NFL 2021 Schedules: Breaking down this season's primetime games

The NFL schedule was released on Wednesday, with everyone fawning over the Week 1 lines, which were released at most major sportsbook operators shortly after. 

Let's take a look at Week 1 lines and some of the biggest games of the year.

Aaron Rodgers' Uncertainty Highlights Week 1 Slate

The Packers are playing at 4:25 against the New Orleans Saints, but that’s the only game without as a line as Green Bay sorts through Aaron Rodgers' unhappiness. 

Books are in no rush to release a line on this one considering Rodgers is the reigning MVP and the Packers may look much different by the time we get to Week 1.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are slated to face the New York Giants in Easter Rutherford on opening weekend, also at 4:25. Denver is favored by a point-and-a-half against the Giants, which seems a bit light, but the Broncos have been the team most connected to the Packers and Rodgers. Maybe oddsmakers are shading towards Denver in case the team acquires the Green Bay signal caller.

I don’t see it as outrageous -- the Broncos have a strong defense and the G-Men have question marks at quarterback -- but it's a bold move to install Denver as road favorites in Week 1. This line could move more than any other one over the coming months based on news of Rodgers whereabouts. 

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Primetime Matchups Present Big Favorites

The opening game of the season is the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Sitting as 6.5-point favorites, Tampa Bay is going to look to get off to a strong start while the Cowboys look to erase a dismal year. Dak Prescott will likely be ready for opening night between two of the league’s biggest draws. 

Sunday Night Football pits the Los Angeles Rams against the Chicago Bears in LA. The Rams acquired Matt Stafford from the Detroit Lions while the Bears signed Andy Dalton as a placeholder for first round pick Justin Fields. With it likely being Dalton on the first SNF, the Rams are favored by a touchdown. 

There is no double header on Monday Night Football this season, but the Ravens travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders as 5.5-point favorites. Lamar Jackson and Baltimore are going to look to run over one of the weakest run defenses in the NFL last season on MNF. 

Super Bowl Contenders in Action

The marquee matchup of Week 1 is likely the Browns traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs. A rematch of the AFC Divisional Round, KC opened as 5.5-point favorites.

Meanwhile, last year’s top seed in the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look to get off to a hot start in Buffalo against the Bills. Oddsmakers are not as bullish on the Steelers, though, setting them as 6.5-point underdogs. 

Lastly, the Seahawks are traveling to Indianapolis for a meeting with the new-look Colts. Carson Wentz is the new face of Indy after being traded by the Eagles, joining a Colts team that is in the mix for the AFC South crown. They opened -2.5 against Russell Wilson and Seattle.

Week 4: Tampa Bay Bucaneers at New England Patriots

 The Patriots will host the Bucs in a primetime spot on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. This will be the first game between Bucs quarterback Tom Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. The legendary duo teamed up together in New England for 20 years and enjoyed an unprecedented run of success.

From a betting perspective, the Patriots will likely be big home dogs when Brady visits, which could be spell good news for New England backers. Per FootballScoop, Bill Belichick is 7-6 straight up as a touchdown or higher underdog. Yes, you read that correctly, straight up!

On the flip side, Brady was the QB under center for most of those games. Either way, it'll be a fun game to watch and the storylines leading up to it should be epic as well. Let's just hope both teams are healthy.