NFL to announce Kickoff weekend Monday - Week 1 speculation

[richpats]

The NFL is supposed to announce its nationally-televised games for opening weekend this Monday. I have this feeling we are going to Seattle for the late Monday Night game.

Other hunches:

Dallas at Cleveland 4:15pm Sunday
Chicago at Indianapolis 8:15pm Sunday (Lucas Oil Field unveiling)
Green Bay at Tampa Bay 7pm Monday

Thoughts?

 

[upstater1]

It would be good to get one of the West Coast games out of the way in the very first week, but on the other hand, Monday night AND West Coast???!!!

That's just wrong.

 

[richpats]

It would be good to get one of the West Coast games out of the way in the very first week, but on the other hand, Monday night AND West Coast???!!!

That's just wrong.

So is losing the Super Bowl and going 18-1. Such is life.

 

[PatsDeb]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the NFL is going to "snub" the Pats on opening weekend (i.e. not give them a "featured" game). I predict a 1:00 game against Miami or Buffalo.

 

[ScottieC]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the NFL is going to "snub" the Pats on opening weekend (i.e. not give them a "featured" game). I predict a 1:00 game against Miami or Buffalo.

No way. The NFL is all about $$'s and the Patriots brought in record TV revenue's and some of, if not the, largest TV audiences in league history (from Regular Season to SB).

They will continue to capitalize on that trend as the Pats continue to add to their Regular Season Win Streak AND the networks will continue to FLEX the Pats as often as possible, up to the allowed limit.

I hope, for the players sake, that we do have 1pm games. I like beating up on teams early afternoon, it MUCH easier on my heart and mind.

 

[TedyB54]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the NFL is going to "snub" the Pats on opening weekend (i.e. not give them a "featured" game). I predict a 1:00 game against Miami or Buffalo.

You know, I really wouldn't mind that. I think the Pats dealt with more than enough time last season under the microscope, it would be nice for the media to try and burn someone else down for a change.

The national fan base has obviously had enough of the Patriots being given the spotlight, let them get sick of the Colts or the Giants or some other team this time so that the media just leaves us alone.

 

[theONLYJerseypatsfan]

I hope, for the players sake, that we do have 1pm games. I like beating up on teams early afternoon, it MUCH easier on my heart and mind.

I agree with you 100%. The anticipation for those sunday night games week after week sucked!

 

[ScottieC]

You know, I really wouldn't mind that. I think the Pats dealt with more than enough time last season under the microscope, it would be nice for the media to try and burn someone else down for a change.

The national fan base has obviously had enough of the Patriots being given the spotlight, let them get sick of the Colts or the Giants or some other team this time so that the media just leaves us alone.

Yea, I agree 100%. But I'm afraid It's not going to happen, our offense is still way to powerful to not be a featured game.

Moss and Brady alone guarantee a Primetime time slot.

But I'm hoping for lots of 1pm games - and a 6pm EST game on Feb 1st, 2009.

 

[AFPatsFan12]

New England at Seattle is considered a somewhat marquee game, and ESPN hasn't really snagged a marquee game for it's late doubleheader yet (San Diego-Oakland and Arizona-San Francisco). I'd say this game is scheduled for Week 16, since an AFC team has played in Seattle in Week 16 for something like the past three years in a row.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the NFL held back the opening of Lucas Oil for a week or even 2, just to ensure that all construction/logistical planning is finalized. Having said that, my guess would be something like:

Sunday CBS Main 1PM Game: (Can't be a 4PM game due to the US Open): New York Jets @ New England -- New England is going to be a big numbers draw whenever they play a primetime game, and opening weekend is going to draw big numbers regardless of who plays, so there's no need to used up a primetime appearance on them opening weekend...

Sunday FOX Main 1PM Game: Green Bay @ New Orleans
Sunday FOX Main 4PM Game: Dallas @ Pittsburgh
Sunday NBC 8PM Game: Indianapolis @ San Diego

Monday ESPN 7PM Game: Cleveland @ Jacksonville
Monday ESPN 10PM Game: Seattle @ Arizona

 

[ScottieC]

I agree with you 100%. The anticipation for those sunday night games week after week sucked!

Yea, Throw in all that perfect season drama and I could barely think by 8pm on Sunday's. And forget the Monday games, I was worthless at work on those Mondays.

 

[Sivy]

how about colts vs patriots. Get that stress out of the way early, wait they wont do that, they need them to both be undefeated by time they play mid season.

 

[richpats]

how about colts vs patriots. Get that stress out of the way early, wait they wont do that, they need them to both be undefeated by time they play mid season.

That seems to be a Week 9 lock (which would be 4 years running). The only question is, what network gets it? NBC, CBS or ESPN?

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the NFL is going to "snub" the Pats on opening weekend (i.e. not give them a "featured" game). I predict a 1:00 game against Miami or Buffalo.

i would doubt it. patriots are still the NFL's rating kings

 

[ScottieC]

That seems to be a Week 9 lock (which would be 4 years running). The only question is, what network gets it? NBC, CBS or ESPN?

With the Hype, All three networks and a simulcast on NFL Network......AND it will be a Monday night game. Yikes.

You won't be able to get away from the 'Joe's Diner' commercials promoting if for weeks prior - BTW I loved those commercials last year.

 

[richpats]

With the Hype, All three networks and a simulcast on NFL Network......AND it will be a Monday night game. Yikes.

You won't be able to get away from the 'Joe's Diner' commercials promoting if for weeks prior - BTW I loved those commercials last year.

I'm not looking forward to those this year....how much crap is that Patriot fan going to get from turtleneck-boy?

 

[ScottieC]

I'm not looking forward to those this year....how much crap is that Patriot fan going to get from turtleneck-boy?

Yea, True. But our Patriot Fan is the ultimate Smart *****, so I have a good feeling that he will keep him in-check.

 

[richpats]

Yea, True. But our Patriot Fan is the ultimate Smart *****, so I have a good feeling that he will keep him in-check.

I don't know, that loss is kind of hard to spin.

 

[Mr.Muhozi]

I agree with you 100%. The anticipation for those sunday night games week after week sucked!

same for me, worst was the superbowl having to wait until 1 am then staying up till 4 am, losing then going to college at 8am to meet many of my friends who wanted pats to lose

 

[patsfan39]

eh..none of the matchups excites me. Maybe the cleveland and dallas game would be fun to watch, two great offenses that can potentially be a shootout

 

[JoePats]

That seems to be a Week 9 lock (which would be 4 years running). The only question is, what network gets it? NBC, CBS or ESPN?

It's ESPN's turn, which would be Monday night. It's week 9 because they like to put it right after the World Series, kind of as a kickoff to the football only part of the calendar.