2012 NFL Schedule: 5 Matchups We Can't Wait to See

 The full 2012 NFL schedule will be released Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, which will just be a few weeks right before the upcoming 2012 NFL draft on April 26th. In the meantime, we get to salivate on the prime-time matchups we can't wait to see for the 2012 NFL regular season.  

We already know that there is a great matchup that we can look forward to in the preseason, when the Indianapolis Colts and No. 1 pick Andrew Luck take on the Washington Redskins and the No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III, according to the Mel Kiper 2012 NFL mock draft. 

However, the real fireworks and competition comes during the regular season, where rivalries, rematches and future Hall of Famers conquer all.

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Now this is a matchup of contrasting personalities. You have coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets and his brash, loud-mouth, we-like-to-talk-but-don't-walk attitude, against the disciplined coach Bill Belichick and the win-at-all-costs New England Patriots.

The Patriots lead the all-time series 53-52-1, and they dominated the Jets in 2011, winning both games by a combined score of 67-37. However, the Jets had the last laugh of the rivalry on the Jan. 16th, 2011 playoff game, beating the Patriots 28-21 at Gillette Stadium.

Add in Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Vincent Wilfork against the two-headed quarterback of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, along with Darrelle Revis and his jerk comment about Bill Belichick, and you will have some interesting drama with teams that absolutely hate each other. 

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

This should have been the matchup that everyone was looking forward to in the 2011 NFL playoffs, but the New York Giants ruined that one.

As a result, we get to live the game that never was and see how one of the highest scoring offensive teams in the Green Bay Packers will fare against one of the best defensive teams in the San Francisco 49ers.

Can the 49ers prove defense still wins championships or will quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers prove great quarterback play does?

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Everyone remembers the 2011 NFL regular-season opener between these two teams where, in the box score, Aaron Rodgers passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns in a winning effort. Drew Brees put up 419 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort, with the Packers prevailing in high-scoring fashion, 42-34.

Why can't these teams put up similar numbers and give fans another reason one of these quarterbacks will again be the 2012 NFL MVP?

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers  

The Giants and 49ers have met in the playoffs eight times, with both teams having won four games. In the 2002 playoffs, the 49ers erased a 24-point deficit to Giants, down 38-14, and won 39-38 because the Giants botched a last-second field goal.

However, the Giants had the last laugh in last season's NFC championship game, winning 20-17 in overtime because 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams fumbled the ball and the Giants recovered and kicked the game-winning field goal.

This time, in the regular season, who will prevail? Could we be in for another playoff rematch?

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots 

Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning.

You have New England Patriot Tom Brady in one corner, who stands at 6'4'' and 225 pounds, and is a three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP and a seven-time Pro Bowler. In the other corner, you have Denver Bronco, and former Indianapolis Colt, Peyton Manning, who stands at 6'5'' and 230 pounds, and is a Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, four-time NFL MVP and an 11-time Pro Bowler.

More importantly, the battles between these two future Hall of Famers have been nothing but extraordinary—Brady is 8-4 in his career against Manning, including a 2-1 record in the playoffs.

This is by far the matchup everyone will be looking forward to most for the 2012 NFL schedule.

These matchups look fierce as the drama heightens, and we will have to wait until early September to get this 2012 NFL schedule started.