March 14, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker talks to the media during a press conference held at the teams training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The release of the 2013 regular season schedule has taken over the sports world this morning. Most will over-analyze team’s strength-of-schedule, map out a “path to the playoffs,” or attempt to predict wins and losses for the regular season, despite the fact that teams have yet to make their first selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.

However, instead of focusing on wins and losses, lets look at the best “storylines” and “must watch” games of the 2013 season…

Week 2: Denver Broncos @ New York Giants

It can’t get much more high profile for the Broncos in the first two weeks of the season. They go from a matchup against the defending champions to the latest incarnation of the Manning Bowl. Peyton is 2-0 against his younger brother so far. Eli might need a win here to avoid going 0-2 after a tough opener in Dallas. -via NFL.com

There nothing else that need to be said about this matchup. Two “elite” quarterbacks, with powerful, dynamic offenses squaring off at the beginning of the season. Oh yea.. and the starting quarterbacks are brothers!

Week 4: New England Patriots @ Atlanta Falcons

If I was a betting man, and I am, my early money would be on this game being a preview of  Super Bowl XLVIII. Assuming New England can get Gronk back, their offense should be nothing short of unstoppable in a weak AFC, where only the Broncos appear to be a legitimate threat for the conference title. Atlanta appears to have one of the best rosters in the NFL, making several key re-signings, convincing Tony Gonzalez to come back for another year, and picking up Steven Jackson to replace Michael Turner, who appeared to be running on “E” during the final stretch of the 2012 season and into the playoffs.

Week 7: Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

No team has a more delicious schedule than the Broncos. Denver plays in perhaps the worst division in the league, so they can fatten up on wins there. But so many of the team’s out-of-division matchups include capital lettered subplots. This one is obvious: Peyton’s Return. Manning vs. Luck. Can’t wait. -via NFL.com

After last season, most expected that the NFL would attempt to milk Peyton Manning for all he is worth this season… and they are doing just that. After starting off the season against the Ravens, who knocked them out of the playoffs in 2012, and heading for a brotherly matchup in the “Big Apple” in Week 4, Manning will finally return home for the first time to face the Indianapolis crowd and go head-to-head with his replacement.

Week 9:  Tennessee Titans @ St. Louis Rams

The Jeff Fisher Bowl! The rematch of one of the weirdest Super Bowls with the best endings! St. Louis is getting overlooked in the NFC West, but their defense absolutely can compete with Seattle and San Francisco for a playoff spot. As Titans fans know, Fisher’s team almost always contend. -via NFL.com

This game is intriguing for a number of reasons: rematch of “the Tackle,” the return of Fisher to his long-time city and organization, and the presence of the “discarded” Jared Cook within the St. Louis Rams offense. While the Fisher subplot will garner the most attention, how Jared Cook is playing within the offense should be a major point of interest. If there is any game were Rams’ fans could see Cook “go off,” Week 9 might be it…

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks

Assuming that Percy Harvin has not gone off the deep-end with “migraines” or some other injury concern, this should be a good matchup between “Harvin and the ‘Hawks” and his former team, the Minnesota Vikings. On top of that subplot, the two actual teams should be an interesting matchup. The Seattle Seahawks have trouble with teams that play a similar “style” of game; ground and pound on the offensive side of the ball, stout against the run on defense. Last season, the Seahawks handed the Vikings a 30-20 loss. However, Peterson trampled Seattle’s defense for 182 yards on the ground, including a 74 yard touchdown. Lynch vs. Peterson… Harvin vs. Vikings… Should be a good game!

Week 17: Washington Redskins @ New York Giants

According to NFL.com, the “biggest” game of the final week of the regular season is the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. However, after a bit of fish-tailing by the New York Giants in 2012, the national media appears to be ignoring them (like usual), outside of the Manning-on-Manning matchup. If there is any division in the league that has shown to be a “question mark” season after season it is the NFC East, not the NFC North. It is hard to image that the Philadelphia Eagles are going to make a complete turn around, so naturally that points to the Giants and the Redskins being the last marque game in the NFC. Last season, the ‘Skins stole the division in the last couple of weeks, this game could very well be the determining factor again.

Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith (52) during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

With the offseason still in its infancy stage, there is no telling what the final pool of free agents will look like when it comes time to start negotiating contracts. Still, there have already been a number of “big name” releases from team. While some players are slotted for free agency with expiring contracts, other will be “surprise” cap casualties; mostly veteran players in the latter stages of their back-loaded contracts. This year, it appears that wide receiver will be the hot commodity,  with Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe, and Mike Wallace as expected to test the free agency water. However, this 2013 FA will likely run much, much deeper than it appears at the moment. At this point, St. Louis is sitting pretty tight under the salary cap, meaning that there will not be another $50 million signing like Cortland Finnegan last offseason. However, that does not mean that the Rams cannot pursue top tier talent. With that in mind, here is Ramblin’ Fans’ bargain “Wish List” for the coming season:

1. Established, play-making wide receiver: Brandon Lloyd, New England Patriots

You likely won’t see Lloyd on any of the free agency lists around the league, but according to the Boston Globe’s Greg Bedard, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him hit the market at some point this offseason. The Patriots owe Lloyd a $3 million roster option, which, if not paid, makes him an unrestricted free agent…

While some in St. Louis may still be scorned by the fact that Brandon Lloyd chose to follow Josh McDaniels to New England, the fact remains that he and Sam Bradford had outstanding chemistry in the short time they were together in the Edward Jones Dome. In 2011, Lloyd joined the Rams on the field in Week 7 of the regular season. Due to injury, Bradford and Lloyd did not play together until Week 9, but when they did, there was an instant connection. Even with the high ankle sprain against the Cowboys in Week 10, Bradford started in five games with Lloyd spread wide on the outside. In those games, Bradford attempted 162 passes, with 56 of those throws going in the direction of his newly acquired playmaker. Lloyd hauled in 24 of those catches for 351 yards and 3 touchdowns in only that five game span, averaging nearly 5 receptions per game and over 70 yards.

Imagine what that connection might look like with a healthy Sam Bradford throwing the football, an upgraded offensive line, an actual offseason to work on route and timing, Chris Givens and (potentially) Danny Amendola, and, to top it all off, a competent head coach and offensive coordinator! No one would complain about Dwayne Bowe or Greg Jennings, but Lloyd would come with a much smaller price tag, knowledge of the personnel on the offense, and some semblance of a connection already formed with the quarterback…

2. Veteran outside linebacker, with coverage skills: Daryl Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars

If you haven’t heard of Daryl Smith, that likely puts you in the same boat as 98% of the NFL fans that reside outside of Jacksonville. Smith sat out a majority of 2012 nursing a groin injury, playing on only the final two games of the regular season. However, Smith has been a staple in the Jacksonville defense for nearly a decade; one of the few elite players on the roster, especially on the defensive side of the football. The long-time 4-3 outside linebacker has averaged 84 tackles per season, including 21.5 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, and 6 interception, in eight nearly full seasons in the league.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith was the 2nd highest rated 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL in 2011, his last full season. That year he had 93 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 hits on the quarterback, 3 hurries, and was 3rd among all linebackers (1st among 4-3 outside linebackers) with 63 defensive stops, meaning tackles that resulted in an offensive failure (i.e. sacks, tackles for loss, etc.). More importantly, he was on the field extensively in pass coverage, playing 398 of his 915 total snaps dropping back in the zone or in man-to-man coverage. In that time, he allowed only one receiving touchdown, snagging one interception, and lead all linebackers with eight pass deflections.

*2010- 11th rated 4-3 outside linebacker (86 tackles, 3 sacks, 9 hits, 10 hurries); 2009- 1st rated 4-3 outside linebacker, 3rd among all outside linebackers (behind only Lamarr Woodley and DeMarcus Ware)

Players like Paul Kruger, recently-released Nick Barnett, and Anthony Spencer will garner the most attention among analysts in this free agent class. However, Smith’s relatively low-profile and the fact that he is coming off of an injury that sidelined him for a majority of the season might make him the best “bang for your buck” acquisition of the offseason. Many expect the Jaguars to throw a reasonable deal at the life-long Jacksonville linebacker. However, in the later stages of his career, Smith may choose to explore his opinions, especially if a team on the rise calls with a similar offer; St. Louis likely falls into that category.

3. Competent offensive tackle, with experience on the right side: Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots

New England has a recent history of snatching up any and all of the St. Louis Rams free agents, most recently Brandon Hoomanwanui and Greg Salas… oh yea, and Brandon Lloyd. So, it is only fair that St. Louis finally start to return the favor at a couple of key positions this offseason. Sebastian Vollmer is one of the more underrated offensive tackles in the NFL, especially having dealt the back issues for a majority of the last two seasons. However, with a legendary offensive line coach, a “regular” offseason to prepare, and a significant reduction in pass blocking snaps throughout the season, Vollmer might just be able to skyrocket into that next tier of blockers in St. Louis.

