Washington Redskins 2011 Schedule: The 5 Most Anticipated Games of 2011

NFL.com is reporting that the Redskins have the 29th-hardest schedule out of 32 teams.

But we all know that any season can be a struggle in D.C.

Here, you'll find a list of the five games that Redskins fans are looking forward to.

There aren't a lot of primetime appearances (just one compared to the Rams' two Monday Night Football games), but there is plenty to be excited about.

Week 13: New York Jets (Home)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets runs dow field during their 19 to 24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Mar

On December 4th, the Redskins will welcome the New York Jets to Landover. Last season, the Jets ran through the playoffs to the AFC Championship game before losing to Pittsburgh.

This should be an interesting matchup and begins a brutal stretch in the Redskins' schedule.

If the 'Skins find themselves in contention at this point, this game should be a great way to gauge if the playoffs are a real possibility.

Can Rex Grossman (or whoever the quarterback may be at that point) pass against the incredibly tough Jets defense? Only time will tell, but this is one to circle on the calendar.

Prediction: New York-20 Washington-10

Week 14: New England Patriots (Home)

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Just one week after playing one of the Super Bowl favorites (Jets), the Redskins again welcome an AFC East powerhouse when New England comes knocking.

Why is this an anticipated game when the last time they clashed was a 52-7 Patriots win? It's the Patriots. It's Tom Brady. It's at home!

One thing I can say to Redskins fans: don't sell your tickets.

We all remember the last time a popular AFC team came to FedEx Field and outnumbered the Redskins fans (Steelers on Monday night back in 2008).

Hopefully this won't be as ugly as the last matchup, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope until Washington finds a quarterback.

Prediction: New England-34 Washington-13

Week One: New York Giants (Home)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Redskins start the season with the New York Giants. What a shock, huh?

It seems like every year, Big Blue has a date with the Redskins in Week 1, and it usually doesn't end well for the guys with the feathers on their helmets.

Maybe this year will be different since it is at home.

The backdrop to this game is more important than the game itself, though. It marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks between two franchises who represent the cities that were impacted the most.

It will be a very emotional day, and a good way to start 2011.

Prediction: New York-16 Washington-17

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings (Home)

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

As of right now, I have this late-season matchup as one of the most anticipated because I fully expect to see Donovan McNabb wearing a Vikings jersey before the 2011 season starts.

If not, this is just another game. But we're all about speculation here.

Personally, I like McNabb more than I do Shanahan, and wouldn't mind seeing Donovan blow up against the Redskins...as long as it's in a loss.

You better believe if Rex Grossman starts for the Redskins against McNabb in this game, it's not going to be pretty.

Prediction: Minnesota-30 Washington-24 (McNabb vs. Grossman); Minnesota-17 Washington-20 (Non McNabb-Grossman matchup)

Week Three: Dallas Cowboys (Road)

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Line backer DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

I hate the Cowboys. Chances are if you're reading this, you hate the Cowboys.

This is Washington's only primetime game scheduled for the entire season, so let's hope they make it count on September 26th when the Redskins travel to Jerry's World to take on the Cowgir...I mean Cowboys.

As we've seen, a win on the road against the Cowboys early in the season in primetime can really set the pace for the rest of the season.

Hopefully, Santana Moss will still be in a Redskins uniform to re-create the magic that occurred when Mark Brunell tossed two deep touchdowns to defeat Dallas 14-13 in 2005.

Prediction: Washington-7 Dallas-6