2011 NFL Schedule: The Must-See Games of the Season

The NFL schedule may be the most anticipated schedule to be released in professional sports. 

Fans across the country can start planning road trips, fantasy rosters, watch parties and Super Bowl parties. They can figure out when to hit the town in their favorite team’s jersey and when to simply sit on the couch and cheer from the privacy of their own home. They can figure out when to separate themselves from their roommates or significant others to avoid any favorite team arguments. 

The over-the-top football fan can also determine whether or not he/she can hold their heads high and hold bragging rights come week 17 or if they should get prepared for a season full of disappointment.

Perhaps what makes the NFL schedule great is the unpredictability. Not much is guaranteed. Who would have picked the Kansas City Chiefs to win their division last year? Who would have pegged the Green Bay Packers as Super Bowl Champions after 15 starters were on injured reserve at one point or another in the year? Not many people.

Here are some games on the 2011 NFL schedule that have one guarantee: They are all must-see games. 

Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Fans of both teams have been salivating for this since the Steelers' 31-24 victory in last season’s divisional playoffs. It was an Antonio Brown catch from Ben Roethlisberger that set up Rashard Mendenhall’s two-yard game-winning run and eventually put a dagger in Baltimore’s season.

The Steelers have been to the AFC Championship four times since 2004.The last time the Ravens tasted the AFC Championship was 2008, which they lost to who else, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore added smaller pieces such as fullback Vonta Leach and running back Ricky Williams, but bolstered its receiving corps with former Bills star Lee Evans and drafting Torrey Smith.

The Steelers have a 21-12 overall lead in the rivalry including a 3-0 record in the postseason.

PREDICTION: Ravens, 23-13

Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons

What could be an NFC Championship matchup shapes up to be a great regular season matchup. The Eagles made quite the splash this offseason by signing almost anyone and everyone they could get their hands on. Highlighting the acquisitions are corner Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, running back Ronnie Brown and backup quarterback Vince Young. 

Not to mention they just re-signed Michael Vick to a six-year, $100 million contract.

With all the attention the Eagles are getting, the Falcons are flying (no pun intended) under a lot of people’s radars. Sports Illustrated writer Peter King picked them to go the Super Bowl though. The team did have the best record in the NFC last year. Many dismissed that statistic after Atlanta's 48-21 drubbing in the divisional playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.

The splash the Falcons made by trading up to draft Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones may be the one that pushes their offense to the next level. The Falcons now have a potent offense similar to that of the New Orleans Saints.

The difference with the Falcons is their one running back in Michael Turner as opposed to the three-headed monster in New Orleans in Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles.

If that is a system that threatens the Falcons, they drafted yet another college stud in Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers had 939 touches from the line of scrimmage in three years at Oregon State and fumbled a measly three times.  Rodgers could become a very important weapon in the return game assuming Michael Turner stays healthy. 

Losing Harvey Dahl on the offensive line hurt, but not enough to set this team back.  The offensive line remains solid with the resigning of Tyson Clabo. 

PREDICTION: Falcons 31-20

Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

The oldest rivalry in the NFL comes to Soldier Field in Week 3 of the season. A rematch of the NFC Championship is just what the doctor ordered in the first month of the season. Last year’s game left Bears fans with a bitter taste in their mouth after they saw their quarterback go down with an injury before the end of the first half.

It wasn’t the loss that was talked about afterward though. It was actually whether or not Jay Cutler was faking the injury that brought Caleb Hanie into the biggest game of his young career. Cutler went down with what was diagnosed as a second-degree sprain of his MCL. This injury limits nearly all side-to-side mobility. Cutler needed that mobility to avoid the rushes his weak offensive line let sneak through. 

The Bears did next to nothing to upgrade that line with the exception of drafting Gabe Carimi out of Wisconsin. They said goodbye to veteran center Olin Kreutz and moved Roberto Garza to the position.  The first preseason game against Buffalo saw the Bears line allow four first-half sacks.

Not exactly the encouragement you want to see from a newly designed line ordered to protect your franchise quarterback. 

Chicago went searching for some weapons to help Cutler. It signed Roy Williams, Sam Hurd and Marion Barber. How ‘bout them Cowbears! 

