Love sustained an injury to his lower left leg and was helped off the field with six seconds left in Friday night's season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo.

The Athletic reported that an ankle injury has been ruled out and the Packers are in "wait-and-see" mode until further testing. After the game, coach Matt LaFleur twice answered "I don't know" when asked about Love's status.

Love had just completed a 33-yard pass to Jayden Reed at midfield while trying to rally the Packers. When he dropped back to pass on the next snap, he was hit by Eagles defenders Josh Sweat and Jalen Carter and appeared to twist his leg while falling to the ground.

Backup Malik Willis, acquired in a trade last week with the Tennessee Titans, replaced Love and threw an incompletion before taking a sack on the final play.

Love, who signed a four-year, $220 million contract on July 26, finished with 260 yards on 17-of-34 passing with two touchdowns and an interception.

"That's the franchise right there," Green Bay defensive tackle Kenny Clark said after the game. "Hopefully, he can be back next week and he can be all right."

Love, 25, and the Packers host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two scores and added a touchdown catch in the first NFL game ever played in South America. Jalen Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and A.J. Brown had five catches for 119 yards and one TD.

Jordan Love and Jayden Reed powered the Packers in a game that featured seven lead changes. Love threw for 260 yards, two TDs and one pick on 17-of-34 passing. Reed had 171 yards from scrimmage with two scores. Josh Jacobs added 84 yards on 16 carries in his first game for Green Bay.

Trailing by five, the Packers took possession with 22 seconds left. Love got Green Bay to midfield with a 33-yard pass to Reed, but the QB had to be helped off the field on the following play with an apparent leg injury. Backup Malik Willis came on in relief but threw an incompletion and took a sack to end the game.

The Packers led 6-0 after the first quarter but left points on the table. The Eagles turned it over deep in their own end on their first two drives but limited Green Bay to two field goals by Brayden Narveson. The Packers also had an opening-drive TD catch by Reed nullified by a penalty.

The lead changed hands four times in the second quarter as Barkley and Reed both scored TDs rushing and receiving, the first time in NFL history two players did that in the same quarter.

After Hurts' 18-yard pass to Barkley put the Eagles up 7-6, Reed's 33-yard end-around scamper made it 12-7 for Green Bay.

Barkley's 11-yard run gave Philadelphia a brief 14-12 edge with 5:34 left in the half. Just 23 seconds later, Love found a wide-open Reed for a career-long 70-yard touchdown pass and a 19-14 lead.

Jake Elliott's 38-yard field goal on the final play of the half trimmed the Eagles' deficit to 19-17.

Hurts and Brown hooked up for a 67-yard TD on the second snap of the second half as Philadelphia retook the lead at 24-19.

Love kept the seesaw going with a 2-yard TD toss to Christian Watson for a 26-24 advantage.

Barkley's 2-yard TD run put Philadelphia back in front 31-26 with 4:26 left in the third quarter.

A 26-yard field goal by Narveson pulled Green Bay to within 31-29 midway through the fourth quarter.

Elliott's 21-yard field goal put Philadelphia ahead 34-29 and capped a clock-draining, 16-play drive with 27 seconds to go.

An average of 28.9 million people watched the game, which the host Chiefs won 27-20 when an apparent last-second Ravens touchdown was overturned on a video review.

The NFL first started Thursday openers in 2002. The previous high rating for one of those contests was 27.6 million in 2015, when the New England Patriots opposed the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last year's Thursday opener, in which the Detroit Lions upset the Chiefs, was seen by 27.5 million.

The total from the Chiefs-Ravens game included 24.3 million watching on NBC plus 4.6 million viewers on Peacock plus NFL and NBC streaming options.

Viewership reached its high point in the second quarter at 33 million, around 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET. The game didn't end until nearly midnight ET due in part to a pregame weather delay.

According to NBC, among the 44 markets whose ratings were available, the biggest markets for the game were Kansas City (43.4 rating, 80 share), Baltimore (24.5, 60), Denver (18.0, 50), St. Louis (17.0, 46) and Norfolk, Va. (16.9, 49). The rating is the percent of all televisions in the market watching, while the share is the percent of television in use at the time that were watching.

Mariota will miss the Commanders' game against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after he failed to participate in his second consecutive practice due to chest and pectoral injuries. Jeff Driskel will step in as the backup to rookie Jayden Daniels against the Buccaneers.

Mariota, 30, was signed to a one-year, $6 million contract with Washington in the offseason.

Selected by Tennessee with the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota compiled a 29-32 record as a starter for the Titans from 2015-19 and went 5-8 as the starter for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.

Mariota completed 15 of 23 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception in three games as Jalen Hurts' backup with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon, Mariota has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 15,820 yards, 93 touchdowns and 55 interceptions in 90 games (74 starts) for the Titans, Las Vegas Raiders (2020-21), Falcons and Eagles.

Pringle, 30, played all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023 and caught 14 passes for 161 yards.

He has gained 2,431 all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 74 career games (13 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21), Chicago Bears (2022) and Commanders.

Undrafted in 2018, Pringle won the Super Bowl LIV championship with the Chiefs.

Also on Friday, the Commanders listed rookie defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton as doubtful to play in the season opener due to a foot injury.

Pitts was limited in practice on Wednesday as he dealt with a hamstring injury.

Inside linebacker Nate Landman also was a full participant in practice on Friday after being limited the previous two days due to a quad injury.

Also on Friday, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham were limited while being listed for rest purposes. Defensive tackles David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett did not practice on Friday for the same reason.

The Falcons officially ruled out defensive back Antonio Hamilton due to a groin injury. He was a limited participant on Thursday before failing to practice on Friday.

Pitts was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, when he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one touchdown, but his production had tailed off in the two seasons since, in part due to MCL and PCL injuries suffered midway through his sophomore campaign.

Pitts, 23, has totaled 149 receptions for 2,049 yards and six touchdowns over 44 career games (40 starts) while catching passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke in the past two seasons.

Landman, 25, recorded a career-high 110 tackles to go with three forced fumbles and two sacks in 16 games (14 starts) last season.

Wilson has been limited in practice as he deals with tightness in his calf.

"Just felt a little tight. Wanted to be smart about it," Wilson said on Friday about limiting himself in practice, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Obviously, for the game on Sunday, hoping I get to be in it. Trying to get ready to go. ... Doing everything we can."

Wilson acknowledged he didn't tax himself too much in Friday's session.

Fourth-year quarterback Justin Fields would get the nod if Wilson is unable to play against the Falcons.

When asked if he is preparing as if he will start on Sunday, Fields said, "I have the same process every week because I learned my rookie year how fast things can change. I remember my ... rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds. It looked like a normal play but he tweaked his knee. Right then and there I was in (the game). I always prepare like I'm the starter."

Wilson, 35, was named to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 10 seasons (2012-21) with the Seattle Seahawks. Traded to the Denver Broncos before the 2022 season in a blockbuster deal, Wilson went 11-19 as a starter with Denver and was released earlier this year.

In 188 career starts, Wilson has posted a 115-72-1 record. He's thrown for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns to go with 106 interceptions and has engineered 39 game-winning drives.

He has also rushed for 5,307 yards and added 29 touchdowns.

Fields was the No. 11 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bears, but Chicago decided to move on from the 25-year-old after three seasons.

He has a 10-28 record in 40 games (38 starts) and has thrown for 6,674 yards with 40 TDs and 30 interceptions. He has rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the Bills on Brown, who was set to play out the final year of his rookie contract going into the season opener Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.

Buffalo selected Brown in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Northern Iowa.

Brown, 26, has started 41 of 44 regular-season games in which he has played for the Bills, including all 31 the past two seasons. He also started all six playoff games the past three seasons.

The 6-foot-8, 311-pound Brown played on 100 percent of the offensive snaps (1,161) in 2023, when the Bills led the league in fewest sacks allowed (24).

Freiermuth's representation, Athletes First, announced the transaction over Instagram on Friday. The new deal comes two days before the Steelers open the season against the host Atlanta Falcons.

Freiermuth, 25, recorded 32 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (nine starts) last season.

He has totaled 155 receptions for 1,537 yards and 11 scores in 44 games (26 starts) since Pittsburgh picked him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State.

The three-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Titans in July after an injury-plagued four-year run with the Seattle Seahawks.

Adams, 28, missed practice for the third straight day Friday. Undrafted rookie Julius Wood could move up the depth chart at strong safety on Sunday.

Drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2017, Adams made three straight Pro Bowls (2018-20) and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2019 before getting derailed by injuries.

Adams sustained a torn quadriceps in Seattle's 2022 opener and did not return that season. He missed eight more games last season.

In 80 career games (all starts) with the Jets (2017-19) and Seahawks, Adams recorded 494 tackles, 21.5 sacks and four interceptions.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) has been a limited participant in practice this week and is questionable for Sunday. Linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) has been ruled out.

Weaver, 23, did not participate in practices Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Cardinals' depth chart lists Weaver as the backup to starting wide receiver Greg Dortch, with the other starters being Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., the team's top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Arizona signed Weaver as an undrafted free agent. He caught 68 passes for 908 yards and four touchdowns, and ran twice for 15 yards and two scores, in 11 games as a senior for Colorado last season.

He played from 2019-22 for South Florida and totaled 116 receptions for 1,735 yards and eight touchowns.

Likely caught nine passes for 111 yards but his 10th catch was nullified when he landed out of bounds. The NFL's leading receiver when he woke up on Friday, Likely warned the Chiefs that their collective best is yet to come.

