The NFL season begins this week when the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. Week 1 is full of interesting matchups, including an Eagles-Packers game in Brazil. The opening week of the season is marked by big games, including the Jets at 49ers. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make his return after missing almost all last season with an Achilles injury. New kickoff rules have added intrigue to special teams and a handful of rookie quarterbacks are expected to make their debut.
Here are a couple of big storylines as the games that count in the standings rapidly approach:
When does the NFL season start?
The Chiefs-Ravens game kicks the season off on a Thursday night and then the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers meet in Sao Paulo on Friday night for the first regular season game played in Brazil. It’s the first time since 1970 that the NFL has had a Friday night game as part of its opening week schedule.
Most of the Week 1 games will be on Sunday, Sept. 8, followed by the season’s first Monday night matchup between the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.
Important early games on the schedule
Sept. 8, Rams at Lions: The game features the quarterback matchup of Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford. Stafford was the longtime QB for the Lions before getting traded to the Rams for Goff and then leading L.A. to a Super Bowl title in 2022. Goff led the Lions past the Rams in the playoffs last season. Both QBs performed well in last year’s playoff matchup and more fireworks are expected in Week 1.
Sept. 9, Jets at 49ers: This should mark the return of New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who lasted just three official snaps last year before an Achilles injury cut his 2023 season short. The four-time MVP will face a tough test against a 49ers defense that’s been among the league’s best for the past few seasons.
Sept. 15, Bears at Texans: If all goes well, this should be the second NFL game for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who was taken by the Bears with the No. 1-overall pick out of USC. Williams gets a Week 2 matchup against Texans QB C.J. Stroud, who was the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Nov. 25, Ravens at Chargers: This one is later in the schedule, but features a coaching matchup between brothers John and Jim Harbaugh. Jim was hired by the Chargers in the offseason after leading Michigan to a national championship. The action on the field should be good as well — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and L.A.’s Justin Herbert are two of the league’s top quarterbacks.
New kickoff rules
The NFL has overhauled its kickoffs, with the new format using elements of rules from the XFL and tweaking them for use in the NFL beginning this fall. The rules will be in play for one season on a trial basis and then be subject to renewal in 2025.
So far, the changes appear to have had their desired effect.
The league was pleased with a return rate of 70.5% in the preseason, up significantly from last season’s 54.8% in exhibition games. There were also more big returns and better average starting field position, which could increase scoring after a drop last season to the lowest level since 2017.
It’s fair to wonder how much strategy teams are withholding for the regular season. There could be some fireworks in Week 1.
The rookie quarterbacks
Williams is commanding a big chunk of the attention since he was the No. 1-overall pick, but multiple teams could be going with a rookie quarterback this season.
The Washington Commanders have already named No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels the starter following his Heisman-winning season at LSU.
The No. 12 overall pick — Bo Nix — has already earned the starting nod for the Denver Broncos. Nix, who started an NCAA QB-record 61 times at Oregon and Auburn, has led the Broncos to scores on six of the seven drives he’s directed in the preseason and has been statistically one of the league’s best passers this month.
The New England Patriots are one team that decided to go with a veteran under center in Week 1 instead of a highly touted rookie. The franchise announced that Jacoby Brissett will begin the season as the starting quarterback instead of No. 3 pick Drake Maye.
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AP Pro Football Writers Rob Maaddi, Arnie Stapleton, Josh Dubow and Schuyler Dixon and AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this story.
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