For the first time, the NFL regular season will run 17 games in 2021. Each team will play six games against teams in their divisions, four games against teams in another division in their conference, four games against teams in another division in the other conference, two games against teams in their own conference based on their finish in 2020 and one game against a team in the other conference, also based on their 2020 results. The regular season will begin with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, September 9. There are other games in the NFC that involve more heated rivalries than this matchup, though.
As you consider your NFL betting for the fall, take a look at some of the top NFC rivalry games on the slate.
NFL News: Biggest NFC Rivalry Games in 2021
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Sunday, November 28, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
The Giants saw an eight-game losing streak against Philadelphia come to an end, but they still have plenty of motivation to take down the Birds. In Week 17, if Philadelphia had beaten Washington, the Giants would have won the NFC East. However, the Eagles pulled starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of Nate Sudfeld for the fourth quarter, a decision that captured the attention of the broadcast crew and much of the pro football world — and apparently left former Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson high and dry, as the team let him go, and he remains a free agent in the coaching world. The Eagles did move up to #6 in the draft. In the draft, they swapped picks with Dallas to jump past the Giants and take wide receiver Davonta Smith. So yes, the Giants will be ready for the Eagles to come to town in their first 2021 meeting.
Detroit at L.A. Rams
Sunday, October 24, 4:05 pm ET, FOX
The Rams and the Lions don’t generally have a fierce rivalry, but this game will pit Jared Goff against Matthew Stafford — both in new uniforms. Detroit sent Stafford to the Rams in exchange for Goff — and two first-round draft choices. The Rams thought Stafford was the missing piece to help the Rams get back to the Super Bowl, and so they thought it was worth it to ship Goff and the draft choices to Motor City. The Rams gave up on Goff despite him taking them to a Super Bowl and making a pair of Pro Bowls, so he’ll have plenty of motivation.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay
Sunday, December 19, 8:20 pm ET, NBC
This is the first meeting between these two NFC South teams, and what would make the game even more interesting is if Jameis Winston is the starting quarterback for the Saints, he would go back to the place where he became the all-time franchise leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. The Bucs cut him loose when they had a chance to get Tom Brady, and Winston became the #3 quarterback in New Orleans, behind Drew Brees and Taysom Hill. The Saints have even more motivation after Tampa Bay knocked them out of the playoffs.
Green Bay at San Francisco
Sunday, September 26, 8:20 pm ET, NBC
This is a reprise of two meetings in 2019, including the NFC Championship. The 49ers routed Green Bay twice, rolling to the Super Bowl. So Aaron Rodgers will have plenty of motivation — assuming he’s still a Packer. The only team missing from Week 1 sports betting action is the Packers, because there is doubt as to whether he will be in green and gold. Having Blake Bortles on the roster is not much of a comfort for Green Bay fans. The San Francisco quarterback situation could be in flux as well, as the team may not have Jimmy G in the starting role by Week 3.
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