ers included three Super Bowl wins (MVP of Super Bowl XXIII), two Offensive Player of the Year awards, 12 Pro Bowl selections and 10 All-Pro honors (tied for the most in NFL History with Jim Otto).

However, he was a cap casualty after the 2000 season, which led to Rice moving across the Bay to the Raiders. A few years later, Oakland traded Rice to the Seahawks at midseason, creating a homecoming in this third game with his new team. He had one reception for five yards in a 42-27 Seattle win and helped the team make the playoffs in what was his final NFL season.

Cardinals at Rams
Nov. 20, 2005 (Week 11)

Warner is the only Rams player to win two MVP awards, and the only Super Bowl MVP in franchise history, as he captained the Greatest Show on Turf to one of the best three-season runs in NFL history. He led the NFL in completion percentage, passing touchdowns and passer rating in each of his MVP seasons (1999 and 2001), both of which led to Super Bowl appearances and the Rams' only Super Bowl championship.

Injuries in 2002 and '03 caused him to miss a combined 23 games over the course of those two seasons. His release from the Rams and subsequent nine-game stint as the Giants' placeholder for Eli Manning in 2004 left his career looking like it was winding down at 33. However, Warner signed with the Cardinals in 2005 and sent a signal that he had something left in the tank in his homecoming game the following season. He outdueled his successor in St. Louis, Marc Bulger, throwing for 285 yards and a season-high three touchdowns in a 38-28 Cardinals win.

Cardinals at Cowboys
Oct. 5, 2003 (Week 5)

In the 13 seasons (1990-2002) he represented America's Team, Emmitt Smith rushed for 17,162 yards, more than any other player in NFL history has run for in a career. Dallas chose Smith 17th overall in the 1990 NFL Draft, and he immediately ascended to the top of the league, leading the NFL in rushing yards in four of his first six seasons, including in 1993, when he ran for 1,486 yards and won both league MVP and Super Bowl MVP while helping the Cowboys win their second consecutive championship.

The Cowboys' last Super Bowl title to date came after the 1995 season, which was Smith's final season leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,773) and rushing touchdowns (25). Seven years later, the 34-year-old was released, with the team looking to get younger and less expensive at the position in Bill Parcells' first offseason as the Cowboys' head coach.

Smith's homecoming game came in his first year with the Cardinals, and he ran for -1 yard on six carries while catching two passes for 2 yards. Smith said playing in that game "broke and shattered his heart." But in the end, he was able to finish his career happily as a Cowboy after signing a one-day contract with the team following his second Arizona season in 2004.

Falcons at Chiefs
Sept. 9, 2012 (Week 1)

Though this homecoming didn't feature as much animosity as Brett Favre's, Chiefs fans still weren't quite over Tony Gonzalez's trade demand when he returned to KC three years after being shipped to Atlanta. Gonzalez was drafted by the Chiefs 13th overall in 1997, and he went on to log the most receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940) and receiving TDs (76) in franchise history; he also led the NFL in receptions in 2004 (102). But with the organization struggling (the Chiefs went 6-26 in 2007 and '08), Gonzalez requested a trade, and Kansas City granted his wish by sending him to the Falcons ahead of the 2009 season in exchange for a 2010 second-round pick.

In this game, Gonzalez found the end zone -- and a chorus of boos -- on a 7-yard strike from Matt Ryan that made the score 34-17 with 3:56 to play in the third quarter. Atlanta ended up winning, 40-24, and Gonzalez finished with five receptions and 53 receiving yards. The six-time first-team All-Pro (that's the most by a tight end in NFL history, and five came while he was in K.C.) ended up planting his place among the all-time greats. After playing five seasons with the Falcons (2009-2013), Gonzalez finished his career with 1,325 receptions (third-most in NFL history), 15,127 receiving yards (sixth-most among all players and the most among tight ends) and 111 receiving TDs (eighth-most in NFL history, second-most among tight ends).

Cowboys at Eagles
Oct. 8, 2006 (Week 5)

Terrell Owens' two seasons with the Eagles (2004-'05) encapsulated everything people love and hate about T.O.: high-end production as well as a capacity for being a distraction. He arrived in Philadelphia after wearing out his welcome in San Francisco during eight seasons (1996-2003) with the Niners. In 2004, the 31-year old was on his best behavior, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors after totaling 1,200 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on 77 receptions. Despite breaking his leg late in the season, Owens risked his career by returning to total nine receptions and 122 receiving yards in the Eagles' narrow 24-21 Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Patriots.

Owens' frustration began to simmer in 2005, when he and the team could not agree on a new contract. He erupted like a volcano after the Eagles did not stop their Week 8 home against the Chargers to honor his 100th career receiving touchdown, telling ESPN he agreed with the comment by Michael Irvin (now an NFL Network analyst, Irvin worked for ESPN at the time) that the defending NFC champions would have been better off with Brett Favre at quarterback rather than Donovan McNabb after a 4-3 start.

The Eagles suspended Owens after Week 8 in 2005 for the final nine games of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. Despite the drama, the Cowboys snapped Owens up in free agency upon his release and signed him to a three-year, $25 million contract. He got his act together once again in Dallas, leading the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns in 2006. However, the Philly faithful got their money's worth while watching Owens catch only three passes for 45 yards despite being targeted a game-high 13 times by Drew Bledsoe in the Eagles' 38-24 victory.

