NFL's 25 Most Compelling Individual Matchups of the 2011 Season

Every NFL season brings a new set of compelling matchups.

Some of the matchups are born from rivalries that have been built up over the years.  

Some are born from a player switching from one side of a rivalry to the other or even one team to another. 

Sometimes they are born from a big game the season before.  

Here is a look at the 25 most compelling individual matchups of the 2011 NFL season.

Mario Williams vs. Dallas Clark

Mario Williams will have a tough assignment in his first season at outside linebacker when he matches up with Dallas Clark twice.  

You would expect Clark to have the upper hand this season since Williams will still be learning the position, but Williams has the potential to be a stud.  

There is a good chance Clark’s upper hand won’t last long.

Hakeem Nicks vs. Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha was the hottest free agent name this offseason and is widely regarded as the best cornerback in the league.  

Hakeem Nicks emerged last season as one of the best young receivers in the game.

These two will face each other twice this season with Asomugha’s move to Philadelphia.

Tom Brady vs. Darrelle Revis

Tom Brady got the upper hand last season against Darrelle Revis. Brady threw for 574 yards in the two meetings, and Revis did not have an interception in either game.

Peyton Hillis vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers' Run-Defense

Peyton Hillis had a huge year last year that resulted in him landing on the cover of Madden, but in his two games against the Steelers, last season he only tallied 54 yards.

Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan

Everyone remembers the fight that got both players ejected from the game last season, but these two have been locked in an intense battle for years now.  

AJ has gotten the better of the last few, but Finnegan is poised in a contract year.

Ray Rice vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers' Defense

Ray Rice racked up 1,220 yards rushing last season, but only managed 52 in two meetings against the Steelers in 2010.

Chris Johnson vs. the Baltimore Ravens' Run-Defense

The Ravens have been known for their stout defense for more than a decade now. They will be put to the test in Week 2 when Baltimore travels to Tennessee to face Chris Johnson.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Ndamukong Suh

Rodgers has to stare at Suh across the line twice a year.

Suh has gotten a reputation for his dirty hits on quarterbacks, and you can bet he wouldn’t mind getting a solid hit on the game’s best.

Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Larry Fitzgerald

The NFL’s newest $100 million man will match up against the game’s best corner in Week 10.

Rex Ryan vs. Bill Belichick

Rex Ryan has already said the Jets are going to be good enough to beat the Patriots. He just hopes someone else will too.  

You can bet Belichick already has those two games circled on his calendar.

Michael Vick vs. the Atlanta Falcons

Mike Vick became one of the best stories of the year last year.

His will face his former team in Atlanta this season.

Adrian Peterson vs. the Chicago Bears' Run-Defense

The Monsters of the Midway pride themselves on shutting down the run, and Peterson is one of the best in the game at getting yards against a tough defense.

Calvin Johnson vs. Charles Woodson

Calvin Johnson is one of the best young receivers in the league, and Charles Woodson is one of the best veteran defensive backs in the league.

Donovan McNabb vs. the Washington Redskins

Things went south in a hurry last season between Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan. McNabb will get his chance to prove he was wronged when his new team, the Vikings, faces Shany's Skins in 2011.

Jay Cutler vs. Philip Rivers

Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers had a shouting match for the ages a couple years ago on Monday Night Football. Tensions will be high when the Bears and the Chargers face off this season.

Peyton Manning vs. the New England Patriots

For years it has seemed like the AFC Championship has come down to Peyton Manning trying to knock off the New England Patriots.  

The Patriots have had the upper hand for much of the series, but Peyton will try to change that in 2011.

Plaxico Burress vs. the New York Giants

Plaxico switched sides of the Giants/Jets rivalry after his release from prison. He will be looking to prove to his old team he can still get it done.

Albert Haynesworth vs. the Washington Redskins

Washington couldn't wait for the lockout to be over so they could unload Albert Haynesworth. Now they will have to figure out a way to block a motivated Haynesworth in 2011 when his new team, the Patriots, faces the Redskins.

Steve Smith vs. the New York Giants

The contract talks with the New York Giants and Steve Smith were going nowhere, according to Smith, so he took his talents to the Dream Team in Philly. He will get two chances to make his old team pay in NFC East play.

Chad Ochocinco vs. Darelle Revis

Chad Ochocinco is known for calling out opposing corners.

Darrelle Revis has gotten the better of Ocho in the past, but that doesn't stop Chad from running his mouth.

Jake Long vs. DeMarcus Ware

Jake Long is one of the best offensive tackles in the league, and DeMarcus Ware is one of the league's premier pass-rushers.  

Something will have to give when these two meet.

Joe Thomas vs. James Harrison

James Harrison made a lot of news in the offseason for his comments about teammates and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  

Joe Thomas will attempt to keep him from making any on-the-field news when these two face each other twice in 2011.

Jay Cutler vs. the Green Bay Packers

Jay Cutler took a lot of heat when he was unable to return in last year's NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers after suffering a knee injury.

He will attempt to answer all of these critics by knocking the Packers off twice in 2011.

Jim Harbaugh vs. John Harbaugh

The Harbaugh brothers will face each other for the first time on Thanksgiving night in 2011 when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens.

Kevin Kolb vs. the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles decided Kevin Kolb wasn't their future, and they unloaded him to the Arizona Cardinals before the season started.  

Kolb will get his chance to make them pay in 2011.