2021 First Game: Thursday Night Buffalo at Tampa Bay?

[jwhit34]

How likely is it that the Bills kick off the 2021 NFL season by playing at Tampa Bay on Thursday (opening) night? Just a few juicy storylines in that one.

 

That would be fun.

Edited February 9, 2021 by jwhit34

[Success]

That would be my guess, for sure. Of all the possible match-ups to start the season, that's one of the most intriguing.

 

I'm all for it.  Bring on the old man.

 

[Greg S]

If we get week one primetime I could see Bills at Chiefs either SNF or MNF. Most likely the league will have the Bills and Jets open up week one for what seems like the 100th time in a row.

[Realist]

I'm guessing New Orleans at Tampa Thursday. Although not as decent a matchup without Brees. 

 

Could see Buffalo and KC on SNF.

[Buffalo03]

10 minutes ago, Greg S said:

If we get week one primetime I could see Bills at Chiefs either SNF or MNF. Most likely the league will have the Bills and Jets open up week one for what seems like the 100th time in a row.

Yeah, the league needs to get more creative. Our last 5 openers have been

 

At Baltimore

Home vs Jets

At Baltimore

At Jets

Home vs Jets

 

At Tampa on the opening Thursday night would be a good change of pace. I think it will more likely end up being the Saints or Bears though

[Mark Vader]

Doubtful.

 

I don't see them having the kickoff game being an AFC Vs. NFC match-up.

 

Buccaneers home schedule isn't overly exciting. Unless Drew Brees changes his mind and decides not to retire, then the Saints would be the match-up.

 

Right now I'm thinking it'll be the Cowboys, as we see the return of Dak Prescott in prime time.

Edited February 9, 2021 by Mark Vader

[Greg S]

1 minute ago, Mark Vader said:

Doubtful.

 

I don't see them having the kickoff game being an AFC Vs. NFC match-up.

 

Buccaneers home schedule isn't overly exciting. Unless Drew Brees changes his mind and decides not  to retire, then the Saints would be the match-up.

 

Right now I'm thinking it'll be the Cowboys, as we see the return of Dak Prescott in prime time.

 

From a primetime standpoint TB has a pretty good home schedule. Non division home schedule is the Cowboys, Giants, Bills, Dolphins, Bears.

 

Buffalo and Miami are good plus three big market teams that have national appeal and bring in strong ratings. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Depends what happens with the QBs. 

[msw2112]

As much as opening against the Jests isn't a very sexy matchup, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.  Starting with a lesser opponent gives the team a chance to gel, get a fairly sure win, and get some momentum for the season.  This is particularly true if the pre-season is scaled back or scrapped again.

[Buffalo03]

There has only been 3 Thursday Intra-Conference opening matchups since the Thursday night opener started in 2002

 

2003: Jets at Redskins

2007: Saints at Colts

2016: Panthers at Broncos

 

The odds of an intra-conference game is slim in my opinion 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Buffalo03

[Beast]

Dallas vs. Tampa

 

Book it.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Will be a very different looking TB team - hopefully they will not have gelled at that point.

[RyanC883]

would love TB at that point.  First game and ability to catch people by surprise.  

[Nextmanup]

I will believe that the Bills will be inserted into a game of that magnitude when I see it.

 

Until then, don't count on it.

 

 

[Mark Vader]

1 hour ago, Greg S said:

 

From a primetime standpoint TB has a pretty good home schedule. Non division home schedule is the Cowboys, Giants, Bills, Dolphins, Bears.

 

Buffalo and Miami are good plus three big market teams that have national appeal and bring in strong ratings. 

Yes, New York & Chicago & Dallas are big markets for Prime Time, but their teams suck. I'll give the Bears a little more respect since they made the playoffs, but I don't think the entire nation of fans are dying to see the Bears in the kickoff game.

 

I think the Cowboys will get it, simply because they are the Cowboys.

[First Round Bust]

wow - we get both super bowl teams on the road...we visit all 3 FLA teams...and tough games at Saints and Nashville...would be nice to take a road trip this fall

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/schedule/future-opponents

[whatdrought]

43 minutes ago, Beast said:

Dallas vs. Tampa

 

Book it.

Yep. No way they pass on putting Dallas in the first PT game. 
 

Fall back is saints cause Jameis being the QB makes that spicy. 

[The Jokeman]

2 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

Doubtful.

 

I don't see them having the kickoff game being an AFC Vs. NFC match-up.

 

Buccaneers home schedule isn't overly exciting. Unless Drew Brees changes his mind and decides not to retire, then the Saints would be the match-up.

 

Right now I'm thinking it'll be the Cowboys, as we see the return of Dak Prescott in prime time.

Assuming Dak re-signs with the 'boys. 

[Logic]

5 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Yep. No way they pass on putting Dallas in the first PT game. 
 

Fall back is saints cause Jameis being the QB makes that spicy. 

Sal on WGR yesterday said he doesn’t think the league will want to “waste” Dallas vs TB on opening weekend, because that’s a big game that will draw ratings at any point in the season. The opener always draws any way, so why use up that marquee matchup in that slot?

 

That being said: I predict the Bills’ week 1 opponent will be the Jets at 1pm.
 

Edit: Bills vs Chiefs as the Sunday Night opener would also be sweet.

Edited February 9, 2021 by Logic

[whatdrought]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

Sal on WGR yesterday said he doesn’t think the league will want to “waste” Dallas vs TB on opening weekend, because that’s a big game that will draw ratings at any point in the season. The opener always draws any way, so why use up that marquee matchup in that slot?

 

That being said: I predict the Bills’ week 1 opponent will be the Jets at 1pm.

Hm. That makes some sense, I just think it’s too juicy to pass up for them. They love giving Dallas undeserved primetime love.