The 2018 NFL season is quickly approaching and we got one step closer to kick-off on Thursday night as the NFL released the official schedule for the entire season. Like the league has done in years past, the reigning Super Bowl champions will kick things off on the Thursday night as the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Atlanta Falcons on the Thursday night before every other team in the league makes their season debut on Sunday or Monday.
While we won’t get a chance to see a rematch of last year’s exciting battle between the Eagles and the New England Patriots, there are plenty of other fantastic matchups to look forward to this upcoming NFL season, and a lot of them take place early on in the year.
New Los Angeles Rams' Revenge Games
The Los Angeles Rams made a lot of big moves this past offseason, with two of the biggest coming at the cornerback position in Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, and their new duo will get a chance to get revenge on their former teams during the regular season. The Rams will visit the Denver Broncos during Week 6 of the season, while the Kansas City Chiefs pay a visit to the Rams during Week 11.
Jon Gruden Returns Behind The Bench
Jon Gruden is back in the league as a head coach as he returns to the Oakland Raiders’ bench for the first time since 2001 and he’ll be in the spotlight for his debut as the Raiders host the Los Angeles Rams in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday Night Football.
Jimmy Graham Returns to Seattle
Jimmy Graham enters his ninth NFL season with his third club as he signed a three-year deal with the Green Bay Packers this past offseason. While he won’t get to play against the team that drafted him, he’ll be heading back to Seattle next year to play the Seahawks during Week 11.
Three Games in London, One in Mexico
There will be three games played in London this year and one in Mexico City. The first of three games in London will be between the Oakland Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks and will take place at the new Tottenham Stadium on October 14. The other two games will take place at Wembley Stadium and the first one will feature the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 28, and will be followed up by the Los Angeles Chargers vs. the Tennessee Titans on October 21. As for the Mexico City game, that will feature the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, November 19.
American Thanksgiving
One of the best traditions in the NFL comes on American Thanksgiving. This year, the first game of the day will feature the Detroit Lions hosting the Chicago Bears, which will be followed up by the Washington Redskins playing the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, while the late night spotlight will be on the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.
Minnesota Miracle Rematch
The Minnesota Vikings shocked the New Orleans Saints in one of the most exciting football games we’ve seen in a while and they’ll get to do it all again during Week 8 this season when the Saints head back to Minnesota.
Richard Sherman Plays Seattle Twice
Richard Sherman was the face of the Seattle Seahawks for the past few years, but the organization shocked football fans around the world when they released the four-time Pro Bowler this past offseason. A few days later he signed with the San Francisco 49ers and he’ll get to play his former team twice next year, Week 13 and Week 15.
AFC Conference Championship Rematch
The Jacksonville Jaguars came within one win from clinching a spot in last year's Super Bowl, but thanks to the late heroics by Tom Brady they ended up falling short against the New England Patriots. The Jags won’t have to wait very long for a chance at redemption as they host the Patriots in their home opening during Week 2.
These are just a few of the great matchups to look forward to this season and should make for another exciting year of football.
(H/T NFL)
