The NFL just released the schedule for the upcoming 2021 season on May 12. This was highly anticipated as we just wrapped up the NFL draft. Now that we have had time to see the additions to every team and have had time to calm down from the Super Bowl, it is time to look into the 2021-22 season.
In this list, I have stayed away from using in-division games. So, with that that being said here is the list:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots - Week 4 - Tom Brady will have a chance to return to Foxborough for the first time since leaving. Brady and the Buccaneers are coming off a very impressive Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Patriots had one of their worst seasons in the past two decades. However, the Patriots spent a lot of money in free agency, will have key players returning who opted out due to Covid-19 in 2020, drafted key pieces who could contribute in year one. And with a possibility of either having Cam Newton or rookie Mac Jones starting at quarterback, it'll be a very intriguing game with all of the storylines.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens - Week 2 - This could be a preview of the AFC championship game, it really has that type of potential. The last time these two teams met, 2019, and the Chiefs walked off the field victorious 33-28. But with this game being early in the season. It'll be important to see if the Super Bowl hangover, for losing teams, is real or just a myth as the Chiefs look to keep their winning ways with hopes of returning to a championship team. And the Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, are looking to get over the playoff woes they've suffered the past two seasons.
Tamp Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams - Week 3 - This will be a highly anticipated game in the early part of the season. The Rams will have a new look on offense after acquiring Matthew Stafford, quarterback, from the Detroit Lions. Stafford will have an opportunity to join the ranks of the elite quarterbacks in the league with the Rams who will look to make a deep playoff run. And of course Brady vs the defense led by All-Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys - Week 10 - These teams played in 2020 and it was one to talk about for Cowboys' fans. Dallas trailed for almost the entire game and Atlanta, in Atlanta style, blew the lead and ended losing the game 40-39 . However, most interesting part of this is, the head coach of the Falcons who blew the lead, Dan Quinn, is now the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. I'm sure the Falcons roster will like to avenge the loss they took in 2020. And I'm also sure Dan Quinn would like to get the one over his former team. I expect a high-scoring game again in 2021.
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers - Week 1 - This will be a great way to start the season! It'll be a redemption game for Panthers' quarterback, Sam Darnold. This will be a good opportunity for us to see if the New York Jets quarterback, Zach Wilson and no. 2 overall draft pick in 2021, was worth moving on from Darnold for. Darnold was the former first-round selection by the Panthers in 2018. Now, with both having moved on, it's time to see what the new-look Jets have for us. And the Panthers seem to have their quarterback in Darnold. Both teams are looking to move from the basement of the National Football League and turn their organizations around.
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs - Week 9 - This could potentially be a Super Bowl preview. But more than that, this would be the first time we could get Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers on the field in the same game. Last time the Chiefs and Green Bay met in the regular season, Matt Moore was at quarterback for the Chiefs. This is all assuming that Aaron Rodgers is still with the Packers and both are healthy. Aaron Rodgers is the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player and both teams have a similar expectation for the season. Both teams have a loyal and probably the most historic fan bases in the league.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals - Week 4 - It's being talked about as the "battle of no.1 picks" as Joe Burrow (Bengals no.1 overall pick in 2020) and Trevor Lawrence (no.1 overall pick 2021) are expected to take the field. The Jaguars are now under former college football head coach, Urban Meyer will look to show they are improved from last year. This was the first team that Burrow got his first win over in 2020. I think the most interesting part of this could be the coaching. While Meyer was successful at the collegiate level, will he repeat that success in the NFL? And will Zach Taylor finally show that he was the right coaching hire for the Cincinnati Bengals? This game should show us which direction that both teams are going in.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens - Week 17 - This is strictly a revenge game for the Rams. The last time these two teams met in 2019, the Ravens dominated in Los Angeles with a final score of 45-6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens' quarterback, had an outstanding 5 touchdowns in that game! I anticipate this game will have huge playoff implications and could impact seeding. We will see if former league MVP Jackson can have repeated success against this Rams' defense that finished no.1 in 2020.
I'm not saying that these will be the greatest games of the season. However, based upon what we know today, these games listed should be exciting and have intriguing storylines going into them. We are officially heading into the 2021 NFL season. The season officially kicks off on Thursday, September 9. The Dallas Cowboys visit Tampa Bay to face the reigning Super Bowl Champions Buccaneers.
No comments:
Post a Comment