The 2021 NFL season is about to get started and it should indeed be another very interesting season.
Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took advantage of the favorable schedule and won their final four regular season games and then rolled through the playoffs as they won the Super Bowl, 31-9 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bucs will get things started on Thursday night when they host the Dallas Cowboys in the first game of the 2021 NFL season. Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady and the offense will look to get it going earlier this season as it took them the better part of the 2020 schedule to get the offense in the form they envisioned when they signed Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, along with in-season moves to get wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Leonard Fournette.
The Buccaneers should win this game, but there are no guarantees in the NFL and the Cowboys have a lot to prove, especially on defense. In addition, Dallas QB Dak Prescott is looking to complete the comeback from the severe ankle injury he suffered in the fifth game last year that ended his season.
A few other games that look to be on the upside in Week One include the Pittsburgh Steelers traveling to Buffalo to face the Bills, who are looking to break through in 2021 and get to the Super Bowl for the first time in 28 years. The Bills and QB Josh Allen can put up the points while the Steelers will be looking to prove the doubters wrong after folding like a house of cards last year with four losses in the final five regular season games and then laying an egg in their playoff game at home against Cleveland.
Speaking of the Cleveland Browns, they will be traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that knocked them out of the AFC playoffs in the divisional round a year ago. Both teams have young quarterbacks with the big difference being that K.C. quarterback Patrick Mahomes has both an NFL MVP and a Super Bowl title (and MVP) under his belt in his first four seasons. Browns QB Baker Mayfield showed great improvement in 2020 from the turnover plagued 2019 season he endured.
Along with that game, the Arizona Cardinals at the Tennessee Titans
could be a shootout. The Titans look to balance their offense with
All-Pro running back Derrick Henry (coming off a 2,000-plus yard season)
and QB Ryan Tannehill, who is coming off his best ever statistical
season. The Cardinals feature a dynamic quarterback in Kyler Murray
running a high flying offense that likes to air it out.
The Green Bay Packers and reigning NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play on the road against the New Orleans Saints. But this game is being played in Jacksonville, Florida because of the damage the city of New Orleans suffered ten days ago with Hurricane Ida. With the neutral site coming into play, that gives an added edge to the Packers as they will not have to deal with the hostile fan environment of the Super Dome.
The first week of an NFL season is usually one of the most unpredictable ones for sure. And this season will likely be no exception. After a solid year of picking the winners and losers in the 2020 season, here goes nothing as Heftyinfo selects the games for Week One, along with a capsule preview of all the games this weekend.
Thursday, Sept. 9
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tom Brady and company should win this one, but the Cowboys will be looking to prove they are better than last season's disaster.
Sunday, Sept. 12
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons - Two teams coming off stinker seasons in 2020 and looking to prove the doubters wrong. Toss up in this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - It's the old guard (Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger) against the new guard (Bills QB Josh Allen) as these two AFC foes go at it before the frenzied fans in Buffalo. Take the Bills in a close one.
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers - You think Carolina QB Sam Darnold might be wanting to show his former team they made the wrong decision in letting him go? The Jets are going with starting a rookie QB in Zach Wilson.
Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals - This game could go either way. The Bengals will have QB Joe Burrow back after he suffered a season ending knee injury while the Vikings and QB Kirk Cousins have much to prove.
San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions - Can the 49ers and (QB) Jimmy G. right the ship after an injury plagued 2020 season? The Lions have a new QB with Jared Goff taking over in Motown and he is familiar with the San Francisco defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans - The Texans look like a complete mess on paper heading into the 2021 season, but if they are going to get a win this year, this would be a great opportunity. The Jaguars are coming off a one-win season and all eyes are on top draft pick (QB) Trevor Lawrence.
Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts - Russell Wilson and the Seahawks travel to face a Colts team that is going with a brand new QB in Carson Wentz, provided he is ready to go after foot surgery just five weeks ago. Toss up here.
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans - This game could go down to the wire with two high flying offenses going at it. Whoever has the ball last could be the winner.
Los Angeles Chargers at Washington - The Washington Football Team's defense will get an up close look at second year QB Justin Herbert, who set NFL rookie records last season with the Chargers. This one is also a toss up.
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs - This could very well be the NFL game of the week with two good AFC teams going at it in Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes rates the edge and should be the difference in the game.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - The Dolphins just missed making the playoffs last year and the rebuilt Patriots will be a good test for them, especially playing on the road.
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints (game being played in Jacksonville, Florida) - The Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers need to get down to business and get the road win against a revamped Saints team that is entering the post Drew Brees era with Jameis Winston starting at quarterback.
Denver Broncos at New York Giants - The Broncos and new QB Teddy Bridgewater face the Giants, who just missed the playoffs a year ago. Can Giants QB Daniel Jones get it going on offense with a healthy (running back) Saquon Barkley back in the mix?
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams - The Sunday Night Football game with the Bears defense going against a familiar foe in Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who has a lot more weapons in L.A. than he did last year in Detroit. Take the Rams in a squeaker.
Monday, Sept. 13
Baltimore Ravens at Las Vegas Raiders - The Ravens offensive backfield is looking for a healthy body to join Gus Edwards as they take on the Raiders in the Monday Night Football game. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson looks to have a big game, but the Raiders will not just roll over in this one.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week One . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
TAMPA BAY over Dallas
Atlanta over Philadelphia
Buffalo over Pittsburgh
Carolina over N.Y. Jets
Minnesota over Cincinnati
San Francisco over Detroit
Houston over Jacksonville
Seattle over Indianapolis
Tennessee over Arizona
L.A. Chargers over Washington
Kansas City over Cleveland
New England over Miami
Green Bay over New Orleans (game being played in Jacksonville, FL)
Denver over N.Y. Giants
L.A. Rams over Chicago
Baltimore over Las Vegas
Last Season's Record - 181-74-1
Lock of the Week Record - 14-3
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