It may still be a few months away, but yesterday the NFL announced that full list of regular season matches for all of the 32 teams competing in the NFL this season. The expanded list, which features 17 regular season games for all teams instead of 16, sees he regular season run through until January.
The playoffs will also be played to a conclusion in January, with the Super Bowl taking place on Sunday February 13, 2022, at the SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California.
The season begins with the Dallas Cowboys heading to the home of the Super Bowl winners last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who will be hoping that Tom Brady and co can lead them to a second successive Super Bowl title this coming season.
The NFL also confirmed that two games will be played in London during the 2021 Regular
Season. First up will be the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons facing off and this will be followed by an all-Sunshine State affair as two Floridian giants, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins lock horns.
British fans will be excited to see the first two picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) and Zach Wilson (Jets) potentially in action in those games.
However, for punters the focus is now shifting to those first games of the season across the opening weekend of action and while there is still a lot of pre-season to get through and plenty of other trades and negotiations to be made, bet365 Sport has already posted its prices on those opening games.
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If you are based in the United States and want to enjoy some betting on those opening weekend matches, then BetRivers PA has a great selection of odds available on the game, with more markets likely to follow as we head towards the big kick off in the NFL season.
Let’s now preview the games coming up on that big opening weekend of action in the NFL.
All times shown are GMT.
Friday 10th September (1.20am)
- Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What a cracker to start the season, the Cowboys re-signed Dak Prescott in the off-season and made some smart roster moves, but the Bucs have retained every key player from last season and they look well set to make another Super Bowl charge this year too. Back the Bucs here at 10/11 to cover the -6.5 spread.
Sunday 12th September (6.00pm)
- Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans
Arizona have upgraded their pass rush by signing J.J.Watt, something the Titans badly needed to do. The Titans offense is a juggernaut led by Derrick Henry, but the Cardinals and Kyler Murray have fantastic options too, such as DeAndre Hopkins at receiver. This could be a shootout and I think taking the Cards at 6/5 on the moneyline is a solid option.
- Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Trevor Lawrence should start as the Urban Meyer regime in Jacksonville gets underway with a trip to AFC South rivals the Texans, who may not have DeShaun Watson at quarterback pending the outcome of his trade request and impending legal issues. Without Watson, the Texans are going to suck. Back the Jags here at 5/6 to cover the -2.5 spread.
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington Football Team
I think the Chargers were the team that benefitted most from the 2021 NFL Draft with some stellar moves by theor front office to protect quarterback Justin Herbert. I think that will see them land a victory here against a Washington team that offers little on offense to support a very talented defense. It will be tight but I have the Chargers clinching a close one here at 4/5 on the moneyline.
- Minnesota Vikings @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pairing Joe Burrows with Ja’Marr Chase was a good move by the Bengals but I still feel this team
is a year or two away from being a genuine contender, especially in a tough division. The Vikings are far more set for a playoff challenge and I’d expect them to win this opener. Take Minnesota to cover the -3.0 handicap on the spread market at 10/11.
- New York Jets @ Carolina Panthers
Two teams I feel in a transitional phase and I just have the Panthers slightly ahead of the Jets here. I do like what Robert Saleh has done with his picks in the draft in New York but I think putting all that together for this opening game will be tough. Take the Panthers to pounce on a win here at 10/21 on the moneyline.
- Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons
Having been in salary cap hell, the Eagles are now paying Carson Wentz to play for another team and that doesn’t bode well for them. Kyle Pitts is a big upgrade for the Falcons offense that has needed a dynamic tight end since Tony Gonzalez and as such, I am taking the Falcons here to cover the -3.5 on the spread at 10/11.
- Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills
Some people love what the Steelers did in the off-season, I am not a fan myself. I don’t think they addressed many real needs. The Bills had a solid draft and pre-season. But they are a team already set up to have a very good season after shining last year and I think they are the team to beat in the AFC East. I also feel they land the win here so take the Bills to cover the -6.0 on the spread market at 10/11.
- Seattle Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts
One of the best games of the weekend between two teams that should be playoff contenders. The Colts look strong with a solid defense and a decent offense, although Carson Wentz signing is a gamble. The Seahawks should be tough to beat once again, and this could be a very close one. I see this as a 50/50 call, but I think with home advantage, the Colts take the win and I’d back them on the moneyline at 20/29.
- San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
With the Detroit Lions very much in rebuilding mode after Matt Stafford left to join the Rams, the 49ers are ready to put them to the sword. Whether it is Jimmy Garoppolo or Zach Wilson at quarterback, the visitors should have more than enough quality to win this one. Take the 39ers at -7.5 on the spread to clinch a win at 10/11.
Sunday 12th September (9.25pm)
- Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
Potentially, two of the best teams in the AFC clash on week one in what is a really meaty match up. The Browns made some great moves in free agency and the draft, while the Chiefs retain all their key men from last season and added some smart draft picks too. The Chiefs will win here (5/13 on the moneyline) but the Browns will certainly be back.
- Denver Broncos @ New York Giants
Both these teams have key players set to return from injury, Von Miller for the Broncos and
Saquon Barkley for the Giants. Even so, both still have glaring holes in other areas of the team which makes me feel like they won’t be contenders in their respective divisions. The Giants may be at home, but I think the Broncos take the win here so back them on the moneyline at 20/23.
- Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints
Bet365 are not currently offering odds on this game, and in truth, I would not bet on it either and the reason for that is simple. Aaron Rodgers future in Green Bay. If Rodgers stays, then Green Bay will win this game. If he moves on or does not play, then I think the Saints, even without the retired Drew Brees, will land the victory. Keep an eye on this one until Rodgers future is sorted.
- Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Could we see the change in the AFC East encapsulated in this game? The Patriots have invested heavily in an overhaul this season but I am not convinced it is enough. The Dolphins have improved still further here and despite the game being in Foxborough, I think the Dolphins are a smart moneyline bet at 11/10.
Monday 13th September (1.20am)
- Chicago Bears @ Los Angeles Rams
I have a feeling these two teams may meet again in the playoffs later in on in the season. The Rams look formidable with Matt Stafford at quarterback now while the Bears made some very smart moves themselves in particular taking Justin Fields in the NFL Draft. I think the Rams will win this one (2/7 on the moneyline) but don’t expect the Bears to take a big beating.
Tuesday 14th September (1.15am)
- Baltimore Ravens @ Las Vegas Raiders
I love what the Ravens have done in the off season to make an already strong team even stronger with some good free agent signings and some fine draft picks. That makes Baltimore the clear favourites to me here to land the win and I think they should cover that -4.5 handicap on the spread bet pretty easily.
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of Thursday 13th May 2021.
