2021 NFL Schedule For the 17th Game: Every Matchup, How They Were Decided, More
Peter Aiken/Getty Images. Pictured: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers
Yes, the NFL is expanding its season to 17 games starting in 2021 — and we have everything you need to know about the extended schedule.
Find the full list of the additional matchups below, followed by a brief FAQ about how the 17th games were determined.
NFL Schedule For 17th Game
| NFC Team (Away) | AFC Team (Home) |
|---|---|
| Washington | Bills |
| Giants | Dolphins |
| Cowboys | Patriots |
| Eagles | Jets |
| Seahawks | Steelers |
| Rams | Ravens |
| Cardinals | Browns |
| 49ers | Bengals |
| Saints | Titans |
| Buccaneers | Colts |
| Panthers | Texans |
| Falcons | Jaguars |
| Packers | Chiefs |
| Bears | Raiders |
| Vikings | Chargers |
| Lions | Broncos |
How Will the NFL's 17-Game Schedule Work?
The NFL's 17-game schedule will play out over an 18-week regular season, with one bye scheduled per team.
The league will pin AFC divisions against NFC divisions on a rotating basis each season and determine specific matchups based on a team's standing in its division the previous season.
The conferences will also rotate which plays host each year. In 2020, AFC teams will host the 17th game.
Who Will NFL Teams Play For 17th Game?
The league will rotate which AFC divisions play which NFC divisions each year, but below are the division matchups for 2021:
- NFC East vs. AFC East
- NFC West vs. AFC North
- NFC South vs. AFC South
- NFC North vs. AFC West
How Will the NFL Determine the 17th Opponent?
A team's 17th opponent will be determined based on their division standing from the previous season. For example, the reigning first-place Saints of the NFC South will face the reigning first-place Titans of the AFC South. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the last-place Detroit Lions of the NFC North will face the last-place Denver Broncos of the AFC West.
Will There Be Two Bye Weeks with 17th Game?
There will not be two bye weeks with the addition of the 17th game — teams will continue to have only one bye over the new 18-week regular season.
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