2012 NFL Schedule: Epic Rematches of 2011 Battles

Ever since the Giants took down the Patriots in the final minutes of Super Bowl XLVI in February, we've been waiting patiently for it all to begin again.

The first signs of NFL life came this week when the 2012 schedule was released, offering a glimpse into some of the excitement we can look forward to next season. On tap for many of this season's potential Super Bowl contenders are rematches of the heartbreaking losses or exhilarating wins that helped them inch closer to glory in 2011.

Here's a look at some of the best rematches to look forward to as the 2012 season draws nearer.

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens, Week 3

Before the Patriots gained admittance to the Super Bowl, they had to get past Baltimore—and they barely did, lucking out when Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard chip shot with 11 seconds left in a 23-20 game. Instead of going to overtime, the Patriots shockingly got the win.

In one of his worst performances of the season, Tom Brady threw for 239 yards, two interceptions and zero touchdowns, marking the first time he failed to throw a TD pass in 36 games.

The Patriots didn't show up as the dominant team that had slaughtered the Broncos one week earlier, and they knew it. The Ravens also knew that they blew a huge opportunity and have surely been kicking themselves ever since. On a day when Baltimore's biggest offensive weapon, Ray Rice, was ineffective, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco registered one of his top performances of the season, finishing with 306 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. 

With the game coming so early in the season, both teams will still be jockeying to prove their mettle in the AFC, and this matchup represents a big test for both of them.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, Week 6

Last season, the upstart 49ers were only a couple of plays away from earning a trip to their first Super Bowl since 1994. Instead, Kyle Williams fumbled a punt in overtime during the NFC Championship and five plays later, the Giants were kicking the game-winning field goal.

It was a huge blow for a San Francisco team that had defied great expectations to get to that point and after improving their offense with the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs in the offseason, the 49ers will be out to prove themselves as the NFC's team to beat.

The game will lack nothing in terms of drama. While the rest of the 49ers avenge a devastating end to their 2011 season, Manningham and Jacobs will be gunning to beat their former team. The 49ers, who sacked Eli Manning six times in the NFC Championship, just need to be a little bit better to get the job done this time.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, Week 1

The Steelers open the 2012 season against the team that very unexpectedly ended it all for them in 2011. This time, though, the Broncos look much different than they did in January.

In the first round of the playoffs last season, Pittsburgh was shocked by Tim Tebow and the Broncos when, on the first play of overtime, Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas on an 80-yard touchdown pass. It was all over before the Steelers even had a second to remember that the play clock was running.

Now, the Steelers visit a Denver team led not by Tebow but by Peyton Manning, who will be making his season debut after missing the entire 2011 season. The Steelers will have to shove aside that storyline and focus on the way they felt watching Thomas run away with their Super Bowl hopes last season. That should give them all the motivation they need to start off their season with a W.