2012 NFL Schedule: Best Potential Prime Time Showdowns

In anticipation of the NFL schedule that reportedly is to be released on Tuesday, April 17, I've got the best potential prime time showdowns for you. (via NBCSports.com)

Yes, divisional battles are always a favorite for Sunday and Monday night football, but come on, you don't have to hear about how great a Patriots-Jets or Cowboys-Giants matchup could be.

You already know that. 

A good chunk of the 2012 prime time schedule will feature divisional games, and that's fine. 

But my sole purpose in this space is to deliver the out-of-division matchups that would provide the most intrigue, compelling story lines and thrilling outcomes. 

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers 

The 49ers were the NFL's darlings last year, riding the best all-around defense, a punishing running game and a boisterous first-year coach to overtime in the NFC championship game.

They added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency and are primed to make another steady run at the Super Bowl.

Chicago was the surprise of the NFC North through the first 10 games of the 2011 season. They were sitting pretty at 7-3 and were one of the most balanced teams in football.

Then the injury bug wreaked havoc on their roster. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte were lost for the season, and the Bears faltered down the stretch.

Though Forte is laboring through a messy contract dispute, the Bears will head into the 2012 season a revamped club after an active free agency period.

Brandon Marshall was acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, and bruiser Michael Bush was brought in to back up Forte.

Think this game would stimulate enough interest?

I haven't even mentioned Patrick Willis or Julius Peppers.

Give me this game on "Monday Night Football."

I bet we'd hear John Gruden say "I like this guy" a record number of times that evening.

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins 

OK, this game isn't between two NFL heavyweights, I get that. 

It does feature two of the games most potentially transcendent and completely mystical quarterbacks—Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III. 

Newton and Griffin III have the chance to drastically alter the expectations we set forth for NFL signal-callers. 

Defense wins championships—yeah, yeah, yeah. 

Cam against RGIII under the lights?

Yes, please. 

Detroit Lions at Houston Texans 

With Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and especially the seemingly divine Calvin Johnson, everybody wants to watch the Detroit Lions. 

I know I do. 

Can they take the next step after giving us a wildly entertaining 2011 season and playoff game, which they ultimately lost to the New Orleans Saints? 

The Texans were another steady team last year, and who knows how far they would have ventured into the postseason had Matt Schaub not been injured. 

They lost a few key pieces in free agency, like Mario Williams and Eric Winston, but they remain the class of the AFC South.  

With Schaub returning, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and a defensive line that's still loaded with talent, this will be a fun team to watch in 2012. 

Lots of fireworks in this Lions-Texans clash. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso