The NFL Kickoff Primer

September 9, 2021

By: Jeff Yoder

NFL Season-Opener: Cowboys at Buccaneers (8:20 pm ET, NBC)

It’s football time, America! The 2021 NFL season kicks off tonight from Raymond James Stadium, the home of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s the Cowboys vs. Bucs in prime time. Dak Prescott is slated to make his return to the field following an ankle injury that sidelined him in 2020. But Tom Brady the Bucs return to the place where they captured the Lombardi Trophy just seven months ago. Here’s everything you need to know for tonight’s season kickoff:

 

NFL Season Kickoff Primer

 

Betting Lines

Tampa Bay | Moneyline: -440 | Spread: -8.5

Dallas | Moneyline: +340 | Spread: +8.5

Over/Under: 51.5

 

What to Watch For

Brady and Prescott obviously take the spotlight under center, but the defenses could tell the story. Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning roster returns intact, but Dallas has a revamped defense under new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Seeing how they play against Brady in Bruce Arians’ offense could be an indicator of how the season plays out for the Cowboys.

 

Top Fantasy Projections

QB Tom Brady (TB): 21.55 points

QB Dak Prescott (DAL): 20.86 points

RB Ezekiel Elliot (DAL): 14.55 points

RB Leonard Fournette (TB): 9.47 points

WR Mike Evans (TB): 14.99 points

WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL): 14.92 points

WR Amari Cooper (DAL): 14.95 points

WR: Chris Godwin (TB): 13.85 points

 

The wait is over. NFL season is finally here. Enjoy a long list of additional NFL kickoff storylines below. Let’s enjoy some football!

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Picks for Every Week 1 NFL Game

ESPN+: The Case for All 32 Teams to Win Super Bowl 56

FOX Sports: All the NFL Records That Could be Broken This Season

B/R: Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete PPR Player Rankings for Week 1