NBC 'Sunday Night Football' schedule starts with Giants at Cowboys

NBC has officially released its Sunday Night Football schedule for the 2013 NFL season. One of the most critically acclaimed sports broadcasts in the country, SNF tends to get the most prestigious matchups of the week, and this year promises to be no different.

Divisional matchups headline the early stages of SNF this season. Eli Manning faces Tony Romo to start, and Russell Wilson will take on Colin Kaepernick in Week 2. The Broncos hit the road to take on the Colts in Week 7, with Peyton Manning finally be playing in Indianapolis on the opposing side.

An AFC Championship rematch will come in Week 16 between the Patriots and Ravens. Bill Belichick will also see his former wide receiver in prime time, as New England hosts Denver and Wes Welker in Week 12.

The Giants, Cowboys and Patriots all appear in three Sunday night games. Here's the complete schedule, week-by-week:

Week 1, Sept. 8

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Week 2, Sept. 15

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Week 3, Sept. 22

Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 4, Sept. 29

New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons

Week 5, Oct. 6

Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers

Week 6, Oct. 13

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

Week 7, Oct. 20

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Week 8, Oct. 27

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

Week 9, Nov. 3

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Week 10, Nov. 10

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints

NBC's flex scheduling option kicks into effect after Week 10, where they can choose a more desirable matchup depending on how the season plays out. Consider the rest of these games to be tentatively scheduled for primetime.

Week 11, Nov. 17

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

Week 12, Nov. 24

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

Week 13, Dec. 1

New York Giants at Washington Redskins

Week 14, Dec. 8

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

Week 15, Dec. 15

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 16, Dec. 22

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens

Week 17, Dec. 29

TBD

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft stock report: Who's rising or falling?

• An interview with an NFL agent

• Brandon Albert trade rumors return; Dolphins interested?

• Broncos likely to host Ravens in Week 1

• NFL mock draft: Trades shake up first round

• The best NFL draft picks of the century