Getty ImagesBefore 2010, the NFL had adopted a habit of unveiling the Week One prime-time games and the three Thanksgiving games during the league meetings in March. Beginning in 2010, the NFL abruptly scuttled the practice.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that a return of the practice is unlikely in 2012.
It makes sense, especially since the recent decision of Peyton Manning to join the Broncos and the trade of former Broncos starter Tim Tebow to the Jets could cause the league to reshuffle the deck.
In Week One, the Giants will host the regular-season opener on Wednesday, September 5. The game will be televised by NBC, which will put a bow on the first Sunday of the regular season with another night game. Week One ends with a Monday night doubleheader on ESPN.
On Thanksgiving, the Lions will host the Texans or the Colts. The Cowboys will welcome an NFC team; this year, the visitor will come from among the Redskins, Giants, Eagles, Buccaneers, Saints, and Bears. No specific team has dibs on the third game Thanksgiving game, which will be televised for the first time on NBC.
The full schedule will be released prior to the draft.
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Another Harbaugh-bowl?
Just as well wasting your time “divining” for signs of intelligence. Like the couple in the picture.
Raiders vs Broncos Monday Night!! Take care of Peyton Manning early, and turn that donkey dream into a nightmare…
I wonder who the Donkeys will be playing on Monday night?
How obvious is a Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Thanksgiving night game?
I’m sorry… Patriots vs. Broncos.
Oh, who am I kidding? It’s Brady vs. Manning.
Broncos at Patriots – first Sunday night game.
Packers at Giants- opening game.
TBD at San Francisco – 10:15 Monday night game.
And while all the “big” games might not be leaked this week, we know the rumors and leaks will start trickling out. Teams can’t help themselves. Build interest, sell tickets, keep people talking about the league until the season arrives.
San Francisco VS Raiders
Hmm..the Detroit Thanksgiving game is gonna be an interesting choice. Luck on the big stage or a SB preview.
I think it would be great to have a Broncos-Raiders game on Monday night. Watching the obviously superior Denver team systematically disassemble the joke that is the Chokeland Faiders would be so much sweeter if was televised nationally.
Over under on the colts playing the broncos anyone?
How about the “$46 Million Uncapped Bowl” between the Cowboys and Redskins on turkey day.
Giants VS Broncos………Manning against Manning!
Thursday night game Packers vs Giants
Sunday night game Pitt at Denver
Monday night game Miami at New England
Mondya night game Cards at san fran
Thanksgiving
Houston at Det
Wash at Dallas RG111 return to texas
Balt at Philly
Too the morons who say harbaugh bowl and San fran oakland..THEY DO NOT PLAY EACH OTHER! LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE BEFORE POSTING ANYTHING!
I’d love for a Lions Colts Turkey Bowl. It may be the only Prime Time game I see as a Colt fan this season.
plum13sec says:
Mar 25, 2012 9:10 PM
Over under on the colts playing the broncos anyone?
fumblenuts says:
Mar 25, 2012 9:27 PM
Giants VS Broncos………Manning against Manning!
……………………………………………………………
kind of doubtful in both cases since the Broncos play neither of them this year…
Thanksgiving
Lions-Texans
Cowboys-Giants
Patriots-49ers
Thursday Night Giants vs. Packers
Sunday Night Broncos vs. Saints
Monday night Patriots vs. Jets Monday night
Monday Night late cap San Diego vs. Baltimore
People really need to read schedules before they post. Not hard to do.
i want to see Washington vs. Indianapolis in the first week. (Not primetime of course.)
Bills at Niners could be a great Thanksgiving night game.
How do you know the Lions won’t play the Titans or Jaguars on Thanksgiving?
redskins vs the giants opening day! rg3 put on the big stage right AWAY!! the skins beat the giants twice last year!!
and what better on thankgiving than the cowboys and indians! REDSKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!
How ’bout Lions @ 49ers on monday nite football aka “The Handshake Bowl”.
If Baltimore plays on thanksgiving, the other team might as well pack it in. Baltimore D is ridiculous on Turkey Day. Just look at the stats!
Because the Lions are scheduled to host either the Colts and the Texans this year, not the Titans and the Jaguars.
I think everyone has the Packers-GIants right for the opener. The opening Sunday night will be Patriots at Ravens
Pennsylvania bowl…eagles at steelers on thanksgiving
Oh yeah , duh! It was late night and I’m a teacher so excited to be on spring break that I missed the obvious. Thanks Mike.
Eagles vs ravens first Monday night