The most compelling game from each week of the 2021 NFL schedule

An intriguing Week 1 slate includes Carson Wentz's Colts debut with a very formidable opponent in Seattle. The Seahawks claimed the NFC West at 12-4 last season, but still opened as slight underdogs.

The matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson has been touted over the last two years, with the Chiefs owning the 2-0 advantage. Most recently, the Chiefs blew out the Ravens in Baltimore 34-20 in Week 3 last year, but John Harbaugh's team will certainly have some adjustments.

Tampa Bay fell to the Rams in Week 11 last season before getting their footing late in the year. The Rams added Matthew Stafford in the offseason, and are hoping to knock the Bucs off their perch in what could be an NFC Championship Game preview.

Tom Brady's return to New England should gain more hype by the day. He led the Patriots organization to nine Super Bowls, winning six, before going off on his own to win with Tampa Bay last season. The Patriots have had a busy offseason, with Bill Belichick hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2020 season without Brady.

The Bills were no match for the Chiefs in last year's AFC Championship, but they will get another shot in Week 5. Entering the season, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are two of the favorites for NFL MVP, and for good reason.

Ben Roethlisberger could be entering his final NFL season regardless of whether the Steelers are able to right the ship after last year's late-season struggles, and will get a tough matchup when they host Russell Wilson's Seahawks. It's a rare interconference showdown between two of the most successful NFL franchises of the last decade.

The Colts and 49ers are two teams with major playoff aspirations and potentially both with former North Dakota State quarterbacks by Week 7. Indianapolis features Carson Wentz in 2021, while San Francisco could potentially turn to rookie Trey Lance if Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't produce early in the year. It would be a rare opportunity for the alums to go head-to-head.

Fans of great offensive talent will have a lot to watch in Week 8 when the Cowboys and Vikings meet. Both teams are loaded at the offensive skill positions, with Dallas featuring Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb, while the Vikings can also hold their own with Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson. Dallas and Minnesota are both hoping for rebound seasons after a disappointing 2020.

Assuming Aaron Rodgers and the Packers mend their relationship, he will get to face the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes for the first time. The two teams squared off in 2019 when Mahomes was out with a knee injury. The game will be a coup for NFL fans and State Farm.

Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have been two of the faces of the NFC over the last decade-plus, regularly making playoff appearances and leading their teams to Super Bowl contention. The battle between Seattle and Green Bay at Lambeau is a rematch of the 2019 Divisional Round playoff matchup when the Packers won 28-23.

Fans of scoring should see their fair share when the Cowboys and Chiefs square off in Week 11. Kansas City has been an elite offense since Mahomes' arrival in 2018, while Dallas looked like an elite offense when Dak Prescott was healthy early last season.

The Browns vs. Ravens matchup is quickly becoming a legitimate AFC North rivalry, with both teams having a realistic shot to win the division. The teams played one of the most memorable games of the 2020 season when Lamar Jackson returned from the locker room late to help the Ravens win 47-42 at Cleveland in Week 14.

First-round quarterbacks are often graded with the other quarterbacks in their draft class. After one year, Justin Herbert looked like the gold standard of the 2020 quarterback class, but first overall pick Joe Burrow also impressed before suffering a knee injury. The two young signal callers will get a chance to face off in Week 13.

Just a few years ago it would have seemed laughable, but now the Bills vs. Bucs matchup has a realistic chance to be a Super Bowl preview. Josh Allen has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the league, while Tom Brady is still going strong in his mid-40's.

Green Bay is really getting a rough go with AFC opponents in 2021, and their late-season visit to Baltimore poses another big challenge. The two teams have Super Bowl aspirations, with Aaron Rodgers facing Lamar Jackson.

Buffalo finally ended New England's 11-year AFC East title run last season, but Bill Belichick is hoping to get back on track this season. This late-season matchup could be a must-win to take the division for either team.

Browns vs. Steelers remains one of the NFL's most storied rivalries, and the AFC North foes could be eyeing a division title in Week 17. Cleveland is hopeful the game is more of a passing of the baton in the division, with Ben Roethlisberger potentially playing in the rivalry for the final time.

The NFC West has regularly been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL recently, and there's a good chance the 49ers and Rams will be playing for the title in Week 18. Both teams are also hoping to get back to the Super Bowl after the Rams advanced three years ago and the 49ers narrowly lost to the Chiefs two seasons ago.