2013 NFL Schedule Released: Notable Games Involving Former Vols

Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: The NFL logo on display near the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier tonight the 2013 NFL schedule was released.

The releasing of the schedule has become an event lately, as interest in the NFL has risen to an all-time high. The schedule release was broadcast by NFL Network and ESPN.

Below we’ve singled out some of the more intriguing games involving former Tennessee Volunteers.

Week 1: Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos – September 5th, 8:30 pm est 

The season opener features the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens taking on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. The two teams played a classic game in the playoffs last year that saw the Ravens win a double-overtime game to advance to the AFC championship game. This game was scheduled to be played in Baltimore (as it is customary for the defending Super Bowl champions to play at home) but the Baltimore Orioles already had a home game scheduled and the two teams share a parking lot. The NFL was forced to make some scheduling adjustments and move the game to Denver.

Vols: Peyton Manning (Den), Robert Ayers (Den), Malik Jackson (Den), Morgan Cox (Bal)

Week 1: Houston Texans @ San Diego Chargers – September 9th, 10:20 pm est

The Texans will take on the Chargers in the second game of the season opening Monday night double header. The Texans are looking to build off their strong 2012 season. The Chargers will be looking to make a statement with new head coach Mike McCoy. Former Vol Arian Foster will look to make his fourth consecutive pro-bowl in the 2013 season.

Vols: Arian Foster (Hou). Robert Meachem (SD)

Week 2: Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs – September 15th, 1:00 pm est

The week 2 matchup between the Cowboys and the Chiefs will feature two of the all time great Volunteers — Jason Witten and Eric Berry. The Cowboys are attempting to get over the hump and finally make a playoff push, while the Chiefs are trying to get back on track under new head coach Andy Reid.

Vols: Jason Witten (Dal), Eric Berry (KC), Dustin Colquitt (KC)

Week 2: Denver Broncos @ New York Giants – September 22nd, 4:25 est

The third “Manning Bowl” will take place in week 2 when the Broncos travel to New York to take on the Giants. Peyton has won the first two meetings, but Eli holds the advantage in the Super Bowl rings department (2-1). This will almost certainly be the game of the week, and it’s a bit of a surprise that it’s not another Peyton Manning primetime appearance.

Vols: Peyton Manning (Den), Robert Ayers (Den), Malik Jackson (Den)

Week 3: Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos – September 23rd, 8:40 pm est

In week 3 Vol great Peyton Manning makes his second appearance of the season in primetime when the Broncos take on the Raiders on Monday Night Football. The start of Monday Night Football has been pushed back 20 minutes this season to 8:40 so those on the east coast will have to stay up a little later this season.

Vols: Peyton Manning (Den), Robert Ayers (Den), Malik Jackson (Den), Kevin Burnett (Oak), Denarius Moore (Oak)

Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs @ Tennessee Titans – October 6th, 1:00 pm est

Eric Berry and Dustin Colquitt will return to the state of Tennessee in week 5 when the Chiefs take on the Titans in Nashville. The Titans on the other hand are one of the few teams in the NFL that don’t have a former Vol on their roster, though that could change after the NFL draft next week.

Vols: Eric Berry (KC), Dustin Colquitt (KC)

Week 7: Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts – October 20th, 8:20 pm est

Seven weeks into the season and Peyton Manning will have played nearly half of his games on primetime television. More importantly than that week 7 marks Manning’s return to Indianapolis where he played for 14 seasons. The return will surely be emotional for Manning.

Vols: Peyton Manning (Den), Robert Ayers (Den), Malik Jackson (Den), Aubrayo Franklin (Ind)

Week 12: Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots – November 24th, 8:30 pm est

Yes we know, another Peyton Manning primetime appearance. This time he’ll be taking on his longtime nemesis Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. This also marks the first appearance for former Vol linebacker Jerod Mayo on our list.

Vols: Peyton Manning (Den), Robert Ayers (Den), Malik Jackson (Den), Jerod Mayo (NE)