Broncos at Colts
Oct. 20, 2013 (Week 7)

The standing ovation given to Peyton Manning -- Tom Brady's onfield archrival for many years and the OTHER quarterback on the All-Decade Team of the 2000s -- before he played against the Colts in a Broncos jersey for the first time is likely the most similar to the kind of reception Brady will receive in New England in Week 4. During his time with the Colts, Manning won more MVPs (four) than any other player in NFL history, and he led the franchise to its only Super Bowl win (in Super Bowl XLI) since moving to Indianapolis in 1984. Manning concluded his 13 seasons with the Colts (1998-2010) as their career leader in QB wins (141), passing yards (54,828) and passing TDs (399).

But in 2011, a neck injury caused Manning to miss his entire age-35 season, and the Colts wound up releasing him, then drafted his successor, Andrew Luck, first overall in 2012. Manning, meanwhile, signed a five-year, $96 million deal to join John Elway's Broncos in Denver. Manning's first opportunity to return to Indianapolis came over a year later, in Week 7 of the 2013 season. Manning (29-of-49, 386 passing yards, three passing TDs, one INT and a 96.1 passer rating) and the 6-0 Broncos came up one score short against Luck (21-of-38, 228 passing yards, three passing TDs, zero INTs, 99.5 passer rating, 29 rushing yards and one rushing TD), falling by the final tally of 39-33. Manning's only interception of the day set up a Colts field goal that put Indy up by six, and then Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman's fumble helped put the game out of reach.

Manning's Broncos career peaked in 2013; he set the NFL single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55) en route to earning his fifth NFL MVP. He capped his career with an Elway-like finish with a Super Bowl 50 win in 2015.

Vikings at Packers
Nov. 1, 2009 (Week 8)

Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field is the most contentious homecoming game on this list because of how he transformed the Packers franchise during his 16 seasons (1992-2007) in Green Bay. The Packers made only two playoff appearances in the 23 seasons (1969-1991) between Vince Lombardi's departure and Favre's arrival via trade with the Falcons. With Favre as the starting quarterback, the Packers made the playoffs 11 times. His era included a six-season streak of playoff participation (from 1993 to '98) that saw the Green and Gold make consecutive Super Bowls (they won Super Bowl XXXI and lost Super Bowl XXXII). Favre became the only player in NFL history to earn three consecutive MVPs as he led the NFL in passing touchdowns each season from 1995 to '97.

Favre retired from Green Bay at age 38 after the 2007 season, prompting the Packers to commit their starting QB job to their 2005 first-round pick, Aaron Rodgers. But shortly after Favre announced his retirement, he got the itch to return. The Packers reportedly offered to pay Favre to stay retired, but Favre wanted to play. Thus, Favre un-retired and was traded to the Jets (an AFC team that rarely plays Green Bay) for a conditional draft pick. He played out the 2008 season in New York, retired, and then signed with the Packers' NFC North rivals in Minnesota prior to the 2009 season.

In his first appearance in Green Bay in an opposing uniform, Favre was serenaded with continuous boos as he jogged out of the visitor's tunnel and when he came on to the field for the Vikings' first possession. He bear-hugged Bernard Berrian after throwing his fourth passing touchdown (on the day, he was 17-of-28 for 244 passing yards, four passing TDs, 0 INTs and a 128.6 passer rating) to seal a 38-26 Vikings victory. Favre out-dueled Rodgers (26-of-41, 287 passing yards, three passing TDs, 0 INTs and a 108.5 passer rating). By the end of the season, Favre had become the first player in NFL history to throw for 30 or more passing touchdowns (33) in a season at the age of 40 or older.

Forget Favre; if you add up the anticipation generated by all five of Ryan Fitzpatrick's homecoming games, that's essentially the same amount of excitement. (Just kidding!) The NFL's preeminent journeyman has had a homecoming against five of the eight teams he has played for in his 16 seasons (from 2005 to 2020). He will not have a homecoming game opportunity in 2021, his 17th season and his first with Washington, his ninth NFL team. But here are the homecoming efforts on his resume:

• Week 14, 2019: Jets defeat Fitzpatrick's Dolphins, 22-21. Fitzpatrick played for the Jets (making 27 starts) for two seasons, from 2015 to '16.
• Week 17, 2015: Bills defeat Fitzpatrick's Jets, 22-17. Fitzpatrick played for the Bills (making 53 starts, the most with one team in his career) for four seasons, from 2009 to 2012.
• Week 11, 2015: Texans defeat Fitzpatrick's Jets, 24-17. Fitzpatrick played for the Texans (making 12 starts) for one season, in 2014.
• Week 8, 2014: Fitzpatrick's Texans defeat the Titans, 30-16. Fitzpatrick played for the Titans (making nine starts) for one season, in 2013.
• Week 11, 2010: Fitzpatrick's Bills defeat the Bengals, 49-31. Fitzpatrick played for the Bengals (making 12 starts) for two seasons, from 2007 to '08.