National Football League Schedule 2021

Standings

American Football Conference East Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
111600.647483289194W4
210700.588462303159L1
39800.529341373-32W1
441300.235310504-194L2

American Football Conference North Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
110700.58846037684L1
29710.529343398-55W2
38900.471387392-5L6
48900.471349371-22W1

American Football Conference South Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
112500.70641935465W3
29800.52945136586L2
341300.235280452-172L2
431400.176253456-203W1

American Football Conference West Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
112500.706480364116W1
210700.588374439-65W4
39800.52947445915L1
471000.41233532213L4

National Football Conference East Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
112500.706530358172W1
29800.52944438559L1
371000.412335434-99W1
441300.235258416-158L6

National Football Conference North Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
113400.76545037179L1
28900.471425426-1W1
361100.353311407-96L1
431310.176325467-142W1

National Football Conference South Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
113400.765511353158W3
29800.52936433529W2
371000.412313459-146L2
451200.294304404-100L7

National Football Conference West Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
112500.70646037288L1
211600.64744836682L1
310700.58842736562W2
471000.41239536629W2

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Playoff Schedule

NFL National Football League Playoffs 2021

Match Day AFC Wildcard Playoffs
(AFC Wildcard Playoffs)
26 - 19

Cincinnati Bengals vs Las Vegas Raiders

(AFC Wildcard Playoffs)
47 - 17

Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots

(AFC Wildcard Playoffs)
42 - 21

Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Match Day NFC Wildcard Playoffs
(NFC Wildcard Playoffs)
31 - 15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles

(NFC Wildcard Playoffs)
17 - 23

Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers

(NFC Wildcard Playoffs)
34 - 11

Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals

Match Day AFC Divisional Playoffs
(AFC Divisional Playoffs)
16 - 19

Tennessee Titans vs Cincinnati Bengals

(AFC Divisional Playoffs)
42 - 36

Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills

Match Day NFC Divisional Playoffs
(NFC Divisional Playoffs)
10 - 13

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers

(NFC Divisional Playoffs)
27 - 30

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams

Match Day AFC Conference Championship
(AFC Conference Championship)
24 - 27

Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals

Match Day NFC Conference Championship
(NFC Conference Championship)
20 - 17

Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers

Match Day Super Bowl LVI (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)
(Super Bowl LVI (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles))
23 - 20

Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals

Playoff Recap

In the AFC Wildcard Playoffs, on Saturday the 15th January 2022, number 4 seed Cincinnati Bengals defeated Las Vegas Raiders, the number 5 seed, 26-19 in the first game in NFL playoff history where both teams made at least four field goals. On Sunday the 16th number 3 seed Buffalo Bills finally showed numberv 6 seed New England Patriots who owned the AFC East in the 2021 season with a 47-17 victory thanks to Eirball’s Season MVP (Most Valuable Player) Josh Allen becoming the first Bills quarterback in playoff history to have 5 pass touchdowns and no interceptions inj a game. On Monday the 17th Kansas City Chiefs, the number 2 seed advanced to the Divisional Playoffs thanks to a 42-21 defeat of number 6 seed Pittsburgh Steelers. Kelce became first ever player in NFL history to have a pass Touchdown, reception touchdown and 100 plus receiving yards in a playoff game. Reference: [53]

In the NFC Wildcard games the #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated #7 Philadelphia Eagles 31-15 as M Evans became the first player in Tampa Bay history to have at least 100 yards receiving and 1 or more touchdowns in a playoff game. #3 Dallas Cowboys went down 17-23 to old rivals #6 San Francisco 49ers who had their first postseason road win in Dallas in team history (previously 0-2). On the Monday, the Los Angeles Rams thrashed the Arizona Cardinals 34-11 in quarterback Matthew Stafford’s first career playoff win. Reference: [53]

In the AFC Divisional Playoffs, #4 Cincinnati Bengals advanced to the Championship Game with a 19-16 win at #1 Tennessee Titans in the Bengals first road playoff win in history (0-7 coming into game). In another close encounter #2 Kansas City Chiefs defeated #3 Buffalo Bills 42-36 despite the Bills’ G Davis becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era with over 200 reception yards and four touchdowns in a playoff game. Reference: [54]

