NFL Indianapolis Colts 2011: Top 5 Games in Upcoming Season

With the NFL lockout ending lets take a look at the top five games for the Indianapolis Colts this season.  This list was hard to come up with since every game is a must win in the National Football League.

With playing the three other AFC South divisional opponents, the NFC South, and the AFC North, the Colts have a tough schedule.

Not to mention big game road match-ups at New England and Baltimore.

The Colts will try and improve on their what I consider a disappointing 10-6 record in the 2010 season.  With all the injuries and breakdowns they should improve on that record this season.

These five games are must see and very important for the Colts to win this season.

5. Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts, November 6th, 1:00 PM, Fox

This game of two high profile offenses should be amazing.

The Falcons were winners of the NFC South last season and had an NFC best 13-3 record.  They had home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but had a disappointing Divisional Round loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champions Green Bay Packers.

With the addition to great draft pick in April the Falcons will come to Indy hungry for a mid season win.

Colts fans will need to come to this game loud and proud and show the Falcons the have the best 12th man in the league.

Last Meeting: November 22nd, 2007- Colts 31 Falcons 13

Series HIstory: Colts lead 13-1

4. Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints, October 23rd, 8:20 PM, NBC

 This game will be great and have many storylines for many reasons.

Not only is this the rematch of Super Bowl 44, but it's also the second time Peyton Manning will come back home to New Orleans and play the Saints.

This will be a great match-up for Sunday Night Football, and a must win for the Colts.

3. Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans, September 11th, 1:00 PM, CBS

This game may be the most important of the season.  Normally I wouldn't say the first game matters much, and it may not this year, but payback for last year's beat down is a must.

The Texans ran all over the Colts last year in the season opener at Reliant Stadium.  The Colts will try to avenge last years disappointing loss and get this season off to a great start.

Not to mention the Texans are a serious threat for a playoff spot this season and giving them a home loss and a division loss at the same time would be a great thing for the Colts.

This once again will be Houston's Super Bowl as they portrayed it last year.

Just hope another 300+ yard Rushing performance doesn't happen again.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, September 25th, 8:20 PM, NBC

This early season AFC match-up of the last two Super Bowl runner-ups will match physical vs. finesse.

The Steelers will come to Indy hoping to play physical and push the Colts off their game.

This primetime match-up will be must see.  The Colts are one of the best teams on National TV primetime games, and are especially tough at home in primetime.

Last time the Steelers came to Indy during a regular season match-up they accoused the Colts of pumping in crowd noise because of the deafening noise levels in the former home of the Colts the RCA Dome.

This time the crowd will need to show the Steelers that was all crowd noise and grab an early AFC Conference win.

1. Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, December 4th, 8:20 PM, NBC

This may have become one of the biggest rivalries in football. Every year this is a must-see.

It's Brady vs. Manning. Enough said.

From 2001-2010, both teams combined to win six AFC Championship games.

They have played every year since 2003, with the Patriots holding the series lead since then 6-5. The Patriots dominated the matchup early, but the Colts have dominated this series since 2005 in going 5-2 since.

Every game is close and rarely a blowout. Since 2006, the largest margin of victory has been four points.

With being a late season matchup, this game can determine a lot for both teams.