"This is the worst we are going to play, so if this is the best they got, good luck in the postseason," Lively said to the Ravens' AFC rivals.

Likely, 24, might be hearing from the NFL during the extended break before the Sept. 15 home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. When he exited the field at Arrowhead Stadium and entered the covered tunnel on Thursday night, cameras and microphones picked up Likely screaming a few choice expletives at a fan.

According to NFL Operations, fines can be levied if players fail to "conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, themselves, their fellow players, the fans and the league."

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson was fined by the team last November for shoving an Eagles' fan during a loss at Philadelphia despite claiming he was subject to a "life-threatening" remark.

Likely was expected to play second fiddle to Mark Andrews but after playing a larger role in the latter's absence due to injury in 2023, he led the team with 12 targets as a receiver and delivered a highlight-worthy pancake block that drew a smile from coach John Harbaugh.

"I thought it was a touchdown," quarterback Lamar Jackson said. "I still think it's a touchdown."

NFL replay is automatic after touchdowns and multiple replays caught Likely landing on the white paint separating the end zone from out of bounds.

Likely said he has to "live with the call" and took responsibility for not getting his feet down.

He also caught some unsolicited footwear advice from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"(You) just have to wear white cleats next time. That's my advice for him," Mahomes said.

Steichen added Downs is progressing well from the ankle injury that he sustained during a training camp practice on Aug. 7. Downs, however, did not participate in practice this week.

Wideouts Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell are expected to carry the bulk of the workload in place of Downs, who caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) during his rookie season in 2023.

While Steichen was quick to declare the 23-year-old Downs as out for Sunday's game, he kept the door open for kicker Matt Gay. The Colts plan to monitor the status of Gay over the next two days as he works his way back from hernia surgery.

Spencer Shrader, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, would step in should Gay be unavailable to kick against the Texans.

Gay, 30, made 35 of 36 PATs in 2023 and converted on 33 of 41 field-goal attempts. Only three of the misses were inside 50 yards.

Higgins, playing this season on the franchise tag, "tweaked his hamstring" on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, head coach Zac Taylor said.

Meanwhile wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who finally returned to practice this week, called himself a "game-time decision" ahead of Sunday's season opener against the visiting New England Patriots.

Chase told reporters Friday he would consider playing without a new contract, but that he would likely be "limited" if he takes the field.

"I'm confident it'll get done," Chase said of his ongoing negotiations for an extension. "I know my worth. They know my worth."

A reporter asked Chase about reports he is seeking one penny more than Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson's four-year, $140 million extension.

"If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I'm going to beat the (expletive) out of Justin," Chase answered. "Not by a penny, brother."

The Bengals had both of their star wideouts on the field together for just two practices -- Wednesday and Thursday -- because of Chase's contract dispute.

While Higgins signed his franchise tender in July and participated in training camp, Chase isn't pleased to be playing the 2024 season at a base salary just over $1 million.

Higgins said "I feel great" when asked about his hamstring injury and appearance on the injury report on Thursday. He went as far as to rate his condition as "the best I've felt heading into Week 1" in his career.

Hamstring injuries are not new and Higgins has been listed on the injury report at least one game at some point every season because of it.

Taylor was not ready to declare Higgins available for Sunday's game.

"We'll see," Taylor said.

Taylor said the other injury development since Wednesday was defensive tackle Kris Jenkins undergoing thumb surgery. Jenkins is out but will be reevaluated before Week 2.

The Eagles will try to extend that success in a different hemisphere in Friday night's unprecedented Week 1 date with the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the first NFL regular-season game in South America.

"It's going to be good for us to go play in a neutral site and handle the different things that pop up in the NFL," Sirianni said.

"... There are things you can't control. What we can control is our effort, we can control our attitude, we can control our core values, and we're going to focus on that this week."

ODDS & TRENDS

The Eagles are consensus 2.0-point favorites. That includes at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 70 percent of the spread-line bets and 67 percent of the money.

Philadelphia's -136 moneyline has been event more popular, drawing 72 and 67 percent of the action, respectively.

The public is expecting a high-scoring clash, with 74 percent of the money backing the Over at 49 points.

PROP PICK

Saquon Barkley Anytime TD (-137): The Eagles' new featured back reaching the end zone at least once on Friday has been the most wagered-on prop for this game at the book, drawing 5.0 percent of all bets and 8.7 percent of all money. Barkley scored 10 total touchdowns in 14 games last season for the Giants, whose offense was hit hard by a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones.

Barkley also leads all players on both teams by a wide margin, drawing 33 percent of the money at DraftKings to be the first player to score a touchdown Friday night.

THE NEWS

Philadelphia won its first eight games and started 13-1 in 2022 en route to advancing to Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles won their first five contests and started 10-1 last season before losing in the wild-card round.

Green Bay is coming off its fourth playoff appearance in five seasons under coach Matt LaFleur. The Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers on a late Christian McCaffrey touchdown run in the divisional round last season after a wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

It's a business trip to Brazil for both teams with no time for sightseeing. The Eagles planned to arrive Wednesday night after a 10-hour flight, hold a walk-through at Corinthians Arena on Thursday and fly straight back to Philadelphia after Friday night's game.

"We're professionals," Eagles receiver A.J. Brown said. "We're down there to win a football game. We're not down there to see the city, do all this other stuff. This is not a vacation. This is a football game."

The Packers arranged a 10-hour direct flight leaving from Green Bay on Wednesday morning and, as the "visiting" team, they held their walk-through Thursday at the Corinthians soccer club's training ground.

"It's not going to be anything crazy that we've never done before, and I would expect the same from Philly," LaFleur said. "... I've only talked to our guys about the Philadelphia Eagles, and what we need to do."

A massive mural of starting quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Jordan Love of the Packers adorns the side of a building in downtown Sao Paulo, but the spotlight in the stadium will be on the running backs.

Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, joined Philadelphia after six seasons and more than 5,000 rushing yards with the division-rival Giants.

Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing leader and also a two-time Pro Bowl pick, signed with Green Bay after five seasons and more than 5,500 rushing yards with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

"I'm just trying to not let it be me, the guy who messes it up," Jacobs said. "That's my biggest thing going into Game 1 is just trying to be very disciplined in my keys, and try to put my little spin on it when I get a chance."

INJURY REPORT

Eagles linebacker Devin White (ankle) and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (hand) will miss Friday's game.

The Packers listed three players as questionable: running backs MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson (hip), and tight end Tucker Kraft (back). Three players who were limited earlier in the week -- receiver Romeo Doubs (hand), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip) and cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring) -- are expected to play.

THEY SAID IT

The quick turnaround time may be disruptive, but it also gives NFL officials and players who are concerned about security some peace of mind.

"I do not want to go to Brazil," Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said on his "Big Play Slay" podcast this week. "They already told us not to leave the hotel. They told us we can't do too much because the crime rate is crazy. NFL, why do you want to send us somewhere where the crime rate is so high?"

SUPER BOWL OR BUST?

The Eagles are among the Super Bowl champion favorites at DraftKings, where they are third among the 32 teams with 10 percent of the money backing them at +1400 to win it all. The Packers have slightly higher odds at +1800, but have drawn a very modest 5 percent of the money wagered.

Kansas City, which won the NFL regular-season opener on Thursday night, leads the way with 17 percent of the money at +450 odds, followed by Detroit with 13 percent at +1200.

PREDICTION

While the Eagles crashed and burned following a hot start last season, the Packers upset the Cowboys in Dallas in the playoffs and nearly knocked off eventual NFC champion San Francisco. Philadelphia enters the season with plenty of questions -- especially focused on its embattled coaching staff -- but the Eagles also have a roster loaded with veteran talent who should handle the unique environment well. --Eagles 27, Packers 24

The $24.1 million average annual value of the deal would push Ramsey just ahead of the Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain II at $24.0 million per season.

Ramsey, who turns 30 next month, had two years and $45.6 million remaining on his previous contract. The latest extension guarantees him an additional $55.3 million, according to Spotrac.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, Ramsey opens his ninth NFL season -- second with Miami -- on Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ramsey recorded three interceptions and 22 tackles in 10 starts for the Dolphins in 2023. He missed the first seven games coming off meniscus surgery in the offseason.

Ramsey has 22 interceptions, 97 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and 474 tackles in 118 games (117 starts) with the Jaguars (2016-19), Los Angeles Rams (2019-22) and Dolphins.

Stille, 26, appeared in five games for the Cardinals in 2023 and recorded eight tackles and one sack.

Undrafted out of Nebraska in 2022, he also played in one game for the Miami Dolphins and six for the Cleveland Browns (with one start) that season.

The Buccaneers also placed defensive Earnest Brown IV on injured reserve due to a rib injury sustained in practice on Wednesday. He will have to miss a minimum of four games.

Brown, 25, recorded 14 tackles in 12 games (three starts) from 2022-23 with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2021 out of Northwestern. He spent 2021 on the practice squad.

Citing a source with direct knowledge of the injury, the report said the 11-year veteran will undergo more testing to determine how much time he will miss.

Van Noy, 33, also was checked for a concussion during the 27-20 loss to the Chiefs and was cleared, but he did not return to the game.

The injury occurred shortly after halftime when Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared to land on Van Noy's head after avoiding a sack. Van Noy was able to walk off the field and finished the game with one tackle and one quarterback hit.

Van Noy re-signed with the Ravens on a two-year deal in April after registering a career-high nine sacks in 14 games (three starts) with Baltimore in 2023.

