It's been an NFL tradition for a while now that the Super Bowl champion begins their defense by hosting the first game of the season on Thursday night. So, immediately after the boringest Super Bowl in recent memory concluded, the speculation as to who would be the Patriots' Week 1 opponent began. But today a new wrinkle was thrown in. The NFL is evidently considering moving the Patriots game to Sunday night so that the opening game of the league's centennial season would be Bears-Packers instead.
This news doesn't exactly surprise me. I figured Bears-Packers would probably be the Week 1 Sunday night game for that very reason. They're going to go all out for the centennial, and Bears-Packers should be a big part of that. Their rivalry dates all the way back to the league's founding, and they've played each other more than any other opponents in NFL history. One of their games is usually in primetime anyway, so it makes complete sense that it'd be the Sunday night opener.
At least that's what I anticipated. Like most people, I was assuming Bears-Packers would be on Sunday night and the Super Bowl winner would be on Thursday night. And that still might be the case. After all, the Chicago-Green Bay thing might've just been a rumor. Or a backup plan in case the Rams won. I've seen that same thing posted and re-posted a lot of places, though, so it sounds like this might be more than just speculation. Sounds like it's a done deal. All they need is to get the Patriots to agree.
Whether they play on Thursday night or Sunday night, it really doesn't make that much of a difference. The Patriots will still go through their annual ritual of raising their Super Bowl banner before playing a marquee opponent in front of Al & Cris. There are plenty of intriguing options, too.
We can rule out a division game immediately. Why would the NFL subject us to the Patriots destroying a hapless AFC East foe in front of a national audience? Especially when there are so many better choices available? One of their games against Miami and new head coach Brian Flores, who was the Patriots' de facto defensive coordinator this season, will likely be on either a Thursday or Monday night. But there's absolutely no chance it'll be the opener.
They play the NFC East next year, which presents three great potential matchups. It would be easy to say Patriots-Eagles, the last two Super Bowl champions, is a worthwhile choice. But that game is in Philadelphia, which takes it out of the running. I still think it'll be on NBC. But obviously not in Week 1.
New England's NFC East home opponents are the Giants and Cowboys. The Giants, of course, are the one team that's managed to figure the Patriots out during this run. But, after two straight losing seasons, that one doesn't seem likely. Neither does Dallas. Don't get me wrong. Patriots-Cowboys is a great matchup that will draw a lot of eyeballs. Which is exactly why I don't think they'll pick it.
Both the Cowboys and Patriots always max out their primetime opportunities. That won't be any different in 2019. So why would the NFL waste one by having them play each other? They get three each, so why have that be five total games instead of six? Besides, you know that's one FOX would love to have as an exclusive Sunday afternoon late game sometime later in the season.
Which leaves us with three teams--the Browns, Steelers and Chiefs. Cleveland would be an interesting choice to say the least. A team that went 1-31 over two years suddenly became much more than relevant in 2018, and they figure to get a lot of exposure next season. It seems like a stretch to say they're worthy of playing the defending champs in the season opener, though.
So, that leaves us with Pittsburgh and Kansas City. It's logical to figure that New England's season-opening opponent will be one of those two teams.
The Patriots-Steelers games in each of the last two seasons were circled on the calendar. Both of those were late-season matchups in Pittsburgh, with each team winning once. They haven't played in Foxboro since the 2016 AFC Championship Game. Considering all that, as well as the fact that they've combined to represent the AFC in 12 of the last 18 Super Bowls, and that this could be the last time Brady and Roethlisberger face each other, and the Steelers make a lot of sense.
Kansas City makes more sense, though. For one, the NFL likes playoff rematches in the season opener. For two, the AFC Championship Game was great. For three, Patrick Mahomes is the league's next star, and they can do worse than showcasing him. Especially against Brady. The Chiefs figure to be just as good again next season, too, which adds to the appeal of this matchup.
For me, it's a pretty easy call. And I think it will be just as easy for the NFL. An AFC Championship Game rematch isn't just the best matchup possible when you consider the Patriots' eight home opponents next season. It also has plenty of storylines that NBC can play up. And let's not forget the memorable Sunday night game they played in Week 6, when the Patriots beat the then-undefeated Chiefs 43-40.
And if that matchup gets moved to Sunday night instead, so be it. Either way, the defending champs will get their banner-raising primetime opener. Besides, featuring two original teams and the league's oldest rivalry isn't exactly a bad way to kick off the NFL's 100th season. Patriots-Chiefs. Bears-Packers. It doesn't matter. Sign me up for either.
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