São Paulo, Brazil— The National Football League is always looking for different ways to expand its brand. That’s why the NFL has taken its product to São Paulo, Brazil. Tonight’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles will be the first ever regular season match played in South America. It’s also the first Friday night game during opening week for the NFL since 1970.
Safety concerns have taken some of the luster off tonight’s game. Players from both teams have gone on record in saying they do not feel safe in Brazil. Gun violence and crime rates in Brazil are among the highest in the Latin America. Metropolitan Sao Paulo has also faced a wave of cellphone thefts. Sao Paulo state’s government is working with U.S. authorities to beef up security efforts for this historic match up.
If all goes well, fans should expect to see an entertaining game. Both teams reached the playoffs last season and are expected to contend for a championship this season.
It’s show and prove time for he Eagles. Last year, Philadelphia won 10 of its first 11 games. They fell into a slump towards the end of the season, losing six out of their last seven – including a 32 – 9 first round playoff thumping at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During the offseason, Philadelphia hired Kellen Moore to be the new offensive coordinator. The team also signed one of the most explosive running backs the NFL has to offer in Saquon Barkley. On paper, The Eagles have improved from last season.
Meanwhile, The Packers have found their new franchise quarterback in Jordan Love. Last year was his first season as a full-time starter. During Green Bay’s last 10 games, Love produced 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The Packers made it to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs. The team rewarded Love with a new four-year, $220 million extension. The 25-year-old will make a league high $55 million this season. Can he live up to that lucrative contract?
Tonight’s game kicks off in São Paulo, Brazil at 8:15 p.m. ET, exclusively on Peacock.
Below is a full list of the NFL’s Week 1 schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 5
Baltimore Ravens 20 Kansas City Chiefs 27
Friday, Sept. 6
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (São Paulo, Brazil): 8:15 p.m. ET (Peacock exclusive)
Sunday, Sept. 8
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants: 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks: 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns: 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. (ET NBC)
Monday, Sept. 9
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers: 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC)
Desmond Purnell