A two-time Super Bowl champion with New England, Van Noy has tallied 42.5 sacks, 501 tackles, 12 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 143 games (90 starts) with the Detroit Lions (2014-16), Patriots (2016-19, 2021), Miami Dolphins (2020), Los Angeles Chargers (2022) and Ravens.

Outside linebackers David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson could be in line for more playing time in Van Noy's absence. The Ravens host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.

Mahomes needed just 84 yards to eclipse Dawson -- who finished with 28,507 yards while with the Chiefs -- and did so in the second quarter when he found tight end Travis Kelce for a 23-yard pass.

Dawson, a seven-time Pro Bowl quarterback, played 14 of his 19 seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs franchise (including one season with the Dallas Texans, who moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs in 1963). He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Mahomes is in his seventh season as Kansas City's starting quarterback after playing in only one game as a rookie in 2017. He has been named to six Pro Bowl teams, won two MVP awards and led the team to three Super Bowl titles since being selected 10th by the franchise in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson appeared to hit tight end Isaiah Likely for a 10-yard touchdown as time expired but, after video review, Likely was ruled to have landed with the tip of his cleat out of bounds. When officials initially ruled the play a touchdown, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh signaled to go for a two-point conversion rather than attempt to send the game to overtime.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards with a touchdown and an interception, making just enough plays to outlast Jackson and the Ravens in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game.

Rashee Rice caught seven passes for 103 yards for the Chiefs while tight end Travis Kelce caught three passes for 34 yards with girlfriend and pop star Taylor Swift in attendance.

After each team scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the game and combined for three field goals in the second quarter, the Chiefs took a 20-10 lead on the first drive of the second half on a 1-yard run by Isiah Pacheco.

Under pressure for much of the game behind an offensive line with three new starters, Jackson scrambled to his right and hit Likely for a 49-yard touchdown to cut the margin to three on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Jackson completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards with a touchdown and added 122 yards rushing on 16 carries.

On the ensuing drive, Worthy came up with perhaps the biggest play of the game, hauling in a pass from Mahomes on a second-and-10 play from the Baltimore 35 and giving the Chiefs a 27-17 lead with 10:25 to play.

A 32-yard field goal by Justin Tucker pulled the Ravens to within seven with 4:54 left in the game. Baltimore got the ball back at the two-minute warning but with no timeouts. On a first-and-10 play with 43 seconds to play, Jackson threw a 38-yard pass to Rashod Bateman to the Kansas City 10 before Likely was ruled out of bounds on the game's final play.

Jackson then threw a pair of incompletions before the ill-fated throw to Likely to end the game.

Baltimore Running back Derrick Henry, who was signed as a free agent this offseason, ran for 46 yards on 13 carries and scored on a 5-yard run on the game's opening drive.

The Chiefs tied the game at 7-7 when Worthy took a flick from Mahomes and ran past the Ravens defenders for a 21-yard score with 5:55 left in the first quarter.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had a strip-sack on Jackson on the second play of the second quarter that was recovered by Felix Anudike-Uzomah on the Baltimore 14. The Ravens defense held, however, limiting the Chiefs to a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to make it 10-7.

The Ravens failed to convert a fourth-and-3 when Zay Flowers caught a pass from Jackson and was tackled at midfield for a 1-yard gain on the ensuing drive. However, the Chiefs again had to settle for three points, this time a 31-yard kick by Butker that provided a 13-7 lead with 5:44 left in the half.

An interception by Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith at the Baltimore 49 with 1:44 to go in the half led to a 25-yard field goal by Justin Tucker that cut the score to 13-10 at the break.

Williams was injured in the second practice of training camp and was mostly sidelined until Wednesday, when he was a limited participant. Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Williams was making progress and last week said the cornerback was expected to be ready for the season opener on Sunday at the Detroit Lions.

The Rams signed Williams, 31, as a free agent to a three-year contract in March after his release by the Jacksonville Jaguars in a cost-cutting move.

He was with the Rams from 2018-21, including the Super Bowl LVI team in February 2022, and joined Jacksonville in free agency on a three-year, $30 million contract one month later.

Williams had 53 tackles and four interceptions in 17 starts last season and has 236 tackles with 10 picks in 80 career games (55 starts).

The Rams listed Williams and veteran Tre'Davious White, another free-agent signing, as starters at cornerback, while reserve Cobie Durant also was limited at practice this week because of a hamstring injury. Undrafted rookies Josh Wallace and Charles Woods are the other reserves.

In recent days, the veteran quarterback has been thinking about how to react to snap No. 5 in Monday night's season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

"There might be a little smirk after the fourth," Rodgers said on Thursday. "I'm sure they'll catch it (on camera)."

The 40-year-old Rodgers returns for his 20th season just two days shy of the one-year anniversary of his injury. His arrival before last season pumped life into the Jets, but it quickly evaporated due to his serious injury.

New York is hoping for a Rodgers revival, and the quarterback is looking forward to playing football instead of simply watching it.

And while the four-time NFL MVP says he has something to prove, there is only one person Rodgers is interested in impressing.

"Just myself at this point," Rogers said. "I have a lot of pride in my performance. So, when I take the field, I expect greatness. And because I've done it before. So, that's the kind of standard I hold myself to."

The Jets went 7-10 in 2023 -- their eighth straight losing season -- and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive time.

Rodgers is hoping to silence the "Same Old Jets" refrain, and coach Robert Saleh sees a player ready to carry the team to greater heights.

"I think he's in a great place," Saleh said. "Not just mentally, but physically he looks awesome. ... He's a professional. He's done it a long time."

San Francisco (12-5 in 2023) has excelled in recent years, making four of the last five NFC Championship Games. The 49ers have won two of them but subsequently lost the Super Bowl both times, including last year's 25-22 overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco has dealt with plenty of news off the field leading up to the season, with the holdouts of receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams and the shooting of rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall.

Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension last week and Williams landed a restructured three-year, $82.66 million deal earlier this week.

"I want guys here. I want to prepare the guys for the season," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday. "And you only can do so much on your own. But the bottom line is they're here, and we got a long season ahead of us, and I'm pumped to have them for Week 1."

Pearsall was shot in the chest on Saturday during an attempted robbery in the Union Square district of San Francisco. He was placed on the non-football injury list earlier this week and will miss at least four games.

"He's as tough a person I know, just going through a situation like that," Shanahan said of Pearsall. "We always felt this way watching him on the football field and things like that, but kind of to watch how he handled that situation, and watch how he's been every day since, it shows how special of a guy he is."

49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a leg injury that left him limited in practice. The team had previously listed him with a calf injury but Shanahan revealed Thursday that the injury includes the Achilles.

San Francisco defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) missed practice.

New York is at a contract impasse with Pro Bowl pass rusher Haason Reddick, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.

Jets guard Wes Schweitzer (hand) missed practice on Thursday.

The 49ers have won 11 of the 14 all-time meetings, including a 31-13 road win in 2020.

Contract terms were a value of $19.5 million including a $6 million signing bonus and $10 million guaranteed at signing, according to the NFL Network. ESPN, meanwhile, reported the deal was worth $18 million, including $10.1 million guaranteed.

Kansas City opened the regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.

Gray, 25, played in all 17 regular-season games and made a career-high 10 starts in the Chiefs' two-tight end sets along with All-Pro Travis Kelce. Gray caught 28 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns to tie or set his career highs for a single season.

He played on 52 percent of the offensive snaps (592) and on special teams (219).

The Chiefs selected Gray in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Duke. He has totaled 63 receptions for 640 yards and four touchdowns in 50 career games (19 starts).

Our NFL writers checked in with the players we consider capable of claiming the MVP award when the dust settles on the 18-week regular season.

1. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes is just the kind of player that can win the award -- and Super Bowl -- every season. A full year of receiver growing pains is out of the way, and a mature group could mean Mahomes posts his third 5,000-yard passing season and 2x the 27 touchdowns he threw last year.

2. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Jackson became the 11th player in NFL history to win MVP multiple times when he claimed his second last season. He threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with career highs in completion percentage (67.2) and yards per completion (8.0) over 16 regular-season games. He also led the Ravens with 821 yards rushing, scoring five times and averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Jackson is poised for another solid year despite the uncertainty with the offensive line.

3. Bengals QB Joe Burrow

The offensive line might finally be fixed. If so, watch out, world. Recovered from a season-ending wrist injury he suffered in November against the Ravens, Burrow is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2022-23, he threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions over 16 games. He also completed 68.3% of his pass attempts (414-of-606), leading the Bengals to back-to-back division crowns for the first time in franchise history.

4. Texans QB C.J. Stroud

If 2023 was any indication, history might guffaw loudly at the Carolina Panthers for passing Stroud with the top pick to take Bryce Young. Stroud was everything Houston could have wanted and more in a quarterback, showing the maturity and skill to win big games down the stretch. There's no reason to expect a sophomore jinx, given his focus and the fact the team added Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs at running back and receiver, respectively.

5. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

If McCaffrey isn't the first pick in every fantasy draft, something is wrong. He rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 TDs in the regular season last year, plus caught 67 passes for 564 and seven more scores when he was third in MVP balloting. Then he had five more postseason TDs in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, which they lost to Kansas City in OT. A calf strain kept him out of most of training camp and all of the preseason games.

6. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Hard to believe, but America's Team has never had an MVP QB. Prescott nearly achieved something Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach and Tony Romo never did, placing second to Lamar Jackson in 2023 -- 30 years after Emmitt Smith became the Cowboys' only MVP winner. A fifth season with double-digit wins could push Prescott to the trophy.

7. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

In 2022, Hurts became the second player in NFL history with 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air and 12 or more scores on the ground, joining Cam Newton (2011). In 2023, he became the first to do it twice. A third such effort will put the 2022 MVP runner-up in the running to become the first recipient in Philadelphia history.

8. Lions QB Jared Goff

GM Brad Holmes hitched the franchise to Goff with a massive contract that spells out Detroit's belief in the maligned quarterback in big, round numbers. Goff's 2023 season bordered on special with 30 TD passes and 4,575 yards. An elite No. 1 receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a rising talent at tight end, Sam LaPorta, helps while the muscle up front and run-first mentality of head coach Dan Campbell promises balance to test any defensive scheme.

9. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers already has four of these, winning the award as recently as 2021. If any 40-year-old can bounce back from a season-ending Achilles injury, it's Rodgers.

10. Packers QB Jordan Love

Send your apology letters to GM Brian Gutekunst at his Lambeau Field office if you were among those who labeled Love a bust in the first half of last season, when he was trending toward being good enough to lose close games. But Love isn't the anti-Aaron Rodgers in performance after all. Instead, the evolving talent takes a next step in stride with an underrated cadre of wide receivers.

11. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

Want a dark-horse candidate for MVP? Murray was a leading contender in 2021 before fading late, then suffered a gruesome ACL injury in 2022. The Cardinals led the league in total offense after he returned from the injury in Week 10 last season, with 414.3 yards per game.

12. 49ers QB Brock Purdy

Purdy was fourth in the MVP balloting last season, behind Jackson, Prescott and McCaffrey. The former Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 draft proved his rookie season was no fluke, despite coming off UCL surgery last year. He completed 69.4% of his passes for 4,280 yards and 31 TDs in the regular season.

13. Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Jim Harbaugh has a pretty good track record with talented quarterbacks and inherited one in LA. If Herbert -- who dealt with a foot injury in the preseason -- stays healthy, the Chargers could be a sneaky contender in the AFC.

14. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

With a young quarterback that has just four games of NFL experience, it stands to reason that Indianapolis will need to build its offense around a guy who can carry a team if healthy. "If" is the question here, as Taylor missed 13 games the last two years. But should he post for all 17 games, Taylor figures to get plenty of chances to match or surpass the 1,811 yards he rushed for back in 2021.

15. Bills QB Josh Allen

No more Diggs or Gabe Davis means Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel will be among Allen's top targets. It's not the most elegant trio of pass-catchers, but Allen can do just as much damage on the ground as he can through the air.

16. Cowboys EDGE Micah Parsons

Hall of Famers Alan Page (1971) and Lawrence Taylor (1986) are the only defensive players to claim MVP honors. Page was 26 and Taylor was 27 when they won, giving the 25-year-old Parsons -- who finished eighth in the voting in 2022 -- a chance to become the youngest of his kind if he increases his sack total for a fourth straight campaign.

17. Rams RB Kyren Williams

As if a 1,114-yard season -- average of 5.0 yards per carry, 12 touchdowns and 32 catches for 206 yards and three TDs -- wasn't versatile enough, Williams will also return punts this season. If the Rams are a playoff team and he's a force on special teams, Williams will emerge as a dark horse MVP candidate.

18. Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

19. Browns DE Myles Garrett

Garrett is a game-wrecker who can help carry the Browns to victories. Last year, he was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 14 sacks - tied for third-most by a Browns player in a season. Garrett also had six quarterback hurries, 16 quarterback knockdowns, and 30 quarterback hits.

20. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

New coordinator Zac Robinson's system, which he operated with the Rams, should enable Robinson, who had more than 1,000 yards of total offense as a rookie last season, to excel.

21. Packers RB Josh Jacobs

Two years removed from leading the NFL in rushing, Jacobs is the player the Packers want on the field after a timeshare approach in the backfield most of the 2023 season. A better receiver than most understand, the only roadblock to a massive season appears to be durability.

22. Jets RB Breece Hall

While opposing defenses will have their hands full with Rodgers, Hall could quietly rush for well over 1,000 yards after coming just 6 shy of that mark a season ago. Hall also had the second-most catches for New York (76), making him a massive threat on every snap.

23. Saints QB Derek Carr

If the offensive line is OK, Carr should thrive under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. The versatility of Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill and a play-action game that takes advantage of young receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should be reminiscent of the 49ers system that Kubiak brought with him.

24. Titans QB Will Levis

There were some Ryan Leaf-type vibes around this pick in the second round last year but when Levis got the starting job in late October, he showed a big-league arm, plus plenty of poise and moxie while playing behind an offensive line composed mostly of turnstiles.

The 40-year-old star quarterback is feeling confident ahead of the 2024 season opener, going as far as to crack a joke about last year's Achilles injury during his game-week press conference Thursday.

"There might be a little smirk after the fourth (snap)," Rodgers said with a smile.

The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers during the summer of 2023, believing that they were one great quarterback away from Super Bowl contention. Once Rodgers went down, they suffered through another ineffective campaign by Zach Wilson and contributions from third- and fourth-string QB options.

Rodgers' task is to help the woebegone franchise end the longest playoff drought in not only the NFL, but the four major North American sports leagues. The Jets' last playoff game was the 2010 AFC Championship game in January 2011; the NHL's Buffalo Sabres are tied with the Jets at 13 seasons but played a playoff series in April 2011.

"We can't ride these waves of emotion or frustration or outside narratives or any of these things," Rodgers said Thursday. "We've got to keep this thing very tight. We can't have any leaks or people jumping ship. We got to realize it's going to be a long season."

Rodgers, often a controversial figure away from the field, was fined by the Jets for skipping mandatory minicamp in favor of a trip to Egypt. Since then, the Jets have said the four-time league MVP has been all about football.

"I think he's in a great place," New York coach Robert Saleh said. "Not just mentally, but physically he looks awesome. ... He's a professional. He's done it a long time. He's not a 40-year-old quarterback, so I think he's just fine."

The Jets will open the season on "Monday Night Football" for the second year in a row. Rodgers' injury came on the opening series against the Buffalo Bills last September; this year, the Jets will travel west to face the San Francisco 49ers. Rodgers hails from the Northern California region, specifically the nearby town of Chico.

Rodgers may not have played a full NFL game since the end of the 2022 regular season with Green Bay, but he said the standard he holds himself to hasn't changed.

"I have a lot of pride in my performance, so when I take the field, I expect greatness because I've done it before," Rodgers said.

"...I'm in a good mind space. (I) really had a year to remember in a lot of ways -- some really difficult things, with some great things as well. So, there's always a perspective moment during the (national anthem) to collect your thoughts and kind of send gratitude out to the universe for the opportunity for me (to) stand on the field and pads. I'll be really excited about that."

Head coach Mike Tomlin said there are no long-term concerns about Wilson's health. Pittsburgh opens the regular season Sunday at Atlanta.

"We wanted to exercise some precaution," Tomlin said, "and see what tomorrow looks like and kind of go from there."

Tomlin said a medical evaluation would take place "out of an abundance of caution" on Friday but otherwise downplayed the injury.

"It really doesn't" impact game planning, Tomlin said, adding "I'm extremely comfortable" if Fields is forced into action.

Expect skepticism from the Falcons. Last week, Tomlin warned Falcons head coach and former Buccaneers co-worker Raheem Morris he should "be prepared for Justin Fields."

Morris thanked Tomlin, apparently in jest, on Wednesday for forcing him to waste time looking at how the Steelers used Fields.

Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection with the Seattle Seahawks who was released by the Denver Broncos in March. Tomlin named Wilson the team's starter following the final preseason game last month.

Wide receiver Van Jefferson said both quarterbacks are capable of winning at Atlanta.

"Obviously Russ is a great competitor and wants to be out there. If Justin has to step out there, I think he's more than prepared to do that," he said.

But with four nights until gameday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh isn't putting to rest the possibility Reddick might play at San Francisco on Monday night.

"Not ruling him out yet. It's feasible. I mean, the opponent we're playing just had two guys show up to practice," Saleh said Thursday. "You trust that your veterans who know how to do things the right way will get themselves ready to play."

Reddick is due to make $14.25 million in the final season of his three-year, $45 million contract and is looking for a long-term deal. He has recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons and was penciled in as a starter at one of the Jets' edge positions.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said he hasn't spoken to Reddick since April 1, when the latter visited the Jets' facility. Douglas noted that he also hasn't had any recent talks with Reddick's representation "but the phone lines are open."

The 49ers reached contract agreements with two late arrivals in wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams. Aiyuk attended most of training camp and preseason practices but didn't participate. Williams skipped all offseason and preseason workouts with the team out of frustration with a six-year contract he completed the first three seasons of because it was devoid of guaranteed money for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

49ers general manager John Lynch addressed both deals and each player reported in time to participate in practice this week. They're expected to be on the field in Santa Clara on Monday night when the Jets visit for the regular-season opener.

But there's no indication Reddick, acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, intends to blink.

This contest is a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game, which the visiting Chiefs won 17-10.

ODDS AND TRENDS

Kansas City is a consensus 3.0-point favorite, which is essentially the bump they get for playing at Arrowhead Stadium.

The action has been even at BetRivers, where the Chiefs have been backed by 52 percent of the total spread-line money wagered while the Ravens have drawn 52 percent of the total bets. Meanwhile, Kansas City has been supported by 55 and 56 percent of the action, respectively, at BetMGM, causing the line to shift slightly since opening at 2.5 points.

"Bettors are currently split on the Chiefs-Ravens season opener," BetMGM senior trading manager Tristan Davis said. "We expect more action to come in on the Chiefs as kickoff approaches. The sportsbook will want the Ravens to cover."

