NFL Schedule 2011: Breaking Down the Most Intriguing Week 1 Matchups

The NFL lockout has finally come to an end, which means each team's front office is scrambling to sign preferred free agents in hopes to improve its organization.

Preseason football will start on schedule, beginning on August 11, while the first regular season matchup takes place on September 8.

As training camp takes place and the players attempt to shake off the long, exasperating offseason, let's take a look at some alluring games that will take place in Week 1.

New England at Miami

This game could end up being a little lopsided, but hey, it includes Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady, the league's reigning MVP, ripped apart defenses for 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions (111.0 passer rating).

The Patriots traded for Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, with expectations of solidifying yet another Super Bowl run.

And although they struggled against the pass, the defense held opponents to just 108 yards on the ground per game, good for 11th in the NFL.

Miami may have improved its wildcat offense with the addition of Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas, but questions will continue to linger around the quarterback position.

The Dolphins have signed Matt Moore and rookie QB Pat Devlin. Chad Henne was primarily the starter in 2010, but saw minimal success. He threw for 3,301 yards, 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, while completing just under 62 percent of his passes.

Either way, we get to take a peak at how the newly-renovated Miami offensive attack will perform against the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Minnesota at San Diego

Here, we get to see Donovan McNabb in his season debut as a Viking.

Minnesota followed an outstanding year in 2009 with a disappointing campaign in 2010, winning just six games.

McNabb should help an ailing passing attack (26th in the NFL) and will aid Adrian Peterson in pursuit of a playoff appearance.

The Chargers on the other hand, are out for blood. San Diego ranked second in offensive passing yards (282.4), first in passing defense (177.8) and fourth against the run (93.8), yet won only nine games, failing to make the playoffs.

I expect Norv Turner's team to be a little more prepared than it was in '10, reclaiming the AFC West and receiving and earning a trip to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years.

It'll start with a Week 1 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit at Tampa Bay

The Lions are one of the more interesting teams coming into the 2011 season.

With rookie Nick Fairley pairing up with Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line, Mikel LeShoure and Javid Best as a tailback duo, and Titus Young with Calvin Johnson to provide a ridiculous deep-passing threat, Detroit may be on the move.

The Lions ranked sixth in the NFL with 44.0 sacks without Fairley, rushed for 1,613 yards as a team without LeShoure, and were third in the league in receptions (383) without Young.

Oh, and the Lions return a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback.

Tampa Bay won 10 games last year but missed the playoffs due to its position in a tough NFC South. However, the Buccaneers have found their franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman. He threw for nearly 3,500 yards while navigating 25 touchdown passes in his sophomore year with the Bucs.

But it'll take a lot more than just the 6'6", 250-pound QB to beat out the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

This particular matchup is attention-grabbing because of its importance for setting the tone of each team's season.

Dallas at New York (Jets)

It's showtime.

Two of the league's flashier teams collide in Week 1 when the Dallas Cowboys travel to the New Meadowlands to meet the New York Jets.

With Tony Romo back from injury and a new head coach in Jason Garrett, the Cowboys should be among the elite of the NFC East.

The Cowboys have the talent on paper, now they just have to prove it on the field.

Rex Ryan has once again promised a Super Bowl win.

He's not a very faithful man.

I commend Ryan for his positive nature, but until Mark Sanchez can magically improve his play up to level of those like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers, New York will have to continue settling for second-best in the AFC (and that's being nice).

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

If you like hard-nosed, physical defensive battles with plenty of eye-opening tackles and heart-wrenching situations, you should watch the Ravens-Steelers game.

In 2010, these two rivals saw each other three times. They split the regular season before the Steelers won 31-24 in the AFC Divisional playoff game.

Pittsburgh has 21 wins to 12 all-time against Baltimore, winning the last six of eight. However, these matchups are rarely decisive. The score has been within seven points eight of the last nine games, with the average final being 20-15.

What a way to start the year.

New Orleans at Green Bay

And here we are—the 2009-10 Super Bowl Champs versus the 2010-11 Super Bowl Champs.

The Saints haven't made a ton of changes to their roster other than giving Reggie Bush up to the Dolphins and signing former Chargers running back Darren Sproles (a.k.a. the Lightning Bug).

New Orleans also agreed to a deal with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram, who was the team's first-round pick in April. 

We can expect another stellar year out of Drew Brees, but how will the newly-rennovated running game turn out?

Unlike the Saints, the Packers have been quite busy since the lockout ended. Green Bay has signed 17 undrafted free agents that include four wide receivers and Ohio State RB Brandon Saine, while nailing seven draft choices.

Green Bay should once again have a ferocious offensive attack, as they owned the No. 5 passing game in the NFL.

They also re-signed tailback John Kuhn in hopes of improving a subpar rushing game (100.4 yards per game).


Aaron Rodgers will be trying to pull a Tom Brady by winning back-to-back championships.

This matchup kicks off the NFL's regular season schedule at Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 8 at 8:30 P.M. ET.