NFL Schedule 2012: Season-Shaping Matchups for Potential Playoff Teams

The 2012 NFL schedule is full of potential pitfalls for every NFL team. Some NFL teams will fall out of contention early, and these pitfalls will be moot. Others will need to win big games to propel their teams to new playoff berths.

How teams fare in their biggest games will determine the participants of the 2012 NFL playoffs. Just like every year, there are several huge contests for NFL fans to look forward to. 

These games will shape the seasons of potential playoff squads. 

San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers and the 49ers will be two of the NFC's best teams again in 2012. Their Week 1 matchup will draw fans' attention and get one of these two teams off to a stellar start. 

The 49er defense will be able to stifle Aaron Rodgers and the Packer attack, at least to some degree. The 49ers have the pass-rushers to pressure Rodgers and the secondary to contain the Packer targets. 

The 49ers offense is not as dynamic as their defense, but it should be better than last season. The additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss will test the Packer secondary. The Packers struggled defensively last season and will do so again unless adjustments are made. 

Regardless of their improvement, the 49ers do not want this to turn into a shootout. Both teams will try to impose their wills on their way to a massive Week 1 victory. 

This could be a preview of the 2012 NFC Championship.

Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers' schedule does not get any easier following their Week 1 contest against Green Bay. The 49ers will face the upstart Lions in Week 2's Sunday night contest. 

This game is huge for both sides. The Niners could be looking at their second loss in as many games, and the Lions want to show they are ready to take the next step. 

The Lions' exciting offense will be intriguing against San Francisco's stifling defense. Matthew Stafford was dynamic in his first healthy season, and Calvin Johnson is just ridiculous. If the Lions find a consistent rushing attack, there will be no stopping them.

Defensively, the Lions need to improve in the secondary. Expect them to address this need in the 2012 NFL Draft. The 49er passing attack will be better next season, good enough to exploit a shoddy defensive backfield, without a doubt. 

These teams were both feel-good stories in 2011. Next year both teams will look to prove themselves as contenders. 

This game will go a long way toward proving that fact.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots

This Week 5 contest will feature two of the best quarterbacks from the NFL's modern era. Both of these teams figure to contend next season and will need big games from their legendary signal-callers. 

The Patriots will be the Patriots until Tom Brady hangs up his spikes. They spread the field with an incredible array of weapons and force defenses to play them one-on-one on the outside. If teams choose to blitz, they have just a few seconds to get to Brady before he burns their coverage.

Defensively, the Patriots are used to defending Peyton Manning. However, Manning is in a new offense and surrounded by new targets. Whether Manning can perform up to his usual standard is yet to be seen. 

Both defenses will be extremely important in this game, but they will not be what people tune in to watch. Brady and Manning's rivalry dates back several years. That will not change no matter what uniform Manning dons.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Both matchups between the titans of the NFC South will be contentious. The Falcons are looking to claim the division crown while the Saints are looking to remain on top.

The time to knock off the Saints is now. "Bountygate" will hang over their heads all season, Sean Payton will not be running the show and Drew Brees is disgruntled. 

Atlanta has the skill to take the Saints down. The Falcons have the most balanced offense in the NFL, and Matt Ryan is still getting better. If their defense can take a step forward, the Falcons will be among the league's best teams. 

This is a huge season for the Saints. Their franchise is in flux, and every game will be huge. None will be bigger than their matchups against Atlanta. If anyone can capitalize on the Saints' discomfort, it is the Falcons. 

These games will be high-scoring and shape the playoff hopes of both of these squads. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

This is another two-for-one deal. The battles between the Steelers and the Ravens will be highly contested and play a huge role in forming the AFC playoff picture. 

Both teams are still structured the same. They play football like they are gladiators in the Coliseum. These games are not for the faint of heart.

The Steelers will replace several key veterans with younger players this season. Do not think they are weak because of it. Pittsburgh still has a core group of top performers on both sides of the ball. 

Baltimore is cut from the same cloth. Their 3-4 defense is stifling, and Terrell Suggs has emerged as one of the NFL's best defensive players. The Ravens will go as far as their offense allows. Actually, the Ravens will go as far as Joe Flacco allows. 

The AFC North will be a tight race this season. The two matchups between these two heated rivals will go a long way in determining the outcome.

The fact that they come a week apart from each other just sweetens the deal.