The Over on 46.5 points at BetRivers has been popular, drawing 67 percent of the money and 66 percent of the tickets. Four of the Ravens' past six Thursday night games have gone over the total point line.

PROP PICKS

--Derrick Henry Anytime TD (-122 at BetRivers): The Ravens' new lead back after eight seasons as the bell cow in Tennessee, Henry makes his Baltimore debut on Thursday night. This is the most wagered-on prop at the book, drawing 5.2 percent of all the money. Henry has scored at least one touchdown in each of his past three regular-season games against the Chiefs.

--Patrick Mahomes Over 268.5 Passing Yards (-115 at BetMGM): After a pair of Henry props, this has been the most popular at BetMGM in terms of total bets. The Chiefs quarterback topped this mark eight times last season and while Baltimore is known for its stout defense, the Ravens did lose coordinator Mike Macdonald to Seattle over the offseason.

KEY STATS

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a streak of 13 consecutive regular-season games in which he has not thrown an interception when Baltimore has been the underdog. He has also rushed for at least 54 yards in four of the past five meetings.

THE NEWS

The Ravens inexplicably ran the ball just 16 times -- eight by Jackson -- for 81 yards in last season's AFC title game despite finishing the regular season with the NFL's top ground attack. The gameplan should be different with the four-time Pro Bowler Henry, who has rushed for 672 yards with eight touchdowns in six career games against Kansas City.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta tried to acquire Henry at last season's trade deadline, but the Titans denied him. Henry became the Ravens' top free-agent target, and DeCosta signed him to a two-year, $16 million deal in March.

When asked whether he would have been the difference for the Ravens in last season's playoffs, Henry said this week, "Hell yes. I was wishing I could suit up that day (when I was) watching that game. But, yes, now it's my turn, so (I have) to take advantage of it. It's going to be a hell of a game. The Chiefs are always tough, (and) they're solid on all three (phases), so we've got to be locked in this week to be able to execute on Thursday."

The Chiefs have not shied away from trying to make history this season as they try to become the first team to win a third consecutive Super Bowl. The Ravens are one of their biggest challengers in the AFC, and Kansas City players want to send a message to the rest of the NFL that their team is still the one to beat.

The Chiefs will get an opportunity on Thursday night, shortly after unveiling their Super Bowl LVIII championship banner. Mahomes is expecting another hard-fought matchup.

"The common thing is just physicality and speed. That's who the Ravens are," Mahomes said. "They're a team that's going to play hard. They're going to play physically, and you have to accept that challenge. If you don't, they're going to dominate the football game.

"Even though they've traded through defensive coordinators, they have those same principles. I think that's more of the team (and) the culture they have, and I'm sure there will be wrinkles that we'll have to adjust (to) out there. I mean, they have a great football team (and) a great defense. It's going to be a great challenge for us."

INJURY REPORT

Chiefs wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is out with a shoulder injury. Kansas City listed eight others on the injury report, including defensive tackle Chris Jones and offensive lineman Wayna Morris, but all practiced Wednesday and are available for Thursday's game.

Rookie Rasheen Ali, Baltimore's No. 3 running back on the depth chart, missed practice all week and is doubtful with a neck injury. Ravens rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring) is out.

THEY SAID IT

"Any game I play in, I feel like it's a revenge game. I'm not just going to look at this game like a revenge game. Anybody we play, no matter if we've beaten them or lost to them in previous years, I just want to win." --Jackson, who has lost four of five previous meetings against Mahomes.

PREDICTION

This is a key season-opening litmus test for both teams in a game that could have major home-field advantage implications come playoff time. Expect more scoring than the 27 total points put up in the AFC Championship Game, but the Chiefs are rested, their stars are healthy and Arrowhead will be rocking. --Chiefs 27, Ravens 23

It's banner night for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs with the Baltimore Ravens in town bidding for a repeat of the Detroit Lions' win in the same stadium to start the 2023 season.

You'll need to refresh the Peacock app from August's Olympics binge for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. That's the matchup in the first regular-season game in Brazil and the first Friday night game on opening weekend since the St. Louis Cardinals play at the Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 18, 1970).

1. Ravens at Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET

TV: NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark (field reporter)

As openers go, this one should be a doozy. A rematch of January's AFC Championship Game, won 17-10 by the Chiefs. It could be a prelude to another game in late January of 2025.

It's the first time in NFL history a Week 1 matchup features opponents with multiple Most Valuable Player awards. Patrick Mahomes is 3-1 against Lamar Jackson and owns the opening spotlight with a career TD-to-INT ratio of 21-1 in Week 1.

Jackson brings a new friend to the arena Thursday in four-time Pro Bowl RB Derrick Henry.

2. Packers vs. Eagles, Friday, Sept. 6, 8:15 p.m. ET (in Brazil)

Watch via Peacock: Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)

A lot of fresh faces are featured in the Friday faceoff with Philadelphia replacing both coordinators and adding to a very talented roster one season removed from playing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Green Bay started 3-6 last season but went toe-to-toe with the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs. Philadelphia started 10-1 and limped into the postseason, only to be trounced in Tampa.

Their quest to reach Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans begins in Brazil in the first NFL regular season game in South America. New running backs share the spotlight in Sao Paulo, with three-time 1,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles and 2022 rushing king Josh Jacobs now powering the Packers.

3. Jets at 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN/ABC: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters (field reporter)

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, a Bay Area native, has a bit of a history on "Monday Night Football" with 41 career TDs -- and one season-ending injury.

He calls it a comeback at age 40 after missing all but four offensive snaps in 2023 because of a torn Achilles. The Jets' defense should be strong with CB Sauce Gardner and DL Quinnen Williams. But San Francisco deploys a multitude of playmakers, including Christian McCaffrey and three receiving options that demand attention.

4. Texans vs. Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS: Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty, AJ Ross (field reporter)

C.J. Stroud was undefeated in the division with 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions as a rookie last season.

These teams played a barnburner to end last year and Houston won to earn the AFC South title, thanks to a 4th-down drop that sealed Indianapolis' fate.

It's easy to forget that when the teams played last September, Anthony Richardson was the best player on the field in the first half of an easy Colts' win before leaving with an injury.

5. Cowboys at Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET

TV: FOX (4:25 PM ET): Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews (field reporter), Tom Rinaldi (field reporter)

We're tuning in for the broadcasting team and not just because we love the Rinaldi piano overlay features. It's Game 1 of the Tom Brady-FOX experiment and a Gronk spike or three should be expected in his analysis of the other two quarterbacks in this game.

The Browns were 8-1 in the Dawg Pound last season and the Cowboys were 4-5 on the road.

6. Bears vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX: Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez, Kristina Pink (field reporter)

The arsenal around No. 1 pick Caleb Williams gives him a legitimate chance to become the first top pick since 2002 (David Carr, Texans) to start and win Week 1.

And we're still in on the Will Levis Show. Gone is Derrick Henry, but Tennessee's array of receivers is nothing to sneeze at.

7. Lions vs. Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

TV: NBC (8:20 PM ET): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark (field reporter)

Only Drew Brees (10) has more 300-yard passing games in Week 1 than former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. He's back in Motown with the Rams in what should be a wacko environment at Ford Field. Lions QB Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick of the Rams in 2016 traded for Stafford in 2021, gets another chance to flex on Sean McVay. Detroit beat the Rams, 24-23, in the wild-card playoffs in January.

8. Steelers vs. Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver (field reporter)

There are too many subplots to ignore. Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, former Bucs assistant coaches Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris and the quick return to Atlanta for former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith (Steelers offensive coordinator).

9. Jaguars vs Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins (field reporter)

Tua Tagovailoa dropped 466 passing yards in Week 1 last season and went 7-2 at home. Miami's defense isn't full strength, meaning Trevor Lawrence might just put up the points to turn this into a Sunshine State Shootout.

10. Cardinals at Bills, 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS: Tom McCarthy, Jay Feely, Ross Tucker, Tiffany Blackmon (field reporter)

Signing up early for the Marvin Harrison Jr. Show while also wondering if Josh Allen plans to throw 60 passes to hush questions related to No. 1 receivers.

11. Broncos at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET

TV: CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala (field reporter)

Welcome to the NFL, Bo Nix. Seattle tries to bring the noise and the funk and Denver turns to a 14th different starter at QB since Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50. New Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald likely is to be a nightmare for rookie quarterbacks.

12. Chargers at Raiders, 4 p.m. ET

TV: CBS (4:05 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)

Who's got it better than the Chargers? We're about to find out. And if it's Gardner Minshew, we'll applaud.

13. Patriots at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn (field reporter)

No Bill Belichick for New England might be an odd sight. Perhaps Jerod Mayo goes sleeveless hoodie or calls for a punt on second down. Otherwise, intrigue follows Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. Burrow had 40 completions and three TD passes in his previous meeting with the Patriots.

14. Vikings at Giants, 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi (field reporter)

Peripheral interest centers around the LSU wide receiver party featuring Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and rookie Malik Nabers (Giants) performing feats of acrobatics to find passes from QBs not known for letting it rip.

15. Commanders at Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET

TV: FOX: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin (field reporter)

A live look-in or two seems necessary with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels drawing high praise from teammates.

16. Panthers vs. Saints, 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Jen Hale (field reporter)

Neither team inspires great confidence in the Week 1 survivor pool, even when drained to include only division teams.

The Commanders had suspended Rael Enteen on Wednesday for comments he made to an undercover reporter for the O'Keefe Media Group.

