The NFL, in all its P.T. Barnum made-for-TV glory, will announce its 2021 schedule on Wednesday night.
Though the opponents and locations for contests between the 32 teams have been finalized for months, the times, dates and TV slots will be revealed for all the football-loving, road-trip planning, return-to-norm world to see.
From a New England perspective, the Patriots will host nine games in 2021 via the new 17-game NFL format against the Bills, Browns, Cowboys, Jaguars, Dolphins, Saints, Jets, Buccaneers and Titans.
Bill Belichick’s team will be on the road for the traditional eight games against the Falcons, Bills, Panthers, Texans, Colts, Chargers, Dolphins and Jets.
One thing that’s for certain with the games, regardless of their order or times, is that Patriot Nation will get a look at a lot of interesting opposing quarterback matchups. Ranging from rookie high draft picks to trade-addition former stars and budding young talents, opponents will field hype-worthy passers against New England in 2021.
So as we count down the hours to the schedule reveal – only the NFL can get us to count down the hours to a schedule reveal! – here’s a look at some of the most interesting games on the Patriots 2021 slate of opponents.
1. Tampa Bay at New England: Tom Brady’s heel-turn return to Gillette Stadium leading the defending Super Bowl Champions against Bill Belichick’s retooled, rebuilt team with the possibility of Patriots future franchise QB under center! This is one of the most interesting games on the entire NFL schedule for 2021, not just those with a New England bias. Getcha popcorn and, as Brady used to say to his then-home crowd, get good and lubed up! For real, Brady vs. Belichick! Enough said.
2. Dallas at New England: These two teams would seem (hope) to be better than picking in the top half of the NFL Draft as both did last month. Dak Prescott is back in big D. New England thinks it’s a much better team than the lackluster squad that stumbled through last season. Two teams with winning histories and belief that their popularity is “America’s Team” worthy. This one is worth the hype, even if the game might not live up to it.
3. Buffalo at New England: The Bills are now the team to beat, establishing themselves as an annual playoff contender with a MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen. The Patriots clearly hope they’ve closed the gap with the AFC East leader, but that remains to be seen on the field. This could become a fun rivalry moving forward with young QB stars, the kind where you need to hold serve at home.
4. New England at New York Jets: Gang Green has a very green new franchise QB in No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson. The BYU star would seem to be slotted to start as a rookie. That could instill hope in the New York fan base and maybe even reignite Border War rivalry memories in the northeast. Wilson, though, will get a tough test against a Patriots defense that should be much improved in 2021. Will the young gun see the ghosts that his predecessor did?
5. Jacksonville at New England: Trevor Lawrence is the next big thing in the NFL, slotted as the No. 1 pick in this spring’s draft for the last three years. He’s a supposed generational prospect at the most important position in sports. He and Urban Meyer are supposed to turn things around in Jacksonville (maybe with a little help from forgotten man Tim Tebow!). We’ll just see about that. Spring hope has a funny way of turning into fall disappointment.
Honorable mention --
Tennessee at New England: Mike Vrabel is building a notable coaching rivalry with his former coach, while the Titans are a team New England might be battling for a playoff spot if all goes right in Foxborough.
Cleveland at New England: Might the Browns be one of the best all-around teams in the NFL?
New England at Los Angeles Chargers: If Justin Herbert’s rookie season is to be believed, the Chargers are going places.
New England at Indianapolis: Carson Wentz is the latest in line in Indy trying to stabilize the team’s QB spot. If he does, the Colts are another team bidding for a playoff run in the AFC, a race the Patriots will hope to be in as well.
