The announcement of the 2013 NFL schedule is much like getting a sneak preview of the presents you will be receiving on Christmas. It allows you to start fantasizing about those days and nights on the couch in the fall.

Let’s assess how the NFL split up the bounty, looking at gems and potential clunkers.

NBC

Gems: As usual, the NFL took care of the Sunday night package. NBC’s schedule is loaded.

The network gets three of Peyton Manning’s best games: The Thursday night season opener on Sept. 5 with Baltimore visiting Denver; and Manning vs. Tom Brady with Denver at New England on Nov. 24. Then imagine the scene on Sunday night, Oct. 20 when Manning makes his return to Indianapolis.

Yes, the NFL has been very good to NBC. Now the network needs Manning to stay healthy.

And there’s much more: New England at Atlanta (Sept. 29); Houston at San Francisco (Oct. 6); Pittsburgh at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night; Atlanta at Green Bay (Dec. 8); New England at Baltimore (Dec. 22). And several of the other games aren’t bad either.

Potential clunkers: Any game with the Washington Redskins has potential to be a dud if RGIII doesn’t bounce back. NBC has two: Washington at Dallas (Oct. 13); and Giants at Washington (Dec. 1), although the network can flex off of that game.

ESPN

Gems: If I’m ESPN, I’m not sure I am happy with this schedule, especially when you compare it to what NBC got. ESPN didn’t get any of the big Peyton Manning games. Instead, it did two games with the Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill. Not exactly the same thing.

As for top games, the ESPN gets one shot at Manning: Denver at Oakland (Sept. 23). It will showcase his younger brother and Vikings RB Adrian Peterson with Minnesota at Giants on Oct. 21. Bears-Packers at Lambeau (Nov. 4) always works regardless of records.

ESPN’s December also looks promising: Dallas at Bears at chilly Soldier Field (Dec. 9); Baltimore at Detroit (Dec. 16); Atlanta at San Francisco (Dec. 23) in the last regular-season game at Candlestick.

Potential clunkers: The first game, Eagles at Redskins, has potential peril given RGIII’s status. If he isn’t ready to play, the game has much less intrigue. As I mentioned, the two Dolphins games (at New Orleans, Sept. 30) and at Tampa Bay (Nov. 11) don’t do much for me. Jets at Atlanta (Oct. 4) could be ugly if Mark Sanchez continues to be bad.

Fox

Gems: Fox starts off strong with Green Bay at San Francisco on Sept. 8. Naturally, it will showcase the two games it has with Denver and Manning in the national doubleheader slot: Philadelphia at Broncos (Sept. 29) and Washington at Broncos (Oct. 27).

Thanksgiving Day should be strong for Fox with Green Bay at Detroit, especially if the Lions return to 2011 form. On Dec. 8, Seattle is at Green Bay.

Potential clunkers: The networks love to load up on Dallas. If the Cowboys underachieve, always a possibility, Fox might switch off these doubleheader games: Dallas at Giants (Nov. 24) and Packers at Dallas (Dec. 15). Then again, maybe not since it is the Cowboys.

CBS

Gems: Like everyone else, CBS will ride the Peyton train. It has a big winner with the battle of the Manning brothers (Denver at Giants, Sept. 15). It also will showcase Peyton’s trip to Dallas on Oct. 6.

Other strong games: Pittsburgh at New England (Nov. 3); New England at Houston (Dec. 1); and Pittsburgh at Green Bay (Dec. 22).

Potential clunkers: CBS’ Thanksgiving Day game, Oakland at Dallas, could be ugly if both teams fail to measure up. Given that CBS is the AFC network, it will be rooting hard for Peyton Manning to stay healthy and for the Broncos to have another big year.

NFL Network

Gems: The NFL gave its network some goodies for Thursday nights. It has Andy Reid’s return to Philadelphia (Kansas City-Eagles, Sept. 26); Giants at Chicago (Oct. 17); Saints at Falcons (Dec. 5).

Potential clunkers: Each team has to play a Thursday night. That means we will be subjected to Jacksonville (Dec. 12) and Buffalo at Cleveland (Oct. 10).