The NFL on Wednesday released the schedule of the 2019 season which will begin September 5. CGTN has selected five games for you to keep an eye in the upcoming season.
Week 1, September 5: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears completes a backward sack of Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers while being blocked by Jason Spriggs #78 in the game at the Soldier Field, December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears completes a backward sack of Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers while being blocked by Jason Spriggs #78 in the game at the Soldier Field, December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
For the first time since 2003, the defending champions – the New England Patriots – will not play in the season opener. Instead, the Packers and the Bears will meet for their 199th contest at Soldier Field.
With their their core defensive players in tact so far, and another year with Matt Nagy working with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears will be looking not to have a repeat of their first game last season, when they watched the Packers come back from being 20 points behind. As for Green Bay, the team lost Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb before infusing some new blood in defense. How long they'll go under new coach Matt LaFleur remains to be seen.
Week 2, September 12: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams
Todd Gurley II #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball and dives forward in the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, November 4, 2018. /VCG Photo
Todd Gurley II #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball and dives forward in the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, November 4, 2018. /VCG Photo
After what happened at the NFC Championship Game on January 20, this rematch between the two teams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has been confirmed as one of the most eye-catching competition of the new season. For the Saints, who lost their Super Bowl ticket that day, they won't need any motivation against the Rams. Besides the history, the contest between the two quarterbacks, 40-year-old Drew Brees (Saints) and 24-year-old Jared Goff (Rams) also deserves attention.
Week 6, October 10: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Danny Etling #5 of the New England Patriots in action in the game against the New York Giants at the MetLife Stadium, August 30, 2018. /VCG Photo
Danny Etling #5 of the New England Patriots in action in the game against the New York Giants at the MetLife Stadium, August 30, 2018. /VCG Photo
It's true that the two teams are in totally different positions right now – the Giants only won five games last season while the Patriots won the Super Bowl. However, let's not forget that this game at Gillette Stadium might be Eli Manning's last, which means it may be his last matchup against Tom Brady.
The Patriots played nine Super Bowls in the 21st century and won six of them, but two of their three losses were delivered by the Giants. By the way, Manning was the MVP in both games. Manning and his Giants are probably two of the last things that Brady and coach Bill Belichick want to remember.
Week 8, October 27: Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots
Running back James White #28 of the New England Patriots drives around defensive end Jamie Meder #98 of the Cleveland Browns in the game at the FirstEnergy Stadium, October 9, 2016. /VCG Photo
Running back James White #28 of the New England Patriots drives around defensive end Jamie Meder #98 of the Cleveland Browns in the game at the FirstEnergy Stadium, October 9, 2016. /VCG Photo
Are the Browns ready to be the new public enemy of the whole American Football Conference (AFC)? We will find out after their game against the defending champions at Gillette Stadium. After Baker Mayfield finally emerged as a viable quarterback, Cleveland also traded for introduced Odell Beckham Jr. who will join Jarvis Landry to make up one of the best wide receiver tandems.
If the Browns can take down the Patriots at Gillette Stadium, even it's just in the regular season, they will prove that Cleveland deserves to be envied and hated by the rest of the AFC.
Week 14, September 8: Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots
Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots in action in the game agaisnt the Kansas City Chiefs at the Arrowhead Stadium, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots in action in the game agaisnt the Kansas City Chiefs at the Arrowhead Stadium, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
In his third season, Patrick Mahomes will once again challenge Tom Brady. The last time the two teams played each other was in the AFC Championship Game on January 20. Brady and the Patriots claimed the final victory after overtime in which Mahomes did not even get to play. The 24-year-old, 2018 NFL MVP Mahomes will again meet 42-year-old Brady, who will be without Rob Gronkowski this year, after the tight end announced his retirement. Additionally, because this game is in Week 14, there is a good chance for the result to determine which team will be the No.1 seed of the AFC.