The NFL will play 18 weeks this season, which means we won’t struggle to find great matchups. Check out the regular season’s must watch contests from the first game between the Cowboys and Buccaneers to Week 18 on Jan. 9, 2022. Let’s jump right into action so you can plan your bets against the NFL odds for the upcoming season.
Must Watch Games of the NFL Betting Season
2021 NFL Season
- When: Sep. 9, 2021 – Jan. 9, 2022
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- When: Thursday, Sep. 9
Tom Brady believes the Bucs can repeat. If Tampa is to repeat, the Buccaneers’ defense will shut down Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ loaded offense.
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints
- When: Sunday, Sep. 12
Aaron Rodgers starting his final dance as a Green Bay Packers and Jameis Winston under center in New Orleans aren’t the only reasons to watch Packers versus Saints. Both teams should be playoff squads this season.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
- When: Sunday, Sep. 19
Two of the best teams in the AFC clash before October. Chiefs versus Ravens is a massive early season matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams
- When: Sunday, Sep. 26
A week after Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson duel, Tom Brady and the Bucs take on Matthew Stafford and Rams. The Rams, or Bucs, could solidify their status as the NFC’s top dog.
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
- When: Sunday, Sep. 26
Big money has landed on the Niners to win the Super Bowl. If SF truly is a contender, they should beat Rodgers and the Packers on their field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
- When: Sunday, Oct. 3
Tom Brady returns to New England. Most expect the Patriots to be a decent if not spectacular team. If you watch a single game in the first four weeks of the season, make it this one.
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
- When: Sunday, Oct. 10
The 2020 AFC Championship participants clash in a rematch that should have massive playoff implications. Josh Allen and the Bills believe they can win Super Bowl 56. Mahomes and the Chiefs want to return to the Lombardi Trophy game. This contest could determine which team sits in the driver’s seat for homefield advantage in the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans
- When: Monday, Oct. 18
The Bills have a tough two weeks. They take on AFC West favorite KC on the road on Oct. 10. Eight days later, they must battle AFC South chalk Tennessee on the road. If Buffalo gets a split, or wins both, they become the fave to take the conference.
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
- When: Sunday, Oct. 24
At least the Titans get to play the Bills and Chiefs on their field, right? Tennessee must prove they belong. Beating either Buffalo or Kansas City or both will do that.
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs
- When: Sunday, Nov. 7
Two of the best, maybe the best, quarterbacks in the NFL duel on Nov. 7 when Rodgers leads the Packers into KC to take on Mahomes and the Chiefs. Tune in for sure!
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
- When: Sunday, Nov. 14
A week later, Rodgers must lead the Packers against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Seattle plays in the deep NFC West where all four teams can win the division. By the time November rolls around, this might be a must win for the Seahawks.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
- When: Sunday, Nov. 28
Most expect the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens to battle for the AFC North Division title. Neither will be in a position where they can afford to lose this contest.
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
- When: Thursday, Dec. 2
By December, Cowboys versus Saints should be one of those games that could determine a playoff spot. Also, Dak Prescott versus Jameis Winston, if Jameis does return to his gunslinger ways, will be epic.
Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- When: Sunday, Dec. 12
The Buccaneers have one of the easiest schedules in the league, but Brady and his teammates don’t play any great teams this season. Allen versus Brady? In the words of the late, great, Stan Lee, ‘Nuff said.
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- When: Sunday, Dec. 19
Circle Dec. 19. The Seahawks play the Rams in a game that, no doubt, will have NFC Playoff implications. The Saints head to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers in a match that could be a must win for New Orleans.
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
- When: Thursday, Dec. 23
Two of the hottest team in the sportsbook to win the Super Bowl clash when the 49ers head to Nashville to battle the Titans.
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
- When: Saturday, Dec. 25
If Baker Mayfield and the Browns want to take the next step, they must compete and eventually beat teams like the Packers on the road. Unless Aaron Rodgers decided to become the new host of Jeopardy, the Packers should be in first place in the NFC North.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
- When: Monday, Jan. 3
The final two weeks of the season showcase AFC North rivalries. Teams that play in the North face the toughest NFL schedules this season. Browns versus Steelers on Jan. 3 could determine which team takes the division or which team is in line for a wildcard.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
- When: Sunday, Jan. 9
This could be Big Ben Roethlisberger’s final regular season game. Roethlisberger will play hard to get the Steelers past the rival Ravens and, possibly, into the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
- When: Sunday, Jan. 9
If pro football analysts are right, 49ers versus Rams in Week 18 will determine which squad wins the NFC West Division and, possibly, heads to the playoffs with the top-seed.
NFL Betting News
Odds and Lines: NFL odds | Super Bowl | Playoffs | AFC | NFC
- NFL First Half Lines Week 15: Betting on the Best First Half Picks
- Cincinnati at Dallas MNF Lines, 2024 NFL Expert Analysis, Week 14 – Rush vs. Burrow QB Matchup
- Get Your Sunday Night Football Advice: Chargers vs. Chiefs Week 14 Betting Preview
- Browns at Steelers NFL Week 14 Odds, & Predictions – Pittsburgh are favored by 6
- Bills at Rams NFL Week 14 Odds, & Predictions – Buffalo are favored by 3 ½