Despite the injuries, Vollmer still graded out as the 4th best right tackle in the NFL last season, allowing only 6 sacks, 7 hits, and 22 hurries on Tom Brady in 1111 pass-happy offensive snaps. To put that into perspective, the non-injured Barry Richardson allowed 7 sacks, 13 hits, and 25 hurries on Bradford in the run-oriented St. Louis Rams’ offense. More importantly, Vollmer committed only three  accepted penalties (five total)  in all of 2012, the fewest among the Top 15 tackles in the NFL last season. Again, to put that into perspective, Rodger Saffold committed six penalties in only 621 snaps.

With the Broncos’ front office essentially guaranteeing the return of Ryan Clady in Denver and Jake Long being the “big name” that he is, Vollmer could end up being the steal of the free agent offensive linemen. Several will point to offensive tackle as a main target for the St. Louis Rams in the 2013 NFL draft. However, Jeff Fisher has a well-documented history of not taking offensive lineman early in the draft, and, at least in this draft, solid prospects are few and far between. Vollmer is likely the best right tackle in the NFL when healthy, but with recent injury history, he may get fewer looks from other teams. The St. Louis Rams should be able to shift the money they gain when they inevitably cut Wayne Hunter, and use it to fill one of the biggest holes on the roster.

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens fans hold up a doll of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

With the start of the NHL season and the NFL Conference Championships, there were more than enough games on television this weekend to fill even the emptiest of sports fans. By Sunday it seemed as though to gust from the Manti Te’o and Lance Armstrong stories had finally lost some wind, which was a relief to most, leaving open to spotlight for some extremely entertaining championship matchups. Here are Ramblin’ Fans quick thought on the games…

1. If you would have told me three weeks ago that Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick would be the best quarterbacks in the playoffs this postseason, I would have laughed in your face, as would most anyone. The two have combine for 1,349 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interceptions. More impressive is the fact that Kaepernick has more rushing yards than anyone in the playoff, outside of Arian Foster, Ray Rice, and his teammate, Frank Gore. Crazy!

2. It is hard to put your finger on exactly why Tom Brady has had so much trouble with the Baltimore Ravens in the last couple of years, but it is amazing to see the drop in his performance when he goes head-to-head against the Black and Purple. Earlier in the season, when the Patriots first lost to the Ravens, Brady went 28 of 41 passing (68.3%) for 335 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions; not the worst, but certainly not the Brady-esque performances we have grown accustom to seeing. On Sunday, Brady went 29 of 54 (53.7%) for 320 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Maybe it is the physicality of the Baltimore front seven, or the ability of the Ravens to turn a team one-dimensional early in the game. Whatever it is, it sure seems to be SuperBrady’s Kryptonite.

3. For those who were touting the “much improved” Patriots’ defense as superior to the Ravens’ D…. *crickets*

4. It may just be natural skepticism of an NFC West rival, but I still am waiting to see how Colin Kaepernick will respond if he is truly pressed to beat a team throwing the football. Analysts from around the league have been dropping the stellar numbers that Kaep put up throwing on first and second down, but, in the second half, it was the HUGE dose of Frank Gore that propelled the 49ers from behind. Trailing by three points at the beginning of the third quarter, San Francisco handed the ball off to Gore on three consecutive plays: 6 yards off the end, 11 yards off the left guard, and 2 yards off the left end. The Falcons stacked up, and Kaep gutted them for 37 yards on two completions before Gore pounded it through for the touchdown. Not that Kaepernick CAN’T win the game RELYING on his arm, but we have yet to see him do it…

5. With that being said, Baltimore and San Francisco should be an interesting matchup. Baltimore lost both games to teams with quarterbacks who would be considered a “running threat”;  those being Michael Vick in Philadelphia and Robert Griffin III in Washington. Kaepernick, after setting the NFL playoff record for rushing yards by a quarterback against the Green Bay Packers, would likely also fit into the category. So, how will Ray Lewis and Co. handle the rising star?

6. Regardless of the outcome of the Super Bowl, I would pay almost any amount of money to have a video camera in the senior Harbough living room as they watch their two sons face off in the largest sporting event in the United States. Would also like to see the first family Thanksgiving after the big game…

7. With San Francisco’s win over Atlanta, each team in the NFC West has now, or at least will have, appeared in the Super Bowl at least once since 2000. However, our division has not had much luck once getting to the big show. Aside from the St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV (2000), the NFC West has gone 0-3 in prime time. Coincidentally, both the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks lost to an AFC North foe (both loses coming to the Pittsburgh Steelers). A San Francisco 49ers’ win in a couple of weeks would break a bad luck streak that has plagued the West since Mike Jones and “the Tackle.”