NFL Releases 2021 Schedule: Cowboys vs. Bucs, Raiders vs. Ravens, Bears vs. Rams Highlight Week 1

The NFL has released its schedule to start the 2021 season, and a few games stand out among the rest. The defending Super Bowl champions, the sport’s most popular team and a recent MVP will all take center stage in Week 1.

This year’s annual NFL Kickoff Game should be among the most highly anticipated in some time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scheduled to host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 9 in the season’s first regular-season contest. Tom Brady is back after winning his fifth Super Bowl MVP award, while Dak Prescott is expected to make his return from an ankle injury that ended his 2020 campaign prematurely.

Most teams will start the season Sunday, Sept. 12. The season’s first NFL Sunday will culminate with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Chicago Bears in primetime.

Both Los Angeles and Chicago will have new starting quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford is set to make his Rams’ debut since being traded from the Detroit Lions early in the offseason. There’s a chance that first-round draft pick Justin Fields will be under center for the Bears, though veteran Andy Dalton could get the nod to start the year.

“Monday Night” Football ends the Week 1 schedule with a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. It’ll be the first regular-season game in which the Raiders can host fans in their new stadium.

The Ravens are expected to be a Super Bowl contender, yet again, with 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson back at quarterback. The Raiders have reached the playoffs just once since 2003.

With so much time left until the season begins, there are plenty of questions surrounding other marquee Week 1 matchups.

Will Aaron Rodgers be playing when the Green Bay Packers visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 1? There’s speculation that the reigning MVP might be a member of the Denver Broncos, who are scheduled to visit the New York Giants in the first game of the season.

The Cleveland Browns will visit the Kansas City Chiefs in a playoff rematch. The Pittsburgh Steelers will visit the Buffalo Bills, and the Indianapolis Colts are going to host the Seattle Seahawks in the only other games featuring a pair of playoff teams.

Unlike in recent seasons, there won’t be a Week 1 Monday night doubleheader.