The NFL has today revealed the first regular season game of the 2019 season - and it won't include the defending champion New England Patriots.
As announced at Monday's owner's meeting, the Chicago Bears will host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, September 5 to kickoff the new season, while the Patriots host the Sunday Night game on September 8. Both games will be broadcast by NBC.
The Super Bowl champs traditionally host the NFL’s Thursday night regular season opener, but the league is doing things a bit differently this year in celebration of their 100th year.
The Thursday night opener between the Bears and Packers will be the 198th meeting between the two teams, including regular and postseason contests, and the 34th time that they've opened up the season against each other. To date, the Packers own a 97-95-7 series lead.
The Bears lost to the Packers on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field to kickoff last season, but they bounced back to clinch the NFC North title with a 24-17 victory over Green Bay at Soldier Field on December 16. Chicago finished the year with a 12-4 mark, while the Pack went 6-9-1.
As for the defending champs, their Week 1 opponent has not yet been announced. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New England will learn the details of their Sunday Night matchup later this spring when the full 2019 regular season schedule is revealed.