Enteen said that Washington's players were homophobic, accused Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of being a racist and called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a "$50 million puppet."

"The language used in the video runs counter to our values at the Commanders organization," a team spokesperson said Wednesday.

According to the O'Keefe Media Group, Enteen met with one of their reporters on a dating app and also twice at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., in June.

Enteen told the reporter that "over 50 percent of our roster is white religious, and God says, 'F--- the gays.' Their interpretation. I don't buy any of that. Another big chunk is low-income African Americans that comes from a community that is inherently very homophobic."

He said some players are "dumb as hell" and might be more susceptible to conspiracy theories if they "get their heads knocked around a few times."

As for Goodell, Enteen said: "I don't think the commissioner of the NFL hates gay people, hates black people. Jerry Jones, who really runs the NFL, I think he hates gay people, black people."

He also told the unidentified reporter that "most of the fans are high-school-educated alcoholics" and called them "mouth breathers."

Enteen had been with the organization for four years.

The Commanders open the season on the road Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jones is trying to prove that he deserves to keep his job as the Giants' starter in his sixth year with New York. Meanwhile, Darnold, in his first season with the Vikings, wants to assure the front office, coaching staff, teammates and fans that he has what it takes to be under center for 17 games.

Both teams are looking to move on from losing seasons as they attempt to become playoff contenders. The Giants went 6-11 in 2023, while Minnesota finished 7-10.

"(I'm) just understanding better the role of a quarterback," said Darnold, who spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup. "That's like what coach (Kevin) O'Connell says to me: just to kind of play point guard, give it to our guys in space and let them go do work."

In 2023, Jones started six games for New York before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in November and missing the rest of the season. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions, and his 70.5 passer rating was the lowest of his career.

Jones, 27, has a new weapon in rookie wideout Malik Nabers, whom the team selected sixth overall out of LSU in this year's draft. Other playmakers, including receiver Darius Slayton, will look to make a difference against the Vikings' new-look secondary, which is led by free agent signee Stephon Gilmore.

Slayton said he and his teammates feel confident entering the opening week of the season.

"In Week 1, you haven't seen anybody playing any real game," Slayton said. "You have an idea of what people are going to do, what they've done in the past and the type of schemes that they've liked in the past. But at the end of the day, it's about going out there and executing.

"All 11 of us are on the same page, getting to the stuff we want to get to and trying to dictate the game as much as possible on offense."

The Vikings will try to do their part on defense under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota selected linebacker Dallas Turner out of Alabama in the first round of the April draft, and he will have an opportunity to rush the pocket alongside free agent signee Jonathan Greenard, who had 12.5 sacks with the Houston Texans a season ago.

The Giants also hope that a new addition bolsters their pass rush.

Brian Burns joined New York from the Carolina Panthers via trade during the offseason. He hopes to form an tough combination for opposing offensive lines to stop alongside Dexter Lawrence II, who will start at nose tackle.

"I'd be disappointed if I weren't a double-digits sack guy anywhere," Burns said. "I mean, but that's just my personal goals."

Flores praised the Giants' offensive ability but said his defense would be ready to contain New York.

"Week 1, everyone has some new wrinkles," Flores said. "Everyone's got a new play they can't wait to run. I got a couple myself."

Wide receivers Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor were limited during Minnesota's practice on Wednesday due to ankle injuries.

The Giants had four players limited during Wednesday's practice, including linebacker Micah McFadden (groin) and safety Dane Belton (back).

The Cowboys had the MVP runner-up under center, but Dallas was destroyed by an up-and-comer in another playoff disappointment.

Retooled and driven to get back to the postseason, the Cowboys travel to Cleveland for a Week 1 matchup destined to be determined by quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson.

Prescott and the Cowboys went 12-5 last season, won the NFC East and hosted a playoff game. Because Prescott lost for a fifth time in the postseason and has just two career playoff wins, the national narrative since a home-field drubbing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers ended Dallas' 2023 season has been something other than Pro-Dak.

Dallas wide receiver Brandin Cooks took up defense of Prescott on Wednesday as the Cowboys step into the challenge of solving Cleveland's toothy defense with defensive end Myles Garrett front and center.

"The guy shows up every year, year in and year out. Putting up numbers, leading his team," Cooks said of Prescott. "He can't do it all by himself. A lot of those great quarterbacks that I've been with, Tom (Brady) and Drew (Brees), don't get me wrong, they won a lot of games, won a lot of Super Bowls, but they had a lot of help around them as well, right?

"Us players around (Prescott) also got to step up. So when we hear that disrespect, I take that personally, and as his teammates, we should take that personally."

Prescott and the Cowboys have been mired in a standoff over his contract status since last season ended. He's in the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal and cannot be retained with the franchise tag.

It's not as simple as "paying Dak," according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones is lighter in the wallet after coming to the table to deliver a four-year, $136 million extension to get record-setting receiver CeeDee Lamb in the fold for Week 1 after a training camp holdout. And a bigger payday could be around the corner for pass rusher Micah Parsons by this time next year.

Lamb, 25, earned All-Pro first-team honors and set franchise records in 2023 with 135 receptions for 1,749 yards. He'll be locking up with Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in a popcorn-worthy matchup to focus on this week. Lamb said he's rooting for Prescott to stay with the Cowboys.

"I have no doubt that they're gonna get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here, too, so let's just get this under control and kill the speculation," Lamb said.

Watson has his own battle to fight. The Browns went to the playoffs on the revived arm of Joe Flacco following a season-ending shoulder injury that Watson sustained.

With 12 total starts since the end of the 2020 season, Watson said he's recovered from that injury and is prepared to prove his value. That's a serious ask considering he's in the middle of a five-year, $230 million contract that the team fully guaranteed when he was acquired from the Houston Texans.

"Regardless (of) if you won MVP or if you didn't play last year, it's a new year," Watson said Wednesday. "In this league, if you're focusing on last year, then you're going to get left behind."

The Browns are leaving former All-Pro running back Nick Chubb behind -- at least for the first four games of the campaign -- after a devastating knee injury in Week 2 last season. Jerome Ford, who teamed with Kareem Hunt to take Chubb's workload in 2023, is the lead back facing the Cowboys to start the 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott is back for Dallas and is listed first on the depth chart. Elliott, drafted in the first round in 2016, the year Prescott was picked in the fourth round, reunited with Dallas after spending last season as a backup with the New England Patriots.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy reiterated that there is a committee approach at running back that will include Rico Dowdle. And for anyone reacting to the Week 1 depth chart, McCarthy had another message for them and the team entering the season opener.

"I have plans for 21 games," he said of the long view of a season that would culminate with the Super Bowl.

The Bills begin their quest of reaching the postseason for the seventh time in eight seasons when they battle the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Orchard Park, N.Y.

Buffalo (11-6 last season) had its Super Bowl hopes dashed by the Kansas City Chiefs for the third time in the past four seasons in January. After losing to the Chiefs in the 2020 AFC Championship Game, the Bills have been eliminated in the divisional round the past three seasons.

Due to cap constraints and uneven results, the Bills underwent revamping in the spring. Among the departures are receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre'Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.

The trade of Diggs to the Houston Texas certainly was the signature move as the club parted ways with a talented player who was a distraction at times. But not having a bona fide go-to wideout isn't an issue to star quarterback Josh Allen.

"Yeah, we've got a lot of new guys, new faces, and just trying to spread the wealth," Allen said Wednesday. "I think the term we've been using is 'Everybody eats' and it's going to take all 11 guys on the field at any given time to make a play go. That's our mindset. It doesn't really matter who gets the ball or when they get it. We're going to be happy for whatever we're doing out there and just try to make the best play possible."

Khalil Shakir, who caught two touchdowns in the postseason, and newcomer Curtis Samuel (62 catches for Washington last season) figure to be the top targets. Veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round draft pick Keon Coleman also are part of the mix.

Familiarity is in short supply. Shakir is the lone receiver who has caught a pass from Allen in an official game.

"I feel like teams don't even know what we're gonna do," Samuel said. "And I feel like that's a great thing. We got so many weapons, so many different guys that could do a lot of a lot of different things. I feel like that makes us scary."

The Cardinals (4-13) are hoping to have an explosive tandem with No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. on board to catch throws from quarterback Kyler Murray. Harrison played just three snaps in the preseason without a ball thrown his way so Sunday is the day Arizona's new present is formally unwrapped.

"I know what type of talent he is and I know what he's capable of," said Murray, "but we have to go out there and do it."

Murray is looking forward to this season now that his serious knee injury is behind him. He tore the ACL in his right knee against the New England Patriots during a Monday night affair on Dec. 12, 2022.

He returned to game action exactly 11 months later and passed for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games last season.

"Football has been on my mind this whole offseason," Murray said. "It always is but last year, being hurt and having to rehab and stuff like that, (I tried) not to get too far away from the game mentally. I have had this on my mind for a long time, what I want to accomplish, what I want this team to accomplish, so it doesn't feel brand new."

The Cardinals have played in just one postseason game during Murray's previous five NFL seasons -- a wild-card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season.

Receiver Xavier Weaver (oblique) sat out Wednesday's practice for the Cardinals. Defensive end Javon Solomon (oblique) missed practice for the Bills.

New Orleans and Carolina begin the proving grounds march when they meet Sunday afternoon in the season opener.

Carolina hired new coach Dave Canales back in January in the hopes that he would help second-year quarterback Bryce Young develop. Canales was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator in 2023, guiding signal-caller Baker Mayfield to the best season of his career.

"We want to establish the run, put up the run, but obviously we're going to look to push the ball down the field," Young said. "I think for us, it's trying to create as efficient of an operation as possible."

