We’re sooo close to the start of the 2018 NFL season. It’s been a long few months without football, but on Thursday September 6, all will be right with the sports world once again. With a Week 1 stacked with interesting matchups, let’s take a look at a few of the best games that’ll get the new season going.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons

Thursday, September 6 (8:20 PM ET)

No doubt you’ll want to check out the first game of the NFL season, when the Eagles and Falcons meet in Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field. It’s a matchup between the last two teams to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. And, as you undoubtedly know, the Eagles had quite a different outcome in that difficult scenario than the Falcons did.

It’ll be Nick Foles (or maybe Carson Wentz?) vs. Matt Ryan to start the season. That’s definitely not a bad way to start. Looking for tickets to the game? Find them here.

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, September 9 (1:00 PM ET)

If you’ve been watching HBO’s Hard Knocks with the Cleveland Browns, perhaps you’re more interested in this team than you’ve been in the past (very likely considering the franchise is just 1-31 in the last two seasons). With new, exciting players including QBs Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, and running back Carlos Hyde, the Browns have a real shot at winning some games this year.

Cleveland will have a tough start though, as it kicks the season off against AFC North rival Pittsburgh, featuring Big Ben, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Looking for tickets? Find them here.

New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

Sunday, September 9 (1:00 PM ET)

You might assume that TB12 and the Patriots will have an easy time against the Texans in week one, but there are some uncertainties on the offensive side of the ball. Who will Brady throw to besides Chris Hogan and Gronk? What will the run game look like? Oh, and by the way, the defense will have to deal with a healthy Deshaun Watson under center for Houston. He’s back from an ACL tear and looking to pick up where he left off last season prior to his injury (7 starts, 1,986 total yards, 21 touchdowns).

Expect a fight from the Texans and, potentially, the best early afternoon game of the first week. Looking for tickets? Find them here.

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Sunday, September 9 (8:20 PM ET)

It’s an NFC North rivalry game to kick off Sunday Night Football, as Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears head to Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. There’s hope in Chicago that new head coach Matt Nagy will right the ship and set the Bears on a winning course, but it’ll be a tall order to do so against a healthy, Rodgers-led Packers team at home.

Number 12 always performs well under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, so this will be a week one matchup you won’t want to miss. Looking for tickets to the game? Find them here.

Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams

Monday, September 10 (10:20 PM ET)

Whoever decided that Monday Night Football should kick off its season with a Jets/Lions matchup needs to be severely reprimanded. Luckily for football fans, there’s a second MNF game between the Raiders and Rams.

Jon Gruden is back in a head coaching position, once again in Oakland, and he’ll look to turn things around after an extremely disappointing 2017 season. However, it won’t be easy in week one, as Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and the Los Angeles Rams are talented on both sides of the ball. The Rams added wide receiver Brandin Cooks to bolster its offense as well as cornerback Aqib Talib to shore up the pass defense. This team was scary last year, and it’s only gotten better in the offseason. Looking for tickets? Find them here.

(Cropped image courtesy of Quasimime via Flickr.)