When the NFL released the full 2021 NFL schedule in May, and there were a ton of intriguing matchups.
From revenge games to rivalries to rookies, the league's first year with a 17-game schedule is jam-packed with exciting storylines. Some matchups have no buzz at all, though.
Certain teams were destined for bad seasons while others were plain, old mediocre. A matchup featuring two of those teams is coming up on Monday Night Football, when the Chicago Bears head to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in primetime.
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Here are 10 of the worst matchups from the NFL's 2021 schedule release. Some have already been played (and even exceeded expectations), while others have turned into promising matchups you might need to tune into. A good amount of them are still as awful as they were when the schedule first came out.
49ers vs. Lions (Week 1)
Fans were eager for football to come back, but this game was the least intriguing matchup of Week 1 entering the season. The 7.5-point line was the highest of any spread in the opening week.
The best chance for added excitement was for Trey Lance to usurp Jimmy Garoppolo right out of the gate. While Lance has not taken over the starting QB job in San Francisco, he threw a touchdown on his first ever NFL pass back in Week 1.
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The 49ers had a 38-10 lead in the second half that turned into a 41-17 fourth-quarter lead. Detroit tacked on a couple of touchdowns and two-point conversions to make San Francisco a little nervous, but the road team got the 41-33 win.
Titans vs. Jets (Week 4)
When the schedule was released, the top storyline for this game was ... the Corey Davis revenge game?
What appeared to be a dull matchup turned into a riveting contest. Ryan Tannehill found Cameron Batson for a touchdown to tie the game for Tennessee and send it to overtime. The Jets opened the extra period with a field goal before Randy Bullock's game-tying attempt veered wide left to give the Jets their first win of the season.
Davis got some revenge, too, hauling in four receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Eagles vs. Panthers (Week 5)
If you missed this one or forgot about it, you're not alone -- and Sam Darnold probably wishes he could join you.
The Panthers QB threw three interceptions against the 1-3 Eagles on his home field as Carolina squandered a 15-3 lead. Jalen Hurts made some crucial plays with his legs to give the Eagles a road win, but otherwise this was a pretty tough game to watch.
Bengals vs. Lions (Week 6)
Two No. 1 overall picks were under center in this one, but that was just about the only juicy storyline for an otherwise uninspiring game.
Jared Goff got shipped from Los Angeles to Detroit in a blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Lions. On the other side, Joe Burrow was running the show for the Bengals in his second NFL season.
The Bengals are 5-3 this season and currently in the AFC playoff picture, while the Lions are winless at 0-8. Those records were reflected in the Week 6 beatdown, with Cincinnati coming out on top 34-11.
Giants vs. Chiefs (Week 8)
Before the season, this looked like an opportunity for the Chiefs to complete the season's biggest Monday night blowout.
Instead, Monday's matchup pinned a spiraling Chiefs squad against a team struggling in its own right in the Giants. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were once again hampered by turnovers as the Giants hung around at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City broke a 17-17 tie with a field goal in the final minutes en route to a 20-17 win.
The close score did not equate to an exciting game as the Chiefs continue to search for their usual offensive firepower.
Bears vs. Steelers (Week 9)
How can a game between two 2020 playoff teams fall on this list?
Well, look at these two offenses.
Bears rookie QB Justin Fields showed a glimpse of how spectacular he could be on Sunday against the 49ers ... and Chicago still lost by 11 points.
The Steelers, meanwhile, got a big divisional win on the road against the Browns ... and only put up 15 points.
Fields has struggled mightily at times this season, like the Bears' 38-3 embarrassment against the Bucs, and the Steelers have one of the top defensive units in the league. Don't expect a ton of points on the board in the Week 9 finale.
Raiders vs. Cowboys (Week 12)
Heading into the season, this could have been a chance for you and your family to enjoy a nice, comfortable Thanksgiving dinner if you wanted to take a break from football. Now, the Thanksgiving slate looks much more exciting.
Bears-Lions appears to be a snoozer, while Raiders-Cowboys and Bills-Saints pin teams that would currently make the playoffs. You might need to get the turkey in the oven a bit sooner than expected.
Jets vs. Texans (Week 12)
This one looked unappealing at the time of the schedule release and looks just as bad now.
At this point in the season, both teams will likely be looking more at a draft spot than a playoff spot. The Texans have lost seven straight games since winning their opener, while the Jets are 2-5.
One thing that could determine the excitement level for this matchup is the status of Zach Wilson. If he's back, fans will likely see two rookie QBs with Davis Mills under center for Houston. If Wilson is still out with his knee injury, then the legend of Mike White will continue. The 26-year-old QB lit up the Bengals for over 400 passing yards in a major Week 8 upset.
Texans vs. Jaguars (Week 15)
The first matchup between these two teams was ugly. What does that mean for the sequel?
Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer lost their first NFL game in Houston as the Jaguars' season got off on the wrong foot. Jacksonville has yet to find the right foot, too -- the team sits at 1-6 heading into Week 9.
The Texans are a much different team than they were in Week 1. The team's leading passer from that game, Tyrod Taylor, has not played since Week 2 but could be back on the field for Week 15 or even Week 12. The team's leading rusher from that game, Mark Ingram, was traded to the Saints ahead of the Nov. 2 deadline.
Like Jets-Texans, this game will have more draft implications than playoff implications.
Chiefs vs. Broncos (Week 18)
When the schedule was first released, this appeared to be an opportunity for Chad Henne.
In years past, the Chiefs have had their playoff position locked up heading into the final week, giving Mahomes a chance to stand on the sideline while Henne got some snaps.
Now, with both of these teams at 4-4 and the AFC playoff picture wide open, this game could determine playoff seeding and even playoff teams. The two teams have a Dec. 5 matchup in Kansas City prior to a Week 18 showdown in Denver.