Let’s Party: The opening game is always fun. This is when football is back! Also, this is when we see the defending Super Bowl champions take the field for the first time in the new season. Tell me if you’ve heard this before: Tom Brady is a Super Bowl champion once again. The defending champion Buccaneers will kick things off against the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott will be returning from his ankle injury. Tom and the Bucs will be defending their Super Bowl title on opening night. I love the storylines involving this matchup. Dak is back, Tom is a seven-time champ and it’s America’s team on the Primetime stage.
Progressive or State Farm: Just eight months ago, they were featured in one of the best games of the 2020 season. The Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs met in the divisional round of the playoffs. Believe it or not, the Browns gave the Chiefs all they can handle. For the first time since these two will meet in week one. It will mark the third ever matchup between Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes. Odell Beckham Jr will be making his return to the field after suffering a torn ACL last season. This one caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the schedule. Cleveland wants to show that last year wasn’t a slouch. Kansas City still runs the AFC for the time being.
IV: Whenever I see the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens on the schedule, I’m often reminded of how the league used to give us the Tom Brady and Peyton Manning battle every year. Since 2017, we’ve seen the quarterback matchups between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. For the fourth straight year, we will see the young quarterbacks battle once again. In the last three matchups, Mahomes has been victorious in every matchup since 2017. Is this the year where Lamar breaks through and gets his first win over his counterpart? Only time will tell.
Opponents?: We’ve seen many iconic quarterbacks leave the team they spent more than five seasons with. Then, they return to play their first team for the first time since leaving. I still remember when Brett Favre returned to Lambeau as a Viking. Or, when Peyton Manning returned to Indianapolis as a Denver Bronco. Next, we are about to get one of these matchups. For the first time in his legendary career, Tom Brady will be playing a game in Foxborough for the first time as a visitor. The future Hall of Famer will be returning to play the Patriots for the first time since leaving. Instead of Tom and Bill, we will get Tom vs Bill. This atmosphere will be so electric (if fans are allowed back in the stadium). This will also be an emotional night I feel.
Cheeseburger Andy: Before turning the Kansas City Chiefs into a perennial contender, Andy Reid was holding down the fort in Philadelphia for the Eagles. He led them to five NFC Championship games and won one of them. For just the second time, Andy will be returning to where it all started for him, South Philadelphia. His current team will face his old team in an interconference showdown. Since Andy left Philly, it’s been a nice run for him with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sea You Again: I was so happy to see the Rams and Seahawks rivalry rekindle its flame in 2020. They split each regular-season matchup. In the playoffs, the Rams punched the Seahawks in the mouth. I’m sure Seattle still has that bitter taste in their mouths from that playoff loss. They will do battle for the first of two in Seattle first. I’m sure words will be exchanged once again as they were last season. It doesn’t call for good football unless a jab or two is thrown here and there.
AFC’s Elite: Last year, the AFC came down to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs got the best of them and advanced to the Super Bowl. This is one of many matchups on the schedule this season that took place in the playoffs last year. I could see it coming down to the Bills and Chiefs once again for a trip to the Super Bowl. Before that, we will see just the second battle between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Two of the better coaches in the league will also be featured in this game in Sean McDermott and Andy Reid.
Super Cam: It just seems like yesterday when Cam Newton took the college football world in his hands and had everyone talking. Months later, he’s the number one overall pick for the Carolina Panthers. After a successful stint in Charlotte, he was released last year and picked up by the New England Patriots. This off-season, the Patriots resigned him for the 2021 season. For the first time in his career, Cam will play the Panthers as an opponent. He should get a nice reception. He left it all on the field for them and won his only MVP as a member of the Panthers.
State Farm Things: Every time we think we’ll get this matchup, it doesn’t happen. When the Packers and Chiefs met in 2018, Mahomes was injured. Many expected the Packers and Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl but a certain team didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Two of the greatest quarterbacks today will finally do battle for the first time (hopefully) in a showdown at Arrowhead. Which side are you on?
Kryptonite? The New York Giants have always seemed to be a thorn in Tom Brady’s side. From Super Bowl 42, Super Bowl 46, and a few memorable regular-season matchups, the Giants give the GOAT all he can handle. The Giants and Bucs will battle once again on Monday night, this time in Tampa Bay. It will be the third-ever matchup between Daniel Jones and Tom Brady. The Giants just seem to know how to get to 12 and pressure him. I’m expecting a close game.
Leave Us Be!: During his AFC East days, Tom made a living off beating the Buffalo Bills. I know Buffalo was happy that the quarterback left to go to the NFC. They couldn’t get away that quickly. Josh Allen and Tom Brady will do battle as the Bills will meet the Bucs. Could this be a potential Super Bowl preview? It’s possible. Josh has never defeated Tom while 12 has won several games against the Bills in his legendary career. I expect the football to fly all over the place.
Conference Gathering: I’m all for quarterback matchups. That’s what we’ll be getting here when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs. Three Super Bowl titles between Mahomes and Big Ben. Speed on both offenses. This could also be for the top seed in the AFC playoff picture. I had to throw that possibility out there. I can’t also forget Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid, two of the best head coaches in the business right now.
