2012 NFL Schedule: Most Underrated and Intriguing Matchups This Season

Some of the most compelling games of the 2012 NFL season won't be the ones that necessarily seem intriguing right now. 

The Green Bay Packers-New York Giants playoff rematch is bound for prime-time. The same goes for the AFC Championship rematch between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. You can bet an abundance of divisional showdowns will be prominently featured, too. 

We get those type of matchups every year. 

But about how these games? 

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins 

I'll be watching this one closely, and I hope the NFL is smart enough to put it on Sunday or Monday night. Sure, the Panthers and Redskins aren't among the league's elite, but Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III are potentially transcendent quarterbacks and are simply a blast to watch. 

Newton was dynamic last season en route to his Rookie of the Year award, and I'd be stunned if RGIII doesn't have a similar impact in 2012. 

These two insanely athletic signal-callers, who could some day become two of the NFL's most marketable figures, square off in the nation's capital. 

Prime. Time. 

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Yes, this game still means something. The Colts are clearly at the beginning phases of a franchise overhaul, but I want to watch the first installment of Andrew Luck vs. Tom Brady. Remember, the Pats only beat Indianapolis by a touchdown last season in Foxboro. 

I'm sure New England will be looking to add more talented defensive backs to their secondary in the draft, but it'll be interesting to see if Luck can comfortably move the ball against them like many teams did in 2011. 

Not necessarily a changing of the guard-type game, but one that carries more intrigue than many think. 

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks 

The Packers are one of the league's most recognizable and offensively electric teams. Their trip to the Pacific Northwest may seem like another walk in the park, but the Seahawks, their new uniforms and absolutely rabid stadium atmosphere will make this a captivating contest. 

Oh yeah, Matt Flynn will play against his former team as well. 

Seattle was a underrated club last season, a team with a stingy defense and powerful running game that no one wanted to play down the stretch. 

If they piece together a solid draft, they could contend for a playoff spot. 

An unusual but intriguing affair.

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