Even though the NFL still has a week left in this wonky 2020 season, Buffalo Bills fans can start hoping and dreaming about potential road trips in 2021, as the Bills’ slate has been finalized.
Coming to Orchard Park in the new year will be the usual suspects: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and the New York Jets. The other home tilts offer intriguing matchups. The Indianapolis Colts and head coach Frank Reich offer the obvious headline of Reich returning to Buffalo. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who the Bills have faced the past two years on Sunday Night Football, could potentially be another prime-time game. The Houston Texans are the final conference opponent, but will have new leadership as the Texans are searching for both a head coach and general manager this offseason.
The two NFC teams making the trek to Orchard Park are the Carolina Panthers—we all know the ties there—and Atlanta Falcons. The last time Buffalo played Atlanta, the Bills shocked the defending NFC champions on the road.
For Buffalo’s road schedule, there are some potentially exciting road trips to consider. Aside from the traditional AFC East road games (Jets, Dolphins, Patriots), Buffalo visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and old friend Tom Brady. That trip is one of three the Bills will make to the Sunshine state in 2021 (or four if you are optimistically counting the Super Bowl in Tampa in February). Miami and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who in all likelihood will be playing No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, are of course the other two Florida opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium is another game that could be featured nationally as Mahomes vs. Allen will provide plenty of fireworks. A trip to Louisiana to face the New Orleans Saints could also find its way to prime time and gives Bills fans a great reason to visit a fantastic party city. Buffalo faces the Tennessee Titans again in Nashville—for the third straight year—and we all know how Bills Mafia shows up in the Music City.
In 2021, there will be a 17th game, and the early indication is that the AFC East will face off against the like-ranked team from the NFC East. That means the winner of Week 17’s NFC East title will play the Bills.
What games are you most excited about in 2021?