All 32 teams will play their games this weekend in the United States.
That is worth noting since it is only time in the opening seven weeks this season that there will not be at least one game played outside the USA.
Why so many (9) international games? Last week’s Rams-49ers match-up in Australia is one example why Commissioner Goodell and the owners want to continue to bring our great sport to as many countries as is practical. The 49ers’ win started at 10:30 AM on a workday last Friday morning in Melbourne in front of 100,000 fans in one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world. Globally, the matchup drew 21.7 million viewers on Netflix, with fans from more than 200 countries and territories tuning into the first ever NFL regular season game in Australia.
“We always had a high expectation that this game in Melbourne would be successful,” says Commissioner Goodell who was in attendance. “However, this experience exceeded it in every way. I think this success is going to open doors to more games, not just in Australia, but in other international markets as well.”
Not all the Kickoff Weekend’s excitement occurred overseas. For example:
- NFL alums Kevin O’Connell (Vikings), Dan Campbell (Lions), and Aaron Glenn (Jets) all were winning head coaches on Sunday. Also, rookie Coach Mike LaFleur became the first Cardinals head coach to win his debut game since 1973. The Cards beat the Chargers 26-14 Sunday on the road. The Cardinals’ 12 permanent head coaches immediately prior to LaFleur all had lost their team opener.
- The Bears’ 59-37 win on the road against the Panthers was the highest scoring Week 1 game in NFL history. The 96 points surpassed the previous high of 88 points scored by the Bucs and Saints in Week 1 to start the 2018 season. Both Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bucs) and Drew Brees (Saints) passed for more than 400 yards that game which was won by the Bucs 48-40.
- The Jets and Giants both won their Week 1 game in same season for first time since 2009. Some excited New York fans already are making Super Bowl travel plans.
The Week 2 schedule kicks off Thursday night when the Lions travel to Buffalo to play the Bills in the first regular season game in the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The NFL excitement will continue for the remainder of the season.
