2011 NFL Schedule: Every Week's Most Intriguing Games

Amidst the strike and the lockout, the NFL released the 2011 season schedule today.  As fans begin to pore over their team's schedule and predict their overall record, others are looking to see what the premier matchups of each week will be.  

The following is a close look at the top matchup for each week of the season.  Enjoy!

Week 1: New Orleans vs. Green Bay Packers

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Imag

Week 1 games to watch:  

Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh  

Houston vs. Indianapolis

Green Bay vs. New Orleans

The Packers at home versus New Orleans seems to offer the most interesting game.  To kick off opening night, it's hard to ask for more.  

Prediction:  Packers win  

Week 2: Atlanta vs. Philadelphia

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Tony Gonzalez #88, Roddy White #84, Matt Ryan #2 and Todd McClure #62 of the Atlanta Falcons look on against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlant

Week 2 games to watch:

Atlanta vs. Philadelphia

New England vs. San Diego

Rivers vs. Brady is a must-watch for sure, but the return of Michael Vick to Atlanta is something no one wants to miss.  The attention this game will garner will be incredible.  

Prediction:  Atlanta wins.  

Week 3: Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Week 3 games to watch: 

Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta

Chicago vs. Green Bay

Indianapolis at home versus the Steelers is a classic matchup.  Manning is tough to beat in the dome.

Prediction: Indy wins, but barely.

Week 4: Baltimore vs. New York Jets

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets drops back 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 Martine

Week 4 games to watch:

Houston vs. Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay vs. Indianapolis

Baltimore vs. New York Jets 

The Jets and Ravens will play a hard-fought, physical battle that will likely have plenty of animosity and energy.  

Prediction:  Jets win on the road in a low-scoring affair.  

Week 5: New England vs. New York Jets

Elsa/Getty Images

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

Week 5 games to watch:

Indianapolis vs. Kansas City

Atlanta vs. Green Bay

New England vs. New York Jets

The drama and hatred between the Pats and Jets last season was pure entertainment.  Just imagine what this game will be like.  

Prediction: New England wins.

Week 6: Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pushed out of bounds by Alex Brown #96 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated th

Week 6 games to watch: 

New England vs. Dallas 

Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans

The NFC South is going to be a dog fight this season.  Josh Freeman is a rising star.  

Prediction: Tampa Bay

Week 7: New Orleans vs. Indianapolis

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Ima

Week 7 games to watch: 

New York Jets vs. San Diego

Tampa Bay vs. Chicago

New Orleans vs. Indianapolis

Brees vs. Manning will be an excellent QB matchup.  These two should put on a show in the dome.  

Prediction: Indy

Week 8: Tennessee vs. Indianapolis

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16.

Week 8 games to watch: 

Pittsburgh vs. New England

Philadelphia vs. Dallas

Tennessee vs. Indianapolis

For some reason, the Titans always make things interesting against Peyton Manning. 

Prediction:  Indianapolis

Week 9: Philadelphia vs. Chicago

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears smiles while taking on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Week 9 games to watch: 

Indianapolis vs. Atlanta

New England vs. New York Giants

Philadelphia vs. Chicago

Watching Michael Vick go up against the vaunted Bears defense is an enticing bout.  

Prediction: Eagles win.

Week 10: Tampa Bay vs. Houston

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans comes scores as he get's his foot down in the endzone in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Baltimore

Week 10 games to watch: 

Atlanta vs. New Orleans

New York Jets vs. New England

Tampa Bay vs. Houston

Matt Schaub and Josh Freeman will square off in this game between two playoff hopefuls.  

Prediction: Houston wins.  

Week 11: New England vs. Kansas City

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vish

Week 11 games to watch: 

Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia

New England vs. Kansas City

This Master vs. Apprentice matchup will let the world see how far Matt Cassel has come since his days behind Brady.  

Prediction: New England wins.  

Week 12: Philadelphia vs. New England

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotma

Week 12 games to watch: 

Detroit vs. Green Bay (Thanksgiving Day)

San Diego vs. Denver

Philadelphia vs. New England

You know The Hoodie will do everything he can do to stop Vick.  But so has every other coach in the league.  

Prediction: Eagles win.  

Week 13: New England vs. Indianapolis

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on 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/Getty Imag

Week 13 games to watch: 

New England vs. Indianapolis

Houston vs. Atlanta 

Cleveland vs. Baltimore

A classic battle of wits between Manning and Co. against Belichick and Brady

Prediction: The Hoodie wins.  

Week 14: Dallas vs. New York Giants

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Week 14 games to watch:

New York Jets vs. Kansas City

Baltimore vs. Indianapolis

Dallas vs. New York Giants

The NFC East figures to be a close race, and this game could go towards deciding the winner.

Prediction: Cowboys

Week 15: San Diego vs. Baltimore

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

Week 15 games to watch:

Tampa Bay vs. Dallas 

New York Jets vs. Philadelphia

San Diego vs. Baltimore

San Diego always gets hot in December.  Possible playoff preview in this game.  

Prediction: San Diego

Week 16: Jets vs. Giants

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Week 16 games to watch: 

Indianapolis vs. Houston 

New England vs. Miami

New York Jets vs. New York Giants

The battle of the Big Apple figures to be a good one.  Both sides could have playoff implications.  

Prediction: Eli leads Giants to a close win.  

Week 17: Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Photo by K

Week 17 games to watch:

Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay

St. Louis vs. San Francisco

Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis

All three games could decide a division winner.  The AFC South could very well be decided in the last week.  

Prediction: Atlanta is too good in the dome.  Falcons win.