Mark Your Calendars, 2012 NFL Schedule Released

That's right boys. The NFL schedule has been announced, leaving fans salivating for football. I will briefly present to you what I think is the Top 10 matchups to look forward to.

10. Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants - September 5

This traditional rivalry opens the NFL season. The Cowboys have to travel to New York to take on the Giants. As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Giants will have a target on their back all season. This certainly begins in Week 1.

9. Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles - November 26

Both teams finished below the .500 mark last season. As a result, this game doesn't seem to carry the same weight as the others. What it does have though is two of the NFL's most electrifying play makers, Cam Newton and Michael Vick.

8. San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints - November 25

These two NFC contenders matchup for the first time since the Williams bounty audio release. The 49ers will certainly have a point to prove in the Superdome, not an easy place to win.

7. Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers - September 16

The teams played a great game last year, which ended in a confrontation between head coaches Jim Schwartz and Jim Harbaugh. Expect a lot of smack talk before and hard-nosed plays during this game.

6. San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers - September 9

Two of the NFC favorites faceoff in Week 1. Which won will look more like the Super Bowl contender early?

5. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos - September 9

The other big Week 1 matchup. The Steelers return to the city where their last season ended. They won't have forgotten and will look to prove it against the now Manning-led Broncos.

4. Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots - October 7

The Tom Brady-Peyton Manning matchups are always highly contested, but Manning is now in the Mile High City. The two teams will face off for the first time with Brady and Manning at their respective helms.

3. New England Patriots vs. New York Jets - October 21 & November 22

The Jets playoff win in 2010 propelled this divisional rivalry into a media sensation. Add Tim Tebow to the mix, and you get media madness.

2. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - November 18 & December 2

Another divisional battle, but this one takes it to a whole new level. This is the biggest rivalry in the NFL today. You can expect a hard fought battle from both sides.

1. Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions - December 22

These two teams don't like each other, plain and simple. Ndamukong Suh is a major reason why. Playoff implications could be on the line for both teams.