NFL 2021 Week One Preview

The NFL 2021 season is finally upon us and the scheduler has treated us to some intriguing games to kick things off. Things get underway on Thursday night when the Reigning Superbowl Champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entertain the Dallas Cowboys. This is pretty much a make or break season for Dallas Head Coach Mike McCarthy who is unlikely to survive another losing season. They are expected to do better this year with Dak Prescott back, however,  Zac Martin will be missing from the OL.

Sunday Night Games

Sunday night is where the main action is though and there are a few genuine playoff contenders squaring off. The best of these looks to be Cleveland @ Kansas City, a repeat of last seasons AFC Divisional Game. The Chiefs edged that one and a similar outcome is probable.

The night’s other big game sees the Seahawks travel to the Colts in a game that Seattle can’t really afford to lose given the strength of the NFC West. This should be a close one and could go either way.

We will also be keeping a close eye on the Steelers trip to Buffalo. Both are fancied to make the playoffs and the Bills are many peoples tip for the AFC Superbowl slot. Both are in pretty tough divisions and there will be a lot riding on this one.

Every team will be keen to get off to a winning start and with good reason. Last season 11 of the 14 teams who made the postseason opened their campaign with a win and two of those that lost were beaten by fellow playoff sides. It is a long season but getting off on the wrong foot is not good.

Whoever you support enjoy the opening week and good luck to your team – unless you are a Saint fan in which case good luck from week two onwards!

 

NFL 2021 Week One Fixtures:

Thursday 9th September

Dallas @ Tampa Bay

Reasons to Watch

Well, apart from it being the opener there is a certain Tom Brady playing who will be looking to add another ring to his burgeoning collection. Tampa has brought back their entire starting squad from their Superbowl triumph too. It’s worth noting that the last team to do that missed the playoffs that year. Can lightning strike twice?

Prediction 

Tampa to win by 7 points +

Sunday 12th September

Our Top Two Games

Pittsburgh @ Buffalo

Reasons to Watch

The Bills are genuine Super Bowl contenders this year and we expect them to make a deep postseason run. They should win this one but we will be more interested in seeing how well the Steelers play. Has Big Ben got one more season left in the tank? We are also excited to see how Najee Harris adjusts to life in the NFL. The Steelers would have had a better postseason last year if they had had a running game!

Prediction 

Buffalo to win by 3-6 points

Seattle @ Indianapolis

Reasons to Watch

Russell Wilson & DK Metcalf – need we say more? Both are fun to watch and we have been big Metcalf fans since his Ole Miss days. We even had him going at No 7 in our final 2019 Mock Draft!

It will also be well worth a watch to see if Carson Wentz can get his career back on track. the Colts have put the pieces around him so there is no excuse. Their running game is strong led by Jonathan Taylor and of course, they have Quinton Nelson fit again both to protect Wentz and open gaps for the run game.  This one should be close to the end.

Prediction 

Colts by 3 points or less.

Keep An Eye On

Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington

Reasons to Watch

Well, Fitzmagic springs to mind instantly, however, that Washington front 7 is the main reason. They could be the NFL’s best.  The Chargers are a few peoples dark horse team and they no doubt have the talent to do some damage. This will be a good gauge for Justin Herbert who is coming off an outstanding rookie season. If he helps the Chargers win here then they are for real.

Prediction 

Washington by 3 points+

Arizona @ Tennessee

Reasons to Watch

Kyler Murray is always exciting and he has some shiny new toys on offense this year, well maybe not so new in AJ Green but you get our drift. The Titans have also added some veteran talent on offense in the shape of Julio Jones who was drafted the same year as AJ Green. It will be worth watching just to see which of them does best.

Prediction 

Tennessee by 3-4 points

Best of the Rest

Philadelphia @ Atlanta

Reasons to Watch

This is not high on our list however we are keen to see how Kyle Pitts gets on. He looks like a generational Tight End and he should get plenty of targets from Matt Ryan. Neither of these teams has had much pre-season press however the Eagles are in what looks like a pretty open NFC East, while the Falcons might just be a bit better than everyone expects. One for the fans.

Prediction 

Atlanta to win by 7 points + & Kyle Pitts to score a TD (a bold one we know).

