The NFL season is back: These are the Week 1 games you won’t want to miss led by a Super Bowl rematch

The NFL season begins this week with the opening kickoff set for Wednesday, September 9th, featuring a Super Bowl rematch as the defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots .

This marks the first time since 2012 that the league has launched its campaign on a Wednesday rather than the traditional Thursday night slot; back in 2012, the shift was designed to avoid overlapping with a speech by then-President Barack Obama , but this year's calendar change stems from a truly historic milestone as the NFL stages its very first regular-season game in Australia , featuring Super Bowl favorites the Los Angeles Rams squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers .

Because of the international time zone difference, that groundbreaking matchup will take place on a Friday local time in Australia , but will broadcast back in the United States on Thursday night in a special primetime window mimicking Thursday Night Football .

Rounding out the marquee primetime slate for Week 1 are the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants on Sunday night, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs clashing with the Denver Broncos .

Must-Watch Week 1 Matchups and Historic Opening Weekend Betting Trends

While those four primetime spectacles anchor the weekend lineup with championship rematches and heavy-hitting divisional showdowns, the remaining 12 games on the slate offer plenty of high-stakes drama.

Opening the early afternoon window is a heavyweight clash that carries legitimate postseason implications as the Buffalo Bills hit the road to battle the Houston Texans . Watching elite quarterback Josh Allen match wits against one of the most ferocious defenses in professional football provides the absolute crown jewel of the early slate.

Later in the day, the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers promise a high-scoring aerial showcase featuring former first overall picks Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield slinging the rock.

The afternoon window also delivers two crucial divisional battles with the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles welcoming the Washington Commanders , pairing four franchises expected to fight tooth and nail for playoff positioning.

For Minnesota, this contest marks Kyler Murray's debut under center as head coach Kevin O'Connell attempts to rejuvenate the veteran's career much like he did with Sam Darnold before his departure to Seattle.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia tests life after A.J. Brown's departure to New England , while Washington welcomes back dynamic quarterback Jayden Daniels , who was limited to just seven appearances last year during his sophomore campaign following a stellar 2024 Rookie of the Year run.

For all the betting enthusiasts tracking early trends, history shows that since the 2000 season, the Philadelphia Eagles have been the kings of opening weekend, racking up a league-high 18 Week 1 victories , and they will look to add to that total at home against Washington.

The Patriots and 49ers sit closely behind them with 17 opening-day wins apiece over that same span. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Cleveland Browns hold the fewest Week 1 wins since 2000 with just 3 victories, trailed by the Giants with 8.