2011 season opener (1 Viewer)

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Denver, Oakland

to me it has to be a division opponent probably Chicago, maybe the Saints

 

[gocuse3]

Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Denver, Oaklandto me it has to be a division opponent probably Chicago, maybe the Saints

would love to see the lions but most likely it will be bears or saints...i thought week 1 they tried to have divisional games like week 17 but maybe not for the thursday night kickoff game

 

[Limp Ditka]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

 

[Eric Stratton]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

Exactly! The game would get great ratings.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Grain of salt, but Talk radio in Milwaukee says the Saints.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

Exactly! The game would get great ratings.

Bigger than 2 high powered offenses and the past 2 Super Bowl Champions?

 

[boubucarow]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

The last two Super Bowl winners plus the Saints morphing into America's team makes its a more difficult decision.

 

[chook]

Even before opening the thread and seeing who they play, first thought was that it would have to be the Saints.

Last two winners, high-scoring offenses with gun QB's. Perfect prime time opener.

 

[Reepicheep]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

I was thinking the same thing, but then I looked and saw they have had this option a number of times recently and not taken it (this year being an exception of course)2006 - Broncos @ Steelers ( played Miami instead )2007 - Patriots @ Colts ( played Saints instead )2009 - Ravens @ Steelers ( played Titans instead )They seem to for the most part want to pick solid matchups between winning teams, but I kind of get the impression that if a game would get great ratings regardless of when it is played, they will save it for later in the year. With this in mind I would not be surprised to see Bucs @ Packers as the opener, especially since there's no telling if the Bucs could slump next year.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Brett Favre and the Vikings.

Seriously though, the Bears.

 

[GunslingerEnder]

I believe it will be Chicago as well, but would love to see it be Detroit @ Green Bay.

However, I doubt Chicago and Green Bay will be the week 17 game again next season so they will probably end up finishing at Detroit.

Not that I think Detroit will be a walk next year, it's just how much I think they will be improved.

So, yeah Chicago, New Orleans or Tampa Bay will be the ones it will be picked from.

They did have their one Super Bowl loss to Denver so you never know, but it's not a sexy match up.

 

[Touchdown There]

Has to be the Bears...

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

The last two Super Bowl winners plus the Saints morphing into America's team makes its a more difficult decision.

 

[FUBAR]

I'd like to think that if they can have a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, they're going to take advantage of it.

I was thinking the same thing, but then I looked and saw they have had this option a number of times recently and not taken it (this year being an exception of course)2006 - Broncos @ Steelers ( played Miami instead )2007 - Patriots @ Colts ( played Saints instead )2009 - Ravens @ Steelers ( played Titans instead )They seem to for the most part want to pick solid matchups between winning teams, but I kind of get the impression that if a game would get great ratings regardless of when it is played, they will save it for later in the year. With this in mind I would not be surprised to see Bucs @ Packers as the opener, especially since there's no telling if the Bucs could slump next year.

2010 - MN/NO2008 - Wash/NYGgood teams with solid fan bases but not the game of the year types. Mostly conference games but usually not divisional and not the primary rival. The battle of the Bays makes sense. TB is a rising team (at least most of us think so) and they aren't rivals.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

If I am the Lions, I beg the NFL to get in that game. Suh, Calvin a healthy (hopefully) Stafford. Team on the rise

 

[sho nuff]

Id love to see it be the Bears...unfurl that Championship banner right in front of them.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If I am the Lions, I beg the NFL to get in that game. Suh, Calvin a healthy (hopefully) Stafford. Team on the rise

They might be on the rise, but until they actually become a good team or at least a legit contender, the Thanksgiving Day game is the only non-Sunday afternoon one we should be subjected to that involves the Lions.

 

[sho nuff]

If I am the Lions, I beg the NFL to get in that game. Suh, Calvin a healthy (hopefully) Stafford. Team on the rise

They might be on the rise, but until they actually become a good team or at least a legit contender, the Thanksgiving Day game is the only non-Sunday afternoon one we should be subjected to that involves the Lions.

I could see them getting an early season Monday or Sunday nighter with Green Bay this year.

 

[FUBAR]

If I am the Lions, I beg the NFL to get in that game. Suh, Calvin a healthy (hopefully) Stafford. Team on the rise

They might be on the rise, but until they actually become a good team or at least a legit contender, the Thanksgiving Day game is the only non-Sunday afternoon one we should be subjected to that involves the Lions.

I could see them getting an early season Monday or Sunday nighter with Green Bay this year.

Maybe I'm delusional but I see them getting either MNF or SNF. Probably against one of the Bears, Packers, Bucs, or Cowboys. I'd love to see Lions/Cowboys MNF, Oct 31. I would like the Bucs and Lions but that's a lot of risk involved with two likely, but not definitive, teams on the rise.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

How could this not be Bears/Packers? The history of the teams and the last conference championship that was decided by seven points should be enough to make it happen. It's a division game, which will be important for both teams.

Anything else would be a lesser game imo.

 

[packersfan]

Grain of salt, but Talk radio in Milwaukee says the Saints.

I posted that in the Packers thread too. Folks close to the Saints also believe that's going to be the matchup.