After the recent schedule release, we are one step closer to the start of the 2021 NFL season. Millions of fans were excited to see their favorite team’s schedule and to see what primetime games they have. Outside of watching your favorite team play on Sundays, there are many games that fans look forward to. Gambling, fantasy football, and intriguing storylines all play a significant role in making these marquee matchups the must-watch games. Let’s take a look at the top ten games of the season every fan must watch.
10) Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets
Week 16 (12/26/21 1:00 PM)
Right now, on paper and based on the 2020 season, this game is pretty bad. Two reasons that this game should be fun are first-round picks, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. This reminds me of a college football matchup when you have the top two ranked teams face each other in the regular season. However, this is a battle of the top two draft picks from the 2021 draft. Assuming both quarterbacks are healthy and starting, this game will have a lot to offer. It will be the first opportunity for Wilson to show Urban Meyer that he should have been drafted number one overall. This will be a big pressure game for Lawrence and should be an exciting matchup between two young and promising quarterbacks.
9) Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders
Week 3 (9/26/21 4:05 PM)
Many of you reading this might be scratching your heads at this choice, but hear me out. The last time these teams faced off was in Week 16 of the 2020 season. The Dolphins came back from behind in a thriller in Sin City. This was after rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched and grizzly veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick used some of his Fitzmagic to give the Dolphins a win. It is officially Tua Time now that Fitzpatrick is with the Washington Football Team. Tagovailoa has more doubters than supporters it seems and this will be his first test as a redemption game to show everyone he belongs under center in the NFL.
8) Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 14 (12/12/21 4:25 PM)
The Buffalo Bills are one of many teams that Tom Brady tortured for 20 seasons with the Patriots, before his move to Tampa Bay. This matchup could be a potential preview of Super Bowl LVI. Having this matchup in Week 14 could mean huge playoff implications for both teams involved. Everyone knows that the Buccaneers belong in the Super Bowl conversation, but what about Josh Allen and the Bills? Well, a win versus the Buccaneers will certainly put them in that conversation, if they weren’t already. If nothing else, we get to revisit a great rivalry between Tom Brady and the Bills.
7) Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 (9/9/21 8:20 PM)
The first football game of the 2021 season must make the list, especially with the two potent offenses that will be on the field on Thursday Night Football. The first big storyline is Dak Prescott. After suffering a gruesome ankle injury in October of the 2020 season that put him on the sideline for the remainder of the season, he’s healthy and on track to start in Week 1. The good news for Prescott is he is healthy and well paid after signing a 4 year $160 million-dollar contract extension in the offseason. Prescott needs to show Jerry Jones and Cowboys faithful that he is strong and the man to lead them to promise land. For the Buccaneers, this the first obstacle en route to another Lombardi trophy.
6) San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
Week 3 (9/26/21 8:20 PM)
This matchup without a doubt is a storied rivalry. These two teams have had classic matchups. This will not be the last time you see the Packers on this list. That being said if Aaron Rodgers isn’t a member of the Packers come September none of their games will be a must-watch. This match can be an early preview of NFC Championship games. Except for an intense battle between two great teams and a redemption game for Rodgers following the NFC Championship loss from 2020.
5) Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2 (9/19/21 8:20 PM)
Sunday Night Football, two of the absolute best teams in the AFC with two of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson battle it out in what will be a rating monster for NBC. The Chiefs have a tough road back to the Super Bowl as they battle the Ravens in week 2. Jackson struggled last season against the Chiefs, but this year will be different with the new weapons Jackson has at his disposal. I expect this year’s matchup to be the one everyone yawned for last year.
4) Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Week 14 (12/12/21 1:00 PM)
December 14, 2020, gave NFL fans one of the most exciting games of the 2020 season when Baker Mayfield and the Browns nearly came back from behind to defeat the Ravens on Monday Night Football. This game featured the famous Lamar Jackson bathroom break. December 12, 2021, nearly a year later will bring the same magic. The Browns and Ravens figure to be battling for the AFC North. Week 14 could be the deciding game for the AFC North crown. This game is absolutely a must-watch for any football fan.
3) Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 9 (11/7/21 4:25 PM)
Aaron Rodgers versus Patrick Mahomes. Do you need any other selling points? The biggest concern will be if Rodger is still with the Packers, but assuming he is, we’ll be watching the two most naturally talented quarterbacks duel it out in what should be an exciting and high-scoring game. This game could also be a sneak peek of the Super Bowl.
2) Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 1 (9/12/21 4:25 PM)
January 17, 2021, was the day the Browns came up short versus the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. Not many people expected a score of 22-17. The Browns beefed up their defense during the offseason with additions of Jadeveon Clowney, Josh Johnson, Greg Newsome, and Troy Hill. These additions along with the dangerous duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt should be able to slow Mahomes and the Chiefs down some. Plus, head coach Kevin Stefanski comes back to Cleveland for his second year. This time, with a full pre-season and built-up chemistry from 2020 to hopefully make the Browns serious contenders. I believe these two teams will meet up again in the AFC Championship game.
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New England Patriots
Week 4 (10/3/21 8:20 PM)
What other game were you expecting? This Sunday Night Football matchup will draw huge numbers for NBC and will draw huge money for ticket sellers on secondary markets. The nosebleed section is currently selling for $1100 US dollars. The best seat in the house is always in front of your TV, but I cannot blame someone for dishing out Super Bowl ticket money to see the return of Tom Brady to New England. Bill Belichick will act like this game is no different from the other 16 games on their schedule, but we all know it is. Belichick had a blank checkbook this offseason courtesy of Robert Kraft and used that checkbook to bring the Patriots back into what should be the playoffs. This game will be filled with intriguing storylines and could be one of the greatest games ever played. This is just another opportunity for Tom Brady to show everyone that he was the Real Massachusetts Miracle Man.
Written By: Michael Levtchenko
