2019 NFL Season Will Kick Off with Chicago Hosting Green Bay

The NFL's 100th Season will kick off Thursday, September 5 at 7:20 p.m. CST with the Chicago Bears hosting the Green Bay Packers.

The announcement was made by Hans Schroeder, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media, at the League's Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

You couldn't ask for a better rivalry to open the season on what will be their 199th meeting, including playoff matches.  Green Bay leads the-all time series 97-95-6.

NBC will televise the game, which should be a close battle between the reigning NFC North champion Bears and a Packers team looking to regain division dominance under first year head coach Matt LaFleur.

This will be the first time since 2003 that the defending Super Bowl champion didn't play in the season opener.

The New England Patriots will kick off their season, and raise their championship banner, on NBC Sunday Night Football opening weekend against an opponent to be named later.