The NFC Divisional Playoffs provided two shocks as the #6 San Francisco 49ers downed #1 Green Bay Packers 13-10 with a G Gould Field Goal from 45 yards as time expired. In the second game, the #4 Los Angeles Rams spoiled Tom Brady’s attempts to finish his career with an eighth Super Bowl ring as they too needed a Field Goal in the last seconds to defeat the #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27, thanks to M Gay’s 30 yard attempt. Reference: [54]

In the AFC Championship Game Cincinnati Bengals E McPherson kicked a 31 yard field goal as time elapsed to give the #4 Cincinnati Bengals a 27-24 victory at #2 Kansas City Chiefs.

The NFC Championship Game was also decided by a late Field Goal as the #4 Los Angeles Rams won 20-17 at home to the #6 San Francisco 49ers thanks to a M Gay 30 yard attempt with 1:46 remaining.

Super Bowl Preview

Super Bowl XLI starts on Sunday Night 11:30 pm Irish time in SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles in what is virtually a home game for the Los Angeles Rams versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are 0-2 in Super Bowls and Los Angeles Rams are 1-3 in Super Bowls with their one victory coming in 1999 as the St. Louis Rams Reference: [60]

Super Bowl XIV 1980 – Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Los Angeles Rams 19 (20 January 1980, Pasadena, California)

Super Bowl XVI 1981 – San Francisco 49ers 26 Cincinnati Bengals 21 (24 January 1982, Pontiac Michigan)

Super Bowl XXIII 1988 – San Francisco 49ers 20 Cincinnati Bengals 16 (22 January 1989, South Florida)

Super Bowl XXXIV 1999 – St. Louis Rams 23 Tennessse Titans 16 (30 January 2000, Atlanta, Georgia)

Super Bowl XXXVI 2001 – New England Patriots 20 St. Louis Rams 17 (3 February 2002, New Orleans, Louisiana)

Super Bowl LIII 2018 – New England Patriots 13 Los Angeles Rams 3 (

Reference: [60-61]

Super Bowl LVI

vs

Details

Date Time League Season Match Day
February 13, 2022 11:30 pm NFL National Football League Playoffs 2021 Super Bowl LVI (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)

Results

Team1234T
Los Angeles Rams763723
Cincinnati Bengals3710020

Los Angeles Rams

Position FG Safety PAT 2XP TD Comp Att Pass Yds Rush Att Rush Yds Rec Rec Yds Int Lng Fum Lost FR Tckl Solo Asst Sack PR KR Punt PYds PAvg BFG OR
 0000000000000000000000000000

Cincinnati Bengals

Position FG Safety PAT 2XP TD Comp Att Pass Yds Rush Att Rush Yds Rec Rec Yds Int Lng Fum Lost FR Tckl Solo Asst Sack PR KR Punt PYds PAvg BFG OR
 0000000000000000000000000000

