2011 NFL Schedule: Top 10 Most Intriguing Games of the Upcoming Season

Although the NFL labor situation is up in the air, NFL fans have a few things to get excited about.

First, the 2011 NFL Draft begins next Thursday.

Second, the 2011 NFL schedule was released Tuesday night and is chalked full of intriguing primetime matchups.

These are the top 10 games in 2011 that every football fan must see. Circle them on your calendar now.

10. Week 9: Ravens at Steelers on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers speaks with quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens following the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan

The Steelers and Ravens will collide in Week 9, a re-match of the divisional playoff game from last season. Two of the NFL's top defenses will surely make this one of the hardest-fought games of the 2011 season.

The two teams have split their season matchups in each of the last two seasons.

9. Week 4: Jets at Ravens on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Ray Lewis (R) #52 of the Baltimore Ravens talks to Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets after defeating the New York Jets in their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford,

NBC appears to be hogging all of the elite matchups this season, and their Week 4 game is no exception.

After their Week 1 Monday Night matchup from last season (which resulted in a 10-9 Baltimore win), these two hard-nosed teams will battle in what could be another low scoring game.

8. Week 7: Colts at Saints on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning talks with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 2006. The Colts won 27-14. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Colts and Saints will square off in a Super Bowl XLIV matchup in Week 7 on national television.

Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees. Need I say more?

7. Week 3: Steelers at Colts on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 15: Peyton Manning #18 of Indianapolis Colts tries to elude the pass rush of James Farrior #51 and Joey Porter #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional Playoffs January 15, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indi

This matchup featuring Peyton Manning vs. Troy Polamalu is especially intriguing for any NFL fan.

The Colts won the last matchup between these two teams in 2008, but their 2005 epic playoff battle still stings in the hearts of Colts fans across the country.

Given two of the best two-minute QBs in the league, this game has down-to-the-wire potential.

6. Week 14: Giants at Cowboys on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

This game is especially intriguing, because it will likely play a large role in deciding the NFC East champion.

Either way, Eli Manning vs. Tony Romo in the House That Jerry Built will be must-see-TV.

The two teams split their season matchups in 2010, but the Giants won their three previous meetings.

5. Week 2: Eagles at Falcons on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates their 34-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 6, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Michael Vick's second return to Atlanta (first as a starter) will certainly draw a big audience. Not only for obvious reasons, but this game features two young and exciting teams.

This game will be jam-packed full of fantasy football relevance.

4. Week 10: Patriots at Jets on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22: Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Rex Ryan of the New York on November 22, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 31-14. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Rex Ryan will draw all the attention to this game, and for good reason. The Jets/Patriots rivalry has become a good one, and this midseason battle on Sunday Night Football could have division title implications.

3. Week 13: Colts at Patriots on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won the game 35-34. (Phot

The NFL's two biggest stars—Peyton Manning and Tom Brady—will square off in this late-season matchup that will almost certainly affect playoff seeding.

Brady got the best of Manning in 2010, but the Colts have won four of the last six regular season matchups.

2. Week 16: Bears at Packers, Christmas Night on Sunday Night Football (NBC)

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears looks over at Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers before the snap in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/G

In what figures to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2011 season, a long-time rivalry will be renewed when the Bears visit the Packers at Lambeau Field on Christmas Night.

Of course, Green Bay beat Chicago when it counted last season, but the Packers have also won four of the last five regular season matchups against Da Bears.  

Screw my presents; all I want for Christmas is to see Jay Cutler lose his two front teeth!

1. Week 1: Saints at Packers on Thursday Night Football (NBC)

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers #12 (R) and Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011

This game is the No. 1 matchup on my calendar for two reasons.

First, because it involved the last two Super Bowl winners.

Second, because if it's played, that means the lockout is no more, and a full season of pro football will ensue.

What more could a fan ask for?