2012 NFL Schedule: Release Time, TV Listing and More

Isn't it nice to have an NFL offseason full of specific dates? The newest date is for announcing the upcoming schedules for each team, which are full of many more specific dates!

What a glorious contrast to the offseason of uncertainty that the lockout gave us last year. 

That said, the NFL has been oddly secretive about when and where the announcement of the new schedule would take place. 

CBS Sports' Will Brinson tweeted an end to that secrecy, and his answer was in Eastern Time:

"

NFL announces scheduling of NFL schedule announcement for Tuesday at 7pm on NFL Network.

— Will Brinson (@willbrinson) April 16, 2012"

The matchups for the 2012 season have already been set in stone and made public. You can view the opponents for each team here. 

What we will find out is when these matchups will take place, who is playing in prime time and in which weeks teams will have their byes. 

Given that the matchups are already set, we know the strength of schedule for each club (based on 2011 record). You can view the rankings here. 

In what seems just, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants have the toughest schedule. In what seems completely unfair, the New England Patriots have the weakest schedule. 

Matchups Made for Prime Time 

When the schedule does come out, here are four games that will likely have a Sunday or Monday night prime-time showcase. If they don't, they should have. 

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

A rematch of last year's exciting NFC Championship game is well-deserving of a prime-time matchup. 

These two teams know how to bring the intensity and big hits, and the 49ers' excellent defense is a great matchup for Eli Manning and the Giants. 

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

The 2011 season kicked off with the Packers hosting the Saints, and what ensued was a 42-34 thriller. 

Sure, the Saints have a lot of drama at the moment. Head coach Sean Payton won't be on the sideline next year and Drew Brees isn't particularly happy with his franchise tag, but when the season rolls around, you better believe this offense will be ready to go.

This matchup will be another high-scoring and fun game.

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots 

This is the new-look Manning vs. Brady matchup, and what a matchup that has been. QB play doesn't get any better than when these two meet. 

They have had many great head-to-head battles over the years, and their play is always worth the price of admission. 

It is also always a treat to see Manning and Patriots coach Bill Belichick battle wits. 

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

You have to have a prime-time showcase for the No. 1 selection in the draft. This year, that is almost assuredly going to be Andrew Luck, and if it isn't Luck it will be fellow QB Robert Griffin III.

Either way, the Colts figure to have a promising young QB under center, and their game against the Patriots is the perfect one to put on prime time. 

This way you get the appeal of a high-quality opponent—an opponent that featured the 31st-ranked pass defense last season. So there should be plenty of opportunities for Luck or Griffin to showcase some skills.