The 2018 NFL schedule for each team has been released! While sports like basketball, baseball and hockey release their schedules every season without much fanfare, the NFL introduces their upcoming schedules with a festive celebration. Right now football is the king of all sports in the US, and the NFL knows it, so why not make the schedule release into a miniature party?
From the games in London and Mexico to Monday Night Football and the best marquee matchups, here is everything you need to know!
NFL International Series
The NFL has been trying to take their game global for several years now, and so far it seems to be working just fine.
For the third straight season, the NFL will be heading south of the border for what should be a marquee matchup when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, November 19 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
While this will be the third annual Mexico City game, the NFL London series will enter year 12 of its campaign across the pond. It is hard to believe, but the NFL has been playing a London series since 2007, and in terms of possible playoff teams in 2018, this year's series is lining up to one of the best yet.
All six teams in the three-game Nfl International Series held in London were announced Thursday afternoon and they all feature squads favored to make the postseason, including a matchup that will see the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles taking on the rising Jacksonville Jaguars.
Below is a look at the schedule and TV coverage for the 2018 London games:
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders, Tottenham Stadium, Oct. 14 -- 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Wembley Stadium, Oct. 21 -- 9:30 a.m. ET (CBS)
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Wembley Stadium, Oct. 28 -- 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
Week 1 Primetime games
Are you ready for some football?
According to the New York Post, the Matt Patricia era in Detroit will get underway in front of a national television audience when the Detroit Lions host the New York Jets on September 10. Before the Lions and Jets kickoff for the first Monday Night affair of 2018, there are two other primetime games that will be front and center.
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host the Atlanta Falcons on Opening Night September 6. NBC will air the action.
Sunday night football in Week 1 will feature the Bears taking on the Packers, while the Monday night doubleheader will see the Jets take on the Detroit Lions followed by the LA Rams facing Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders.
Thanksgiving Day
Nothing goes better with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie than NFL football! The Detroit Lions were the first franchise to step forward and agree to play on Thanksgiving over five decades ago and they will once again be front and center this season. The Lions will host the Bears at 12:30 on Thanksgiving Day.
Game 2 will feature the new look Washington Redskins traveling to Big D to take on the Dallas Cowboys, with the night-cap ending in The Big East as the Saints host the Falcons at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Yes, there are still almost three full months until mini-camps, but just this simple announcement of the NFL schedules already has football fans dreaming of fall.