Top 5 Most Exciting NFL Games in 2011-2012

With the negotiations close to being resolved in the five-month old NFL lock-out, fans, including myself, can finally begin to get excited about the much anticipated season in 2011-2012. With over 250 regular season games to be played, there will be many exciting games. We'll see high-powered offenses on showcase, we'll see hard-hitting defenders getting fined for hitting too hard, and we'll see nail-biting finishes while on the edge of our seats. With each day closer to finally closing the deal between the owners and the players and with the regular season under two months away, I become more and more eager to watch to the up-coming season. These are 5 of the more exciting games I see on the regular season schedule:

Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens...

This match-up always tends to give viewers a good game. With two of the league's best defenses going head-to-head, you can count on a vicious, hard-hitting game from start to finish. These two teams often seem to meet one another in the playoffs and I can't see this year being any different. Consider this game a very early glimpse of what may come in this season's playoffs.

Week 3: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears...

Both of these teams are from the NFC North division and not to mention this is a rematch of the NFC Championship game from last season in which the Packer defeated the Bears 21-14. With the defending Superbowl champion Green Bay Packers looking to defend their title and conquer the NFC North once again, this game early in the season should be a good indicator of success for both of these teams.

Week 5: New York Jets @ New England Patriots...

This AFC East rivalry gained some momentum last season after the Jets defeated the Patriots in week 3. However, in their next meeting, with Rex Ryan and company letting much of their talking happening before the game instead of on the field, the Patriots turned the tables with a 45-3 victory over the Jets in New England. To fuel the fire and ignite the rivalry even more, Wes Welker made some subtle, yet direct, statements regarding "feet" in a press conference in reference to Rex Ryan's foot fetish that shockingly leaked out into the internet. With the immense amount of hatred that grew after last season between these two organizations, you can bet that this much anticipated week 5 match-up will be more than worth your time. If you haven't seen the foot fetish video yet...

Week 7: Indianapolis Colts @ New Orleans Saints...

Both these teams have seen their "power-house" days. Many seem to think that the Indianapolis Colts are past those days and Peyton Manning is well past his prime. This season is a campaign for the Colts to prove the doubters wrong and this game is a prime opportunity for just that. A rematch of the Superbowl from two seasons ago, these two pro-bowl quarterbacks, Manning and Brees, and their respective high-flying offenses should give audiences what they like to see-points on the scoreboard. And, if anything like their recent Superbowl match-up, it could lead to a very exciting finish.

Week 12: New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles...

In my opinion, this game might just top the list as the most exciting game in 2011-2012. New England Patriots in the AFC, Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC...Superbowl preview??? Eagles are an up-and-coming team with highly-touted Michael Vick and a good mixture of young and experienced talent. The Patriots are led by arguably the league's top quarterback and coach Bill Belichick whom have won three and four Super Bowls respectively. Add these components together and this could be one helluva game. In addition, this takes place towards the end of the season and could have other playoff implications.