2012 NFL Schedule: Most Intriguing Matchups Between Division Winners

The 2012 NFL schedule is shaping up to have some incredible matchups on it. Three of the best games on the schedule feature teams that won their divisions in 2011 clashing. 

Here are the three best contests between division winners on the 2012 NFL schedule. 

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

In one of the best games of the 2011 season, the Packers went into MetLife Stadium and pulled out a late 38-35 win over the Giants. That Week 13 matchup was then repeated during the Divisional Round of the playoffs, when the Giants traveled to Lambeau Field and bested Aaron Rodgers and company, 37-20.

That loss ended Green Bay's dream season and sent the Giants well on their way to winning Super Bowl XLVI. 

In 2012, the two squads will tangle again at MetLife Stadium, and you can bet the Packers have been stewing over their playoff loss all offseason. It should be an incredible atmosphere as the past two Super Bowl champions will clash. 

It's not hard to imagine the top spot in the NFC being up for grabs in that contest, and it should be one of the most watchable games of the year.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

By now, we have all heard the tape of New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams sickeningly imploring his team to injure specific players of the San Francisco 49ers before their Divisional Round playoff tilt in January. The result of that game was a 36-32 San Francisco win that included one of the year's best finishes.

Still, the scales have shifted in this matchup, and I can guarantee that the 49ers will be pumped up for a rematch and the chance to deliver some punishment to the Saints.

This game will be in New Orleans, which is always a difficult place to play, and you can bet the Saints will be playing with a collective chip on their shoulder all year long. This should be a tough, violent matchup that could turn into an old-school slugfest.

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

The Texans suffered through a ton of serious injuries in 2011, and despite a 10-6 finish and the franchise's first playoff berth, they probably fell short of where they could have landed. Expectations are sky-high for Houston in 2012, and one way they can show just how good they are is by knocking off the defending AFC champions.

The Patriots have been the big bullies around the AFC for years, but the Texans are a young, hungry team that could be set up for a long run at the top. Going in to Foxboro and taking down New England would be a huge step in Houston's progression towards becoming a championship-level team.

Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots aren't going to just let the Texans walk in to their home stadium and push them around. New England will fight, and this could turn out to be a shootout worthy of game of the year consideration.