Roy Williams has been knocked as becoming uninterested in the game if he isn’t a crucial player in the offense. With the surge of Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, Dallas clearly wasn’t in need of Roy Williams as a No. 1 receiver. Chicago clearly would put him to work, or would it? There has been debate of Williams (two receptions) making the team, even following four preseason games. Earl Bennett has been a useful weapon for the Bears offense this preseason. 

Although nothing is guaranteed, the Packers should be at full force and fully healthy coming into this game, which they weren’t last year. They won the Super Bowl with 13 starters on injured reserve. Not too shabby of a second-and-third-string squad. 

PREDICTION: Packers, 27-10

Week 4: New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens

These two teams just plain don’t like each other. This could be the season Mark Sanchez turns his haters into believers. The same can be said for Joe Flacco.

Flacco and Sanchez have definitely shown they can succeed in the NFL, but they haven’t exactly reached that next level of quarterback that lumps them in with Brees, Rodgers and Manning.

Meeting for the first time since Week 1 of last year (Jets lost 10-9), these two smash-mouth defenses will face each other in the regular season again. I’m sure the game week banter between Ray Lewis and former Raven linebacker Bart Scott will be entertaining as well. Look for Derrick Mason attempt to break out facing his former team for the first time. Can’t wait! 

PREDICTION: Ravens, 17-7        

Week 5: New York Jets at New England Patriots

The second straight tough road game for the Jets takes them to Foxboro. Tom Brady and company don’t go lightly on any defense. His sights will be set on Darrelle Revis as always, assuming the corner doesn’t come up lame again.

This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Jets beat the Patriots in the divisional playoffs 28-21. Even though this game is only in Week 5, this could shape the results of this division for the rest of the year.

The cerebral assassin, Bill Belichick, knows how to rattle quarterbacks of all shapes and sizes. Don’t expect him to go easy on Sanchez. Belichick prevails in this one. 

PREDICTION: Patriots, 34-20

Week 6: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

The third big game in the first six weeks of the season for the Baltimore Ravens. The three-headed monster that is Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster will be in the crosshairs of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The Ravens could catch a break here if Arian Foster isn’t fully healed or recovered from a hamstring injury. 

Houston coach Gary Kubiak will be taking every game seriously this year as he could be on the hot seat.

I fully expect Ray Rice to run wild on the defense that was ranked 30th in the league last year. Not much was done to improve the defense other than drafting J.J. Watt and signing safety and special teams player Danieal Manning. 

PREDICTION: Ravens, 30-10

Week 7: Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints

A rematch of Super Bowl XLIV: Manning vs. Brees…maybe.

Peyton Manning’s neck could be the determinant of the Indianapolis Colts season. This matchup could fizzle if it's Kerry Collins vs. Drew Brees. Don’t expect the offense of the Saints to feel bad. It will light up this Colts secondary.

Austin Collie will be returning after a couple concussions last season. He may not thrive with a quarterback like Collins as he did with Manning before being knocked out.  Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are all another year older. How much do they have left in the tank?

Saints prevail.

PREDICTION: Saints, 30-17

Week 8: New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

The midway point of the season takes us to Heinz Field where two AFC Championship veterans face one another. The Patriots and Steelers have combined to take part in seven of the last 10 Super Bowls.

There really wasn’t much drama in the offseason surrounding Ben Roethlisberger. It was actually quite the opposite. He got married and appears to be staying out of trouble. Pittsburgh didn’t do anything to upgrade, but why would it?  The Steelers were as close as you can get to winning the Super Bowl without actually winning it.

New England was 14-2 last year, but felt that wasn’t good enough. It went out and signed newspaper headline stars Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco. If there was one quarterback who can revive Ochocinco’s career, it’s Tom Brady. He did it with Randy Moss and won’t be afraid to do it with Ochocinco. 

The Patriots just released safety Brandon Meriweather from a defense that was ranked 25th in the league last year. Their line was upgraded with the addition of former Jets end Shaun Ellis. He is 34, but has chalked up 72.5 sacks in 11 seasons. Belichick also went out and recruited Haynesworth’s former linemate in Washington, Andre Carter. This should vastly improve their pass-rush. 

