The NFL will be breaking recent tradition for its centennial season.
The league announced Monday that the 2019 season opener will be the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, September 5 at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
On the one hand, it’s a fitting way to kick off the league’s 100th season, by pitting two of the original NFL franchises and one of sports’ best rivalries on the big stage. But this is a break from tradition, as the league typically has given that Thursday slot to the defending Super Bowl champions in their home stadiums.