2021 NFL Schedule: 3 key games for every AFC team in the regular season

New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens

New England Patriots

Bill Belichick and the Patriots will look for a bounce-back NFL season after last year’s disappointing campaign. The NFC East is getting stronger, with the Bills and Dolphins looking like real challengers in the division.

Here are three key games in 2021 for the Pats.

Week 4 - Sunday, October 3rd, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7.20 PM ET, NBC

Tom Brady’s homecoming will likely be circled on the Patriots calendar. NFL fans will be tuning in to see who wins the battle between Belichick and Brady.

Week 13 - Monday, December 6, at Buffalo Bills, 8.15 PM ET, ESPN

A key Monday Night football game in Week 13 will see the Patriots visit the Bills. This game will likely decide who wins the NFC East division this season.

New York Jets

The rebuilding New York Jets aren’t considered a serious threat to win the AFC East this season. New head coach Robert Saleh will likely have his work cut out trying to win with a rookie quarterback in a very competitive division.

Can’t wait to see our fans at MetLife for the home opener vs New England. pic.twitter.com/WXRKzSOBMY

— Woody Johnson (@woodyjohnson4) May 13, 2021

Here are three games the Jets should target:

Week 1 - Sunday, September 12, at Carolina Panthers, 12.00 PM ET, CBS

The Jets will be desperate to pull off an upset road win in Week 1 when they face former QB Sam Darnold and the Panthers. A win would be a great morale booster for the young team.

Week 5 - Sunday, October 10, Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 AM ET, NFLN

The Jets face the Falcons in London in Week 5. This game will likely be a great opportunity for the Jets to get a big win and gain some more international fans at the same time.

Week 16 - Sunday, December 26, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1.00 PM ET, CBS

This game will feature a battle between the no. 1 and no. 2 picks in this year’s NFL Draft. Zach Wilson will be gunning to defeat Trevor Lawrence and the Jags, with rookie bragging rights on the line.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins narrowly missed the NFL playoffs last season. This year, they’re primed to make a playoff run with a hungry young roster.

Below are three key matchups for the Fins:

Week 1 - Sunday, September 12, at New England, 3.25 PM ET, CBS

A first-up win against divisional rivals, the New England Patriots, would kick off the Dolphins’ 2021 NFL campaign in the right vein.

Week 10 - Thursday, November 11, Baltimore Ravens, 8.20 PM ET, FOX

If the Miami Dolphins hope to be considered as playoff contenders this season, beating the Ravens at home in Week 10 would go a long way to prove their postseason credentials.

Week 15 - Sunday, December 19, New York Jets, TBD

The Fins host the Jets late in the season, and this one will likely be a must-win game for the Dolphins if they want to make the NFL playoffs.

Buffalo Bills

The defending NFC East champions, Buffalo Bills, are the favorites to win the division again this season. The Bills will try to secure the top seed for the NFL playoffs.

Here are three key games to help them achieve their objective:

Week 2 - Sunday, September 19, at Miami Dolphins, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

The Bills will look to assert their dominance in the NFC East with a road win in Miami against the playoff hopefuls Dolphins.

Week 5 - Sunday, October 10, at Kansas City Chiefs, 8.20 PM ET, NBC

This Sunday night NFL football game will feature an AFC championship rematch as the Bills visit Arrowhead Stadium. It remains to be seen if Josh Allen is able to finally beat Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.

Week 16 - Sunday, December 26, at New England Patriots, 1.00 PM ET, CBS

The Bills will look to secure their grip in the NFC East with a road win over the Patriots in Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season.