PREDICTION: Patriots, 20-16

Week 9: Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers

Another top-rated quarterback matchup. Aaron Rodgers vs. Phillip Rivers. Rodgers has already begun carving his legacy in Green Bay by winning a Super Bowl last year. Rivers has yet to put that trophy on his mantle.

The Chargers have more unfinished business because they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005 despite having the top-ranked offense and defense. They were aggressive in free agency on the defensive side of the ball, signing veterans Takeo Spikes and safety Bob Sanders as well as drafting Corey Liuget.

A new defensive coordinator in Greg Manusky takes over for Ron Rivera and their high-powered offense remains the same. 

Green Bay lost a few players from last year’s team. Many would question the team’s strength, losing players coming off a Super Bowl win. The difference here is the players the Packers lost were all backups or backups to the backup. A healthy first string on Green Bay is as dangerous as any team in the entire NFL. The Chargers will have their hands full with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and tight end Jermichael Finley.

The fifth-ranked defense from last year lost Nick Barnett to Buffalo, but retained Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Frank Zombo and Desmond Bishop as a fully capable linebacking corps. The Packers are deadly, plain and simple. 

PREDICTION: Packers, 24-9

Week 10: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

The passing of the torch continues here from Drew Brees to Matt Ryan. The winner of this Week 10 matchup could give the eventual NFC South winner momentum going into its Week 16 matchup on Monday night. 

It will be interesting to see if there is a clear cut No. 1 running back in the Saints system at this time as well, between Pierre Thomas, rookie Mark Ingram and newcomer Darren Sproles. The signing of Olin Kreutz was questionable. He is 34 years old and has had heel problems in the past. On the plus side, he was a great locker room personality and leader to have around in Chicago.

Julio Jones will be the guy to watch in Atlanta to see if he has lived up to much of the hype he has been getting. As mentioned before, the Falcons did trade up 12 spots to get him in fear he wouldn’t be there come their original pick.

The Saints did do a good job upgrading the defense with the signings of tackles Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers. Is it enough to stop this offense? I think not. 

PREDICTION: Falcons, 30-21

Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

I get the feeling there will be a lot Philly transplants traveling over the bridge to New Jersey to see their NFC powerhouse Eagles take on division rivals in the Giants.

The Giants have never quite been the same since winning the Super Bowl, whether it be the inconsistency of Eli Manning, the wide receiver issues, coaching drama or injuries. The rise of running back Ahmad Bradshaw was welcomed with open arms. That takes a lot of the load off Brandon Jacobs' shoulders. Hakeem Nicks was a huge part of their offense (79 receptions, 1,052 yards, 11 TDs). Look for him to become a next-level receiver this year.

Their defense suffered a hefty blow this week with the loss of linebacker Jonathan Goff (75 tackles last season), especially with the loss of corner Terrell Thomas and Osi Umenyiora coming off knee surgery and looking for a new contract. 

It wouldn’t be New York if there wasn’t drama. With a banged up secondary, the Giants may not have a viable answer for DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Also not to be forgotten is the addition of former Giants receiver Steve Smith to the mix. The Eagles come out on top. 

PREDICTION: Eagles, 28-13

Week 12: New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles

A very different pair of quarterbacks face each other in this marquee matchup.

Tom Brady has a cannon for an arm and a veteran group of receivers in Deion Branch, Wes Welker and Chad Ochocinco. Michael Vick can kill you with his feet, but isn’t afraid to throw the ball downfield to his youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

The Patriots have two legitimate options at tight end in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. The Eagles have their option in Brent Celek, whose productivity took a bit of a hit since Vick took over as a full-time starter. 

The Eagles can hurt you in more ways than the Patriots. Their already solid defense got even more solid with offseason acquisitions and their ground game became a lot more dangerous in more ways than one.  LeSean McCoy was already dangerous, but the signing of Ronnie Brown adds depth and experience.

The wild card in all their offseason moves is quarterback Vince Young. He is still only 28 years old and, much like Vick, can throw or run.

