NFL Schedule 2011: Does a Stacked Week 1 Give the Fans Hope?

For the first time in years, the NFL schedule was released with little fanfare. Generally something such as releasing the upcoming season’s schedule would not be a big deal; but not in the NFL. No other sport uses a league-owned network to televise the event.

Many Americans still remain upset the NFL due to the ongoing labor dispute, and rightfully so. But the release of the 2011 was much-anticipated in many circles.

If the Week 1 schedule featured bottom-feeders vs. perennial contenders many would not be optimistic games would be played.

But the NFL loaded up Week 1 with several matchups that are intriguing:

New Orleans at Green Bay: The last two Super Bowl winners going head-to-head is surely a big draw. Add to the fact both of these teams have prolific, high-scoring offenses and this game is sure to be a treat. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are two of the five best QBs in the NFL.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore: This is perhaps the best rivalry going in the NFL today. Arguably the two best defenses in football where every match-up is important in the playoff race, even in Week 1.

While there will not be a lot of points in this game, the Steelers and Ravens always takes fans back to old-school football.

Having this game on the Week 1 docket is a rather strong statement by the NFL. The league appears confident no games will be missed. Surely the NFL doesn’t want fans missing out on this contest.

N.Y. Giants at Washington: While not the rivalry it used to be, you have two large-market teams who are division rivals. This game was also scheduled with the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 in mind.

Who will the Redskins have at QB? Will the Giants put it all together and show they are a Super Bowl contender right out of the gate?

Dallas at N.Y. Jets: Rex Ryan vs. Rob Ryan is sure to grab headlines. But the Jets appear poised to make another run at the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are out to show last year was an anomaly.

Atlanta at Chicago: Two the NFC’s final four go head-to-head in this matchup that is sure to have playoff implications. Atlanta looks to put last season’s disappointing playoff loss behind them while the Bears want to show 2010 was no fluke.

There are other intriguing matchups in Week 1 that feature some of the games more storied rivalries. The NFL usually has a strong Week 1 schedule, but the 2011 version is particularly stout.

Has the NFL loaded the Week 1 schedule in order to get the fans' minds away from the labor dispute? Clearly a strong schedule is not going to entice either side to give in to the other but it gives hope.

Players, owners and fans alike will look at the schedule and begin to miss football. For them, too much money is at stake.

The fans don’t want to miss a Steelers vs. Ravens contest and the league knows this.

While simply releasing the upcoming schedule doesn’t resolve the lockout, it does give the media and fans something else to discuss.

Are you excited about the schedule?

Do you feel a slight glimmer of hope after seeing the schedule?

Those questions will surely be asked on the airwaves in the coming days, and for me, yes I have optimism, for once.