2011 New England Patriots Schedule: A Quick Glance at the Pats '11 Campaign

The 2011 NFL schedules were released Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the New England Patriots schedule looks to be a tough one. 

Last season, the Patriots had one of the more difficult schedules in the NFL as they had to face teams like the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Diego Chargers. Somehow, the rebuilding Patriots managed to finish the 2010 season wit the best record in the league, at 14-2. 

This season, 14-2 may be a bit of a reach for the Pats as they've got some major work to do. 

Monday, Sept. 12: at Dolphins (7 p.m.) 

Sunday, Sept. 18: vs. Chargers (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Sept. 25: at Bills (1 p.m.) 

Sunday, Oct. 2: at Raiders (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Oct. 9: vs. Jets (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Oct. 16: vs. Cowboys (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Oct. 23: BYE 

Sunday, Oct. 30: at Steelers (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Nov. 6: vs. Giants (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Nov. 13: at Jets (8:20 p.m.) 

Monday, Nov. 21: vs. Chiefs (8:30 p.m.) 

Sunday, Nov. 27: at Eagles (4:15 p.m.) 

Sunday, Dec. 4: vs. Colts (8:20 p.m.) 

Sunday, Dec. 11: at Redskins (1 p.m.) 

Sunday, Dec. 18: at Broncos (4:15 p.m.) 

Saturday, Dec. 24: vs. Dolphins (1 p.m.) 

Sunday, Jan. 1: vs. Bills (1 p.m.)

The two obvious games that jump out at me are the New York Jets games, and they'll definitely be tough ones. Hopefully, at least, the Patriots will be able to split the two with the Jets, as it'd be very difficult to beat up on their rivals two times in one season. 

The Chargers, Colts, Steelers, Cowboys and Eagles should all be great games that could very well come down to the wire. However, the most intriguing game in my opinion on the schedule is the Super Bowl XLII re-match against the New York Giants. 

The Patriots will welcome the Giants to town on Sunday, Nov. 6, and hopefully the Pats will get revenge on a team that stopped them one game short of perfect—at least, if you want to call it "revenge."

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @     TonySantorsa.