5 biggest upsets of the 2021 NFL season
The 2021 NFL season was one of the most exciting of all-time, with many of the big hitters making deep playoff runs, including the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. However, for all the expected strong franchises we usually see do well week-to-week, there were just as many upsets across the league last season.
We all love to see upsets, as they remind us that nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL, and you have to play at 100% each week, or you won’t come away with a win. Here are five of the biggest upsets from the 2021 season.
5 NFL 2021 season upsets
#5 - New York Jets 34-31 Cincinnati Bengals
The New York Jets came into this October matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with low expecations, especially when an injury to starting quarterback Zach Wilson saw relative unknown Mike White start. He, however, balled out. White passed for 405 yards and completed 37 passes, the most in a player's first start in NFL history, as the Jets overcame the Bengals 34-31.
"Mike is fantastic," coach Robert Saleh said. "He's poised. He showed it all throughout camp, all throughout OTAs, that he deserves to be one of those guys, and obviously he showed it today."
What made this upset even more improbable was the fact that, the previous week, the Cincinnati Bengals had trounced the Baltimore Ravens 41-17.
#4 - Baltimore Ravens 17-41 Cincinnati Bengals
Speaking of the Bengals and Ravens' clash in October 2021, that was also up there with the biggest upsets of the season. Despite both teams starting the year well, it was expected, by most NFL fans, that the Ravens would continue their five-game winning streak, which had begun in week two.
However, Cincinnati steamrolled them, with both Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase balling out. Burrow had 416 passing yards, and Chase had 201 receiving yards, as the Ravens had no answer to Cincy’s high-powered offence.