2012 NFL Schedule: 5 Most Intriguing Non-Division Games

Everyone knows the division rivalries make the best games, but there are some inter-division and inter-conference gems on the 2012 NFL schedule.

As the time draws close for the NFL draft on April 26, the money spots of the schedule are almost crystal clear.

Most of the great games won't be impacted by the draft, as the opponents for each team have already been named.

These five games will be bananas when it comes to hype, and here is what makes each of them intriguing:

Denver at New England

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning renew acquaintances, but this time Manning will be wearing Broncos' colors.

That dynamic is enough alone, but throw in the fact that the Patriots whipped the Broncos in the playoffs and both teams figure to contend again, and now you have a more team-centric angle.

Whichever you fancy, this one will be one of the most hyped and biggest games of the year.

Pittsburgh at Dallas

I'm old school and I grew up on this inter-conference rivalry. This year, both the Steelers and Cowboys will be strong on paper, but the intrigue in this game is all about nostalgia for me.

Forgive me if I call Tony Romo, Roger Staubauch, and Ben Roethlisberger, Terry Bradshaw. I'll get it together, I've likely zoned out for a minute.

Both super franchises will have the Super Bowl on their minds this season, but these teams don't even need that element to grab my interest.

Green Bay at New York Giants

A chance for the Packers to gain revenge after the Giants sent them packing on their way to a Super Bowl championship.

The Packers will undoubtedly have this date circled on their calendar. I don't expect the Giants to be as strong, but then again, no one expected them to put it all together in the postseason this past season either.

Because of the magnitude of the upset last year, this game will get tons of attention.

San Francisco at New Orleans

A rematch of the best football game I saw from last season. The Niners and Saints' playoff clash ranks right up there with the Colts and Steelers 1995 Playoff matchup. Ironically, Jim Harbaugh was involved in both.

The game had everything, even some things we didn't know about.

Their last meeting turned out to be a major element of the Saints' punishment for their bounty program.

This time, beyond the football aspects, seeing the two teams together again will undoubtedly spark interest.

Even with no drama in the mix, it is still a matchup of two of the best teams in the NFC.

Carolina at Washington

Neither of these teams will be strong contenders next season, but both will be respectable and entertaining. This is primarily because of the dynamic presence each will have at QB.

Unless the sky turns pink and by some stretch the Redskins don't select Robert Griffin III, this could be a matchup of the last two Heisman trophy winners.

Cam Newton and RG3 on the same field is worth the price of admission alone. As long as Mike Shanahan allows RG3 to crack the starting lineup, we'll be able to sit back and enjoy the show.