NFL Schedule..What to Look Forward To

It's been a little more than two months since the Super Bowl and the time has come to start thinking about the 2010 season. The Saints will enter as the reigning champions and have a very good chance to repeat with most their team intact. However, as of right now, I am going to take the season week by week and highlight games that might be worth watching or could define some teams seasons.

Week 1:
Vikings at Saints: It's the opening game of the season featuring the defending champions. Making it extra special is it is a rematch of 2009 NFC Championship Game. If Brett Favre returns it could be a rematch of two top quarterbacks. The Vikings were on the brink of winning that championship game and both teams will want to win this one.

Cowboys at Redskins: These two rivals don't like each other and the addition of Donovan McNabb in Washington adds an extra wrinkle to the mix. The two have had several close games over the last few years and will be a great way to start the Sunday Night games this year.

Ravens at Jets: It's the Rex Ryan Bowl. The coach of the Jets vs his former team that he helped engineer one of the best defenses of the 2000s. Both teams made big upgrades this offseason and are poised to make another Super Bowl run. This will be a fierce battle that could be physical.

Week 2:
Ravens at Bengals: The Bengals ran through the AFC North last year and this one could be a good indication of who might win the division as the Browns continue to rebuild and the Steelers might struggle.

Patriots at Jets: These two had two great games last year. The Patriots still won the division and the Jets want the claim the crown as AFC East champions. It will be a measuring stick for the rematch and possibly the postseason.

Giants at Colts: It's the Manning Bowl, Part 2. Peyton got the better of younger brother Eli 4 years ago in New York. They head to Peyton's place to see who is better this time around. It was a pretty damn good one last time and depending on the play of either defense; it could be the same again.

Week 4:
Redskins at Eagles: These two are division rivals and hence these games are intense. This year though, it's Donovan McNabb in a Washington uniform coming back to Philadelphia. It could be interesting to see how he plays and how he will be welcomed.

Week 5:
Vikings at Jets: For one year, Brett Favre quarterbacked the Jets in between the Packers and the Vikings. If he is on the field, it is a pseudo Favre Bowl. Obviously it's not as big as Favre against Green Bay, but to some Jets fans it might be a little personal to knock off Favre who left them.

Week 6:
Ravens at Patriots: The Patriots got ran over figuratively and literally by the Ravens at home in the postseason last year. Will the Pats get revenge or will the Ravens provide a sequel?

Cowboys at Vikings: The Vikings flat out embarrassed the Cowboys in the Divisional Round last year. Many members of the Cowboys' defense will certainly be out for revenge and could be a preview of a possible NFC Championship Game.

Week 7:
Vikings at Packers: If Favre is back, then this one is big game worthy. The two might be battling it out for NFC North bragging rights again as well.

Giants at Cowboys: These two have given us some down to wire thrillers in recent years. New York spoiled the opening of Jerry's World last year, but the Cowboys won the division and got the last laugh. This one could get interesting.

Week 8:
Vikings at Patriots: This one has quarterback classic written all over it. Favre v Brady. They both could be leading their divisions and this one has the potential to be a shootout.

Steelers at Saints: Depending if Ben Roethisberger is starting and if the Steelers are contending, this one could be a heck of matchup.

Texans at Colts: The Colts have certainly owned this rivalry, but last year the Texans closed the gap greatly. This one will be a test for the road team and could prove to decide the fate of the division moving into the second half of the year.

Week 10:
Bengals at Colts: This one features two of the best quarterbacks and two of the best receivers. Both could be leading their respective divisions and provide us with a shootout thriller.

Eagles at Redskins: Donovan McNabb vs the Eagles Part 2. This time he hosts his former team and should be as interesting for both teams.

Week 11:
Colts at Patriots: It's the annual matchup of Manning v Brady. This time the they meet in Foxboro and don't be surprised if both enter this one in similar positions as last year and it comes down to the wire again as a lot of these matchups do.

Broncos at Chargers: The last two years the AFC West has come down to these two teams. There has been questionable officiating and big letdowns. This one could decide the fate of the division again and expect emotions to be high.

Week 12:
Saints at Cowboys: This one should be a great one on Thanksgiving. It was the Cowboys who ended the Saints' undefeated season last year and both could be jockeying for playoff positioning in this one.

Bengals at Jets: This one is the third game on Thanksgiving and features two former USC quarterbacks. The two met in Week 17 and the Wildcard Round with the Jets winning both games.

Chargers at Colts: There have been few teams that have been able to slow the Colts down in recent years. One such team is the Chargers. They are the Colts' playoff antidote in recent years and this one could determine home field or a bye.

49ers at Cardinals: With the Cardinals' off season changes, the division becomes a little more open. The 49ers are on the rise and this one might have big NFC West division implications.

Week 13:
Cowboys at Colts: This one looks like an interesting one on paper. A very good defense against a prolific passer. They neutralized Drew Brees last year, but Peyton Manning might be a different challenge.

Jets at Patriots: The Jets have stolen a few at home during the last ten years against the Patriots. Winning in Foxboro will be tough and could decide the division if Miami is out of the picture.

Week 14:
Dolphins at Jets: This one might be a big matchup for the AFC East and will be crucial for both down the stretch.

Eagles at Cowboys: Without Donovan McNabb quarterbacking the Eagles, this will be a little different, but the Eagles will be looking to avenge 3 losses last year to the Cowboys and winning on the road would be huge.

Week 16:
Chargers at Bengals: The two met last year in San Diego and it came down to the wire. This one has the look of another classic.

Saints at Falcons: Depending what their records are this one might go up or down in importance. Right now, I see this as a potential NFC South division deciding matchup.

Week 17:
Bengals at Ravens: This one has the potential to decide the AFC North depending on how well the Steelers do this year and the two teams in this one. Could be physical and interesting.

Cowboys at Eagles: This could be for the NFC East again or at worst bragging rights between two hated rivals.

Chargers at Broncos: Might be for AFC West, revenge for the previous game, or pride for the team out of the playoff picture/divisional race.

Cardinals at 49ers: Depending where both are at this point, this one might be for the NFC West.

Looking at the schedule from Week 1 to Week 17, there will certainly be a lot of great action. Some games might be bigger than they look right now and others might be for nothing between two losing teams. Looks like another exciting season is ahead and the road to Super Bowl XLV will soon begin.