Look for Andy Reid to run his own version of the wildcat offense this year especially with Brown in the backfield, who has had experience throwing in Miami when he was with the Dolphins. This Eagles team is deep—maybe even deeper than some realize. 

PREDICTION: Eagles, 17-13

Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. Enough said.

Fans of these teams (especially Colts fans) hope that’s what they get in this Week 13 battle. With Manning being announced as out for Week 1, that is a bad sign. Manning hasn’t missed a game since the Clinton administration. He has played through pain and I’m sure has gone out there more than once when he shouldn’t have.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize this Colts offense is nowhere near the same without him. Their defense cannot be solely responsible for winning games. They just don’t have the chops to do it, especially in a game like this where New England can hang 40 points on you without blinking.

Maybe the Patriots will put in their backup to even the playing field. Don’t bet on it. Kerry Collins better bring his A+ game today. Pats win easy if Manning doesn’t go. 

PREDICTION: Patriots, 38-14   

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets

It might be a stretch for some, but the Chiefs are an up-and-coming team in the AFC. Matt Cassel proved himself in New England and he’s out to do the same in Kansas City. Cassel had been battling a cracked rib in the preseason and may miss some time early, but should be fully healed by this time.

The addition of Steve Breaston will complement Dwayne Bowe nicely as Breaston did in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald.  Jamaal Charles will continue to be a threat and backfield addition Thomas Jones still has some gas left in his tank. Their tight end situation is bothersome with the loss Tony Moeaki (47 catches in 2010).

The Jets can win games on either side of the ball. Cassel has to watch the interceptions and protect the ball the best he can. Darrelle Revis is a top five corner in the league, which goes without saying. Rex Ryan isn’t afraid to blitz either.

If Cassel and Charles protect the ball, the Chiefs pull off an upset in the Meadowlands. 

PREDICTION: Chiefs, 17-7

Week 15: New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles

After reviewing this season’s schedule, the Jets do not have it easy this year. They seem to have a couple of tough games back-to-back. This is no different.

If the Jets got their man in Asomugha, there wouldn’t be a debate for best secondary, but they didn’t and the Eagles did. They also got Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and still have Asante Samuel in the mix.  Mark Sanchez may face his toughest test yet this season. Shonn Greene may be a busy man on this Sunday afternoon. 

Darrelle Revis will have to keep his eyes on DeSean Jackson. If he doesn’t, Jackson can get downfield in a flash. Plaxico Burress is about the only free agent the Eagles didn’t sign. It will be interesting to see how he holds up after almost a full season back in the mix on an NFL squad—especially one that has potential to go to the postseason.

Once again, expect a good amount of Philly fans to come over to Jersey for this game. There will be a lot of green in the stands. Fireman Ed better be prepared to cool off the hotheads.

Andy Reid prevails in this one and it won’t be as close as some may think. 

PREDICTION: Eagles, 30-13

Week 16: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

This game could determine the winner of the AFC South. Assuming the Colts hang around with or without Manning, the Texans have the next best shot at dethroning the kings. The Jaguars released veteran David Garrard and the Titans are relying on Chris Johnson and that’s about it.

Arian Foster may or may not be healthy, but this game would be huge if he remains healthy. This game could also be the determinant of Gary Kubiak’s head coaching job. Another division loss to the Colts and the Texans could be showing him the door after Week 17.

I think this is the year Houston has it in them. The Texans win the game and the division with a huge thanks to Peyton Manning’s neck. 

PREDICTION: Texans, 20-13

If this game isn’t your cup of tea, the Monday night game will be a battle between the Falcons and Saints. Since this is the week of Christmas, a third game of the week will be given to you. The Chicago Bears travel north to Green Bay in what could be yet another game with playoff implications. 

Week 17: Watch 'em All!

This is the week for fans to either say goodbye to the NFL season or prepare for the postseason. Take in as much as you can from your favorite team if they’re saying goodbye or watch your team’s first-round opponent and take notes so you can have the water-cooler debate Monday morning at work on how to take down the opposition.

Think about improvements for next year or how to fine-tune the team for the path to NFL supremacy. 

Either way, enjoy yourself and celebrate another great NFL season. Hopefully, your favorite team will be raising this in the end.