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NFL Prime-Time Schedule 2021: List of Monday, Thursday and Sunday Night Games
May 13, 2021
The NFL released its full schedule on Wednesday, meaning we now have a look at this season's prime-time games on Monday, Thursday and Sunday nights.
As always, Monday Night Football will continue on ESPN, while Sunday Night Football is broadcasted on NBC. Thursday Night Football will be on Fox (with the exception of the season's opening contest on NBC). Amazon Prime Video will also feature 11 of the Thursday Night Football starting on Oct. 7.
Below, we'll take a look at the full prime-time schedule and break down some games to watch.
Schedules
Monday Night Football
Thursday Night Football
Sunday Night Football
Games to Watch
Week 1: Cowboys at Buccaneers
Starting off the season with the defending champions is always fun. But we'll also get to see how Dak Prescott looks in his return against one of the more dangerous front sevens in football.
It should be an intriguing matchup.
Are the Cowboys finally ready to play up to their talent level, or will they disappoint yet again? Can the Bucs repeat? Will Tom Brady ever start to slow down or show his age?
We won't get the answers to all those questions in Week 1. But we'll learn more about a Bucs team trying to maintain its place atop the league and about a Cowboys team trying to return to the postseason after yet another disappointing campaign.
Week 4: Jaguars at Bengals
Trevor Lawrence vs. Joe Burrow. These teams may not be great this season, but a showdown between two of the most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL will be worth the watch.
Week 4: Buccaneers at Patriots
Tom Brady returns to Gillette Stadium to face Bill Belichick and his old team. Don't really need to say much more than that, right? The intrigue sells itself.
Week 5: Bills at Chiefs
A Sunday night rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game should be a good one, with Josh Allen and the Bills looking to prove they're the team to beat in the AFC against a Chiefs side that has ruled the conference for the past two years.
Hey, you can't really beat Patrick Mahomes in prime time. Well, the Bills will be hoping they can, but NFL fans will enjoy this one regardless.
Week 5: Colts at Ravens
New Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will get his first prime-time test against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in a battle of potential AFC contenders.
Will we get the Wentz that once looked like an MVP candidate? Or the one who was, well, downright awful for the Philadelphia Eagles last year?
An MNF showdown with a tough Ravens team should help answer those questions.
Week 17: Browns at Steelers
Does it get any better than a late-season showdown between two heated rivals?
Who knows what might be on the line when these teams face off on Monday night in Week 17? A playoff berth? The AFC North title?
Sure, depending on how the season goes, this one could be a late-season dud. But both teams look like serious contenders heading into the 2021 season, and a Week 17 showdown should be pretty darn tasty for fans.