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2021 NFL schedule release info, leaks, rumors

The NFL is releasing its 2021 regular season schedule on Thursday, May 11th. We break down all the news and rumors that are sure to leak ahead of the planned release time.

Even Money Podcast: 2021 NFL Schedule Release

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

Full Week 1 schedule

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.

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.

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.

The Bills and Patriots second game looks like it will be a Monday Night Football affair at Orchard Park.

The Saints will host the Packers in Week 1.

The Giants will open the season at home against the Broncos.