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Are you ready for some football?

Well, you still have to wait five months. But with the 2012 NFL schedule released, Tuesday, the anticipation has begun as all 32 teams now have their mind set on who they should prep themselves for. With so many games to choose from, I have come up with a list of the top 10 games that are going to be worth the wait.

10. Dec. 16: Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys

Nothing like a game filled with history to whet your appetite. The teams combined for 11 Super Bowl titles meet the week before Christmas for a battle filled with Holiday cheer. While we’ve gotten to know what to expect out of the Pittsburgh Steelers (lots of defensive hits), we’re still trying to figure out what will become of the Dallas Cowboys? Regardless, it is a field day when these two teams get together and we’re in for a treat.

Hit the jump for the rest of the top ten…

9. Dec. 10: Houston Texans at New England Patriots

It was a shock when the Houston Texans beat the New England Patriots in the final game of the 2009 regular season. It would also be the end of Patriots receiver Wes Welker’s season after injuring his ACL. This game will be very offensive. But with the improved defense of the Texans, is it possible that this team can pull of the rare feat of beating the Patriots in Foxboro… on a Monday night?

8. Nov. 25: Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

How bad do the Green Bay Packers want revenge on the team that made their 15- 1 regular season obsolete? Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will be throwing passes one after another in an offensive battle that won’t mean anything. But it would mean redemption if the Packers can pull it off in New York.

7. Sept. 9: Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

What’s a great way to start the NFL season? How about a Sunday Night game featuring Peyton Manning’s return to the league against the Pittsburgh Steelers? During the playoffs, the Steelers were stunned in the Wild Card round after losing to the Denver Broncos in overtime. But that was with Tim Tebow at quarterback. Denver will be rocking at Manning’s debut. But we’ll see if it’s the same Manning fans have grown to love.

6. Oct. 21: New England Patriots at New York Jets

By this point of the season, we will know if it is Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow at quarterback for the New York Jets. This is a match-up that every fan looks forward to. These teams flat out just hate each other. And it’s also fun to see what comes out of Jets coach Rex Ryan’s mouth before the game. Too bad this isn’t going to be a prime time game.

5. Sept. 16: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

I’ll be honest. The only thing I’m looking forward to seeing is if they’ll be a Round 2 confrontation between Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz. All joking aside, this is going to be an intriguing match-up between two of the biggest breakout teams of last season. A great defense from the San Francisco 49ers and an improved pass offense from the Detroit Lions could possibly equal a memorable game for the 2012 season.

4. Sept. 30: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

After last seasons outstanding NFL opener. I’m beyond hyped to see these two play against each other again. Despite the drama dealing with the New Orleans Saints in the off-season, I still feel the Saints are going to be a big threat. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and Green Bay Packers’ Rodgers will try to give us an encore performance that fell a yard short for the Saints.

3. Nov. 18: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Hands in the air if this is one of the best rivalry games the NFL has to offer. And it happens to be scheduled on a Sunday night, just the way it should be. These two teams always shows us what an NFL defense should play like. They give each other’s offenses fits. Last year the Baltimore Ravens swept the Steelers and made it further in the NFL playoffs. Will Baltimore quarterback put his money where his mouth is and prove to us that he is the best quarterback in the NFL?

2. Oct. 14: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were so close. But the Giants ended up winning in overtime in one of the most memorable NFC Championship games ever. San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith was outstanding last year. And he could very well improve. New York will hope to make the fans in San Francisco disappointed again in this rematch.

1. Oct. 7: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

If it was still Tebow at quarterback for the Broncos, this would not be a big deal. But this is the game that I am looking forward to the most in 2012. Why, oh why, is this not a prime time game? This is the classic battle of Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady. It never fails to build excitement when these two quarterbacks faced each other every season when the Patriots faced the Indianapolis Colts. Although Manning is with a new team. I’m expecting the same type of pass-happy performances between him and Brady.

All right readers. Those are the 10 I’m looking forward to. What game in the 2012 season are you hyped about?

Goal-Line Stand Chris Berry Interactive Chris Berry Interactive