Embarking on a journey through the gridiron battlegrounds of the 2021 NFL season, we can reflect on moments of high drama, unyielding tension, and pure sporting spectacle that left fans on the edge of their seats. The 2021 season was no stranger to heart-stopping finishes, masterful comebacks, and showcases of athletic brilliance. As we sift through the annals of this unforgettable season, let’s recount the top ten NFL games that defined the year in football, setting the stage for legacies and legends in the making.
#10: New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Week 4
The homecoming for Tom Brady to Gillette Stadium was draped in emotion and anticipation as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the New England Patriots. Brady, facing his former coach Bill Belichick, found himself in a chess match that felt like more than a regular-season game. A mix of adulation and competitive fire fueled the night; Nick Folk’s 56-yard field goal attempt in the pouring rain, which would have given the Patriots the lead, clanged off the uprights sealing a 19-17 Buccaneers victory.
#9: Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers – Week 5
Offensive fireworks abounded when the Cleveland Browns visited the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The game evolved into a thrilling shootout, with both quarterbacks tossing the pigskin for over 300 yards. The lead changed hands multiple times in the fourth quarter, with the Chargers ultimately charging ahead, culminating in a 47-42 victory. Austin Ekeler’s trio of touchdowns and the bold play-calling of head coach Brandon Staley were the talk of the game.
#8: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens – Week 2
When Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson face off, expectations soar for a high-octane clash. This encounter didn’t disappoint, as the Ravens staged a remarkable comeback after trailing by 11 points in the second half. Jackson’s dynamic play, including his somersault into the end zone, earmarked this game as a classic. With a risky fourth-down conversion that sealed their victory 36-35, the Ravens showed audaciousness that could well define their season.
#7: Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens – Week 17
In a contest where defense shone brightly, the Rams staged a late rally to overcome the stout Ravens. This intense battle saw numerous turnovers and sacks, with Matthew Stafford staging a late-game drive capped by an Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown. The game concluded with the Rams securing their position atop the NFC West, as they edged out a narrow 20-19 victory.
#6: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Divisional Round
A game that felt more like a heavyweight title fight, the rematch of the previous year’s AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs was electric. The game featured an array of long touchdown passes, defensive takeaways, and courageous performances. With the Chiefs down by three with thirteen seconds left, Mahomes drove the team into field goal range to send it to overtime, ultimately prevailing 42-36 with a Travis Kelce touchdown catch.
#5: Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens – Week 5
Another comeback story, this time the Ravens, clawed their way back from a 19-point deficit against the Colts. The game featured Lamar Jackson in MVP form, throwing for a career-high 442 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with receiver Marquise Brown was especially lethal. Jackson’s heroics sent the game into overtime, where he found Brown again for a walk-off touchdown, sealing a 31-25 victory.
#4: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers – Week 3
A classic Aaron Rodgers showcase, the Packers vs. 49ers game was a testament to never leaving too much time on the clock for the Packers quarterback. With 37 seconds left and no timeouts, Rodgers completed two deep passes to Davante Adams, setting up Mason Crosby for a game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired, giving Green Bay a 30-28 win on the road.
#3: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans – Week 18
A game that had significant playoff implications saw the Titans clinch the top seed in the AFC with a 28-25 win. But the victory didn’t come without resistance, as the Texans rallied from behind in a gutsy performance, pushing the Titans to the brink. Ryan Tannehill’s four touchdown passes helped secure the much-needed win, but the Texans’ late charge made for an unexpectedly riveting contest.
#2: Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots – Week 6
In a game filled with dramatics and lead changes, the Cowboys bested the Patriots in Foxborough 35-29. Overtime provided the stage for Dak Prescott to connect with CeeDee Lamb for the deciding score, but not before a back-and-forth affair that included a Trevon Diggs pick-six and a subsequent long Patriots touchdown from Mac Jones to Kendrick Bourne. This high-scoring affair highlighted the resilience and firepower of both squads.
#1: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens – Week 1
The season opener for these two teams set an incredible tone for the 2021 NFL season with a wild Monday Night Football affair in Las Vegas. The overtime thriller featured a game-tying field goal, a dramatic overtime that included an apparent Raiders’ winning touchdown reversed on replay, a goal-line fumble by the Raiders, and finally, Derek Carr’s game-winning touchdown pass to Zay Jones following a Ravens’ mishap. The Raiders’ 33-27 win encapsulated the drama, unpredictability, and excitement that fans relish every NFL season.
Reflecting on these top-tier contests, we’re reminded of the many storylines, the performances that stirred the soul, and the plays that will be replayed in highlight reels and across social platforms for years to come. The 2021 NFL games listed here offer a tableau of why football captures the imagination like few other sports can – an ever-unfolding narrative of glory, heartbreak, and sheer athletic poetry in motion.