We’re just two days away from the start of the 2011 season. With that, the Thursday opener between the Saints and Packers will offer the first chance for all of us to see the impact of the new kickoff rules in the regular season.

The countdownm is finally down to one — one day until the 2011 NFL season begins. For the San Diego Chargers, who open their season Sunday at home against the Vikings, one represents where they finished last season in both total offense and total defense.

Three days stand between us and the start of the 2011 season. Before we focus on all that’s to come this season, we take a look back at what the No. 3 means when it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Speaking of four, as part of Tom Brady‘s MVP season in 2010, he threw just four interceptions (to 36 touchdowns), which tied a single-season record for least INTs by a QB who started 16 games.

We’re now five days away from the start of the 2011 NFL season, when the Green Bay Packers will host the New Orleans Saints in a meeting between the last two Super Bowl winners. The Saints know firsthand how tough it can be to get back to the playoffs the following year, much less the big game.

We’re now six days away from the start of the 2011 NFL season. When the Browns host the Bengals on Sept. 11, Cleveland will do all they can to prevent the kind of yardage Terrell Owens dropped on them in 2010 — a 10-catch, 222-yard effort in a game Cincinnati still lost, 23-20.

We’re eight days away from the start of the 2011 NFL season, and Week 1 of last season is when Arian Foster became a household name. The Texans opened with a win over the Colts behind Foster’s 231 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The New England Patriots led the NFL with a league-low nine fumbles last season, which stands as the third best single-season mark in NFL history.

The 2011 NFL campaign kicks off in just 12 days, a number that recalls one of the more unusual statistics from last season.

We’re 13 days away from the start of the 2011 NFL season, when Drew Brees and the Saints face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in a Thursday night special. Speaking of special, the most notable No. 13 in NFL history was Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino.

There are 14 days until the 2011 NFL season begins, and 14 is a special number for the Patriots in the last decade. Since 2001, the Patriots have lost only 14 home games, fewest in the NFL over that time. They’ve also won 14 playoff games, most in the NFL since 2001.

There are 15 days until the 2011 NFL season kicks off. Fifteen is a noteworthy number when it comes to sacking the quarterback: Only a dozen players in NFL history have ever recorded two seasons of at least 15 sacks. Only one of those players is active: Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware.

There are 16 days until the 2011 season kicks off … and 16 also is the number of rushing touchdowns scored last season by Houston Texans RB Arian Foster, which led the league.

There are 17 days until the 2011 NFL season kicks off between the Saints and Packers… and 17 also is the record for most consecutive kickoff weekend victories. The Cowboys won 17 straight from 1965-81. If the Steelers can get past rival Baltimore in their season opener, Pittsburgh will be halway to the Cowboys’ mark. Pittsburgh has the longest active Week 1 winning streak, eight games.

We’re down to 18 days until the 2011 NFL season begins with the Thursday night game between the Saints and Packers.