Godlike NFL figure Vince Lombardi sent his Moses, Bill Walsh, down this past Tuesday and handed the American sporting community his equivalent of the Ten Commandments.
It's called the 2009 NFL regular-season schedule.
The schedule, which was announced on April 14, couldn't have come at a better time. It was an uplifting note after the disappointing NCAA men's basketball tournament.
What else am I going to get excited for? Watch the race for the NHL playoffs? After all the great memories of the New Jersey Devils winning the Stanley Cup and then seeing the 2004-05 strike, I lost interest in hockey. I always forget that I have Versus, headquarters for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, on DirecTV.
I'd rather watch ice melt.
Nowadays, my DirecTV high-definition receiver is only on the NFL Network, MLB Network and Comedy Central. It's too much work for me to punch in 608 on the remote to turn to Versus.
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Honestly, the release of the NFL schedule is better than Christmas. There's still six months till pads get to poppin' and bodies get to bangin', but let's point out some of the key matchups of the 2009 season:
Week 1: Bills at Patriots
In other words, The Original 81 versus the Other 81. Owens versus Moss, and the motion picture "The Revenge of Brady" will open that weekend.
Week 2: Giants at Cowboys
Opening day of Jerry Jones' Land. What NFL fan is going to miss that?
Week 3: Colts and Cardinals
By the end of this Sunday Night Football game, there might be a combined point total of 3,250 points.
Week 4: San Diego at Pittsburgh
A rematch of last year's AFC Divisional round game and Week 11 matchup. Can Troy Polamalu repeat a one-handed catch or eventually kill someone?
Week 5: Jets at Dolphins
Brett Favre won't have the chance to throw the AFC East Title right into the hands of the Dolphins' defense in this game.
Week 6: Denver at San Diego
Hopefully, Ed Hochuli will be as far away from Qualcomm Stadium as he possibly can.
Week 7: Cardinals at Giants
The last two NFC champions square off in prime time.
Week 8: Panthers at Cardinals
Jake Delhomme will look to turn a page after last year, when the Cardinals' linebackers and secondary made him look like Ryan Leaf in the NFC Divisional Playoff.
Week 9: Cowboys at Eagles
It's OK, Cowboy fans. It won't be another 44-6 wipeout. You can only hope.
Week 10: Patriots at Colts
Ah, the rivalry is renewed. Don't want to make any predictions already, but my spidey-senses are tingling. A 2009 AFC Championship preview, perhaps?
Week 11: Eagles at Bears
At this point in the season, we should know if the Jay Cutler trade will be effective.
Week 12: Steelers at Ravens
The Ravens are looking for revenge after striking out against the Steelers in 2008. It will be another hard-hitting game in a chilly atmosphere.
Week 13: Titans at Colts
Will the Colts hold off the changing of the guard in the AFC South or grab the title back?
Week 14: Chargers at Cowboys
A preview of Super Bowl XLIV? Maybe because it has been a Super Bowl preview for the last three seasons. I could still see it happening.
Week 15: Bears at Ravens
This will be a defensive guru's dream. Whoever's offense has the ball last will turn it over and lose the game for their team.
Week 16: Panthers at Giants
Same week and matchup from the 2008 season. It was a classic regular-season game won by the Giants in overtime.
Week 17: Chiefs at Broncos
Matt Cassel versus Josh McDaniels in his new home. I hope Cassel wipes the floor with the Broncos' defense in this game. Not like it won't be hard. No offense, Broncos fans.
