Adrian, MI – Earlier today, the NFL released their 2021 Week 1 schedule of games ahead of tonight’s televised release of the entire 2021 slate of games. The intriguing matchups that are found in almost every game that weekend show why the NFL continues to lap the field against all the other American professional sports leagues. I rated each game on a 4-star scale, with 4 stars being the most interesting matchups, to 1 star being games that no one outside the fan bases of the teams cares about.
Four-Star Games
Dallas at Tampa Bay – America’s Team vs. Captain America (Tom Brady) and the defending Super Bowl champions on Thursday Night Football in the season opener. Fireworks out of the gate!
Cleveland at Kansas City – Two of the best rosters in the AFC meet in Kansas City on Sunday. Could this be a preview of the AFC Championship game next January?
Three-Star Games
Pittsburgh at Buffalo – Are the Steelers ready for one more run with Big Ben? Are the Bills ready to have a target on their back as they continue to develop into a perennial playoff team?
Seattle at Indianapolis – Two very talented teams battle to open the season. Is Russ ready to cook again? Is the Seahawks defense even close to Legion of Boom? Will Carson Wentz have success reunited with Frank Reich as his coach?
Miami at New England – An AFC East clash with questions. Are the Patriots better than their losing record in 2020 with players opting back in, and free agent/draft additions? Is Tua ready to take the next step to lead the franchise into the playoffs?
Green Bay at New Orleans – Will Aaron Rodgers be in the Big Easy for this one? Will Jameis Winston be the answer as Drew Brees’ replacement?
Arizona at Tennessee – Whose legs get tired first – Kyler Murray or Derrick Henry? Two possible playoff teams in this matchup.
LA Chargers at Washington – last year’s Offensive ROY (Herbert) vs. last year’s Defensive ROY (Young). Who wins this season opener in DC?
Chicago at LA Rams – Sunday night! Can Matt Stafford beat the Bears with his new team. He often struggled against them in the Motor City.
Baltimore at Las Vegas – The Black Hole welcomes Lamar Jackson on Monday Night. Can the Raider defense contain the Ravens offense?
Two-Star Games
Minnesota at Cincinnati – an LSU reunion with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase vs. Justin Jefferson.
Denver at NY Giants – two young QB’s on the hot seat as starters. Who wins the battle – Drew Lock or Daniel Jones?
San Francisco at Detroit – will the Lions bite Jimmy G’s kneecaps in Dan Campbell’s debut with the team?
NY Jets at Carolina – this game would be a dud maybe a month later in the season. But week 1 gives Sam Darnold a chance for revenge on the team that gave up on him in the Jets.
Jacksonville at Houston- only the NFL debuts of Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer get this one to two stars.
One-Star Game
Philadelphia at Atlanta – two of the worst teams in the league this year in not “must-see TV”. Only their fan bases will tune in for this one!
– By John Roberts