The NFL’s first regular season game happens on Thursday, September 10. The Kansas City Chiefs battle the Houston Texans. From then on, it’s football 24/7. Unlike other sports leagues, NFL teams play just a single game each week. That should help the league maintain it’s coronavirus policies. Also, players know that if they test positive after not following the rules, they could lose out on any compensation. With that in mind, let’s check out the Top 5 AFC rivalry battles this season so you can start planning ahead your bets against their NFL odds!
Biggest AFC Rivalry Games on the 2020 NFL Calendar Analysis
2020 – 2021 NFL Regular Season
- When: Sep. 10, 2020 – Jan. 3 – 2021
Top 5 AFC Rivalries in 2020
Week 3 – Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens
Unlike the NFC, parity doesn’t exist in the AFC. Sure, teams like the NFL odds! and Pittsburgh Steelers have a shot to win the Super Bowl. But the real rivalry is between Super Bowl champ Kansas City and AFC North winner Baltimore.
Why does Kansas City versus Baltimore in Week 3 top the list of most important rivalry games? The two best quarterbacks in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes for KC and Lamar Jackson for the Ravens, step onto the field.
Not only that, but if both teams play to their potential, this Week 3 matchup could determine who heads to the playoffs with the top seed.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers
Kansas City is a lock to win the AFC West. Unless they suffer injuries to key players, the Chiefs should take the division.
That leaves the Raiders and Chargers battling for a wildcard spot. The Raider may have the upper hand because they finally open their stadium in Las Vegas.
We shouldn’t discount the Bolts’ chances, though. The Chargers have a solid quarterback in Tyrod Taylor. He doesn’t throw interceptions. Also, Los Angeles’ defense should be great.
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills
Eight Patriots aren’t playing. Luckily for New England, starting quarterback Cam Newton isn’t one of the players. Neither is Julian Edelman.
The Buffalo Bills had a shot to win the AFC East from the Patriots last season. This season, they believe they should take the division.
Someone must win the East and it won’t be the Miami Dolphins or the New York Jets. In the 1990’s, Patriots-Bills was one of the top rivalries in the NFL.
This season it should return to that status.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore shocked the NFL last season. Before the season started, Pittsburgh was the favorite to win the AFC North, though.
Big Ben Roethlisberger returns for the Steelers. The defense was as solid as it gets. If Big Ben is able to return to his best form, the Steelers could have a say in who takes the North.
Let’s not forget that in Week 5, the Ravens required overtime to beat a Big Ben-less Steelers team 26-23. The Steel Curtain picked Lamar off 3 times.
If the Ravens aren’t as good this season as last season, Pittsburgh could take the division. Baltimore’s Week 3 battle is their top single rivalry game.
The Ravens two matchups versus the Steelers, though, could prove to be more meaningful rivalry contests.
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
Losing DeAndre Hopkins is a huge blow to Houston’s chances of winning the AFC South. We won’t even bring up Jacksonville’s chance of winning the division because they don’t have one.
That leaves 2019 conference runner-up Tennessee and Philip Rivers led Indianapolis to take the division.
Are the Titans as good in 2020 as they were in 2019? They should be.
The Colts will be better in 2020 than they were in 2019, though. Rivers can throw to T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle. So, if the Colts rushing attack steps up, they’ll be tough to keep from scoring touchdown after touchdown.
Also, Indy’s defense should be one of the better units in the league. That makes this rivalry one of the best in the AFC this season.
