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

For the first time in a long time, we can get excited about Monday Night Football. 

Although MNF does not have the advantage of having flex scheduling like Sunday Night Football does, Mondays will provide us with great football action we've missed for a while during the most dreadful day of the week.

Maybe that's because the Jacksonville Jaguars aren't making an appearance this season. That said, here are some amazing Monday night matchups that we are already itching to see.

September 17: Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons

This would've been Tim Tebow on Monday night which would've been exciting, but instead we get Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan squaring off under a dome.

A lot better right?

Expect fireworks, explosions and touchdowns. These two elite quarterbacks are going to combine for numerous touchdowns and it'll be interesting to see how Peyton takes a hit considering he's coming back from a plethora of neck surgeries.

Matt Ryan, on the other hand, doesn't lose often at the Georgia Dome and he'll be trying to avenge a tough postseason defeat by getting his team on the right foot with a win over Manning and the Broncos.

September 24: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

This early season match between the Packers and Seahawks would've been a snooze fest last season, but this year it's going to be awesome for one reason only:

Matt Flynn.

Flynn was the backup quarterback for the Packers last season and in Week 17 when the Packers rested Aaron Rodgers for the playoffs, Flynn shattered almost every single game record in Packers history when he threw for 480 yards, six touchdowns and had a passer rating of 136.4.

That game alone earned him the right to be a starter for an NFL team and the Seahawks signed him.

Now, under the lights on Monday night, he'll be going up against his former team at Seattle in front of a raucous and boisterous crowd.

There's no doubt that Flynn would love to stun the team that let him go.

October 8: Houston Texans at New York Jets

The star of this game most likely won't even be playing. 

This makes for a fantastic drinking game. Every time there's a screenshot of Tim Tebow on the sidelines, you have to take a drink.

You'll be pretty hammered by the end of the game.

In all seriousness, though, this matchup features two rugged and defensive-minded teams that will duke it out until the very end. 

And who knows? If Mark Sanchez struggles in the first month, we might even see Tebow start and work some of his magic in the fourth quarter.

November 5: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

The "Dream Team" was an absolute disaster last season as the Eagles failed to make the playoffs despite making a plethora of acquisitions during the offseason.

That said, they finished the season on a high note and will look to carry that momentum into this season. 

This season, they'll be going up against the Saints who haven't had the friendliest offseason thus far. One thing is for sure, even bounties won't make the Saints defense get to Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who will be using his agility to make plays happen.

Vick will be going up against possibly the best quarterback in the game today in Drew Brees, who will have an emotional and loud crowd behind him at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

There's no doubt that this game will have playoff implications for both teams and oh yeah, we'll see plenty of points on the scoreboard by the time the night is over.

December 10: Houston Texans at New England Patriots

This is a classic matchup between a stingy defense against an explosive offense. Tom Brady will have his work cut out for him as he goes up against a stifling Texans defense who will be sure to bring a strong pass rush against the three-time Super Bowl champion.

Both of these teams have sky high expectations going into the season. The Texans made their first playoff appearance in franchise history last year and they also won their first playoff game. They're looking to do more now that they have their quarterback, Matt Schaub back in action.

On the other hand, the Patriots are going to be Super Bowl contenders as long as they have Bill Belichick and Brady. They'll be looking to get a statement win in this one so that they can head into the playoffs on a high note and perhaps even get a bye week.

December 22: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions

Two young gunslingers in a dome is heaven for any football fan. Matt Ryan and Matt Stafford will be going at it in a huge Week 16 battle which could decide a wild card spot or maybe even a division title for these two combatants.

Both teams suffered early playoff exits last year but will try to build on their successful seasons with more wins in the postseason.

But first they're going to try to get in and this game might determine who qualifies and who won't.