The Football Vortex of Awesome is back as we will take an in depth look at the upcoming NFL and college football seasons. First let’s take a peek at some dates you may want to circle on your calendar.

Remember starting with week 11 the flexible schedule begins so times and channels could change a bit. View the full schedule here. 

Week 1

Thursday September 5th

Ravens at Broncos 8:30pm NBC

Thanks to the Orioles the defending champs will open their season on the road against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. This will be our first look at Peyton Manning with a full healthy year under his belt and now he has Wes Welker.

Sunday September 8th

Giants @ Cowboys 8:30pm NBC

This years most competitive division in the NFL wastes no time getting into rivalry games as they open up Sunday Night Football.

Monday September 9th, ESPN

Eagles at Redskins 7:10pm

Texans @ Chargers 10:20pm

The annual monday night doubleheader to kick off Monday Night Football features another NFC East battle and a look at one of the favorites in the AFC against Chargers less Norm. The Chargers might be a sleeper just for that fact alone.

Week 2

Sunday September 15th

49ers @ Seahawks 8:30pm NBC

They play twice this year and you know both of them are going to be a battle. They have to be the two favorites to win the Super Bowl this year, they are loaded.

Week 3

Thursday September 19th

Chiefs @ Eagles 8:25pm NFLN

Andy Reid returns to Philadelphia. They are definitely going to boo him right?

Week 4

Sunday September 29th

Patriots @ Falcons 8:30pm NBC

Two of the most high powered offenses clash on Sunday Night Football.

Week 7

Sunday October 20th

Ravens @ Steelers 4:25pm CBS

Broncos @ Colts 8:30 NBC

The Ravens and Steelers always provide a low scoring brawl and it’s always worth watching. Then later that night Peyton Manning returns to Indianapolis where he will definitely be cheered before he throws for five touchdowns.

Monday October 21st

Vikings @ Giants 8:40pm ESPN

Anytime Adrian Peterson is on national TV it’s a big deal.

Week 9

Monday November 4th

Bears @ Packers 8:40pm ESPN

One of the best rivalries in football is renewed on a monday night. Expect Devin Hester to show up.

Week 10

Thursday November 7th

Redskins @ Vikings 8:25pm NFLN

Adrian Peterson and RGIII? Yes please.

Sunday November 10th

Bengals @ Ravens 1:00pm CBS

Panthers @ 49ers 4:05pm Fox

First a divisional battle that will most likely come back to haunt one of these teams later on in the season and then a battle of two of the best mobile quarterbacks in the game.

Week 11

Sunday November 17th

49ers @ Saints 4:25pm Fox

Packers @ Giants 8:30pm NBC

First a big game for the Saints to prove themselves once again now that Sean Payton is back. The 49ers defense could put them on lockdown or the Saints could prove to be a legit contender. Then comes another rather large game. The Giants are going to have a tough enough time navigating the NFC East games that makes their out of division schedule rather important. This may be their biggest game of the year.

Week 12

Thursday November 21st

Saints @ Falcons 8:25pm NFLN

Thursday night scoring fest. This game will likely be somewhere around 50-48 by the end. Whoever gets the ball last wins and the stakes are high because the division could be on the line.

Sunday November 25th

Vikings @ Packers 1:00pm Fox

Broncos @ Patriots 8:30pm NBC

Greg Jennings returns to Lambeau after a bunch of trash talk. We will see how big his smile is with Christian Ponder throwing the ball to him. Then that night we get treated to Manning vs Brady and the return of Wes Welker to Gillette Stadium.

Monday November 26th

49ers @ Redskins 8:40pm ESPN

A chance for the Redskins and RGIII to prove themselves as contenders. Also it’s similar to the importance for the Redskins as the Giants game against the Packers in Week 11.

Week 13

Thursday November 28th

Packers @ Lions 12:30pm Fox

Raiders @ Cowboys 4:30pm CBS

Steelers @ Ravens 8:30pm NBC

The Raiders really? How do the Raiders get a Thanksgiving billing? Besides that we have two other really good games.

Sunday December 1st

Patriots @ Texans 4:25pm CBS

Both of these teams should be competing for a bye in the playoffs a head to head win can go a long ways.

Monday December 2

Saints @ Seahawks 8:40pm ESPN

Really a loaded week this week. This should make for a hell of a cap for it. The Saints get a chance to prove themselves as legit competition with the Seahawks and 49ers. Since only one of the Seahawks or 49ers can win the division, obviously, this could be a game with wildcard implications.

Week 14

Sunday December 8th

Seahawks @ 49ers 4:25pm Fox

Mmmm. This another war with the NFC West on the line.

Week 15

Sunday December 15th

Bengals @ Steelers 8:30pm NBC

This game could decide the AFC North which should come down to the wire between these two and possibly the Ravens. The Browns are trending up a bit but aren’t there yet, this division is loaded.

Week 16

Sunday December 22nd

Cowboys @ Redskins 1:00pm Fox

Steelers @ Packers 4:25pm CBS

Patriots @ Ravens 8:30pm NBC

If all three of these games don’t find their way to being on television someone should get fired. What a triple header this is. First a divisional battle with just one game remaining after this week. Then a possible Super Bowl matchup and finally Pats/Ravens. They always play tough games against each other and this could have some big time playoff picture impact.

Monday December 23rd

Falcons @ 49ers 8:40pm ESPN

A rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. This one could determine a bye and/or home field advantage in the playoffs and it may not be the last time we see this matchup.

Week 17

Sunday December 29th

Packers @ Bears 1:00pm Fox

Redskins @ Giants 1:00pm Fox

Ravens @ Bengals 1:00pm CBS

Eagles @ Cowboys 1:00pm Fox

Week 17 brings divisional rivalries with zero night games. These four games will probably  decide the fates of their divisions.

mlz

Saturday, August 3, 2013