Well, that time in April has quickly rolled around. No, not the draft...the schedule release! This year proves to have many twists and turns. I'm quite excited that we have another Thanksgiving to not sleep through, with some marquee divisional matchups. Here are my initial thoughts on what's in store:
Games of interest...
Wednesday, September 5, Cowboys @ Giants. Regardless of who's playing, this is the first game of the year, so obviously it's circled. "America's Team" (vomit) travels to divisional rival and reigning Superbowl champ G-men. As much as I don't want the reigning Superbowl team to get off to a great start, the Cowboys annoy me enough that I'll be rooting for the Giants. You're welcome, Raquel.
Sunday, September 9, Redskins @ Saints. We assume the 'Skins, with the #2 pick, will select Robert Griffin III (RG III, for those living under a rock). His debut comes in New Orleans, a historically tough place to play, facing a team that's already pissed about losing its coach. Should be veryyyyy interesting!
Sunday, September 9, Steelers @ Broncos. It's a playoff rematch! Except this time...the Steelers can't get Tebow'd because Pey Pey is the new quarterback (but funny, they get the Jets the following week). I'm just interested to see how Pey Pey looks after missing a whole season due to his neck injury. The Steelers are not a team I'd want to face on my first day back!
Thursday, September 13, Bears @ Packers. This one speaks for itself. The oldest rivalry in football, on the first Thursday night game of the season. Good to note that there will be Thursday night games all season, which is awesome if you own NFL network. Otherwise you may find yourself having a few more Thirsty Thursdays at your local watering hole than usual...
Sunday, September 16, Lions @ 49ers. Ha! Last season, this game ended with the battle of the Jims. Harbaugh and Schwartz had a friendly little...uh, pushing match? Will they be happy to see one another! One can only hope!
Sunday, September 23, Patriots @ Ravens. I know I have this one circled on my calendar. My Ravens will be looking to avenge the "what could've been," Lee Evans dropping, Billy Cundiff wide-righting loss to the Bradies. Even without that, the Pats and Ravens always play each other close. Thankfully for me, they get to come to our house, for our first Monday Night Football home game since 2007...and who did we play then? Oh yes, the Pats. Bart Scott threw a penalty flag. I'd like to think we've evolved from that.
Sunday, October 7, Broncos @ Patriots. Assuming Pey Pey is still healthy, he faces his classic nemesis, Tom Bundchen. Always an interesting matchup.
Sunday, October 14, Giants @ 49ers. Another playoff rematch from the 2011 season. 49ers seek revenge on the G-men, who, like the Pats vs. Ravens, barely came away with the win in the NFC Championships.
Sunday, October 21, Jets @ Pats (crap, is this the THIRD Pats game I'm highlighting? eek). Anyway, whether you like it or not, this game will be heavily hyped with these two division rivals. Will Sanchez still be starting? Will Tebow get a chance to redeem himself against a team that embarrassed him in the playoffs? These are questions that need answers!
Sunday, October 28, Various divisional matchups. Might be a good day to have NFL Red Zone. You've got Colts @ Titans, Raiders @ Chiefs, Giants @ Cowboys, and Niners @ Cardinals. Oh, and we can't forget Mike Vick's Eagles hosting his former team, the Falcons...people always like to hype this one up.
Sunday, November 4, Panthers @ Redskins. Cam Newton, second-year QB, vs. RG III, first-year QB with a similar style. Could be a fun game to watch, assuming the 'Skins are still competitive and their fans haven't given up hope just yet.
Sunday, November 18, Various Divisional Matchups. This is another week when you may just need to have NFL Red Zone (I promise, this isn’t a promo for them)! Dolphins @ Bills the previous Thursday night, Eagles @ Redksins, Packers @ Lions, Buccs @ Panthers, Jags @ Texans, Chargers @ Broncos, and then, my favorite, Ravens @ Steelers on Sunday Night Football. I’m gonna need these good matchups to keep me distracted from anxiously awaiting the AFC North grudge match that night!
Thursday, November 22 (aka THANKSGIVING!). Last year, we had Suh’s stomping and the Harbowl. This year, we get Texans at Lions (should these 2011 playoff teams continue their successes they had last year, it’ll be a good one), Redskins at Cowboys (historic rivalry, duh), and Patriots at Jets (another divisional rivalry). Great post-Turkey gorging recovery.
Sunday, December 2 (aka if you missed the matchups on November 18, here’s your second chance). The holiday season is in full swing when the Saints play at the Falcons the previous Thursday, Vikings @ Packers (maybe the Vikings will be more competitive this year?), 49ers @ Rams, Pats @ Dolphins, Texans @ Titans (ah, I do miss the Andre Johnson-Cortland Finnegan rivalry…too bad Finnegan’s a Ram), Steelers @ Ravens (wait, didn’t we just play them two weeks ago?), Eagles @ Cowboys, and Giants @ Redskins.
Sunday, December 9, Ravens @ Redskins. Battle of the beltway? Bragging rights for where I live, at least!
Sunday, December 9, Chargers @ Steelers. The theme for this will be the 2004 draft; both Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger were drafted that year. Rivers is just 1-3 against the Steelers. Can this be reversed? Will be tough sledding, playing away from home at noisy Heinz Field.
Sunday, December 16, Colts @ Texans. Yes, a divisional matchup, but I'm more interested in seeing how Andrew Luck (we assume), fares this time of year against the Texans' tough defense.
Saturday, December 22nd, Falcons @ Lions. This matchup could very well decide a playoff spot--and I'm thinking possibly wild card. Wait, didn't this just happen a year ago??? This is technically the Monday Night Football game, since Christmas Eve falls on a Monday this year. Some other matchups to watch the next day: Bills @ Dolphins, Bengals @ Steelers, Saints @ Cowboys (another potential playoff fight?), Redskins @ Eagles, Giants @ Ravens (Superbowl 2001 rematch?), 49ers @ Seahawks, and Chargers @ Jets (yet another potential playoff fight).
Ah, the final week...Sunday, December 30, will not disappoint. I'm a big fan of the NFL scheduling all final games as divisional matchups. It's so difficult in April to figure out which teams will be the contenders, as there's always a surprise team and one that disappoints. But I imagine some marquee matchups at this stage could be Jets-Bills (yes, I'm actually hoping the Bills can put a decent season together this year!), Ravens-Bengals, Eagles-Giants, Bears-Lions, and one of the NFC West games (since they're always a crap shoot).
So there you have it. My early analysis of the 2012 season. Just five more months 'til we're there! For now, I gotta wonder how long this O's success is going to go until they revert to their losing form of seasons past...
-Lauren "Purple Friday"