Venue

SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California
SoFi Stadium, Pincay Drive, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, 90306, United States
Los Angeles Rams took the lead in the first quarter through Matthew Stafford connecting with Odell Beckham Jr for a 22 yard touchdown, but in a defensive battle during the first quarter the Cincannati Bengals could not convert a great one handed catch by Ja’Marr Chase in the red zone, and had to settle for a Field Goal in the last minute of the first quarter leaving the score 7-3 to the Rams at the whistle. End of the 1st Quarter: Los Angeles Rams 7 Cincinnati Bengals 3 Another great catch by Odell Beckham Jr brought the Rams into the redzone in the second quarter. On the next play Cooper Kupp caught the ball unmarked in the corner of the endzone from Stafford for a 13-3 lead. The point after snap was mishandled by Hecker and recovered by the Bengals. The Bengals responded with a deep pass from Joe Burrow to Mixon to within 11 yards. Two plays later Higgins caught a TD pass in the  endzone from Joe Mixon, the first TD pass by Mixon in the NFL in five years, to bring the Bengals to within 3 points. Towards the end of the half, Odell Beckham Jr had to leave the game with a knee injury while trying to catch the ball over the middle unmarked, a big blow to the Rams. With two minutes to go, Stafford, under pressure from the Bengals three-man rush threw deep to the endzone to Jefferson, a risky pass which was intercepted by Jesse Bates in the endzone for a big turnover for Cincinnati. Cincinnati’s next drive ended with Burrow being sacked, forcing the Bengals to punt. The Rams had 30 seconds to go deep, but after three deep passes were forced to punt and the Bengals took the knee with 6 seconds to go. Halftime: Los Angeles Rams 13 Cincinnati Bengals 10 12 seconds into the third quarter a 75 yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins put the Bengals 17-13 up although as facemask penalty against the Bengals was missed by the officials. 10 seconds later the Bengals immediately intercepted a Stafford pass on the next drive as the momentum shifted suddenly to the Bengals. The Bengals made a risky 4th and 1 conversion which paid off on the Rams 20 yard line on the next drive, but as big play by Donald who sacked Burrow on the 20 yard line left the Bengals on 4th and 12. Taking the Field Goal, the Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson put them 20-13 up from the 38 yard line. The Rams settled for a 51 yard Field Goal on the next drive after a trick play on third down failed. Stafford limped out of the game with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter after the Bengals had been put under pressure in another blow for the Rams. Awuzie had a minute earlier been injured for the Bengals defense, which was significant as he was the Bengals best player all season. Burrow was sacked five times in two series after just the one sack all game, forcing the Bengals to punt with one minute to go in the third quarter. End of 3rd Quarter Los Angeles Rams 16 Cincinnati Bengals 20. Burrow limped off at the beginning of the fourth quarter after being sacked for the seventh time. The following Rams drive was a quick 3 and out forcing them to punt. Trying to protect Burrow, the Bengals took to the running game. Chris Evans caught a first down on the next drive for Cincinnati. Tyler Boyd dropped a crucial pass on 3rd and 9 preparing for the hit and taking his eyes off the ball, having not dropped a pass all season. Bengals punted and the Rams took over with a fair catch. With less than six minutes left in the game the pressure was on Matthew Stafford who had the most fourth quarter comebacks in the NFL in 2021. On 4th and 1 the Rams Head Coach Sean McVay made a big call going for first down which paid off. Another big first down was made at the Bengal 49 yard line with under 4 minutes to go. Kupp caught a big pass on the 23 yard line as the Rams went for the go ahead touchdown. Akers took the ball up the middle for a first and 10 on the 8 yard line with 2 minutes to go. Rams failed on 3rd and goal, but a holding penalty was called on the Bengals, giving the Rams an automatic first down. Stafford threw to Kupp in the endzone on the next play, however two flags on the play offset each other meant repeat first own. More flags on the next play were called on the Bengals, putting the ball on the one yard line. Stafford tried a quarterback sneak on first down for no yards. Cincinnati took a time out at 1:29. 2nd and Goal Kupp catches the ball in the endzone for a 23-20 Rams lead. Cincinnati took over at the 25 yard line with 1:25 and two timeouts left. Bengals gained 17 yards on the next play. Boyd caught the ball on the 49 yard line with 1 minute left. Burrow went deep on the next play but was unsuccessful. 48 seconds left. Cincinnati tried running on 3rd and 1 and gained no yards. 4th and 1 with no timeouts left Bengals, Burrow threw it away to avoid being sacked under pressure from Aaron Donald. Cincinnati let the clock run out. Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 23 Cincinnati Bengals 20.

