2012 NFL Schedule: 10 Games That Could Have Huge Playoff Implications

It's the moment that we have all been waiting for—just another step closer to the 2012 NFL regular season. 

Tuesday night the NFL released it's schedule for the 2012 season, which you can check out for yourself here. 

Taking a look at what it has to offer, I am certainly liking what I'm seeing. We have multiple critical matchups each and every week, and as a NFL fan, that's all that we can ask for.

In that spirit, let's take a look at 10 games that could have huge playoff implications for the 2012 season. 

Week 17: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

By Week 17, I'll take my chances and say that the Green Bay Packers have already locked up the NFC North, which leads me to believe that the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions will have to battle it out for an NFC Wild Card spot.

This is the final week of the season for the NFL and this is the time where either the Bears and the Lions quite possibly have to rise to the occasion and prove to be a NFL playoff-caliber team. 

Week 11: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers—can it get much better than that?

Why actually, it can—this is Week 11's Sunday Night Football game of the week. 

By Week 11, the NFL playoff race will be shaping up and this is when the Ravens and Steelers will have to start duking it out for the AFC North divisional crown. 

Week 12: New England Patriots at New York Jets

I know exactly what I'll be doing on Thanksgiving this year.

I'll be stuffing my face with turkey then I'll take a nice nap while watching the other Thanksgiving day games but then I'll be up in time for the night game—New England Patriots vs. New York Jets.

In all honestly—can it get much better than this? Hell no. 

Week 14: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

The Detroit Lions vs. the Green Bay Packers—one of the NFL's most storied and intense rivalries. 

By Week 14, teams will be focusing in on the playoffs and the Lions and Packers could very well be in a tight race for the NFC North No. 1 spot. 

Who will come out on top? 

Oh, and did I forget to mention this? This is the Sunday night game of the week. 

Week 16: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions

As of right now, I see the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers being the favorites to win their own respected divisions, which means that the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions will be forced to fight for an NFC Wild Card spot.

The Falcons and Lions will battle it out on Week 16's Saturday night game of the week—this is sure to be one interesting matchup between Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford. 

Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Week 17—the time to win is now.

By Week 17, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants could very well be fighting for the NFC East divisional crown—who will come out as the victor?

The best case scenario in my opinion is that both teams come in with the same record, tied for first place in the NFC East—win or go home, baby. 

Week 15: San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots

I cannot wait for this game—this could very well be a Super Bowl preview.

The San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots aren't in the same conference, but these two teams would likely be fighting for seeding in the AFC and the NFC—and quite possibly fighting for the No. 1 seed in their respected conference. 

Week 13: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

I'm not a huge fan of Thursday night football, but I will be when the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons square off in Atlanta during Week 13. 

These two teams are the likely favorites to compete for the top spot in the NFC South which means that playoff implications are written all over this game. 

Week 17: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Best-case scenario: The Pittsburgh Steelers have already clinched the AFC North while the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are forced to play for a Wild Card spot during the final week of the season, Week 17.

How insane and intense would that be? That's an NFL fan's dream. 

Week 12: Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

The two recent Super Bowl champions will battle it out during Week 12 of the NFL regular season.

The Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants put on quite a show last season in early December and in the playoffs and these two teams should come close to topping that as I'm planning as these two teams being the cream of the crop in the NFC.