The NFL is set to release the 2021 regular season schedule at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday evening. The league will release the schedule on digital sites, but will also air a program on NFL Network for the unveiling and all the ensuing analysis. In the meantime, there will be plenty of leaks and rumors building up to that point.
Both CBS and Fox plan on releasing their Week 1 schedule on their morning shows, with CBS This Morning and Fox and Friends handling the announcements, per John Ourand. Additionally ESPN and ABC will announce the Week 1 Monday Night Football game.
We already have all of the opponents for each team, but the dates, bye weeks, broadcast stations and primetime matchups are still unknown. One thing we do know is that NFL stadiums will have more people in them this season. The schedule release, unlike last season, will have fans planning vacations around games. That differs between each team, but the trend is that full capacity is the goal and most teams appear on track to fulfill that goal as COVID-19 vaccinations become more wide spread.
Announcements
RUMORS
The Chicago Bears look like they’ll get to face a familiar opponent in Week 1, as they take on ex-Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams in Los Angeles.
Week 1 Bears open in LA on Sunday Night Football against the Rams.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) May 11, 2021
It’s probably for the best that we don’t get the Bills and Bucs facing off in Week 1, as I’d rather see them with a few games under their belt. And with a Week 14 game, we could be up for a great battle between two teams poised for a Super Bowl run.
The #Bills and #Buccaneers will NOT face-off on NFL Opening Night 2021. Per sources, Buffalo will take on Tampa Bay on December 12 at 4:25 p.m. https://t.co/qt3KvotDCx #BillsMafia
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) May 11, 2021
Whoever starts Week 1 for the Patriots, be it Cam Newton or Mac Jones, will have a tough divisional matchup taking on the 2020 AFC East champion Bills.
Picked up #Patriots schedule pieces from @scottzolak: No London trip, Buccaneers game will likely be early Oct., Buffalo Week 1, and no Thanksgiving game.
— Marc Bertrand (@Marc_Bertrand) May 11, 2021
The Bills and Patriots second game looks like it will be a Monday Night Football affair at Orchard Park.
Update:
— Buffalo Rumblings (@BuffRumblings) May 11, 2021
Pats at #Bills on Monday Night Football, December 6th. Week 13.
The Saints will host the Packers in Week 1.
The #Saints will play host to the #Packers in Week 1 of the 2021 season on Sunday, Sept. 12. It will be FOX's America's Game of the Week, a 3:25 p.m. CT kickoff. Official announcement to come on @foxandfriends.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) May 12, 2021
The Giants will open the season at home against the Broncos.
I’m hearing #NYGiants will open the 2021 regular season at home against Denver Broncos, per league source.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) May 12, 2021
4:25 kickoff at MetLife Stadium on FOX
20 years ago, night before 9/11, Giants were in Denver for MNF.
Now #NYG host Broncos day after 20-year anniversary of 9/11.
Jets will be at the Colts on Thursday Night Football in Week 9, Nov. 4, per source. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) May 12, 2021
Sources: Cowboys will host the Raiders on Thanksgiving
— Master (@MasterTes) May 12, 2021
A couple other @Raiders games: Week 6 OCT 17 LVR @ Den 1:25 PT
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) May 12, 2021
Week 16 DEC 26 Den @ LVR 1:25 PT
Bears-Lions and Bills-Saints also on Thanksgiving, per sources https://t.co/wIxNG4aEQq
— Master (@MasterTes) May 12, 2021