SCorers

1st Quarter LAR – Odell Beckham Jr 22yd Pass from Matthew Stafford (PAT Kick) 7-0 CIN – Evan McPherson 29yd FG [0:28] 7-3 2nd Quarter LAR – Cooper Kupp 11 Pass from Matthew Stafford (PAT fumbled) 13-3 CIN – Tee Higgins 6 Pass from Joe Mixon (Evan McPherson PAT Kick) [5:47] 13-10 3rd Quarter CIN – Tee Higgins 75 Pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson  PAT Kick) [14:48] 13-17 CIN – Evan McPherson 38 yard FG 13-20 LAR – 51 FG 16-20 4th Quarter LAR – Cooper Kupp 1 Pass from Matthew Stafford (PAT Kick good) [1:29] 23-20

References

[56] NFL (2021) Scores Super Bowl LVI 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.nfl.com/scores/2021/POST4   [Accessed 13 February 2022] [62] BBC TV Super Bowl LVI 13-14 February 2022.

Week 1 Schedule

Week 1 Recap

The West was best in Week 1 with all eight teams in both the American Football Conference and National Football Conference winning their opening games. Denver Broncos defeated New York Giants 27-13, leaving the Broncos with a .683 Week 1 winning percentage since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, the best in the NFL. Head Coach Sean McVay is now 5-0 in Week 1 games with the Los Angeles Rams after their 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears, while the Cleveland Browns are now 1-21-1 since 1999 in Opening games after the Kansas City Chiefs won their encounter 33-29. San Francisco 49ers won 41-33 at Detroit Lions, the most they have scored in a Week 1 Road Game in team history. The Arizona Cardinals also set a team history record with their 38-13 victory over Tennessee Titans, with the game being the first in Cardinals history that multiple Wide Receivers had 2 or more touchdowns in a single game. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Indianapolis Colts 28-16 to go 12-1 in their last 13 games which started at 10 AM Eastern time. Quarterback D. Carr passed to Z. Jones in overtime to lead the Las Vegas Raiders to a 33-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Rounding out the West’s Week 1 dominance was the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 20-16 at Washington Football team under new Head Coach B Staley’s first game in charge.

In other games Tom Brady broke yet another record with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-29 win at home against Dallas Cowboys, giving Brady 15 Week 1 wins, the most by a Quarterback since at least 1950. Houston Texans defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21 thanks to three interceptions, equalling their entire interception haul of 2020. Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Jets 19-14 thanks to C McCaffrey’s fifth game in his career with 80 plus yards in both rushing and receiving. Miami Dolphins defeated New England Patriots 17-16 thanks to J Waddle’s 60 plus receiving yards and touchdown, becoming only the second player in Dolphins history to do so on their debut. J Winston tied his career best with five touchdown passes as New Orleans Saints had a comprehensive 38-3 win over Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia Eagles had a similar big win over Atlanta Falcons, 32-6 thanks to J Hurts 264 passing yards, three touchdowns and 64 rushing yards. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 23-16 at Buffalo Bills going 5-1 in last six road games versus Buffalo. Cincannati Bengals’ E McPherson hit a 33-yard Field Goal as time expired in overtime to give the Bengals a slender 27-24 win at home against the Minnesota Vikings. Week 1 Reference: [35]

Week 2 Schedule

Week 2 Recap

In the AFC East the Patriots attained their first win of the season when defeating the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey 25-6. It was New England’s 11th straight victory versus the Jets. The Buffalo Bills joined them on 1-1 after destroying the Miami Dolphins 35-0 at Hard Rock Stadium, in the largest shutout win in the NFL since the third week of 1992. The Bills reached the Super Bowl that year. The Dolphins dropped to 1-1. In Inter-Division AFC match-ups the Denver Broncos improved to 2-0 in the AFC West with a 23-13 win at Jacksonville, as the Jaguars fell to 0-2. The Las Vegas Raiders joined the Broncos on 2-0 in the AFC West as they triumphed 26-17 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh versus the Steelers. QB Carr having a third 350+ pass yards and 2+ pass TDs in straight games. The Steelers fell to 1-1 with the loss. The Cleveland Browns joined Pittsburgh on 1-1 in the AFC North with a 31-21 victory over Houston, as the Texans fell to 1-1 in the AFC South. Meanwhile in Baltimore the Ravens joined the Browns and Steelers on 1-1 with a close 36-35 victory versus Kansas City as the Chiefs were another team to lose to an 0-1 team in week 2 after winning in week 1.