Carolina went 2-15 last season as Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, struggled with the transition from college to the NFL while operating behind an offensive line that tied for the second-most sacks allowed (65) in the league and couldn't gain traction in the ground game.

To take some pressure off of Young, the Panthers went to the bank to bring in the brawn, signing veteran guards -- Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis -- in free agency.

"I have all the confidence in the world in my offensive line," Young said. "I have a ton of confidence in the scheme we have."

Carolina also tried to surround Young with a stronger receiving corps, using the final pick of the first round to draft Xavier Legette out of South Carolina. The Panthers also traded for Diontae Johnson, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Saints have a better idea of what they have at quarterback. Veteran Derek Carr is entering is 11th NFL season and second with New Orleans. But the Saints fought similar issues with protection and establishing the running game last season.

Carr started all 17 games for the Saints last season, going 9-8 while throwing for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. New Orleans peaked late, winning four of its final five games.

The Saints will try to carry that late-season momentum over to the current campaign, and they will now have Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. Kubiak was the 49ers' passing game coordinator in 2023 -- his lone season with San Francisco -- after serving as an assistant with the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.

Kubiak had a hand in working Niners star Christian McCaffrey into San Francisco's passing game last year, and New Orleans is hoping that versatile running back Alvin Kamara can be utilized in a similar fashion.

"I think that's what Klint is here for, I think that's what the rest of those guys are here for," Kamara said. "That's what's expected, an increase in production. When you look at what they've been able to produce, it's exciting. ... Hopefully, we'll do the same here."

New Orleans, like Carolina, is hoping for improved play from its offensive line, which will likely feature three new starters.

Trevor Penning, a first-round draft choice in 2022 who has often looked overmatched during his time in the NFL, was moved from left tackle to right tackle. Taliese Fuaga was drafted out of Oregon State in the first round of this year's draft to start at left tackle, and Lucas Patrick will likely start at left guard after being signed as a free agent.

Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (calf) and linebackers Jaylan Ford (hamstring) and D'Marco Jackson (calf) didn't practice for the Saints on Wednesday. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was limited due to a hip ailment.

Panthers tight ends Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) were held out of Wednesday's practice. Running back Miles Sanders was limited with a finger injury.

The Broncos return to Lumen Field on Sunday for their 2024 opener, this time with rookie Bo Nix, their first-round pick out of Oregon, calling the signals.

Nix will become the 14th player to start at the position for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after winning the Super Bowl following the 2015 season.

And he'll be the first rookie QB to start for Denver since John Elway in 1983.

"There's a lot of pressure on (Bo's) shoulders," Broncos veteran offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey said. "Everyone wants him to succeed greatly here, but it doesn't mean that he has to press and do something special every single day. He just has to do his job."

While the Broncos are still paying Wilson ($85 million in dead money on the salary cap starting with a $53 million bill for 2024, then $32 million next year), the plan is to be playing Nix.

Nix started 61 games in college at Auburn and Oregon, an NCAA record for a quarterback. He was 23 of 30 for 205 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason appearances, leading the Broncos to scores on six of seven possessions.

That's why he not only got the starting nod from coach Sean Payton, but was also named one of the Broncos' captains by his teammates. He'll be the first rookie captain for the franchise since Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967.

"It's a privilege, an honor to be with this group,'' Nix said. " ... I don't take it lightly. I know it's a big deal, hasn't happened often, but I don't take it for granted. I've got to come to work every single day and just prove you can be the captain.''

Despite some impressive performances, Nix has never defeated an opponent from Seattle, going 0-3 against the University of Washington in his two seasons with the Ducks.

"It's going to be loud," Payton said of the crowd Sunday at Lumen Field. "I would imagine there will be some similarities to when Oregon goes to Washington and they're playing in front of however many thousand people."

The Seahawks will also have a new look under Mike Macdonald, 37, as they go from the oldest coach in the NFL (Pete Carroll, age 72), to the youngest.

Macdonald coordinated Baltimore's defense last season when it led the league in sacks (60) and fewest points allowed (16.5 per game) and was tied for first in takeaways (31, with the New York Giants). He's been praised -- and cursed -- by peers for confounding even the most advanced minds in the game. It's one of the things that drew Seahawks general manager John Schneider to Macdonald.

"We're always trying to push the envelope. We want people chasing us," Macdonald said. "So to kind of get to the mentality of we're not copying anybody, it's going to be our style of play, it's going to be our team, our way of doing things, never satisfied with where we're at, no complacency. Kind of a relentless pursuit of creating the vision that we want to create. I think that kind of paints a nice picture."

The Seahawks overhauled their system on the offensive side of the ball, too. New coordinator Ryan Grubb helped guide the University of Washington to the national title game last season, and decided he belonged in the Pacific Northwest after initially packing to join head coach Kalen DeBoer in a move to replace Nick Saban at Alabama.

"I know we kept it pretty vanilla during the preseason on both sides of the ball," Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf said. "But Grubb is known for his explosive plays down the field, so just looking forward to him opening up a playbook just so we can exploit defenses and push the ball down the field."

The Broncos didn't list anyone on their injury report Wednesday. The Seahawks only expect to be without linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) on Sunday.

The Broncos players voted for the team captains, and coach Sean Payton said Nix getting the nod speaks volumes.

"That's not something that happens that often," Payton said. "I think it's something you earn. These guys -- all of them voted on these guys. It's probably as clean a result as I'd seen in a while relative to those players that were all selected. It's unusual for a rookie to get made captain, and yet by nature that position to some degree is leading. That was something that organically takes place throughout the spring and training camp and goes from there."

Nix, who will become the first rookie quarterback to start a Broncos season opener since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983, was officially named a starter days before the team's preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Payton said a rookie getting chosen as a captain has never happened on the teams he's coached.

"It's a first for me," Payton said. "Just say rookie, period, in fairness to the process. I think it is what it is. I think it's a credit to him, and I think his teammates felt that he belonged in that position."

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton, guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain II, linebacker Alex Singleton and kicker Wil Lutz were also named Broncos captains.

Denver selected Nix, 24, with the 12th pick in this year's NFL Draft out of Oregon. He completed 23 of 30 attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason games.

The Broncos open the season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Pierce, the interim for the final two months last season, faces Harbaugh and the Chargers in the regular-season opener Sunday in a game each team hopes to use as a statement.

Pierce put his staff on the "Beat L.A." assignment more than two weeks ago due to the unique situation of facing a team for the first time with a coach imported from the college ranks and myriad changes to the existing schemes.

"Just to keep pounding away on film and go back as far as we can. And you don't want to chase ghosts, right? You don't go back and look at the 2011 season with Harbaugh, but maybe you do," Pierce said. "And those two gentlemen have been around each other, him and (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman. So, with any little tidbits we can do, we have a pretty good staff upstairs that does a great job of breaking down film. And then, listen, at the day, you have to make the adjustments, and the players have to be able to adapt to it."

The Chargers enter the Harbaugh coaching era with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert returning as the centerpiece of the offense, after he recovered from recent plantar fasciitis issues. The cast of characters around him? There are changes everywhere.

Gone are offensive veterans like wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is Herbert's go-to guy now, while 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey look to make their mark. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards take over at running back.

Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (hip), was the only Chargers player missing from practice Wednesday, while cornerback Tarheeb Still (hip) was limited.

Known for his quirks -- already using birth, airplane takeoff and first-day-of school metaphors -- Harbaugh simply wants the Chargers to focus on the basics.

"Just want to keep building," Harbaugh said. "Just the idea of seeing if we can be better today than we were yesterday, better tomorrow than we were today. Just that so-simple-it-might-just-work approach. Keeping guys healthy, continuing to get bigger and stronger."

Never one to show his hand -- or his depth chart -- Harbaugh gave away very little in the preseason. Fresh off a national championship at Michigan, he returns to the NFL after he guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19-1 record and one Super Bowl berth from 2011-14. He accepted the offer, reportedly $16 million per year on a five-year deal valued at $80 million.

The Chargers will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a pair of elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Bosa has struggled with injuries and broke his left hand just a month ago but is set to play Sunday. Mack enters off a 17-sack season, fourth best in the league.

"If anything, it was time off the body, less stress on my legs and let some things heal up," Bosa said about missing nearly four weeks of practice time. "Now I'm feeling ready to go."

The Raiders head into the opener with no playoff victories since playing in the Super Bowl following the 2002 season.

Pierce took over as head coach on an interim basis last season and guided the Raiders to a 5-4 finish. Pierce officially was anointed the position in the offseason and has named Gardner Minshew II as quarterback for the opener over Aidan O'Connell.

"Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start," Pierce said.

Pierce said this game isn't about him getting the job in Las Vegas or returning home to his Los Angeles roots this week.

"We're trying to get our first divisional win against a really good opponent, who's going to be motivated, well coached, physical, tough. I mean, we got to bring our hard hats," he said.

The Raiders were one of seven teams in 2023 that averaged less than 300 yards per game at 289.5 and were 23rd with 19.5 points per game. On defense, a talented front four is led by defensive end Maxx Crosby (14.5 sacks in 2023).

Crosby is the player that Herbert is thinking about most when he breaks the huddle.

"We know how talented he is, we know how talented that team is. That defense really flies around, makes a lot of plays," Herbert said of Crosby.

Under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Raiders will look to improve on an average of 90.7 rushing yards per game that was 30th in the NFL last season. With Josh Jacobs now with the Green Bay Packers, Zamir White takes over as the lead back (451 yards, one TD in 2023).

