Schedule Outlook

The NFL has not announced when they are going to release the 2010 schedule, but it looks like sometime during next week that it could be announced. I've already taken a stab at what I think the matchups will be for the primetime games and the Thanksgiving games, but I wanted to throw some other schedule predictions out there for the entire upcoming season. Here are some of my predictions and possibilities as we await for the league to release the white smoke and reveal the schedule.....

1) I think Colts-Pats will go to CBS in the late afternoon slot this year. NBC had that game the last two years, so CBS gets it back-in early November.
2) FOX will get Cowboys at Colts in one matchup, and NBC gets the Manning Bowl with the Giants at Indy.
3) The Houston Texans will get a shot at Sunday Night Football this year. I could see a Baltimore-Houston matchup or a Houston-San Diego SNF matchup early in the year.
4) The Jets will be the primetime darlings this year. We already know that they will host the MNF opener, and they will host the NFLN Thanksgiving Night game, but look for them to get at least 1 other SNF appearance, and at least 1 more MNF appearance. They have some attractive games on their out of division schedule: Green Bay, Minnesota, Baltimore and Pittsburgh top the list.
5) If Favre returns, look for New England to host Minnesota on a SNF matchup. Also, look for FOX to try and secure Green Bay at New England for one of its' late doubleheader matchups.
6) The AFC teams who will have the most primetime appearances: New England, Jets, Colts, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.
7) CBS will fight hard to get the Colts at Washington and Colts at Philly games on their doubleheader late window.
8) Eagles-Redskins will be a SNF matchup and possibly could get the other game on MNF.
9) Although the Bears were 7-9 last season, they will still get at least 2 SNF and 2 MNF games this year.
10) If Favre returns the Vikings will be featured so much it might even rival the Cowboys. Minnesota has matchups against the Giants, Dallas, Philly, Washington, New Orleans, New England and the Jets. They will be on SNF 3 times, MNF 2 times, and NFLN once.
11) The Saints don't have the most attractive set of opponents, but if they host Minnesota on opening night, then look for CBS to snatch up the Steeler-Saint game, and FOX to fight for the Dallas-Saints matchup.
12) The NFC teams with the most primetime appearances: Dallas, Giants, Washington, Philly, Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay, and New Orleans.


As far as Denver goes, I still don't think they will open at home this year. I know they want the MNF doubleheader game, but if they open at home, they might get St. Louis. Here are my quick hits regarding Denver's schedule possibilities:

1) Week 1: at home vs. St. Louis or on the road at Jacksonville or Baltimore
2) Look for at least 1 MNF game: hosting San Diego or the Jets
3) Denver has had a NFL Network game each year. This year they could get at road game at Oakland or Arizona.
4) If Brandon Marshall gets traded to Seattle or the Jets, the two teams most rumored to get him, then that would be interesting because both the Jets and Seattle visit Denver this year.
5) If they get a SNF game, it could be against San Diego, the Jets, or Indy at home. On the road, it could be San Diego or Baltimore.
6) Denver hasn't made the playoffs in four years, so look for a lot of Sunday afternoon late starts this season.