In the NFC East the Washington Football Team won by a single point versus New York Giants as they improved to 1-1. The Giants remained winless. The Philadelphia Eagles joined WFT on 1-1 with a loss at home to San Francisco as the 49ers improved to 2-0 in the NFC West. In the NFC South two Division games saw the Carolina Panthers improve to 2-0 with a 26-7 win in Charlotte versus the previously unbeaten New Orleans Saints. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Tom Brady passing for 4+ pass TDs in 4 straight games, (tied second longest streak since 1950) also moved to 2-0 with a 48-25 defeat of the Atlanta Falcons who lost for the second week running. In an NFC North match-up the Green Bay Packers got their first win of the season with a 35-17 victory at Lambeau Field versus the Detroit Lions, who lost their second straight. The Arizona Cardinals joined the Rams and 49ers on 2-0 in the NFC West as they defeated the Minnesota Vikings by a single point (34-33), handing the NFC North team their second loss of the season.

In Inter-Conference games the Rams narrowly won 27-24 at Indianapolis as Los Angeles moved to 2-0 in the NFC West and a tie with the 49ers for first place, and the Colts dropped to 0-2. The Chicago Bears improved to 1-1 in the NFC North with a 20-17 victory at home to Cincinnati Bengals who fell to 1-1 in the AFC North. Tennessee Titans (AFC South) joined Seattle Seahawks (NFC West) on 1-1 in another game where an 0-1 team defeated a 1-0 team as they triumphed 33-30 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The loss meant the Seahawks were now the only team to have lost a game in the NFC West. The Dallas Cowboys moved to 1-1 in the NFC East with a 20-17 victory in Los Angeles versus the Chargers who fell to 1-1 in the AFC West. Week 2 Reference: [36]

Week 3 Schedule

Week 3 Recap

In an all-AFC South game the Tennessee Titans moved to 2-1 and sole possession of the Division leadership with a 25-16 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts who dropped to 0-3. In another Division match-up in the AFC West the Los Angeles Chargers improved to 2-1 as they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, winning 30-24, and in the AFC North the Cincinnati Bengals won 24-10 at the Pittsburgh Steelers to improve to 2-1 and a three-way share of the Division lead, while the Steelers fell to 1-2. In AFC Inter-Division match-ups the Denver Broncos continued on winning ways as they won for the third straight game, defeating the New York Jets 26-0, who fell to 0-3. Broncos share the AFC West lead with Las Vegas Raiders who defeated Miami Dolphins 31-28 to secure their first 3-0 start to a season since 2002 when they made it to Super Bowl XXXVII. The Dolphins dropped to 1-2.

In the only Division match-up in the NFC in Week 3, the Dallas Cowboys improved to 2-1 and handed the Philadelphia Eagles their second loss of the season, 41-21 in the Monday Night Game (Tuesday Irish Time). The Dolphins secured sole ownership of the NFC East lead with the win. In NFC Inter-Division games, the Atlanta Falcons won 17-14 in New Jersey at the New York Giants, in a battle of two winless teams. The Minnesota Vikings got their first victory of the season at home in U.S. Bank Stadium with a 30-17 defeat of Seattle Seahawks and in the other NFC West-NFC North match-up the Green Bay Packers drew level with the San Francisco 49ers on 2-1 after winning 30-28 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The win put the Packers in the lead on their own in the NFC North. Meanwhile the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-24 to improve to 3-0 and a share of the NFC West lead with Arizona. the Buccaneers suffered their first loss since Week 12, 2020 in the process.

