The 2021 NFL regular season has officially begun! With the return of NFL games today, let’s check out the TV schedule to get your Sundays started.
Week 1 of 2021 features just two divisional matchups: Jaguars vs. Texans and Dolphins vs. Patriots (featuring two former Alabama starting quarterbacks). However, the rest of the schedule is littered with intriguing matchups. Let’s dive into the action and see who is playing who.
NFL games on TV today for Week 1
What is the TV schedule for the 1:00 PM ET NFL games today?
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
The Philadelphia Eagles head down to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in a Battle of the Birds. Both franchises saw major changes over the course of the offseason. The Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn after an 0-5 start in 2020. Atlanta hired Arthur Smith while also replacing former general manager Thomas Dimitroff with Terry Fontenot.
The Eagles also debut a brand new head coach on Sunday in Nick Sirianni, former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator. Since coming, QB Carson Wentz — the 2016 No. 2 overall pick — was shipped to the Colts in favor of second-year QB Jalen Hurts. Both teams debut new systems and schemes. Fans will be treated to many new looks in this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
Two teams with high expectations in the AFC this season, the Steelers head to Buffalo to take on QB Josh Allen and the Bills. Pittsburgh added an offensive weapon in Najee Harris. The receiving corps stays intact for QB Ben Roethlisberger, but will drops continue to be a problem for the unit? Meanwhile, the Bills will look to go one step further behind the arm of Josh Allen.
A fantastic Week 1 matchup that could be revisited in the postseason. The Bills are ready to show they can compete with Kansas City as top dogs in the AFC, but don’t expect the Steelers to give in without a fight. They too were once AFC leaders under their current signal-caller. Can the additions on offense be enough to get the Steelers back on track?
Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
This NFL game today sees Bengals QB Joe Burrow return following his brutal knee injury in Week 11 last season. Playing just three snaps in the preseason, word out of Cincinnati is that the former Heisman Trophy winner is ready to go. Burrow reunites with his top LSU receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, who has had a tumultuous offseason himself after being selected fifth overall by Cincinnati in the 2021 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo gets the start for the 49ers…for now. Rookie QB Trey Lance showed sparks in the preseason but still needs some refinement. However, Kyle Shanahan gets countless starters back on both offense and defense. Injuries plagued this squad last season.
They head to Detroit to take on the Lions, who are starting a new regime of their own. Dan Campbell will bring a new physical identity to the Lions, but will it be enough against a strong 49ers roster?
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
Firepower galore, this game will be a treat. This AFC vs. NFC showdown was awarded to CBS on the TV schedule, as the Arizona Cardinals head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks to improve upon his play from last season after a disappointing end.
The Titans created a dangerous duo acquiring Julio Jones from the Falcons to pair with A.J. Brown. They also beefed up their defense in free agency and through the draft.
Will these retooled defenses keep up with these high-octane offenses? This feels like it should be a track meet, and everyone knows this, but the NFL proves things wrong a lot.
Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
This NFL game today between the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts will see the Carson Wentz era begin for the Colts. Indianapolis has had a disrupted preseason but looks to be healthy for the most part at key positions entering the season.
The Seahawks had a hectic offseason, centered directly around the relationship between the franchise and QB Russell Wilson. Things have calmed, but the Seahawks do not look to have significantly improved this offseason.
This game will tell us a lot about both rosters heading into a massive season for both franchises.
Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Washington Football Team in an interconference matchup. The Chargers’ second-year QB Justin Herbert looks to maintain the success he found commanding the offense last season.
Each squad made significant changes this past offseason. The Chargers changed head coaches, while Washington added Ryan Fitzpatrick in the hope he gives them more at the QB position in 2021. Both of these teams need to get off to a good start if they are to challenge for their respective divisions.
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
The new face of the franchise versus the disgraced face of the franchise. The New York Jets head to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers in this NFL game today. With uncertainty at QB for both teams at the start of the offseason, it’s a bit ironic they battle in Week 1.
Sam Darnold will lead the Panthers against the Jets and his replacement, Zach Wilson. Will we find out that the Jets made the right decision, or will Darnold demonstrate mismanagement was what held him back in New York?
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 1 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
Houston is a mess with QB Deshaun Watson not playing. However, Tyrod Taylor will be desperate to prove he can be a starter in the NFL, whether in Houston or elsewhere. Meanwhile, Jacksonville has had an interesting offseason but they will be hoping to kick the Trevor Lawrence era off with a bang.
Late-afternoon NFL TV schedule
Who is in the second wave of NFL games today on the TV schedule?
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 4:25 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
In a rematch of the 2020 AFC Divisional Round game, Kansas City looks to establish its AFC dominance early. However, the Browns underlined their credentials last season and will look to once again in 2021.
The focus will surely be on the battle between the Chiefs’ much-maligned (but seemingly retooled) offensive line and the Myles Garrett-led pass rush of the Browns. This could easily be the game of the week and a potential AFC Championship Game preview.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
- Channel: CBS
- Start time: 4:25 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Paramount Plus
The only other divisional matchup featured on the NFL TV schedule in Week 1. The Miami Dolphins head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. This NFL game has perhaps more storylines than any other today.
There is a battle between master and apprentice in Bill Belichick and Brian Flores. Former Alabama QBs Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa face off in the NFL for the first time. This game will give us early insight into which of these teams will challenge the Bills in the AFC East.
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 4:25 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
This NFL game today between the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints will be played at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, due to the impact of Hurricane Ida.
For the first time since 2006, Drew Brees will not start the season at QB for New Orleans. Jameis Winston will draw the start and will have the challenge of leading the Saints in an emotional game.
While replacing a franchise’s icon can be challenging, so can keeping your current one happy. The offseason relations between Green Bay and QB Aaron Rodgers were wacky, to say the least. Things seem settled for now, but will there be any residual effects leading into Week 1 of the season?
Denver Broncos at New York Giants
- Channel: FOX
- Start time: 4:25 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
This game sees two teams looking to prove they can be contenders in 2021.
Teddy Bridgewater has taken over the starting role for the Broncos, who also see the return of many defensive players lost to injury (most notably All-Pro LB Von Miller). Meanwhile, Daniel Jones might be in the Last Chance Saloon in 2021. If he struggles with a reinforced Giants offense this year, his time in New York could be over.
Sunday Night Football TV Schedule
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams
- Channel: NBC
- Start time: 8:15 PM ET
- Live stream:
- Peacock
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTubeTV
- Locast (selected markets)
- AT&T TV
Two new quarterbacks with their rosters will face off in the final NFL game today. The Bears will be familiar with the skill set Matthew Stafford brings to the table, but not in combination with Sean McVay calling the plays.
As for the Bears, they will be hoping Andy Dalton can guide them back to a 10-plus-win season. Unfortunately, the team appears to lack the talent around him to have success. The big question is, will we see Justin Fields in this game?