"I always say, Week 1, the opening week of the playoffs and the Super Bowl, those are different speeds of football and that shows up with the younger guys," said Pierce. "Hopefully, we have prepped them in the way we prepare and practice."

The Raiders were fully represented at Wednesday's practice with tight end Brock Bowers (foot), linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (knee) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) all limited.

Chicago also brought in a stable of offensive talent to support Williams, who doesn't seem to be phased by the bright lights of the Windy City ahead of the Bears' season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.

"When feet touch the grass," Williams said, "it'll be business as usual."

Chicago went 7-10 last season with dual-threat signal-caller Justin Fields taking most of the snaps under center in what proved to be his final season with the Bears.

Already armed with wideout DJ Moore, the Bears traded for veteran Keenan Allen and selected wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington with the ninth overall pick in April's draft. Chicago signed running back D'Andre Swift to flank Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the backfield.

Williams understands that he will be called upon to get the ball downfield by either new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron or the Soldier Field faithful.

"The wins are the most important thing," Williams said. "As long as we get that win at the end of the day, 100 yards (or) 400 (passing), it's all the same."

Tennessee also made accommodations for a young passer. The Titans added 1,000-yard receiver Calvin Ridley, outbidding the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars for the free agent, and 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard, putting them alongside second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Levis went 3-6 as a starter in 2023, when Tennessee finished 6-11.

Pollard takes over for former franchise linchpin Derrick Henry, who is now with the Baltimore Ravens after rushing for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Titans. Although Henry is no longer in the picture, Levis welcomes the chance to lead a team bristling with hope.

"Pressure is a privilege," Levis said. "It means there's a lot of eyes on you, a lot of people counting on you to succeed. Pressure is cool. I welcome it with open arms."

Titans first-year coach Brian Callahan can attest, as he meets a somewhat familiar foe.

Callahan is a native of Champaign, Ill., and he grew up a Bears fan.

"That's the teams that I watched, were Chicago sports teams," Callahan said. "I was a Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls fan, as probably a lot of people were in the 90s. ... Cool moment to be able to go open up my head-coaching career in Chicago."

Tennessee, which employed a run-heavy offense with Henry, is trying to be more balanced with Levis and Co. Callahan, who helped develop quarterback Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator from 2019-23, is hoping that Levis and the Titans' offense can jell quickly.

Chicago has the same vision for Williams, and it showed little reluctance when it came to putting its faith in the rookie. Sunday presents the 22-year-old with his first chance to deliver.

"The expectation is what it always is: winning," Allen said. "No matter who the quarterback is, you want to win. I wouldn't rather be with another guy right now than Caleb. ... He's gotten better ever since we started. The confidence is through the roof."

Allen was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a heel injury. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (toe) was also limited.

A hip injury held safety Jamal Adams out of the Titans' practice on Wednesday, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) and linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) were limited.

It could be viewed as a payback game for some of the Rams, but quarterback Matthew Stafford downplayed the revenge factor against his former team.

"To me, it's the start of something brand new, something totally different," Stafford said. "I'm excited to start this season off. It is, no doubt, a big challenge to go play their team in that environment. It'll be a test for us and something to look forward to."

Stafford has a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Puka Nacau and Cooper Kupp. Kyren Williams emerged as the lead back last season and he'll have a quality backup in former University of Michigan workhorse Blake Corum, who was drafted in the third round.

The Rams' defense has a big hole to fill. Perennial All-Pro lineman Aaron Donald retired after the 24-23 loss to the Lions in January.

"You're not ever replacing an Aaron Donald and that's not what we're asking of our guys," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player in Aaron Donald. What I thought was cool was he set a great example for guys who saw him play."

Despite Donald's absence, Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the Rams present an even bigger challenge than last season.

"This to me is a better team than what we faced last year, just looking at their personnel coming in," Campbell said. "I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is - I've said it before, they're young, they're hungry, they're high motor. They're going to push us."

Detroit returns most of the same offensive starters from last season with one notable loss. Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson signed with the Rams as a free agent.

The Lions rely on the 1-2 punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the running game, though Gibbs missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury. He said there is no injury concern and plans to play in the opener.

Jared Goff has an elite No. 1 receiver in All-Pro selection Amon Ra St. Brown with second-year tight end Sam LaPorta helping drive the passing attack. Third-year receiver Jameson Williams is expected to have a breakout season after scoring two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against San Francisco.

Detroit made numerous changes on the defensive line and secondary to upgrade a defense that allowed the sixth-most passing yards (247.4 per game) in the NFL last season.

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, and first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold will get tested in a big way in their debut with the Lions.

"I know Stafford's got a lot of trust in both of those guys (Nacua and Kupp)," Campbell said. "I thought Puka had a hell of a game last year against us (nine receptions, 181 yards, TD). He really, he made plays all over the field. So, it'll be a challenge, but I know this, our guys are looking forward to this. They really are. I know Arnold's excited, first one. He's ready to go. He does not lack confidence."

Lawrence and Tagovailoa landed the largest deals in franchise history for their respective teams this summer. Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million extension and Tagovailoa landed a four-year contract worth $212.4 million.

The Jaguars gave Lawrence some new weapons to work with this past offseason, scooping up Gabe Davis in free agency before selecting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in April's draft to make up for the loss of Calvin Ridley. He signed with the Titans in free agency.

Davis and Thomas will be flanking Christian Kirk, who had 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions -- all career highs -- in 2022 before a core muscle injury limited him to 12 games last season. Kirk finished with 57 catches for 787 yards and three scores.

Being aware of Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is near the top of Lawrence's checklist this week. Ramsey did not practice with a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

"You give him a lot of respect for what he's done in his career," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. "Just got to know where he's going to be, and understand that and give him his respect."

The Dolphins won't get to feature new No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is out for the first four games, but Miami's speedy tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will once again be at Tagovailoa's service.

Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. He also hauled in 13 TDs, tying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans for the league lead. Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

With so much offensive talent on both sidelines, Lawrence is aware that Sunday's game could turn into a shootout, but he also still believes in the Jacksonville defense.

"I got a lot of faith in our defense," Lawrence said. "There are times where we're gonna have to pick up the load and carry the defense a little bit, and vice versa. They're gonna have to, some games, carry us when we're not getting anything going."

Ryan Nielsen is heading into his first season as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator after landing the job in January. He held that same title with the Atlanta Falcons last season and was co-defensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Pederson realizes that Nielsen will be up against some stiff competition in Week 1.

"They're on you fast," Pederson said of the Dolphins. "When you put the film on, these guys are on you and they're by you. And I think Tua does a great job of anticipating where the windows are."

Tagovailoa isn't putting too much stock into Nielsen's game plan and has instead been focusing on who he will be face-to-face with on the field.

"For me, I study their players that they have," Tagovailoa said. "Although not the same scheme, just who's good at covering, who's someone that we think, ‘OK, maybe we have a little more leverage with this guy in coverage.' That's how I sort of base it off of. ...

"Then you go back to New Orleans when (Nielsen) was the DC, to the Falcons."

Miami's defensive unit could be missing linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Ramsey (hamstring).

Safety Jordan Poyer (thumb), linebacker Quinton Bell (thumb) and center Aaron Brewer (hand) were among six players who were limited in practice with injury designations for the Dolphins.

Safety Daniel Thomas was the only player to appear on the Jaguars' injury report. He was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to an Achilles issue.

In his first action since a season-ending wrist injury last November and subsequent surgery, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow played the first series of the preseason but didn't take the field for the remainder of the exhibition schedule.

Burrow completed 5 of 7 passes for 51 yards, including a 10-yard score to Tee Higgins in a 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 10. He then got his work in through a pair of joint practices with the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. And now Burrow, who bounced back from ACL and MCL tears in his rookie season (2020), believes he's ready to go for Week 1.

"I feel like I'm healthy. I feel like I'm physically strong and I'll be able to go out and do what I need to do," Burrow said. "Whenever you have those kinds of injuries, it's a process throughout the season, just like with the knee. You're going to have some days where you feel good and some days where you don't, and you're going to get better throughout the season."

Burrow getting back to form would bode well for Cincinnati's Super Bowl chances, which could also hinge on star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who has been dealing with an ongoing contract dispute.

Chase came back to practice on Wednesday and was limited. His return could signal a willingness to play in Sunday's season opener, depending on his readiness after not participating at all in training camp and the preseason.

"He's going to go out and play really well, I know that," Burrow said of Chase. "We'll see for Sunday. I don't have any expectations right now what that's going to look like. I know if he's out there what type of player he's going to be."

Chase's hold-in has centered around the demand for a contract extension similar to that of former LSU teammate and Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year, $140 million extension with $110 million guaranteed on June 3.

The Patriots are entering a new era, and for the first time since 1999, Bill Belichick will not be on the sideline coaching the team. After winning six Super Bowls and reaching three others, the Patriots are rebuilding with new head coach Jerod Mayo, a longtime player and assistant coach for New England.

Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots chose quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year's draft. He played for a good chunk of the preseason, but it will be veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett getting the start against the Bengals.

The key for New England under Mayo will be winning in the trenches.

"I think we have to go out there and really be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I think we need to play well on special teams as well, but it's about the line of scrimmage," Mayo said. "It's about controlling the line of scrimmage and controlling the game. ...

"(The Bengals) have a high-powered team. They have a high-powered offense, and I think the defense is aggressive because they know they have a high-powered offense."

Guard Sidy Sow missed the Patriots' practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Defensive back Jonathan Jones (hamstring) and linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) were among those limited.