It looks like we’re headed back to a more normal 2021 in the National Football League, with a lot more fans in the stadiums. The summer workouts may be virtual, but the 17-game regular season is coming, with Dallas visiting Tampa Bay in the season opener on September 9. The AFC has an exciting group of contenders coming back this season, which means that there will be some terrific rivalry games renewed once again.
Take a look at some of the biggest tilts on tap as you think about online NFL betting scenarios for the coming season.
NFL News: Biggest AFC Rivalry Games in 2021
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, October 10, 8:20 pm ET, NBC
This matchup will reprise last season’s AFC Championship, when the Kansas City Chiefs rolled over the Buffalo Bills, 38-24. Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns and 325 yards, as the Bills were not able to generate as much pass pressure on Mahomes as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would two weeks later in a dominant Super Bowl win. The Bills have made important additions to the defensive side of the ball, and so this should be a much more competitive matchup this time around.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Monday, January 3, 8:15 pm ET, ESPN
Cleveland picked up their first playoff win since they came back into the NFL as a expansion team in 1999. They rolled to a 28-0 lead after the first period, blowing out Pittsburgh in one of the most shocking games in recent postseason history. The Steelers had blown out the Browns at Heinz Field in the regular season, and when the Browns beat the Steelers in Week 17 to get into the postseason, the Steelers did not imagine that they would lose back to back. The Steelers will be ready to get revenge — but will they have the personnel to do it, given the additions that the Browns made to their roster in the off-season?
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, November 21, 1:00 pm ET, CBS
These two teams met in the wild card game a year ago, but the Colts will return with a new quarterback. Philip Rivers retired, and the Colts traded for Carson Wentz to lead the offense. The Colts’ defense returns after a stout year, but whether Wentz can get away from his penchant for holding onto the ball too long and then either fumbling or forcing a throw into an interception remains to be seen. The Bills have added to their defense and should be able to give Wentz all he can handle on that end.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
September 26, 1:00 pm ET, CBS
The Chargers have the real deal at quarterback with Justin Herbert, and the team showed that they recognize his potential by bringing in center Corey Linsley, a first-team All-Pro, to anchor the O-line. Herbert seems like the quarterback who could go toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes in some exciting divisional matchups. If the Chiefs have some Super Bowl hangover, the Chargers could sneak into Arrowhead and get out of town with a win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
Sunday, October 3, 8:20 pm ET, NBC
This is an interconference game, but it’s a rivalry worth mentioning. Tom Brady returns to Foxborough for the first time as a quarterback for another team, taking on his former head coach, Bill Belichick. Cam Newton looks like he will be the starting quarterback for the Patriots, but the team still has Jarrett Stidham and drafted Heisman Trophy finalist Mac Jones from Alabama, so there are choices. It is hard to argue that any of those three signal-callers will be ready to outduel Brady, and you know the chip on Brady’s shoulder will be mammoth in size.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
