2011 NFL Schedule: 8 Biggest Games for the Washington Redskins This Season

Now that the lockout is over, the free agency frenzy has subsided and the preseason games have started, we can finally appropriate some of our focus towards the schedule.

A tough slate is looming for the Washington Redskins in 2011. Along with the obvious six games allotted to their NFC East division rivals, the Redskins have matchups with the powerful AFC East, including back-to-back games with the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

The relative importance of games is different based on the quality of the opponent, the location of the game and the relationship between the two teams.

Taking all those factors into account, here are the eight biggest games for the Redskins in 2011.

8. October 23rd at the Carolina Panthers (and Possibly Cam Newton)

Some of you are probably wondering why a game against the worst team in the league from a year ago is listed as one of the Washington Redskins' biggest games for 2011.

Well, this game could have a drastic effect on the Redskins' final record.

This matchup comes a week after a big home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins cannot afford to sleepwalk through this one.

As we all saw in 2010, the Redskins seem to play down to their opponents. They desperately need to change that pattern in Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 23.

This game begins the easiest stretch of the Washington schedule. If it wins it, it will have some momentum that should carry it through a trip to face the Buffalo Bills and a home matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. 

If the Redskins lose it, the domino effect could derail the entire season. They cannot lose this game.

7. December 4th vs Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets

As much as New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan runs his mouth, I'm sure he'll say something to get Washington Redskins fans and players fired up before this game.

The way the NFL schedule works out, this is the first time the Jets have traveled to Landover since 2003, and they won't be back until 2019.

These two teams, like any teams in opposing conferences, only play every four years (not counting Super Bowls). As such, there's no real animosity between these guys (though Rex Ryan does like to yell things at DeAngelo Hall).

Still, it's a home game against a top-tier AFC opponent that will likely be in playoff form by the time this game is played in December. It would be a huge win for the Redskins, who will hopefully at least not be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at this point.

6. December 11th vs Tom Brady and the New England Patriots

The merciless 2011 schedule only allots the Washington Redskins six days of rest between their matchups with the AFC East powerhouses.

A week after the New York Jets arrive at Fed Ex Field, Tom Brady and the always talented New England Patriots come to town.

This game concludes a five-week stretch where the Redskins have to travel to face the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks and play the Dallas Cowboys, Jets and Patriots at home. That's three playoff teams from a year ago, and two teams in the Cowboys and Dolphins who are no slouches.

Just as with the Jets game, this is a big-time AFC opponent in the Redskins' house. It would be an excellent game for the Redskins to win, especially with a road trip to face the New York Giants looming in the not-too-distant future.

Hopefully, the hangover from their previous game against the Indianapolis Colts will keep the Patriots from being in top form.

5. January 1st at DeSean Jackson's Philadelphia Eagles

This is the last regular season game, and realistically, with the Washington Redskins' outlook for the season, the last football game for the Redskins for the 2011-2012 season.

The difficult latter half of the schedule finishes with an aptly tough trip to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

This game may have playoff ramifications. But even if it doesn't, it will be a tough matchup with a fierce division foe. And, as the last game of the season, it will be a chance for the Redskins to seize momentum heading into the 2012 preseason by beating a talented rival.

4. September 26th at the Dallas Cowboys (and the House That Jones Built)

Need I say more? There are certain phrases and dates that can easily sum up the feeling these two teams and their fan bases have for each other.

The Cowboy Chicken Club. The 1979 season finale. The 1991 opener. The 2005 sweep. The fans chanting at the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductions.

The Washington Redskins hate the Dallas Cowboys, and vice versa. 

This is the first away game for the Redskins in 2011, and it will go a long way in determining how the season unfolds.

3. October 16th vs Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles

The Washington Redskins having to suit up against Michael Vick at Fed Ex Field again will kind of be like George Pickett being forced to line up his men a second time at Gettsyburg.

I don't think anyone will ever forget the shellacking Vick gave the Redskins on that rainy November night. Six touchdowns is pretty much enough said.

It goes without saying that Vick's old pal DeAngelo Hall and the rest of the Washington defense will be extra motivated to shut the Philadelphia Eagles' high-powered offense down on this afternoon.

Just as they were last year before their home matchup with the Eagles, the Redskins will be coming off a bye week in this game.

Hopefully, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett will use his time more wisely and have some new strategies for Vick this season. The "sit back and wait" approach was none too effective the last time around.

2. September 11 vs Eli Manning and the New York Giants

The first game of the season is surprisingly crucial in the NFL. Though it's a long season, and one loss is seemingly nothing, the first game seems to really set the tone for the entire year.

In 2010, only one of the teams that made the playoffs lost a week one game to a non-playoff team.

The first week last season was the beginning of the derailing of the promising Minnesota Vikings' and Dallas Cowboys' seasons last year, and also the starting point for the surprise playoff runs for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

As if the pressure of the first game wasn't enough, the Washington Redskins will be playing this one against the New York Giants on the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Emotions will be running high, and the Giants will be especially motivated. And let's not forget that they're a division rival.

1. November 20th vs Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys

Do I really need to delineate the reasons a Cowboys-Redskins game is a big deal a second time?

This one will be played at Fed Ex Field, which will give Redskins fans a chance to bombard Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo with insults (mostly those that rhyme with his name) in person, as opposed to directing them at their TVs like psychopaths.

This game also begins the toughest part of the Washington schedule, so it'd be nice to head into the home stretch with a win.