In a big week for Inter-Conference games the Carolina Panthers of the NFC South improved to 3-0 with a 24-9 win at Houston Texans who lost their second of the season; the Cleveland Browns improved to 2-1 and a share of the AFC North lead with a 26-6 defeat of the Chicago Bears at home in FirstEnergy Stadium, dropping the Bears to 1-2; the Baltimore Ravens won 19-17 at Detroit Lions thanks to an all-time NFL record game-winning 66-yard field goal by J. Tucker – the Ravens improved to 2-1 as the Lions fell to their third straight defeat; the New Orleans Saints (2-1) improved to 2-1 with a 28-13 defeat of New England Patriots (1-2); the Arizona Cardinals continued their winning start to the season with a 31-19 win at Jacksonville which dropped the Jaguars to 0-3; the Buffalo Bills had a second big-scoring victory in a row as they thumped the Washington Football Team 43-21 at Highmark Stadium, improving to 2-1 and sole ownership of the AFC East lead in the process as WFT fell to 1-2. Week 3 Reference: [37]

Week 4 Schedule

Week 4 Recap

Buffalo Bills took a two-game lead in the AFC East with a commanding 40-0 defeat of Houston Texans. Miami Dolphins lost their third straight 17-27 to the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots their second straight falling 17-19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Sunday Night Game. With the New York Jets getting off the ground with their first win 27-24 over Tennessee Titans, all three of the teams behind the Bills in the AFC East were 1-3.

Cleveland Browns (14-7 versus Minnesota Vikings), Cincinnati Bengals (24-21 versus Jacksonville Jaguars) and Baltimore Ravens (23-7 versus Denver Broncos) all won in the AFC North to go 3-1. It was the Browns and Ravens third wins in a row. Meanwhile Pittsburgh Steelers, after opening the season with a win, lost their third straight 17-27 to Green Bay Packers.

In the AFC South Division Indianapolis Colts picked up their first win with a 27-17 victory at Miami Gardens over the Dolphins. The other three AFC South teams all lost, with Tennessee Titans falling to 2-2 with their loss to the Jets, but remaining in the Division lead after Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) lost to Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans big loss (40-0) at Buffalo.

The AFC West saw Denver Broncos (7-23 versus Baltimore Ravens) and Las Vegas Raiders (14-28 at Los Angeles Chargers in the Monday Night Game) losing their first games after three-straight wins. Joining themm on 3-1 after their victory over the Raiders were the Chargers. The Kansas City Chiefs kept in touch with a 42-30 at Philadelphia over the Eagles to go 2-2.

In the NFC East the Dallas Cowboys won their third straight to go clear at the top on 3-1 after defeating the Carolina Panthers 36-28. There were also wins against NFC South teams for Washington Football Team (2-2) 34-30 versus Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants – their first victory of the season 27-21 versus New Orleans Saints. Philadelphia Eagles meanwhile lost their third straight to drop to 1-3 after their 30-42 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The NFC North saw Green Bay Packers pick up their third victory in three weeks with a 27-17 defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers to go clear at the top. Minnesota Vikings fell to 1-3 with a 7-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns while in an all-NFC North clash the Chicago Bears (2-2) handed the Detroit Lions their fourth straight loss with a 24-14 victory in Soldier Field.

Atlanta Falcons (30-34 versus Washington Football Team), New Orleans Saints (21-27 versus New York Giants) and Carolina Panthers (28-36 versus Dallas Cowboys) all lost to NFC East opposition. With Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating Tom Brady’s old team the New England Patriots 19-17 in the Sunday Night Game the Bucs joined Carolina on 3-1 at the top of the Division, while New Orleans fell to 2-2 and Atlanta to 1-3.

In the NFC West the surprising Arizona Cardinals moved to 4-0 and the leagues only 100% record after defeating the Los Angeles Rams, also previously undefeated, 37-20. Seattle Seahawks joined the San Francisco 49ers on 2-2 with a 28-21 defeat of the 49ers in Santa Clara. Week 4 Reference: [38]

Week 5 Schedule

Week 5 Recap

In the big game of the week for fans of the NFL in Ireland, Atlanta Falcons moved to 2-3 in the NFC West with a 27-20 defeat of the New York Jets (1-4, AFC East) at Tottenham Hotspur FC’s ground at White Hart Lane in London in a welcome return of the NFL International Series.