Minnesota @ Cincinnati

Reasons to Watch

Joe Burrow is fit again and now he has his favourite LSU target Ja’Marr Chase to throw to. The Vikings had a lot of Covid opt-outs snd injuries last year but now at full strength, they could be sneakily good. This game will give us an indication of whether they are contenders or pretenders.

Prediction 

Vikings by 3-7 points

San Francisco @ Detroit

Reasons to Watch

Jared Goff will want to prove the doubters wrong so should be fired up for this one. He was in the Super Bowl as recently as the 2018 season and has a decent OL in front of him.  The defense is still a question mark though. The Niners are back at full strength so will expect to cruise this one. Let’s see.

Prediction 

49ers by 7 -10 points

Rookie QBs To Watch

New York Jets @ Carolina

Reasons to Watch

It’s an old v new clash at QB with the Jets rolling out Zac Wilson the No 2 pick in this year’s draft. He has looked good in pre-season and already there are high expectations. He will be up against the Jets old QB Sam Darnold who they drafted 3rd in 2018. Christian McCaffrey may be the main offensive weapon on display.

Prediction 

Panthers by 4-7 points +

Jacksonville @ Houston

Reasons to Watch

Trevor Lawrence is making his NFL debut. Not much more to say!

Prediction 

Jaguars by less than 7 points

Trevor Lawrence

Image: Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock.com

 

NFL 2021 Sunday Late Games

The late-game slate is stuffed with intriguing matchups. Leading off with one which could have seeding ramifications in the AFC even this early.

Game of the Night

Cleveland @ Kansas City

Reasons to Watch

Two of the AFC’s best teams clashing this early has got to pique any neutrals interest. The Chiefs are looking to reach their third consecutive Super Bowl. They are no doubt still smarting from their poor showing last year and look to have upgraded their only weakness the O-line. The Browns on the other hand have finally shaken off their laughing stock tag and their starters are as good as any 22 in the conference. Have they got the depth? Who knows but they should make a fist of this one.

Prediction 

Chiefs by 3 points

Miami @ New England

Reasons to Watch

It’s the battle of the Ex Alabama QB’s.  Tua didn’t shine too brightly last year but he was still recovering from injury. They have added Tua’s favourite Alabama weapon Jaylen Waddle so there could be some fireworks on the offensive side of the ball. New England has splashed out big on free agency but is going with a Rookie QB. Mind you their defense could carry them through the season. In Belichick we trust?

Prediction 

Miami by 3 points or less

Keep an Eye On

Green Bay @ New Orleans

Reasons to Watch

Last year’s MVP Aaron Rodgers gave the journalists plenty to write about in the offseason. However, despite the speculation, he is back in the Green & Gold and fired up for what could be his last season with the Packers. The Saints are in a bit of a transition phase but are still a veteran team. They will be starting gunslinger Jamies Winston at QB. He is always good for a lot of yards however he can be a Turnover machine. You have to watch this one if only to see which Winston turns up.

Prediction 

Packers by 10 points

Chicago @ Los Angeles Rams

Reasons to Watch

Matt Stafford makes his Rams debut. He might be the missing piece in their quest to go one better than in 2018. Mind you they better win now as they have given up their draft boards for the next few seasons.

The Bears will no doubt start veteran QB Andy Dalton in this one.  He will face some pressure in this one from Donald & Co but he is better than he is given credit for and should at least keep it respectable.

Prediction 

Rams by 3-7 points

Denver @ New York Giants

Reasons to Watch

Denver’s defense will be great so if you like watching pass rush and a QB running for his life then this is the one for you. The Giants will have Saquon Barkley back though so it should be a close game.

Prediction 

Denver by 3 points or less in a lowish scoring encounter.

Monday 13th September

Baltimore @ Las Vegas Raiders

Reasons to Watch

Lamar Jackson is always great to watch – well when he is running anyway. The Ravens have gone to town on the offense so he should have no excuse for not piling up the passing yards in 2021. The Raiders have had a mound of draft capital of late band it will be interesting to see if they finally look like competing.

Prediction 

Ravens by 7-10 points

So there we have it, our forecasts for week one’s games. we will soon be launching our prediction game so you might want to sign up and join us for updates.

You can get live updates on game night here.

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