2021 NFL Schedule: 3 key games for every NFC team in the regular season

Divisional Round - Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints will enter their first NFL campaign in the post-Drew Brees era. Head coach Sean Payton will have to use all his offensive play-calling skills to help the Saints make the NFL playoffs this season.

Here are three key games for the Saints:

Week 2 - Sunday, September 19, at Carolina Panthers, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

The Saints’ first division game will be away against the rebuilding Panthers. This looks like a very winnable game for New Orleans.

Week 8 - Sunday, October 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4.25 PM ET, FOX

Defending NFL Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town in Week 8. The Saints will look to gain revenge after being knocked out of the playoffs by Tom Brady and the Bucs last season.

Week 18 - Sunday, January 9, at Atlanta Falcons, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

The Saints' playoff hopes could come down to their final game of the season. They face the Falcons away and might need to grab a road win to qualify for the postseason.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach in 2021, but Arthur Smith might find his first NFL season in charge tough going. If Matt Ryan can rediscover his MVP form, they might have a chance at the postseason, though.

Here are three key games for the Falcons this NFL season:

Week 2 - Sunday, September 19, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4.05 PM. ET, FOX

Atlanta travel to Tampa Bay for their first NFC South matchup this season. If they manage to pull off the upset and beat the Super Bowl holders, it will set them up for a big season ahead.

Week 8 - Sunday, October 31, Carolina Panthers, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

It’s games like this one against the Panthers the Falcons need to win in 2021. If they are to be a serious NFL playoff threat, they'll need to beat a young Panthers unit at home.

Week 18 - Sunday, January 9, New Orleans Saints, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

Atlanta’s playoff hopes could come down to their final game of the season. They face the Saints at home; a big win in front of their fans could help them qualify for the postseason.

Carolina Panthers

The rebuilding Carolina Panthers are not expected to challenge for the Super Bowl this season. They have a new QB in Sam Darnold and will hope to see some improvements in their performances in 2021.

Here are three key NFL matchups for the Panthers:

Week 1 - Sunday, September 12, New York Jets, 1.00 PM ET, CBS

The Panthers face Sam Darnold’s former team in Week 1, and it’s a must-win game for them if they want to have a successful 2021 NFL campaign.

Week 8 - Sunday, October 31, at Atlanta Falcons, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

The Panthers could play spoilers in the NFC South, so this fixture against the Falcons is a game they should be targeting.

Week 11 - Sunday, November 21, Washington Football Team, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

This Week-11 home game against the WFT is a match the Panthers are realistically expected to win. It’ll be an opportunity to show their fans they are no longer the NFL easy-beats of 2020.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look for more of the same after winning the Super Bowl last season. Tom Brady is back and so is much of their championship-winning squad, which should bolster the Bucs' hopes of another successful campaign.

The Bucs could face up to 10 quarterbacks they've never played against before in 2021...including Ryan Fitzpatrick! https://t.co/RKLwwyQtj9

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) May 13, 2021

Here are three key games for the Bucs in 2021:

Week 1 - Thursday, September 9, Dallas Cowboys, 7.20 PM ET, NBC

The Bucs will look to start their NFL campaign with a bang when they take on the Cowboys on a big opening night. What better way to celebrate being defending champions?

Week 8 - Sunday, October 31, at New Orleans Saints, 4.25 PM ET, FOX

Defending Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will want to reinforce their superiority over the Saints in Week 8. The Bucs beat the Saints in the Superdome in the playoffs, and they’ll want to repeat that feat again.

Week 18 - Sunday, January 9, Carolina Panthers, 1.00 PM ET, FOX

The Bucs will look to end their regular season campaign with a home win against the Panthers. This could be the game where the Bucs seal the number one seed for the NFL playoffs.