Elsewhere in the AFC East Buffalo Bills won their fourth straight to move to 4-1 at the top of the Division as they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3, AFC West) 38-20 in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday Night. New England Patriots also won to stay two games behind the Division leaders with a close 25-22 win at Houston over the Texans (1-4, AFC South).

Baltimore Ravens (4-1) won their fourth straight in the AFC North with a 31-25 victory at home to Indianapolis Colts (1-4, AFC South) on Monday Night to go clear at the top of the Division and the Pittsburgh Steelers won their second game of the season to move to 2-3 after defeating the Denver Broncos (3-2, AFC West) 27-19.

Tennessee Titans (3-2) were the only team to pick up a win in Week 5 in the AFC South as they went two games clear at the top with a 37-19 defeat of the still winless Division rivals Jacksonville Jaguars.

Likewise in the AFC West the Los Angeles Chargers (4-1) were the only team to pick up a win as they won a close high-scoring game 47-42 versus the Cleveland Browns (3-2, AFC North) to also go clear at the top of the Division.

Dallas Cowboys won their fourth straight in the NFC East to go 4-1 as “America’s Team” won big 44-20 versus Division rivals New York Giants (1-4). Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) stayed two games back in the Division with a close 21-18 victory at Charlotte over the Carolina Panthers (3-2, NFC South).

In the NFC North Green Bay Packers (4-1), Chicago Bears (3-2) and Minnesota Vikings (2-3) all won: Packers 25-22 versus Cincinnati Bengals (3-2, AFC North); Bears 20-9 at Las Vegas Raiders (3-2, AFC West) and Vikings 19-17 versus Detroit Lions at home in U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the Lions lost their fifth straight game to remain winless.

Carolina Panthers were the only team to lose in week 5 in the NFC South as Tampa Bay Buccaneers took over sole possession of first place with a big 45-17 defeat of Miami Dolphins (1-4, AFC East) as Tom Brady passed for over 400 yards and five touchdowns for the first time in his career. The New Orleans Saints (3-2) kept pace with the Bucs with a 33-22 win at Washington Football Team (2-3, NFC East).

For the second straight week there were two Divisional games in the NFC West. On Thursday Night, The Los Angeles Rams moved to 4-1 with a 26-17 defeat of the Seahawks (2-3) in Lumen Field in Seattle, but the Arizona Cardinals remained one game ahead as they went to 5-0 with with a 17-10 defeat of San Francisco 49ers (2-3) in State Park Farm in Glendale. Week 5 Reference: [39]

Week 6 Schedule

Week 6 Recap

In the second game of the NFL International Series in London, the Jacksonville Jaguars (“Union Jags” as British fans were calling them) – designated home team for the series – finally won their first game of the 2021 season with a 23-20 victory over Miami Dolphins (AFC East), also 1-5 after the defeat. The win put the “Union Jags” on 1-5 in the AFC South.

All three teams playing in Week 6 in the AFC East lost, and in the AFC North three of the four teams won, as the Division leaders Baltimore Ravens moved to 5-1 with a resounding 34-6 win over the AFC West leaders Los Angeles Chargers (4-2). Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) heaped more misery on the winless Detroit Lions with a 34-11 win at Ford Field in Michigan. Pittsburgh Steelers also picked up a win to move to 3-3 as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks (2-4, NFC West) 23-20 in Overtime.

In the AFC South Tennessee Titans (4-2) stretched their lead at the top of the Division standings to two games with a 34-31 win over AFC East leaders Buffalo Bills (4-2).

The Las Vegas Raiders (4-2) and the Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) both won in the AFC West in the tighest Division race at this point of the season. The Raiders won 34-24 in Empower Field at Mile High to leave the Denver Broncos at 3-3 in the Division, and the Kansas City Chiefs joined Denver on 3-3 with a 31-13 win at FedEx Field against Washington Football Team (2-4, NFC East)

In the NFC East the Dallas Cowboys continued their winning streak, moving three games clear on 5-1 as their three division rivals all lost. The Cowboys won 35-29 at the Patriots (2-4, AFC East) in Gillette Stadium with 35 yard receiving touchdown in overtime the difference between the teams.

