NFL TV Schedule Week 1: Where and When to Catch Every Season Opener

Prepare your TV for extensive use. Thursday night’s Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos matchup kicks off the 2013 NFL football season prior to an exciting weekend of action.

Finally, football is back.

Most of the games in this year’s first week will go down early Sunday afternoon. We'll be treated to not two, not three but four prime-time games that will be nationally televised.

You can catch the first two Thursday and Sunday on NBC. The other two will be on ESPN on Monday Night Football’s season-opening doubleheader.

Here’s a look at those highly anticipated contests and a schedule for every Week 1 matchup. Keep in mind that Sunday’s games are limited to specific viewing areas—that is, unless you have DirecTV or are wisely planning to spend the afternoon at your local watering hole.

 

Opening Night: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colo.

When: Thursday, Sept. 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

What better way to start off the 2013 NFL season than by replaying last year’s dramatic AFC divisional round game between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens? Joe Flacco and the Ravens got the better of Peyton Manning and the Broncos in a thrilling double-overtime shootout.

Will the results be similar this time around? Both teams have gone through a series of key changes during the offseason, so the feel of this matchup could be a little different in some key ways.

Denver’s defense took a hit recently when Von Miller was suspended for the first six games of the season, according to ESPN. The team also lost Elvis Dumervil to free agency—to the Ravens, actually—after a fax machine debacle allowed the dynamic pass-rusher to hit the open market.

The Ravens defense went through a bigger overhaul, though. After losing Ray Lewis to retirement and Ed Reed to free agency, we'll have to wait and see whether they'll be up to the challenge of stopping the high-profile Broncos passing attack.

Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

When: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

The NFC East figures to be one of the most competitive divisions in football again in 2013.

For some reason, Eli Manning feels right at home at AT&T Stadium. The rival quarterback is unbeaten in his last three appearances in Arlington despite being an underdog in each matchup.

On paper, though, the Dallas Cowboys appear to be on the verge of some special things in 2013. Tony Romo, recently awarded a massive contract extension, could finally flourish in new offensive coordinator Bill Callahan’s system. Defensively, they're loaded with talent and made the switch to the 4-3 front.

For the New York Giants, though, there wasn't much to get excited about this offseason. Sometimes steady wins the race, and that’s what Manning and friends are hoping for again this year. If the offensive line can keep him upright, they'll have a shot—like they always do—of getting the better of the Cowboys.

Monday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.

When: Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:55 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Two mobile quarterbacks, Chip Kelly and Mike Shanahan walk into a bar...

Monday night's matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins will be the punch line.

While it could be ugly in favor of the D.C. hosts, the potential for a slugfest is very, very real. No one really knows how Mike Vick will look in Kelly’s new offense on the big stage of prime time, but it’s going to be fun seeing it play out.

Griffin's return to the field raises its own questions. Will Shanahan cut down on the read-option to protect him, or will he roll the dice to keep Kelly’s defense guessing?

The one thing we do know is the Eagles defense is young and doesn't look very good. That should help Griffin ease back into the saddle and have a big return.

Monday Night Football: Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

When: Monday, Sept. 9 at 10:20 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

This season isn’t going to be easy for the San Diego Chargers. Injuries are piling up in the wide receiver corps, and running back Ryan Mathews is one injury away from being flushed out of the league. Mix in continued uncertainty along the offensive line, and Philip Rivers is quickly approaching the end of his rope.

For the Houston Texans, Monday night is a great opportunity. Their defense has looked decent all summer despite missing crucial pieces, so getting everyone on the field together will be a relief. Then, there’s rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins—the savior of the passing game.

Hopkins finally passed the fifth round of tests after sustaining a concussion during Week 2 of the preseason and has been cleared to make his NFL debut Monday night, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle:

If Matt Schaub can get him involved and the Texans click early, it could be rough night in SoCal for the hosts. Luckily, most of us will be sleeping on the East Coast and will be able to pick up the highlights Tuesday morning on ESPN on Tuesday morning.