NFL Week 1 2021: 5 teams that need to win most
It’s only the first week of the 2021 NFL regular season. Although there are a few teams who need to win more than anybody else.
5. New York Giants
If the Giants are going to make noise in the wide-open NFC East, they must win their home games. In Week 1, New York hosts the Denver Broncos who, despite having an excellent overall roster, is without a top-tier quarterback. This is a huge test for third-year signal-caller Daniel Jones, who has sprinkled in terrific plays among too many turnovers. At home against a middling opponent, the Giants need to handle business and move to 1-0.
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4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville isn’t going to have many chances to win on the road, barring a major surprise. First-year head coach Urban Meyer and rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence have a chance to get rolling against the Houston Texans, who despite being at home in this affair, are imminently beatable. For Lawrence and Meyer, it could boost confidence considering how the offseason has gone with injuries and some negative headlines.
3. Green Bay Packers
Even with a loss against the New Orleans Saints next Sunday, the Packers would still be an overwhelming favorite to win the NFC North barring a critical injury. However, no contender had a louder offseason than Green Bay, which sent months wondering how things would play out with MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have an opportunity to beat a quality opponent in New Orleans and quiet some of the noise before taking on the Detroit Lions in Lambeau Field on Tuesday.
Read: NFL Power Rankings – 5 QBs Primed For Big Week 1
2. New England Patriots
One of the many bubble playoff teams in the AFC, New England has a chance to come out and win a divisional game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. If the Patriots are going to earn a postseason berth, beating Miami at home is a massive checkmark. Sure, Bill Belichick’s team could rebound — it’s Week 1 — but losing at home could mean a sweep by Miami down the line and a lost tiebreaker.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Next Monday night, the Ravens visit the Las Vegas Raiders. Six days later, they welcome in the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, a team who they haven’t beat since Patrick Mahomes arrived. Being upset by the Raiders would put Baltimore in real danger of starting 0-2, and in the tough AFC North, that would be a brutal way to start the 2021 season.
