2011 NFL Schedule: Will Giants, Jets Meet on 10th Anniversary of 9/11?

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The 2011 NFL Schedule will be announced tonight at 7 p.m. ET on the NFL Network and here's what we know:

The Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers will play host to the first Thursday night game of the season on Sept. 8.

While the opponent won't be determined until tonight, it's likely the NFL will hook up the Packers with another TV friendly team like the hated NFC North rival Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders or New Orleans Saints for a showdown at Lambeau Field.

Beyond that, much is up in the air, including whether the NFL will even play this coming season, based on the current lockout between owners and players.

One hot rumor making the rounds, the New York Giants and New York Jets could face each other at the new Meadowlands Stadium for the first Sunday night game of the year on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, which would be a televised NBC game.

The team-by-team, week-by-week schedules will be announced in a two-hour special on the NFL Network tonight at 7 p.m. ET.

6:03 PM ET

NFL Schedule 2011: Giants-Redskins, Jets-Cowboys to Highlight 9/11

Details of the 2011 NFL Schedule have been leaking out today and Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News is reporting that, contrary to rampant speculation, the New York Giants and New York Jets will not meet on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, but rather the Giants will travel to Washington to play the Redskins in the nation's capital.

Vacchiano also reported that the Jets will play host to the Dallas Cowboys that same day, featuring a coaching showdown between Jets Coach Rex Ryan and his brother Rob, defensive coordinator for the Cowboys.

The Giants are likely to play a day game in Landover, MD, not far from the Pengaon which was part of the 9/11 terrorist attack along with New York’s Twin Towers. Reportedly, the Jets will host a Sunday Night Football game from the Meadowlands and be televised nationally on NBC.

The full 2011 NFL Schedule will be released at 7 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.

12:31 PM ET

NFL Schedule 2011: Head Coaching Brothers Jim, John Harbaugh to Face off

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When the NFL Schedule 2011 is announced tonight at 7 p.m. ET on the NFL Network, one of the most intriguing matchups will feature two brothers squaring off against each other between rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens.

The younger Harbaugh, fresh off an incredibly successful four-year stint as coach of the Stanford Cardinal, will bring the 49ers into Baltimore for a sibling rivalry with big brother John. The game and its backdrop storylines play perfectly into a national televised contest and should emerge as a Monday Night Football matchup.

Not to be undone, the brothers Ryan will also hook up during the 2011 season as gregarious Jets Coach Rex Ryan will tangle with brother Rob, now the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. (We'll see if Rex repeats his press conference impression of his brother, complete with pillow stuffed in the shirt). The Jets-Cowboys showdown will probably be played at the Meadowlands and could be featured on prime-time television.

11:33 AM ET

2011 NFL Schedule: Count on Fireworks When Michael Vick Returns to Atlanta

Nick Laham/Getty Images

One of the more intriguing matchups that'll be announced when the 2011 NFL Schedule is released tonight at 7 p.m. ET on the NFL Network will be the return of QB Michael Vick to Atlanta, where he began his career and ran afoul of the NFL when he was involved in a dog-fighting scandal.

Vick, who served time in a federal prison on a dogfighting conviction, returns to Atlanta for the first time as the QB of the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick has turned around both his career and his life since joining the Eagles and it'll be interesting to see if the dynamic lefty will be vilified or embraced after spending six incredible but turbulent years with the Falcons. After Vick's arrest and conviction, the Falcons released him and distanced themselves from the controversy as best possible.

Vick has been repentant and humble in his return to the NFL where he emerged as one of the top players in the league last year in leading the Eagles to the playoffs by utilizing his incredible combination of speed, scrambling ability and rocket arm. It’ll be interesting to see if Vick comes in seeking revenge for the circumstances of his departure or whether he maintains his quest for forgiveness and to move on with his life and career. My guess is Atlanta fans will fondly remember the incredible achievements Vick recorded on the field and welcome the star back warmly.

11:22 AM ET

NFL Schedule 2011: Can Patriots Avenge Super Bowl XLIV Loss to Giants?

The 2011 NFL Schedule will be announced tonight and there are a host of compelling matchups.

The New York Giants, who ruined the New England Patriots run at the first perfect season in NFL history with a 17-14 victory in Super Bowl XLIV, will meet the Pats in the first-regular season game between the two since the epic Super Bowl contest.

Gone are New England’s Randy Moss and New York’s Super Bowl heroes Plaxico Burress and David Tyree, but both star QBs in Tom Brady and Eli Manning return. That, along with a healthy dose of New York vs. Boston hatred, makes this game a natural for the national television spotlight. Count on seeing this game on either Sunday or Monday Night Football—and less likely as a Thursday Night Football game on the NFL Network.

While it may seem like just another non-conference matchup, count on the Pats being fired up to exact revenge on the Giants, who spoiled New England’s bid to become the first 18-0 team in league history.