1. Week One, Minnesota at Green Bay: Both teams have a division title in mind so a strong opening statement is key.  This is a battle of two quarterbacks out to prove they can win with the entire league watching.

2. Week Three, Jacksonville at Indianapolis: The Jaguars spent the entire offseason gearing up for one goal, winning the AFC South and that means beating the Colts.  Here's an early test for Jacksonville and it could be their best shot, who knows how Peyton Manning will hold up.

3. Week Three, Dallas at Green Bay: A rematch of last season's biggest NFC game.  The pressure is on the Cowboys here as Dallas opens the season at Cleveland, then Philadelphia at home.  It could be an early must-win situation for Dallas.

4. Week Six, New England at San Diego: This has turned into quite a rivalry with the Patriots stealing a playoff game from the Chargers in '06 then using San Diego as scrimmage fodder in Week Two of 2007 after the Spygate story broke.  Of course, the Pats got another playoff win over San Diego in January so the Chargers will be out for blood.

5. Week Nine, New England at Indianapolis: Patriots-Colts is becoming the best November tradition since Thanksgiving.  Once again, AFC bragging rights will be on the line.

6. Week Eleven, New York Jets at New England: These two teams meet in Week Two but by midseason Brett Favre should have command of a new playbook and chemistry with new receivers.  Remember, the Jets shocked New England in Foxborough two years ago.

7. Week Thirteen, New Orleans at Tampa Bay: This will be the second meeting between the NFC South's two best teams and with December looming, the inside track to a division title might be at stake.

8. Week Fifteen, New York Giants at Dallas: The Cowboys swept the regular season meetings but in the playoffs, the Giants won when it counted.  The sight of Brandon Jacobs firing a rocket at the play clock after scoring the go-ahead touchdown won't be forgotten by the Cowboys.

9. Week Fifteen, Cleveland at Philadelphia: Two teams that missed the playoffs last year but are geared up for a deep run this year, this will be a statement game for both teams on a Monday night.

10.  Week Seventeen, Cleveland at Pittsburgh: Archrivals squaring off with playoff implications at stake.  Can you ask for anything more from a regular season finale?

11. Week Seventeen, Dallas at Philadelphia: For the last two years the Eagles have beaten Dallas in December, sending the Cowboys into a tailspin each time.  This is another matchup that will have major playoff implications.

12. Week Seventeen, Seattle at Arizona: Why not complete the Week Seventeen trifecta with another matchup of the two best teams in a division.  The Cardinals won eight games last year and with Seattle weaker this year, this could be the chance for Arizona to get back to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.