Green Bay Packers also won their fifth straight in the NFC North to move to 5-1 as the Wisconsin team won 24-14 at Soldier Field in a Division match-up with their closest challengers Chicago Bears (3-3) in the oldest rivalry in the NFL. Minnesota Vikings joined the Chicago Bears on 3-3 with a 34-28 win in Overtime at the Carolina Panthers (3-3, NFC South).

In the NFC South Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) put some light between themselves and the chasing group with a 28-22 victory at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4, NFC East). With New Orleans Saints (3-2) and Atlanta Falcons (2-3) both having a bye week the Bucs were the only winners in the Division in Week 6.

Arizona Cardinals (6-0) and Los Angeles Rams (5-1) continued to streak ahead of their opponents with the Cardinals winning 37-14 at the Cleveland Browns (3-3, AFC North) and the Rams defeating the New York Giants (1-5, NFC East) 38-11v at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The wins put them four and three wins respectively ahead of the San Francisco 49ers (2-3, on a bye week) and the Seattle Seahawks.

The previous weeks’ London game teams the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets as well as the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers were all on a bye week. Week 6 Reference: [40]

Week 7 Schedule

Week 7 Recap

New England Patriots (3-4) closed the gap on division leaders Buffalo Bills (4-2) in the AFC East with a whopping 54-13 victory at home to division rivals the New York Jets (1-5). Buffalo were on a bye week.

Cincinnati Bengals had a pivotal moment in their season as they took over the AFC North division lead on 5-2 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, also 5-2, 41-17 in the Bengals biggest ever margin of victory over the Ravens in franchise history. Cleveland Browns (4-3) stayed in touch with the leaders after a close 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos (3-4, AFC West – fourth straight loss). Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) were on bye week.

Tennessee Titans (5-2) won their third straight at the top of the AFC South as they thrashed the Kansas City Chiefs (3-4, AFC West) 27-3 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Indianapolis Colts (3-4) stayed two games behind with a 30-18 victory at the San Francisco 49ers in Levi’s Stadium, dropping the 49ers to 2-5 in the NFC West. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) were on a bye week after playing in London the previous week.

In the AFC West the Las Vegas Raiders were the only team to gain a victory, 33-22 versus Philadelphia Eagles (2-5, NFC East) at home in Allegiant Stadium. The win put the Raiders clear at the top of thew division after the Los Angeles Chargers were on bye week.

New York Giants claimed their second win of the season with a 25-3 victory at home to Carolina Panthers (3-4, NFC South) to join the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team on 2-5 in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys, despite a bye week, increased their lead at the top of the division to 3.5 games.

In the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers had also built up a large lead overr their rivals. With nearest challengers Minnesota Vikings on a bye week the Packers increased their lead in the division to 3.5 games also with a 24-10 win at Lambeau Field over the visiting Washington Football Team (2-5, NFC East) to put the small town team on 6-1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1), New Orleans Saints (4-2) and Atlanta Falcons (3-3) all won in week 7 in the NFC South. The Buccaneers by a massive 38-3 margin over the Chicago Bears (3-4, NFC North); the Saints by 13-10 over the Seattle Seahawks (2-5, NFC West) in a much closer game and the Atlanta Falcons were even narrower winners (30-28) over the Miami Dolphins (1-6, AFC East).

The Arizona Cardinals won their seventh straight to start the season for only the second time in franchise history (1974 was the other time). The founder members of the NFL thrashed the Houston Texans (1-6, AFC South) 31-5. The Los Angeles Rams continued to keep pace however, winning 28-19 at SoFi Stadium in downtown L.A. versus the struggling Detroit Lions (0-7, NFC North).

The Buffalo Bills (4-2, AFC East), Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3, AFC North), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5, AFC South), Los Angeles Chargers (4-2, AFC West), Dallas Cowboys (5-1, NFC East), and Minnesota Vikings (3-3, NFC North) all had a bye week in Week 7. Week 7 Reference: [41]

Week 8 Schedule