NFL 2013 Schedule: Breaking Down Biggest Divisional Matchups

With the NFL set to release the 2013-14 schedule on Thursday, it's time to start looking at some of the biggest upcoming divisional matchups.

We already know each team's opponents for next season. This offseason has shaped several teams in different ways, which should make for some exciting divisional clashes (ahem, San Francisco 49ers, ahem, Seattle Seahawks).

Here's a look at what figure to be the biggest divisional matchups in 2013-14.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The 49ers play the Seahawks twice in the 2013-14 campaign.

Headed into the 2013 NFL draft, the Seahawks have already beefed up the defensive line with Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, while giving young quarterback Russell Wilson a dangerous weapon to throw to in the electric Percy Harvin.

The 49ers lost safety Dashon Goldson and "replaced" him with former St. Louis Rams safety Craig Dahl, but they will likely address the safety position in the draft. On the other hand, they signed former Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin (who excelled in the playoffs last season) and also added former Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Niners hope they get the version of Asomugha that shone across the bay in Oakland.

The 49ers also replaced David Akers (who struggled mightily last season) with former Cleveland Browns kicker Phil Dawson (who made 29 of 31 field-goal attempts last season while going 7-of-7 from 50 yards or more).

The two teams split the season series in 2012, each winning at home.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The defending champions were able to re-sign Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco this offseason, but they also lost inside linebackers Ray Lewis (to retirement) and Dannell Ellerbe (to free agency).

They also lost outside linebacker Paul Kruger, as well as safety Bernard Pollard. Stealing Elvis Dumervil away from the Denver Broncos was huge, but you wonder if it's going to be enough to make up the difference.

As for the Bengals, they franchised defensive end Michael Johnson (11.5 sacks in 2012) and re-signed cornerbacks Terence Newman and Adam Jones.

The Ravens and Bengals play each other twice in 2013-14. They split the season series in 2012, each winning at home.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Texans lost safety Glover Quin in the offseason, but found a nice stop-gap in veteran Ed Reed. The biggest thing for Houston will be finding a legit No. 2 receiver in the draft to plant opposite Andre Johnson. There should be some talented receivers still available when they select at No. 27 overall this year.

The Colts, of course, exploded behind then-rookie quarterback Andrew Luck last season, rebounding from a 2-14 campaign to go 11-5 and make the playoffs. They won't be bringing back longtime stud Dwight Freeney, though, so they will need to add a pass-rusher or two during the draft.

The Texans and Colts split the season series in 2012, each winning at home.

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

The Packers haven't done a whole lot this offseason since going 11-5 last season and getting bounced from the playoffs by the 49ers in the divisional round. They were able to retain tight end Jermichael Finley after some contract talk and re-signed linebacker Brad Jones, who actually played well overall for them last season.

Of course, they also lost veteran Greg Jennings, but it's not like there's a lack of depth in the receiving corps.

The Bears had a solid offseason overall. They franchised stud defensive tackle Henry Melton and addressed left tackle and tight end with Jermon Bushrod and Martellus Bennett respectively. 

On the other hand, there's a glaring hole in the middle of the linebacking corps as they decide what to do with Brian Urlacher. Urlacher reportedly said in March that the Bears offered him a "take it or leave it" offer for one year, $2 million, and he declined.

The Packers won both meetings against the Bears last season and I don't see that changing in the 2013-14 campaign.

Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants

After stealing the NFC East away from the Giants last season, Robert Griffin III and the Redskins are back and ready for more.

The Redskins didn't do much this offseason, given their lack of cap space, but they kept tight end Fred Davis and cornerback DeAngelo Hall and added some depth at offensive tackle with former Buccaneer Jeremy Trueblood.

And when you have two developing stars in Griffin and running back Alfred Morris, it's not the end of the world when you don't make waves in the offseason.

As for the Giants, Osi Umenyiora is gone. So is defensive tackle Chris Canty. So is safety Kenny Phillips. 

But they re-signed guard Kevin Boothe and the hope is that they re-sign star receiver Victor Cruz.

Surprise, surprise, the two teams split the season series in 2012, each winning at home. I could see the same result in 2013.