The NFL added the 17th game for the 2021 regular season, which makes for some more fun matchups.
How does the 17th game work? Each NFC division has an extra game against the AFC division, and they will play in the stadium of the AFC team. Which will rotate in the other direction for 2022.
More: Schedule strength for all 32 NFL teams in 2021
Will it work Sporting News looks at each of those matchups and ranks them from most compelling to least compelling.
NFL’s 17th game ranking for 2021
1. Packers at the Head
It is a no-doubt number 1, but it hinges on whether Aaron Rodgers will remain in Green Bay for the 2021 season. Patrick Mahomes and Rodgers have yet to meet head to head in regular season games. If it materializes, it will deliver as one of the best games of the season.
2. On Seahawk Steelers
The Seahawks won a thrilling 28–26 at Heinz Field in 2019, a game in which Russell Wilson saved Seattle with 300 yards and three TDs. Ben Rothlisberger was injured in that game, and he is the QB facing more pressure in 2021.
3. Rams on the Ravens
Lamar Jackson trying to avoid Aaron Donald is worth the price of admission. Jackson threw for five TDs and rushed for 95 yards in the last meeting of these teams in 2019.
4. Cowboys over Patriots
The game that is bound to draw the highest rating and greatest overreaction where it falls on the schedule. Bill Belichick is 5–0 against the Cowboys, and Dallas defeated New England 12–6 on December 15, 1996. .
5. Cardinals in Browns
Kyler Murray won the first head-to-head meeting with Baker Mayfield in the Battle of Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winners in 2019. Both teams are better now, and this is a good game for both, which is good for their respective divisions.
6. Buccaneers in the Colts
Colts fans have no love for Tom Brady to have a rivalry with Pieten Manning, but it is also a matchup of two of the top-10 defenses of last season.
7. Bear on Raiders
The Raiders defeated Beers 24-21 in the previous meeting. The focus will be on John Gruden and Khalil Mack, who had three tackles in the previous meeting.
8. Saint on Titans
Fictitious owners will notice this due to the running back. Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara should be a high scoring matchup.
9. In Washington Bills
This is a matchup of playoff teams from last season, and Ryan Fitzpatrick has eight careers against the Buffalo. Josh Allen is 8–3 against the NFC so far, but this is his first tour of the NFC East. Those games get more scrutiny on the network.
10. 49 in Bengals
San Francisco won two classic Super Bowls against Cincinnati in the 1980s and you can count on at least one Joe Montana-John Candy reference. Will the 49-year-old debut Trey Lance against second-year quarterback Joe Burrow?
11. Chargers on the visor
The Vikings have one of the league’s toughest schedules, and this is a West Coast trip that would not be easy to know given the emergence of second-year quarterback Justin Herbert.
12. Eagles on Jets
First-year coaches Nick Siriani and Robert Saleh meet in a big market bowl that includes quarterbacks Jalan Hurts and Zach Wilson. Can Rich Quotite Coin Bounce?
13. Falcon in Jaguar
Urban Meyer was 5–1 during his time as a coach with Florida. Falcon fans will remember that. Will Tim Tebow hold a TD for the old time in this game?
14. Giants in Dolphins
This is a battle of former Belichick assistants with Joe Judge and Brian Flores, and both teams have improved offseasoners. This is still not an exciting matchup by any means.
15. Panthers in Texas
Sam Darnold is the Panthers’ new quarterback, but Dea Watson’s uncertain future makes it difficult to hypnotize too much about a quarterback matchup at this point.
16. Lion in the Broncos
Jared Goff vs Teddy Bridgewater was fun with Saints and Ram in 2019. It is difficult to sell it in its new locations. If Aaron Rodgers lands in Denver then go back to us.
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