NFL 2011 Schedule: The Five Biggest Games on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Calender

Taking one look at the Bucs' schedule, you would say it's a tough one. Of course, with the way teams turn out in no way we predicted them to, there's really no way to tell if you have a tough schedule until a month or so in the season.

Tampa Bay has their usual big games with their division foes, on top of two nationally viewed games and another overseas.

Six of their last nine games are on the road, but luckily for them, the only cold game they may have to endure is in Green Bay against the defending champs.

We won't know how strong their schedule is until we start seeing games being played (if they're played at all), but the following is five biggest and most intriguing games on the Buccaneers' schedule.

No. 5: Facing the Bears in London

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears reacts 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)

To tell you the truth, taking away a home game to go to London for the second time in three years isn't the greatest idea, seeing as the Bucs need to worry more about their home fanbase rather than their one across the pond.

But even with that said, the Bears could be a strong team once again, and coupling that with it being the only game played in Europe this season, makes it a good matchup.

It will also be a satisfying win for the Bucs heading into the bye week if they were to come up victorious. By that time (after Week 7), a 5-2 record would be amazing considering they have four extremely hard games in the first half of the season.

No. 4: Monday Night Football Against Indy

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass 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

If for no other reason, this is ESPN Monday Night Football, and a chance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to showcase their talents against the high-octane offense of the Colts and take a big step early in the season (fourth game).

Josh Freeman and Mike Williams will get to try and match Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, something that should make for a solid game and a very solid viewing group.

It may be a non-conference game, but this means more to the Buccaneers. This is a crucial time to gain confidence going into the rest of the season. We'll see if they can keep up with Indy under the lights.

No. 3: Superdome Showdown

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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

Luckily for them, the Bucs will get two weeks to prepare for the New Orleans Saints, after coming off of a bye in Week 8. They've won twice in a row in New Orleans, but this will be a midseason, not late-season game against the mighty Drew Brees and the Saints.

Even with it being in the middle of the season, a lot could be on the line with the teams most likely jockeying for position near or at the top of the NFC South division.

The game will start the run of six out of nine road games, the first major road game of the season. It will also be three weeks removed from the Bucs-Saints game at Raymond James Stadium, which could begin to tell us how the race for the NFC South could shape up.

No. 2. Late November at Lambeau

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I begin to shiver just thinking about the Buccaneers November 20th game against Green Bay, and for more than one reason. The Packers love it that time of year. The Bucs, not so much. On top of that, well, the Packers are the defending champions. Enough said.

It's not a division matchup, but it would be a huge win in the Bucs' run towards a title in 2011. The Bucs beat them in 2009, their first win of the season, but this is obviously a different Packers team.

Will Aaron Rodgers tear through the defense of Tampa Bay in the presumably frigid weather or will the Bucs defense stand their ground?

We'll just have to wait and see, but it should be an entertaining game to say the least.

No. 1: The Season Finale

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons gestures against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Though it would have to come to the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons being one or no games apart for this one to matter, it could certainly do just that. The Bucs had late-game problems that let the Falcons take both games against them, and now Tampa Bay is looking to strike back this season.

The Bucs will play the Falcons in Tampa Bay in Week 3 and then will have a long layoff before playing them in the regular season conclusion. Everything could be on the line when that day comes.

The Josh Freeman-Matt Ryan duel could become a huge rivalry in the future, if it isn't one already. The memory of a late drive that was squandered by one bad Freeman pass and LeGarrette Blount not being able to cross into the end zone, still dance in the minds of the Bucs.

It should be another great pair of showdowns against the "Dirty Birds" this year, and a playoff spot or seed could come down to the final play of the final game.